June 28-July 4, Amsterdam

Amsterdam was magical. I had read about Amsterdam's seafaring history and its transformation into a biking capital. But I certainly wasn't prepared for the romantic canals, stone bridges, bobbing boats, and the sheer number of cyclists. Ilana took me to her favorite coffee shop where we had cappuccino and apple tart. We also had an adventure biking to the Van Gogh museum (which was amazing!) and around Vondelpark. Later on, we walked around the Red Light district and people watched at a bar while drinking some Heineken and Amstel. I hung out with Iulia who looked after Zeik, the dog, when Ilana and Dan went to Belgium from Wed to Sat. Iulia and I had lots of fun dressing up and going to the dance clubs Wednesday night, shopping on Thursday, and taking in the world cup soccer game between Holland and Brazil on Friday. I went to Rotterdam on Saturday to watch 'le grand depart' of the tour de France. Oh my goodness - I had such an awesome time! I walked from the train station to the race start, seeing most of the course. The team tour buses were parked near the start and I got to see some of the athletes warming up on the trainers in front of buses. I headed back to Amsterdam at the end of the day and spent the 4th of July with Ilana and Dan and their friend Mary. I also saw the Anne Frank house, where I met Bonita, who was moving back to Toronto from Cape Town. I invited her back to I & D's place and we all had a glorious time eating good food, drinking Prosecco on the roof, and then taking a last stroll around the neighborhood. Tomorrow, I continue on to Paris, Ooh la la!