After two glorious days in Bruges, Belgium, it was time to leave for the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. The sun was shining as we boarded our bus during our pre-trip on “Rhineland Discovery” (courtesy of Viking River Cruises).*
“First, we’ll stop in Ghent, the second largest city in Belgium,” said our tour director Fred. “We’ll have a walking tour of the city, you’ll have a few hours to enjoy lunch, and then we’ll continue on a 3½ hour drive to Wyndham Apollo Amsterdam Hotel, your lodging for two nights before you embark on the Rhine.”
A Guided Tour of Ghent
“Ghent has 65,000 students. It’s a big university town,” said our guide Charline. She shared stories dating back to the 14th century as we walked the cobblestone streets and visited an old meat house, now a restaurant and bar, where hams were hanging to dry. She showed us special wood frames designed for Quack beer glasses. “After a few beers you see pink elephants,” said Charline.
Charline took us to the Cathedral where the Mystic Lamb is on display. We saw the replica and the original 12 panel altarpiece, which is currently being restored. If you ever saw Monuments Men with George Clooney, the artwork was one of the masterpieces captured by American soldiers after the Germans hid it during World War II (WWII).
Arriving in Amsterdam
My boyfriend L and I had never been to Amsterdam and were excited to explore what the guidebook said was a “city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums, and abundant bicycles.” I couldn’t wait to see and experience it all.
The Wyndham Apollo Amsterdam Hotel was in a great location, about a 15 minute walk from the Rijks and Van Gogh museums. We dined at the hotel’s restaurant, The Harbour Club Kitchen, which is also a hot spot for locals. I ordered one of the Kitchen’s specialty sushi rolls. (My kids were so pleased to hear that their mom ate sushi!) It was delicious.
Boat ride On the Amstel Canal
On Thursday morning, we took a covered boat ride on the Amstel canal leading to Amstel river. “A third of Holland is water and there are 1600 bridges. It’s a bit like Venice but prettier,” said our guide Franz. He described how the Dutch have battled and continue to fight against the water. “We are fearful of global warming and the rising sea level. The pressure of the water can be severe,” said Franz.
Franz pointed out buildings on the canal called ‘dancing houses’, because they have tilted or moved from water pressure. He showcased Art Deco buildings built in the 1920s and 1930s and creative houseboats where families live on the canals. We passed the Anne Frank House, where Anne wrote her diary during WWII. (I wasn’t able to get tickets to visit the Anne Frank House or Museum. Tickets were sold out online and the onsite wait was too long. If you plan to visit order tickets far in advance.)
“I definitely want to rent a houseboat on the canal some day,” I said to L. “Maybe we can rent a houseboat during my life after 60.” L smiled and changed the subject to “where do you want to go for dinner tonight?”
An afternoon at the Dutch Resistance Museum
While L rested his cold after our boat ride, I decided to venture out on my own for a long, long, long, long walk around the city. Having read The Nightingale and All The Light We Cannot See (which is about resistance efforts in France during WWII), I was determined to visit the Dutch Resistance Museum. I was eager to learn more about those who resisted when the Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1940 to 1945.
I clocked about 7.5 miles that afternoon roundtrip, navigating around hundreds or likely thousands of bicycle riders, meandering canals, and street signs with multiple Dutch names to find the museum.
I spent more than two hours walking the exhibition floor, reading personal documents, viewing maps, images, and photos, listening to audio tapes and interviews, and hearing real life stories about the resistance efforts. I thought of my relatives who had fought in WWII and how scary it must have been. Tears came to my eyes as I listened to the story of young Remi, who was sheltered from the Nazis and then captured by the Germans and sent to a concentration camp.
I walked through the Resistance Museum Junior which highlighted the lives of four different children who survived the Holocaust. It reminded me to be grateful for those who fought for justice and for the freedom we now have because of their actions.
I breathed deeply as I left the museum. It was almost as though I had been through WWII that afternoon. In the 1940s, 107,000 Jews in the Netherlands were deported. Only 5,500 survived. As the Dutch author Amon Grunberg’s quote says on the wall of the museum, “I will make do rather with the comment that anyone who wants to understand the present day need not study history, but the way in which we deal that history, our culture of remembrance.”
My heart was forever touched by the resisters and those they helped during the grueling days, months, and years of WWII.
Navigating my way home with a waffle stop
Feeling brave and courageous, I opened my map to plot my way back from the museum to the Apollo. I walked around the canals and followed the street signs. There was only one place I planned to stop along the way.
“Do you want your Belgian Waffle warm with powdered sugar on top?” asked the baker. “Oui, oui,” I said. I ate the entire waffle. There was not one speck of powdered sugar left on my plate.
What did I do on my last morning in Amsterdam? And what was it like aboard the Viking EIR as we sailed the Rhine? Stay tuned, there’s more good times ahead.
Judi
P.S. – In case you missed my first recaps you can find them at:
♥ My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – A Delight for the Senses
♥ My Travels on “Rhineland Discovery” – First Stop Beautiful Bruges
*Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” Viking River Cruises provided me with a complimentary press trip river cruise on the Rhine. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
My husband and I were in Bruges and Amsterdam this summer too! Such beautiful places — yet so different too! I was lucky enough to visit the Anne Frank house and the Dutch Resistance Museum. Very moving experiences. I am glad you enjoyed your trip!
Shari, so glad you were able to see both museums. Lucky you!
Fun, interesting, sounds delicious!!! I got a vicarious thrill.
Haralee, you’ll have to plan a trip in the future.
Hi Judy! So interesting, you and I are on the same page with travel plans, it seems. I’ve been researching trips to the Netherlands for the last month, am thinking of a trip in the spring to see the tulips. Your post reinforces all the things I want to see there, so thanks for the insight and the pictures. All my best, xo Claudia
Claudia, it’s definitely a worthwhile trip. Viking has spring trips to Holland where you get a chance to see all the tulips in bloom.
Judi,
I have really enjoyed your recent commentary on the Rhineland River cruise. I kept a diary of our trip and it was such fun to compare our experiences and reactions. I thank you for giving me access to your blog. I also remember your giving me your favorite food site which I jotted down but can’t find – I would really appreciate that info again. Keep the commentary on our trip coming – it was such a special trip. My best, Donna
Donna, so glad you are enjoying my blog and thanks for your comments. I have lots more to share about our trip. It was so nice meeting you too.
Hi Judi, We are going on this cruise in May, have enjoyed reading about yours. What time did you arrive in Amsterdam, I am trying to make plans for that night. Thanks! Wendy
Wendy, We arrived in the afternoon. I would suggest walking around the museum area from the hotel in Amsterdam — it’s not too far. There are some nicer restaurants there.
Judi
Thank you very much
Glad I was able to help.