KNOW YOUR AMSTERDAM
We were in Amsterdam for two Best Sunny months of July and August. The day stretches along till 10.30 p.m at night. It was surprising to see the sky lighted brightly till then. We fell in to the habit of sleeping by the clock then by the arrival of night.
HOLLAND WAS THE NAME
Netherlands is popularly known as Holland since Amsterdam its Capital lies in the Holland province of Netherlands.
RIVERS
Amsterdam took its name from the Amstel river . It was dammed from South thus Amsteldam eventually became Amsterdam.
From the south the river runs it to the city till the town hall.Then it branches into different streams and runs through the city as canals.
CANALS OF AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam and Netherlands are amazing place to be in. The city looks and feels too good to true. The river Amstel which flows through the city is beautifully cut and made in to semicircular canals adding beauty and movement in one stroke.
The canals started in 1613 and finished in 1656. Like garland it hugs the city into four concentric circles.
The first one is called the canal of Lords,the second one Emperor's canal, the third one Princes canal and the fourth called Singelgracht (prehaps the commener's canal) and Hoola the beautiful canal system of Amsterdam was made as early as 16th century giving the special character to the city.
.Now next wonderful fine crafted buildings for wealthy merchants were made around the canals. The architecture dates from From Gothic period to renaissance
period in the past. Later many renowned architectures also started pitching in to beutify this 200sq km area. Like Hendrick de heyser did the important Architecture of Westerkerk.
Thus the beautifully crafted buildings lining the canals makes a perfect for a picture postcard.
The boats, yachts, barges sail past the waterways adding to the scene a dream like quality. There are cruises for you to pick when you can see the scenes packed with sight seeing scenes like parks, museums, coffee shops, eating joints , shopping areas and breath taking buildings lining the canal route
For a city of the size of just 219 sq km about 165 canals runs through it. It is a Engineering marvel.
The with well laid out canals and beautiful buildings gives a special attraction to the city
WATER ROADS
Apart from the canal system around the city in the form of a garland there is a long canal connecting to North sea in the west and another long canal connecting to the Rhine in the inner side of Nether lands. Thus a perfect water way system to bring in goods into the city from the sea and distribute things around the city and another one to take the goods to the hinter land inside.
PEDAL POWER
Then the second amazing thing is the city is powered by the humble bicycle.bicycle Can you believe a modern city moves with perfect ease on pedal power propelled by a pair of strong legs. The city having an expanse of 220 sq km boasts of 400 km of well laid out bicycle paths.
A population of 8 lakh people own more than 12 lakh bicycles. Clearly the rules of the city have given the humble bicycle an upper hand over the motor cars. In one stroke the endearment, health and the pockets are synced.The rich poor divide too is bridged. The bicycle is used by all socio ecnomic sections. The people live healthy and long lives
FLOWER POWER
The flower culture is another unique thing about the place. A hardy hilly flower called Tulip had been nurtured and taken to great heights that this place remains the world capital for best flower economy
.
Spring in the air ( Tulips)
DYKES OF NETHERLANDS
Yet another marvel of the place is its fantastic dyke system.It is an Engineering marvel. The ocean and flooding rivers would have literally engulfed Netherlands but for the dykes. Like great wall of China the great wall of dykes were erected all over the Netherlands ( which literally means low lands) and the land was rescued from the water and made habitable.The great ocean - the North sea has thus been tamed that it is kept at bay by continuously maintaining the dykes. That to this day every citizen has to pay a dyke tax to the govt.
Helping the dykes are the Wind mills ever alert and pumping out the excess water again done in most cost efficient manner by using the free wind energy.The wind mills came to existence as early as 13th century.
HISTORY
Amsterdam started as a small fishing village around 1275AD. The fisher folks then became big time traders, trading through sea routes all over the world.
Thus Dutch did not get their craftsmanship of living overnight. Their story of good living started early. Their country jutting into the sea and filled with water of numerous rivers which had their emptying flairs spread out into Netherlands made it an ideal place to venture into sea and move the exotic wares inland through the numerous water ways. Thus in short while they became leaders of world European trade bringing in goods from far east, Africa, south America, many islands along the way.
Their hey days were in early 17th century. The Dutch East India company and Dutch west India company were established.
The Suriname in South America, Capetown in South Africa, Indonesia in South east Asia were the trade routes which later became colonies of the Dutch and the first forerunners in trading and bringing wealth of far off lands in to Europe.
As the first world war broke they remained neutral and could escape the travails of the war.
But during Napoleon's time Holland was absorbed in the French empire
The United kingdom of Netherlands was established in 1815.
However the second world war in 1940 they were annexed by the Germans and the most heinous deportation of large numbers of Jews to Nazi concentration camp took place during this time. Further they had to go through a gruelling patch with food, fuel and energy shortage. However as soon as the war ended they used their ingenuity to bounce back and went with a war footing to make their infra stucture in place.
