Welcome to Amsterdam
We arrived in Amsterdam at around 16:00 hours yesterday, after a lovely ride up the canal from Ijmuiden. We had lunch on deck and watched from the ship as we headed up the North Sea canal. Some of the crew are from the Netherlands and were lucky enough to have their family visit the ship. It was nice to meet the families and show them around and try to explain what living at sea is like. This also meant that some of the crew had fresh new c lothes brought to them and they could hand their washing over to their parents. It is hard to describe to those that have not been on board at sea what is is like, so we tried to show them how things c hange whilst we are at sea.
We all went out as crew last night into the centre of the city and had a good look round. Amsterdam is absolutely beautiful at night. The city is lit up and looks amazing, there is a real buzz in Amsterdam, and it has a great atmosphere.
As there are a number of Irish crew on board we chose to head to an Irish bar first and made our way around the city from there.
Amsterdam is famous for its red light district and myself and a number of the others wanted to see this. We were lucky enough to have someone that was from Amsterdam with us to help us around and make sure that we stayed in safe areas of the city so that we weren’t in any dangerous places or areas.
A lot of the crew commented on the strange feeling of swaying whilst ashore. Although we were sat down at a table or stood still we still felt as though we were at sea and moving. This is a very bizarre feeling and I guess it will last a few days after we get home from sea too.
Later today I am planning on going to see Anne Frank’s house as this is something that we learn a lot about as children at school in Britain and her diary was one of the first books that I read as a child. I am looking forward to visiting the city properly today and taking some photos.
At some point tomorrow morning we leave Amsterdam, head down the canal and out back to sea to visit Bruges in Belgium. I am really looking forward to this as this is a place on my 'list’ that I have always wanted to visit.
I am currently sat in the bar surrounded by people from all over Europe. There are guitars being played and people are singing along to them. There is a great atmosphere on board and everyone is getting along great. It is going to be difficult to say goodbye in a week's time. Living so closely for a week has brought us together and I think I have made friends for life.
Finally, thank you Amsterdam for such a lovely visit.
Laura Bell