Amsterdam

Well, what can you say about this place?  Rewind a bunch of pages on this blog and you can see some of the highlights from before.  The best part of this time was meeting up with Colleen, from Calgary who will be with us for the rest of this adventure and the Burrages from France. They left their 16 year old daughter Perri at home in Arcachon France for the weekend. Really?  A sixteen year old, on her own for the first time?  Ha!  Trusting parents.  Colleen was a bit jet lagged but managed to make it to 9:30 her first night in Amsterdam.  The Burrages arrived the next day.   So a quick pre purchase of some tickets to the Van Gogh museum and rentals of some very sturdy bikes and off we went.  Did I mention that bikes have the right of way even if there is a car or truck involved?  There are awesome bike paths BUT no one wears helmets.  Including the kids who are being held on the bikes by their parents.  If you have 8 inch heels, are wearing a skirt, are talking on your cell while riding a bike, you still have the right of way.  Only in Amsterdam!   We wandered the Van Gogh, then took a tour through the Heineken distillery and then found our way back to the hotel after an interesting bike ride through the city.  Thanks to Ann for suggesting it! A bit scary at first with no helmets but tons of fun, none the less.  Though rush hour on the bike paths is really terrifying, it makes driving a car in Calgary seem easy!   

We wandered our way to a Thai restaurant for dinner and then to the Red light district.  The girls had their wares on display.  It is still a strange site but one that should be seen.  At least that's what Richard and Dwayne insisted!  After some hectic airport challenges we took the 8.5 hour flight to Kilimanjaro.  We have a few days to relax before we begin our trek.  Am still having technical issues but will post pictures when I can.  Wait till you see some of the pictures from Amsterdam!   Ha!