MIXED POPULATION
Amsterdam is one of the most cosmopolitan place in Europe
Because of their position and return of their colony population after they got independence post world war II , Amsterdam has a mixed bag . Out of the population of 8 lakh only 50 % are of Dutch origin the rest are Surinamese, Indonesians, people from Turkey, Italy, Spain , Moroco, Polond who come to work and trade and stayed back to make this their home.Their are 176 different nationalities thus it has again the uniqueness of having widest representation of nationalities in comparison to cities of the world
But it is one of the most densely populated places having 4457 persons per sq.km and 2250 houses per sq.km.
TOURISTS
Amsterdamis one of the favourite Tourist destination having more than 10 million visitors round the year.
TRAVEL AROUND THE CITY
The first metro came in 1977.
presently the city boosts of a very good public transport system having fleets of buses, tram, metro rail to move with in the city. If you cannot ride a bicycle and don't have the fesility of a car you need not worry. Armed with a route map of the city and getting a public transport system pass you can travel comfortably anywhere with our hassles and most economically. We were just doing that for two months and we came to know the city like the palm of your hand! It is fun. You can have the independence of making your own plans. If you are past 65 yrs then you get additional concession in the transport pass.
SEASONS AND DAY TIMINGS
On July 1st the Sun rise timing was 5.23 AM and Sun set was at 10.05 PM. Slowly the day started shrinking A 17teen hr day.
July 31st it was 6.00 AM Sunrise while sunset was at 9.33PM. From 17teen hr day it shrunk to 15teen hr day in a months time.
By the time we were to leave the place the day started at 6.50Am and setted at 8.30 PM, about 14teen hrs day .
Want to know how the shortest days are like.
In Dec 31st around, the sun rises at 9.00AM and sets by 4.30PM, about just eight and half hrs of day and rest all night! Phew...
How are sleep lovers feeling, can sleep on end, but be ready with heavy woolens as the temperature plummets to -5'C to -10'C.
Summer months are real a song.. The temperature overs around 21'C to 24 -26'C. Its most pleasant to go on outings along the canal lined streets.
Spring it is said again is a very best time to visit with the beautiful Tulips blooming all around.
Winters too the outdoor life never shrinks. There is lot of activity going on keeping life merry.
.JPG)
Winter scene
SIGHTS IN AROUND AMSTERDAM
ZANSE SCHANS VILLAGE
We were in Amsterdam for two Best Sunny months of July and August. The day stretches along till 10.30 p.m at night. It was surprising to see the sky lighted brightly till then. We fell in to the habit of sleeping by the clock then by the arrival of night.
HOLLAND WAS THE NAME
Netherlands is popularly known as Holland since Amsterdam its Capital lies in the Holland province of Netherlands.
RIVERS
Amsterdam took its name from the Amstel river . It was dammed from South thus Amsteldam eventually became Amsterdam.
From the south the river runs it to the city till the town hall.Then it branches into different streams and runs through the city as canals.
There is yet another river/ huge lake in Amsterdam close to North sea. It is I.J pronounced as `Ye'.
This is another huge water body connecting the city to sea via North sea canal
This is another huge water body connecting the city to sea via North sea canal
CANALS OF AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam and Netherlands are amazing place to be in. The city looks and feels too good to true. The river Amstel which flows through the city is beautifully cut and made in to semicircular canals adding beauty and movement in one stroke.
The canals started in 1613 and finished in 1656. Like garland it hugs the city into four concentric circles.
The first one is called the canal of Lords,the second one Emperor's canal, the third one Princes canal and the fourth called Singelgracht (prehaps the commener's canal) and Hoola the beautiful canal system of Amsterdam was made as early as 16th century giving the special character to the city.
.Now next wonderful fine crafted buildings for wealthy merchants were made around the canals. The architecture dates from From Gothic period to renaissance
period in the past. Later many renowned architectures also started pitching in to beutify this 200sq km area. Like Hendrick de heyser did the important Architecture of Westerkerk.
The boats, yachts, barges sail past the waterways adding to the scene a dream like quality. There are cruises for you to pick when you can see the scenes packed with sight seeing scenes like parks, museums, coffee shops, eating joints , shopping areas and breath taking buildings lining the canal route
For a city of the size of just 219 sq km about 165 canals runs through it. It is a Engineering marvel.
The with well laid out canals and beautiful buildings gives a special attraction to the city
WATER ROADS
Apart from the canal system around the city in the form of a garland there is a long canal connecting to North sea in the west and another long canal connecting to the Rhine in the inner side of Nether lands. Thus a perfect water way system to bring in goods into the city from the sea and distribute things around the city and another one to take the goods to the hinter land inside.
