Amsterdam: walking East

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Bikes at Central Station

Most days, we began with a walk either to or, in this case, beyond Amsterdam’s Central Station. I trotted happily behind the one with a sense of direction, looking out all the time for more interesting details to photograph. We particularly liked this blue angel which we passed several times.

On this particular day, we were heading for Oosterdok (East Dock) to visit the library. I had already spotted it in my guidebook and Greet, our landlady, also recommended the views from the terrace. She obviously thought we might think a library was a weird place to visit on holiday, but I soon put her right on that!

Central Library
Central Library

I’m not sure we ever did find out what the little building outside with the strange creatures on top was, but we fell in love with the library.

Central Library interior
Children’s Library

There was an exhibition of political cartoons which, knowing little about Dutch politics, I thought might not be very interesting. Turns out, there were two main topics, both of which I knew lots about – try to guess …

After the exhibition, we made our way slowly up through several floors to the terrace. The views were, indeed fine, but would have been better on a less misty day. We could see both Het Scheepvaartmuseum (maritime museum) and NEMO (science and technology museum – the green building). Finally, we went to the café for lunch – some of our libraries have cafés, but they are much more basic than this. My sandwich was one of the simplest dishes on offer.

On the terrace
Maritime Museum
View from library terrace
View from library terrace
NEMO
Library lunch

After lunch, we headed across the pedestrian bridge you can see in the gallery above, passing NEMO and the maritime museum.

Scheepvaartmuseum
Nr Scheepvaartmuseum
Scheepvaartmuseum

We then crossed the road to Kadijksplein in the Plantage district where we watched a boat and tug passing under two swing bridges.

Kadijksplein
Watching the boats from Kadijksplein
Watching the boats from Kadijksplein

From here we walked along Hoogte Kadijk, a residential street with enough quirks to keep us happy: more carvings, street art, a block of flats built on the site of a former brewery, and an 18th-century wharf where ships are still repaired. The latter is also a museum, although it’s only open on Tuesdays – which this wasn’t, otherwise I’d have had to drag John away.

Hoogte Kadijk
Hoogte Kadijk
Former brewery site on Hoogte Kadijk
Street art on Hoogte Kadijk
Werfmuseum t’Kromhout

At the end of the street, we crossed over to view the De Gooyer Windmill, the last of five grain mills in the area and now a private home, before making our way back along Entrepot Dock – former warehouses of the Dutch East India Company now also converted into homes.

De Gooyer Windmill
Entrepotdok
Entrepotdok

This brought us out opposite the Dutch Resistance Museum which we decided to visit – it’s very good but, of course, very disturbing. We’d been to the Anne Frank House the day before and the combined effect was profound. (NB, if visiting the Anne Frank House it’s essential to book online in advance for a specific time slot. Even then, we queued outside for 20-30 minutes so plan carefully.)

Finally, after a warming, and cheering, coffee, we set off for home. It was getting dark by this time, always interesting in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam by night
Amsterdam by night
Royal Palace
Nieuwe Kerk
Amsterdam by night

My next Amsterdam post will take us to the highest swing in Europe. And I wasn’t scared, honestly. Well, only a little bit.

Linked to Jo’s Monday Walk which today is Portuguese and sunny, so pop over there for a warm-up.

Netherlands , ,

60 Comments »

  1. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Sunkissed in Serpa | restlessjo

  4. The political cartoons are key. I am glad the world is speaking out against Trump more now. Its been hard here to speak out and be heard. Hopefully, now the world sees what a bad vote he was. I think every day with him as President is still a shock to most. I can’t wait till he is out…

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    • I think much of the world has always been against him! Certainly in this country he has been regarded as a disaster since way before he was a candidate, and if he ever visits he will be met by massive protest.

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  5. I think you mentioned those political cartoons a while ago, and they are pretty great, though I didn’t really need that view of Boris’s rear end (I suspect it probably is fairly accurate though)! Blergh! I love the bell-wielding rabbit carving too. It looks like you had a very full and interesting day!

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  6. You got some fabulous shots despite it being such a misty day. I love the NEMO, the windmill, the ships, the library with those creatures on top, and of course, I LOVE the political cartoons. Such truth in them! And that sandwich is mouth-watering. Is that Brie with apples? Yum. Too bad I just had breakfast, otherwise I’d be off to create something similar myself. I look forward to going to Amsterdam!

