Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Fall 2019

 Amsterdam, here we come, our last destination of the trip. We were excited to visit this lively and most populous city of the Netherlands. Our hotel was in the Canal Belt area and overlooked the pretty and peaceful canal. It's a small hotel, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. But the location is great for catching the tram for public transportation and only a short walk to Rembrandt Square. 

Canal view from our hotel

Canal Belt

The Amsterdam canal cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the stunning city view as well as to appreciate some of this urban 165 canals and the city's other waterways. 

Amsterdam Centrum 

Ready for our canal cruise

The Amsterdam central train station

Sea Palace, Europe's first and largest floating Chinese restaurant

Beautiful view from the canal cruise

De Duif - Prinsengracht canals

Science Center NEMO

St. Nicholas Basilica

Trendy shopping center, Magna Plaza

Amsterdam's biggest department store - De Bijenkorf

The Damrak avenue, a main street running between Amsterdam Central in the north and Dam Square in the south.

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam

De Bijenkorf shopping square

The old Stock Exchange building

A nice evening stroll in the busy pedestrian mall

Night view of a canal in the city center

We like to visit the local market in the morning. It's fun to check out some local specialties and to pick up a few gifts to bring home. A tram stop away and a short walk from our hotel took us to the Albert Cuypmarket in the "Latin Quarter" of De Pijp.

The local market - Albert Cuyp in De Pijp neighborhood.

Cheese shop

Stroopwafel stall

After the market, we hurried to the Anne Frank House and Museum to use our online purchased admission tickets. It was very interesting to take the tour and to visit the room where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding for two years.

Anne Frank House/Museum

Canal view near Anne Frank house

And the Old Cathedral 

Nieuwe Zijde

Herengracht

Lutheran Church

Our last night dinner in Amsterdam

All went well and we had a great trip. We said our goodbye at JFK. I was leaving for RDU, NC and Michelle for SYR, NY. We already look forward to our next adventure in the near future... 

Utrecht, The Netherlands - Fall 2019

 We left Bruges on a rainy morning for Utrecht by train. We made two transfers since there was not a directly route to Utrecht. It took about three and half hours to travel the 210 km distance between these two cities. Fortunately, our hotel was around the corner of the central train station. It's located in a famous shopping center, Hoog Catharine and not far from the historic city center and the canals.

The reason for Utrecht stop was to visit my uncle and his family in addition to playing tourist in this fine city. My uncle's family came to Utrecht in the late 1970s from Vietnam as refugees. The first time I visited them was in 1989 and again in 2001 with my parents and sister. It's a good opportunity for Michelle to meet my uncle, aunt and their daughter, Khanh while we're in Utrecht for a few days.

Our hotel - The Hampton By Hilton in Utrecht

Hoog Catherijine, the largest indoor mall in the Netherlands

Weekend outdoor market outside the mall

Dinner with my uncle and family

A quick trip down memory lane. We stopped at my uncle's old restaurant in the heart of the city center, a block from the Dom Tower. Since the Dom Tower was closed to the public, we visited St. Martin's Cathedral and the nearby Utrecht University where my cousin Khanh used to go to school.

Uncle's restaurant - Picture taken in 1989 with my Aunt

Michelle and Khanh at the same restaurant location. Uncle retired many years ago.

 

View of St. Martin's Cathedral from uncle's former sandwich shop

 

Utrecht University

Courtyard at St. Martine Cathedral

The cathedral's courtyard

St. Martin's Cathedral 

Altar piece in St. Martin's Cathedral 

Utrecht has a famous canal that runs through the city center. Only about 2 km long, the Oudegracht (old canal) of Utrecht attract tourists to many trendy restaurants and cafes at a canal (water) level. It's a perfect place to hang out for a drink and people watch. 

Canal stroll

Snack time - The savory little pancakes from a truck vendor nearby

Shops and restaurants along the Oudegracht.

 A nice day for pedal boats and kayaks   

A selfie!

We had a nice lunch and drinks at the popular Winkel van Sinkel restaurant on the charming Oudegracht (old canal).

Delicious Dutch French fries (with mayo) and sweet potato fries

As promised, Khanh took us to see a windmill not far from my uncle's house. It was a traditional working windmill in Breukelen, a small town along the river Vecht. The windmill is still there but now is a museum.  I recognized the windmill right away even in the rain. But, the area looked different than what I remember. There was no Chinese gate, an entrance to the Chinese restaurant!. Later I was told that the gate was removed many years ago when a German owner took over the restaurant. Nowadays, instead of the Chinese gate, tourists can see a prominent restaurant sign, the McDonald's double arch across the parking lot from the windmill! 

Windmill of Breukelen - 1989

Windmill of Breukelen - 2019

It's time to say goodbye to my uncle, my aunt and cousin Khanh. They were wonderful hosts and we had a great time visiting the family. We much appreciated their hospitality, especially Khanh's. She was an excellent tour guide and chauffer for us. It's fun to hang out with her as we are glad for the opportunity to get to know our cousin. We hope to see Khanh and uncle's family again in the near future.

Farewell to my uncle family at his house