We arrived safely in Amsterdam! Right before we left to fly into Schiphol our airline let us know that they were not checking bags because of the baggage catastrophe going on — no problem, we have carry-ons! Schiphol looked like a baggage storage facility with bags stacked up, laid out and pretty much everywhere. First stop the IAmsterdam store to pick up our prepaid cards for trams, buses, museums and attractions. Little did we know that what we really needed was a bike!

Pedestrians beware, bikes rule in the Netherlands! They have the right of way, their own paths and are everywhere. Now I come from a biking community, birthplace of the mountain bike, where bikes are extremely popular and given a wide berth along with a lot of respect. Amsterdam is a whole new world! Funny thing is— the bikes the Dutch ride are not sleek, modern, high-tech, titanium bikes that I see all over California. They are mostly old clunkers, often just one speed and some with petal brakes. Like the ones you and I learned on back in the day. There are bike racks everywhere and when those are filled they line the streets and are attached to random fences. The Dutch don’t wear helmets and women are often seen riding with flowing dresses and heels.

Our first dinner was the must try Indonesian feast where I think Michael was the happiest eating so far. The flavors rich and exotic and the price tag meager for the array and variety we consumed. Dining options in Amsterdam are so far-reaching, it’s hard to choose where to go. I’m stuffed.

We took our first excursion out of the city to Haarlem, the town closest to the beach, and rented our first cyclis (bicycles). We toured around the town and were mesmerized by the beautiful Grote Kerk (St Bavo Church) that towers over the Grote Market. We explored the delightful Saturday morning market and bought picnic food for lunch. The Dutch were clearly giddy about the beautiful day sitting outside the cafés enjoying one another’s company while indulging in koffe and assorted patisserie along with the occasional Heineken.

We secured our picnic lunch with the bungee cords provided by the cycli rental company and took off for a 45 minute ride to the beach. After visiting the coin operated restrooms where they are sanitized after every guests, we settled ourselves in for the view across the Atlantic. What we saw where state-of-the-art windmill farms for generating electricity!

It was a short stint at the beach as we had to hurry back for our 2 o’clock reservation at the Coorie ten Boom House to learn about her family whom created a safe house for Jews during World War II. It was a good perspective of the other half of the Anne Frank story (which we visited previously) giving the point of view of the those who risked their lives to hide Dutch Jews during the Nazi occupation. If you haven’t seen it, there is a popular 1975 movie called “The Hiding Place” which chronicles their story.

Off now to another museum and supporting Michael in his never-ending endeavor to find the perfect treat to satisfy his sweet tooth!