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  7. I’ve have l earned so much about Amsterdam from your blog! Thanks for the info, and the photos…sounds like a wonderful place to visit. And I think I’ll be there within a few years, too.

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  8. Other than photos of fields of tulips, I don’t recall seeing many images of Holland and none of Amsterdam. It has been an education reading your posts. The street art is hugely appealing as is the library. I’d definitely include it on a visit.
    I too love the political cartoons.. and share your fear.

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  9. Hello ,

    I saw your tweet about animals and thought I will check your website. I like it!

    I love pets. I have two beautiful thai cats called Tammy(female) and Yommo(male). Yommo is 1 year older than Tommy. He acts like a bigger brother for her. 🙂
    I have even created an Instagram account for them ( https://www.instagram.com/tayo_home/ ) and probably soon they will have more followers than me (kinda funny).

    I have subscribed to your newsletter. 🙂

    Keep up the good work on your blog.

    Regards
    Wiki

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  10. Wow, all those bikes! How on earth does anyone find their own when it’s in amongst that lot?!

    I like the rabbit with the bell – I’m guessing that the strange creatures on top of the building are supposed to be tortoises.

    I’ve been wanting to go to Amsterdam for ages but in spring or summer – I haven’t managed it yet but I’ll get there eventually 🙂

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  11. Lovely post on Amsterdam, one of our very favorite cities in the world. We usually just walk randomly so am impressed with your many “new to me” sites, such as the library and a bunch of unusual museums. Enjoyed the political cartoons! East Amsterdam is certainly a treasure trove of sights.

    Peta

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  14. Wow, even more reasons to book a flight to Amsterdam! I love the library, all the bikes, and… well… just about everything. Even though it’s not my fault – I didn’t vote for the idiot – I feel so sorry that we have a president that attracts such ridicule throughout the world.

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    • I’m starting to feel real fear, not just ridicule. And then our Brexit was the second most popular subject to poke fun at, so we are no better. 😟. But, hey, think positive – Amsterdam was, and is, amazing!

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  16. I think I’m in love with the library just from your photos. 🙂

    Libraries are such under-rated places to visit as a tourist, yet so often incredibly rewarding. After years of occasionally visiting the ground floor reading rooms in the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, I finally ventured forth to see the rest of the building last year. It’s a wonderful space, full of architectural, artistic and of course literary treasures. I was kicking myself that I’d missed out on so much those other times.

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    • This one was great – a mix of study areas and corners with comfy sofas. It was busy though, and it wasn’t appropriate to take photos in most places. I’d love to have had more – but of course, prefer that the library is so well used.

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  18. Loved the library too, Anabel. 🙂 🙂 Reminds me a little of the super modern one I found in South Shields recently. I WILL get to Amsterdam one day. Sorry I’m a bit late here. It was glorious again and we were out most of it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

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  19. You had me at the opening photo — truly! And the rest of the post and photos just continued to get better and better. Amsterdam is now back on my bucket list to visit for sure.
    BTW – If your sandwich was the simplest menu item…it would be interesting to see their most complex dish. Fabulous post!

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    • The bikes are amazing! I would lose mine forever I think. As for the library cafe – really, they had just about everything you could think of. I was very tempted by the noodle bar but as we were in a hurry to get on with our walk we just grabbed ready made sandwiches. (Walking rather than food – what was I thinking?)

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  21. Hi Anabel – that looks an amazing day out … how delightful to see … and yes I think I’ll visit when I get back ! Lovely informative, picture improved post … great photos – cheers Hilary

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  23. Loved everything about this Post from the descriptions to the photographs – especially the photographs. That was some bike-park you found. I shouldn’t have looked at this before lunch at the sight of that cheeseburger sent me straight to the fridge for some cheese to slap on some crispbreads, just when I’d decided to cut down on the dairy products. Another resolution down the drain.

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  24. I thoroughly enjoyed this walk through the streets of Amsterdam. I think political cartoonists are brilliant in their ability to convey a powerful message in a single image. These are all great examples.
    … and that windmill! Sigh. Can you imagine living in one?! Admittedly, the maintenance would likely be a nightmare, but how cool would that be?!!

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  25. So interesting to “walk” round with you on this tour. I have been to Amsterdam once but many years ago – would like to get to the Anne Frank House one day it must be so poignant and moving. Makes one shudder to think what happened. The cartoons are hilarious!

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  26. Hee hee – love the fact you search out books too! Our explorations usually take us to secondhand bookstores though rather than libraries.

    PS Loved your walk despite the grey.

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