PEDAL POWER
Then the second amazing thing is the city is powered by the humble bicycle.bicycle Can you believe a modern city moves with perfect ease on pedal power propelled by a pair of strong legs. The city having an expanse of 220 sq km boasts of 400 km of well laid out bicycle paths.
A population of 8 lakh people own more than 12 lakh bicycles. Clearly the rules of the city have given the humble bicycle an upper hand over the motor cars. In one stroke the endearment, health and the pockets are synced.The rich poor divide too is bridged. The bicycle is used by all socio ecnomic sections. The people live healthy and long livesFLOWER POWER
The flower culture is another unique thing about the place. A hardy hilly flower called Tulip had been nurtured and taken to great heights that this place remains the world capital for best flower economy
. Spring in the air ( Tulips)
Yet another marvel of the place is its fantastic dyke system.It is an Engineering marvel. The ocean and flooding rivers would have literally engulfed Netherlands but for the dykes. Like great wall of China the great wall of dykes were erected all over the Netherlands ( which literally means low lands) and the land was rescued from the water and made habitable.The great ocean - the North sea has thus been tamed that it is kept at bay by continuously maintaining the dykes. That to this day every citizen has to pay a dyke tax to the govt.
Helping the dykes are the Wind mills ever alert and pumping out the excess water again done in most cost efficient manner by using the free wind energy.The wind mills came to existence as early as 13th century.
HISTORY
Amsterdam started as a small fishing village around 1275AD. The fisher folks then became big time traders, trading through sea routes all over the world.
Thus Dutch did not get their craftsmanship of living overnight. Their story of good living started early. Their country jutting into the sea and filled with water of numerous rivers which had their emptying flairs spread out into Netherlands made it an ideal place to venture into sea and move the exotic wares inland through the numerous water ways. Thus in short while they became leaders of world European trade bringing in goods from far east, Africa, south America, many islands along the way.
Their hey days were in early 17th century. The Dutch East India company and Dutch west India company were established.
The Suriname in South America, Capetown in South Africa, Indonesia in South east Asia were the trade routes which later became colonies of the Dutch and the first forerunners in trading and bringing wealth of far off lands in to Europe.
But during Napoleon's time Holland was absorbed in the French empire
The United kingdom of Netherlands was established in 1815.
However the second world war in 1940 they were annexed by the Germans and the most heinous deportation of large numbers of Jews to Nazi concentration camp took place during this time. Further they had to go through a gruelling patch with food, fuel and energy shortage. However as soon as the war ended they used their ingenuity to bounce back and went with a war footing to make their infra stucture in place.
MIXED POPULATION
Amsterdam is one of the most cosmopolitan place in Europe
Because of their position and return of their colony population after they got independence post world war II , Amsterdam has a mixed bag . Out of the population of 8 lakh only 50 % are of Dutch origin the rest are Surinamese, Indonesians, people from Turkey, Italy, Spain , Moroco, Polond who come to work and trade and stayed back to make this their home.Their are 176 different nationalities thus it has again the uniqueness of having widest representation of nationalities in comparison to cities of the world
But it is one of the most densely populated places having 4457 persons per sq.km and 2250 houses per sq.km.
However the ethnic clashes are relatively low.
TOURISTS
Amsterdamis one of the favourite Tourist destination having more than 10 million visitors round the year.
Amsterdam is any tourists paradise. In the 210 sq km space they have packed in living history around the canals and entertainment in form of coffee shops , eating joints. way side sit outs, spectacular museums, trams, buses, cycle routes and motor routes running side by side. The water routes also Wye for attentions. Going by cruise or pedal boats, row boats are as common as seeing a motor car passing by
TRAVEL AROUND THE CITY
The first metro came in 1977.
presently the city boosts of a very good public transport system having fleets of buses, tram, metro rail to move with in the city. If you cannot ride a bicycle and don't have the fesility of a car you need not worry. Armed with a route map of the city and getting a public transport system pass you can travel comfortably anywhere with our hassles and most economically. We were just doing that for two months and we came to know the city like the palm of your hand! It is fun. You can have the independence of making your own plans. If you are past 65 yrs then you get additional concession in the transport pass.
SEASONS AND DAY TIMINGS
On July 1st the Sun rise timing was 5.23 AM and Sun set was at 10.05 PM. Slowly the day started shrinking A 17teen hr day.
July 31st it was 6.00 AM Sunrise while sunset was at 9.33PM. From 17teen hr day it shrunk to 15teen hr day in a months time.
By the time we were to leave the place the day started at 6.50Am and setted at 8.30 PM, about 14teen hrs day .
Want to know how the shortest days are like.
In Dec 31st around, the sun rises at 9.00AM and sets by 4.30PM, about just eight and half hrs of day and rest all night! Phew...
