So. Amsterdam. Home for three days was a beautifully renovated 17th century house in the heart of the old city where the stairs were very steep and freshly baked treats appeared every day as if by magic - apple cake, apple pie, apple turnovers, bread pudding. We walked everywhere, crossing canals, dodging the omnipresent bikes and visiting the Rijksmuseum, the Hermitage, Remrandt's house, Anne Frank house and Dam square along with an excellent vegetarian restaurant with a resident cat. Vermeer, Van Gogh and Rembrandt masterpieces. Frequent coffee stops. Of course there was the occasional pancake. We also bought cheese. Lots of it. So much of the city still to see. We can't wait to return.
