AMSTERDAM: HIGHLIGHTS Part 3

The next day Emma insisted we woke up early, out by 08:00 in order to be in the cue for the Anne Frank House and Museum.  Now admittedly this isn't normally my go to, however I was defiantly proved wrong.  With the beautiful exterior of the canal side house, it appeared conventional.  The whole house tour was actually really interesting.  Over the years the annex has remained in its authentic state, so it was amazing to experience/tour aspects of her life living as an evacuee.  With the aim today highlighting the importance of freedom, human rights and democracy in her memory.  It is surely worth a visit...even if it does mean cuing for 45 minutes at 8 o'clock in the morning.  

On our way to our next stop we passed the Magee Brug (Skinny Bridge).  With the original bridge built in 1670, it is most famous bridge in the whole of Amsterdam.  In the evenings the bridge is illuminated with thousands of lights, making it one of the most romantic locations in the city. 
Close to the bridge a tiny art studio caught my eye...obviously all in Hungarian, so I had no hope of translating the sign.  Although it surely was a good photo opportunity.

AMSTERDAM'S HORTUS BOTANICAL GARDENS

Next we hit the prominent Hortus Botanical Gardens.  Famous for its natural beauty, it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world since 1638.  It contains around 6,000 plants and over 4,000 different species.  The mass amount of nature that surrounded us was incredible.

The Climate Greenhouses allowed you to walk across the dark jungle like trails along the treetops.

We came across these extraordinary giant Victoria Water Lily's.  The leaves of the water lily can reach a diameter of 2 meters, and only flower at night.  Each flower blooms for just two consecutive nights, white the first night, pink the second. Amazing.

The butterfly greenhouse was by far my favourite of all.  Filled with hundreds of tropical butterflies floating among the various flowers and plants, their colours so vibrant.

CITY STROLL / LAST BEER 

Before we headed to the airport that evening, we decided to have one last roam around the canals and back to Dam Square.  Dam Square holds a collection of amazing buildings, highlighting the very gothic architecture.  Including Amsterdam's Royal Palace originally built as a city hall, it is thought to be the eighth wonder of the world.  Also Niewe Kerk (New Church) a 15th century gothic church building. 

We had been meaning to stop at one of the pancake and waffle houses before we left.  Luckily we managed to demolish a freshly baked waffle, topped with strawberry, nutella and whipped cream each.

Of course it would have been wrong to visit Amsterdam, and not venture into the Amsterdam Cheese Company.  Packed top to bottom with Dutch cheeses and souvenirs.  We obviously took advantage of the samples on offer.  

Our last stop evidently had to be a traditional dutch pub Nieuwe Zijde.  

And so that was it, sunset fell and we headed back to the airport.  There were so many exciting things to do in Amsterdam, the four days flew by.  We managed to press in a huge amount of tourist sights.  Not to mention the vast amount of steps we totalled up; just over 20,000 steps a day woaah.
Bye Amsterdam, you were inspirational.

Sarah