How are sleep lovers feeling, can sleep on end, but be ready with heavy woolens as the temperature plummets to -5'C to -10'C.
Summer months are real a song.. The temperature overs around 21'C to 24 -26'C. Its most pleasant to go on outings along the canal lined streets.
Spring it is said again is a very best time to visit with the beautiful Tulips blooming all around.
Winters too the outdoor life never shrinks. There is lot of activity going on keeping life merry.
Winter scene
FREE SPIRIT
Its a country known for its free ways. Free speech, freedom in living in all ways to the extend it is one of the first countries which has legalised prostitution and Gay union. We attended the Gay parade along the canal and it was really a Gay event full of fun and frolic.Also we had a look at the redlight area when we went on a walking city tour when the guide took us along the streets and was open to share all information on this subject.
GAY PARADE
SIGHTS IN AROUND AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is a place of sights. There is lots to see and experience. Here I recount some which we experienced.
CITY TOUR - It was a walk tour from Dam square area in the centre of the city. The tour is for 3 to 4 hrs along the narrow lanes of the city which is packed with history. A lady guide was showing us the places with running commentary. A cross section of world population were also their. People from U.S , U.K, Australia, Philippines, India (we two) . The city tour is quite informative gives you an anchor to understand Dutch history and people. The guide an young girl was quite charming. we enjoyed the tour, But one should have good stamina and sturdy legs to walk through continuously and to keep pace.
ZANSE SCHANS VILLAGE
it's an idylic village in the banks of Zaan river about 16 to 20 km NNW of Amsterdam. The village is a treat to the old ways of living with wind miils. These wind mills have become obselte now but preserved to just showcase the old living style. It was a beautiful experiance seeing so many wind mills in action , some taking out , some cutting wood, grinding spices. Its the scene from 18th Century well preserved
FLOWER MARKET
For flower lovers this is a must. There is a huge flower market right in the centre of the city near Muntplein. A large variety of bulbs and seeds are on display. It is very tempted to buy some. But a word of caution the return immigration asks the travelling person to declare any plant product in form of seeds etc. Further it may not be suitable to Indian climate.
CUYP MARKET
Looking for good and cheap buys, visit the Albert Cuyp market .Located in the centre of the town it is one of the oldest market having more than 300 wayside stalls selling everything from clothes to eats, electronics all in bargain offer
AFSLUITDIJK DYKE
Situated one hr drive from Amsterdam along A7 higway
, it is the longest closing dyke North sea and the fresh water lake which is formed from the water of Rhine and other rivers. Its the delta area. Also known as closure dyke it protects the large mass of fresh water for the city use. It is again an engineering marvel. The numerous wind mills also pump out the fresh water into the sea as the accumulation increases helping to keep optimum level between sea and the lake.
VOLENDAM
This is found close the big dyke. It is a fishing village and a tourist attraction. Worth a visit at least to buy souvenirs
MARKEN VILLAGE
Coming in the same corallary the Marken village is again a small siland village close to Volendam. It can be reached by a car. The houses are well kept and the entire atmosphere is very pleasing
MADURADOME - MINIATURE NETHERLANDS
This is a must see attraction for tourists. Located near The Hauge, it was started in 1952 and has seen millions of visitors since then. The models are repicas of all famous places in Netherlands. Visiting Maduradom can give a real birds eye view of the grandeur of Netherlands.
DELFT TOWN
Close to Madurodom is Delft town more than 750 yrs old it still retains its old charm both in living and Architecture. The Delft blue coloured ceramics are world famous and can be good collection to bring home.
who had come all the way from Switzerland to spent four days with us and told intresting tales of their experiances in India and abroad.
Birth day with Deepti, Hari & family
FRIENDS AT AMSTERDAM
The story of our Amsterdam stay wont be complete with out the mention of our dear friends whom we met at Amsterdam. Many of the Saturdays we had get togethers and we met the cross section of young Indians who were staying at Amsterdam and doing well for themselves and making India proud with their work.
Hari & Deepti who were successfully running a group of restaurants in partnership. They themselves accomplished chefs. Hemang( Cal IIM) & Deepali at Amst for seven yrs and have two sprightly children all Amsterdam born. Anuj and Nidhi from Delhi parents of a cute little daughter making good at Amst. Shishir who on the threshold of getting married again enjoying his stay at Amst.
The delightful couple Sandip and Neha
This is wishing Happy times for all of them
Then Eeke Helder very gracious lady whom I had the opportunity to get to know closely as she had come for the Acupuncture treatment and felt good about it. Her father Carlos from Canada who was an artist and painter apart from being a patient, the paintings he gifted will remain with me as good memories.
I like the lively blog.. this is a good way to set context for people planning to visit Amsterdam and Netherlands in the future..
ReplyDeleteWay to go and lets spread the word...