Amsterdam 2nd Day

August 19, 2024 Amsterdam

The second day in the Netherlands went according to plan. I disembarked shortly after 8:00 AM and wandered into the city center. The red-light district looked terrible in the early morning. There was trash everywhere, which the garbage collection was tackling.

After 9:30 AM, I made my way to the meeting point for my next experience. I had booked a boat tour on the canals.

Two young men made up the crew. One steered the boat while the other served drinks. Both took turns narrating the history and highlights of the city as we passed mostly old and often very beautiful buildings. I regretted that I wouldn’t have time to visit the museums that were there.

After an hour, the tour ended. We had been lucky to catch one of the rare sunny days. This also benefited me during my next visit, for which I had also procured tickets in advance.

I took the ferry to the other side and found myself almost directly at my next destination, the A'DAM Tower. I didn't have to wait long to go up to the viewing deck of the tower. There, I initially enjoyed the stunning view of the city.

Next, I ordered two Dutch specialties for lunch: Bitterballen and fried cheese sticks. The former are meatballs wrapped in dough, often eaten with a bitter liqueur.

Feeling energized, I set out for the second part of my adventure, the 'Virtual Reality Rollercoaster.' I climbed into a capsule, received a VR headset with headphones, and off we went. I was now on a mile-long roller coaster through Amsterdam, being attacked by King Kong and fire-breathing dragons, going underwater and through the Rijksmuseum, all while being shaken vigorously. I was absolutely thrilled!

Then reality hit me again. I climbed to the top, where you have the option to swing over the edge of the roof with a swing. I settled for the un-glassed view.

I took the ferry back to the station and browsed the shops there when suddenly someone tapped me on the shoulder and spoke to me: Maria, one of the violinists. We then visited another store together and chatted on the way back to the ship.

No more than two hours later, I saw her again performing on the small stage of the Centrum.

In the meantime, I hadn't even had time to visit my cabin. After a tea, I sought out the singer Whitney, who, as usual when a passenger change occurs, was waiting for passengers to report to her 'Muster Station.'

Then I watched the folk dance performance 'A Dutch Cultural Extravaganza.'

Afterward, I had attended a 'Meet & Greet' with other passengers, but it was of no benefit to me at all.

After dinner, I went to my cabin. I had no desire to attend tonight's acrobatic show.