The main item on the agenda for day 2 was visiting Anne Frank’s house. We had heard from people and read that the line to get in gets crazy as the day goes on! I read anywhere from 2 to 3 plus hours! For my sister and I, it was very important that we visit Anne Frank’s house (my parents had been years ago), as it is such an important part of history. This meant getting up really early so we could get in line before it got too busy!
We all ate a quick breakfast across the street from the hotel and then took the tram to the Anne Frank Museum. We joined the line about an hour before the museum opened. The line was pretty long considering it was not even open yet. We queued for about an hour before we entered. If you are in the area I would definitely make an effort to go see the museum. I feel I gained a better insight of what Anne Frank, and the others she lived with, felt while walking through the rooms. I understand truly how quiet they had to be as well as how cramped they were while living there. It is hard to put into words exactly what you feel while you are there – obviously great sadness and sorrow but many other emotions also creep in.
Once we left Anne Frank’s museum we grabbed a quick coffee and snack and then made our way to the Westerkerk Tower. It is only about a 2 minute walk from the Anne Frank Museum. This is a church bell tower that you can climb up that gives you amazing views of Amsterdam. This was one of my favourite things we did in Amsterdam. They only allow 6 people on each tour and I think it is because you are climbing up the thinnest steepest stairs you can imagine. It was more like climbing up ladders, especially, the closer you got to the top!
When we made it to the top we were rewarded with 360 degree views of Amsterdam. I believe it is one of the tallest buildings in Amsterdam so the views are spectacular.
We stopped at the Homomonument on the way to lunch.
We had lunch at The Seafood Bar and I highly recommend the fish & chips!
Right after lunch we stayed in the area to visit the Begijnhof (Courtyard). Inside this courtyard is the oldest (wooden) house in the city, the English Reformed Church and the Clandestine Church. From there we wandered over to the Blocemenmarkt and then to find the bench from the Movie “A Fault in the Stars”.
Coat // Jeans (similar) // Boots – old by Camper (Similar)
In the late afternoon we took a canal boat ride through the city.
We made one last stop before heading back to the hotel before dinner and it was Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder. In English this means Museum Our Lord in the Attic. This is a canal house that houses a secret Catholic church in the attic. It dates back to 1663 when Catholics were no longer allowed to worship as the pleased.
That night we walked over to the Sea Palace to check it out for dinner, as well as the sunset. However, it was closed so we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant that was not far from our hotel. After that we were off to bed!
Lots of Love,
Buffy xx
