Amsterdam - A true beauty

With it's beautiful canals, friendly people, tasty food, Amsterdam, crawled straight into my heart. I absolutely love this city! I was privileged enough to visit this city on 4 occasions, and left with a smile every time on the journey back home.

Map of Amsterdam

The last time I've visited Amsterdam, was last year with friends. It was the first stop on our 21 days of travelling Europe. Rain met us at the Amsterdam Centraal Station and we had to scroll down a few streets to get to our accommodation. This time around we decided to try a different type of accommodation and stayed on a houseboat. It was a great experience and we were greeted by our friendly host, Joanne. She was very helpful in every sense of the word. She waited for us with ice cold juice and a friendly smile. The boat was cosy and we were very glad that we have chosen this as our first pit stop.

Houseboat Waterloo

Apple & Pear Fruit juice 

Cow on the toilet seat

Things I've enjoyed most in Amsterdam:

• Anne Frank House - http://www.annefrank.org/
• Riding a bike past the beautiful canals (this was a bit of a dangerous ride as your eyes are not always on the road ahead)
• Seeing the Night watch painting for the first time in the Rijksmuseum - https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
• Heineken experience tour (You get 2 free beers during this tour) - http://www.heinekenexperience.com
• Dutch food are delicious - Stroopwafels (syrup waffles), kroket, patat etc. 

Frikandel or kroket

Patat - Fries / chips

Stopped at Starbucks for a warm cup of coffee (and to get rid of the rain)

A stunning rainbow after the rainstorm - Amsterdam

Beautiful klomp (wooden shoe) - Amsterdam

Stunning view from Amsterdam Library - well worth a visit, even if it is only for the view. There is also a restaurant at the top of this building. 

A different view of the Science centre NEMO from the roof of the library - Amsterdam

And the view continue..... - Amsterdam 2013

Souvenir pair of klompen (wooden shoes)  in the shop in Zaanse Schans - Netherlands 

Zaanse Schans - Netherlands

Friends Mia and Rishon Ross at Zaanse Schans - Netherlands

Nobody is too old to ride a bike - Volendam - Netherlands

Love locks on Magere Bridge - Amsterdam

One of the many canals. A trip on one of these canal boats / water taxis is a great way to explore Amsterdam. A trip at night is also a totally different experience.

Some aspects of Amsterdam will put certain people off. But if you look past the cannabis shops (coffee shops) and the Red light district, Amsterdam is truly a polished gem in the big Europe rock. Friendly people, lovely food and a pleasant culture make up for any doubts about this beauty of a city. It's well worth a visit and I would love to go back one day and stay longer than the average tourist. Never say never!

Until my next travel (which will be South Africa) I will post a "throwback holiday"

Safe travels / Veilig reis
Phillip

http://saffatravels.blogspot.com/

Happy faces of Oman

During an Arabic / Omani day at our school, the children had to come dressed in their Omani clothes. It was a beautiful site to see. They were so happy and not shy to pose for a photo. I love the smiles on these kids faces. I hope you enjoy this bright smiles!

  

http://saffatravels.blogspot.com/ 

Food Club in a bag - Sohar, Oman

When I still lived in South Africa, 3 friends and I came up with plan to entertain us once a week. We've decided that each one of us would get a chance to cook for the other group members and then the remaining members would bring either drinks or dessert.  It lasted for more than 3 years! Eventually 2 of our group members got married after getting to know each other very well around the dinner table.

So when I arrived in Oman, I thought this would also work as great as it did in South Africa! Now after about 7 weeks of food club in Oman, we're still having a ball! Last week was my turn to cook up a storm, but due to the lack of any recipes, I scavengered hunt some recipes using Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/phillipgrobler2/ - under food / recipes)
I've found this lovely idea as an alternative for eating tacos and making it more enjoyable.

You buy a packet or 2 of any flavour Doritos, some Salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and some excellent mince! You throw everything into the packet of Doritos and "voila". For dessert, one of my friends made a layered cookies and cream mixture. Cholesterol guards and weight watchers were nowhere to be found in the room :) It was a huge success and we had a really pleasant evening! I will keep you posted on any interesting and yummy food club nights!

Greetings

Phillip

http://saffatravels.blogspot.com/

First time voting as an expat!

I've travelled to Muscat for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, but this time it wasn't for fun and leisure, it was to vote in our country's election. It was a quick and painless process and it felt great to be part of the 26 000 expats that casted their votes on 30 April 2014 all around the world.

We were only about 135 people registered in Oman to vote. It is a bit sad that the other Saffas didn't came to vote.

We had a fun time at the Embassy and took some photos while waiting for our friends.

  

http://saffatravels.blogspot.com/