#19 Cruising Down the Canal - Amsterdam

 We walked for hours seeing the city but could cover relatively few square blocks. The best way to see more was to take a ride on a canal boat. We managed to score an outside seat which meant lots of sunshine, plus we couldn't hear the guide over the loudspeaker. If we're honest, there are times when we just want to take in the beautiful view.






We were smitten with the boathouses along the canal and wondered what it would be like to live in one. Flowers are abundant in Amsterdam and this is true on the boathouses. A few even had "patios" with lots of plants, chairs and a view of us as we rode by.

We boarded a boat across from Central Station, which took us on the Singel Canal, the innermost  canal of Amsterdam's circle of canals. This is one of 1500 bridges in the city.





  
Most of the buildings in Amsterdam were built in the 17th and 18th century. This house with red shutters was one of my favorites.

In a busy, densely populated city like Amsterdam, many ride bicycles. We observed everyone skillfully moving with vehicular--ladies in skirts, young people and the older generation. Many residents of Amsterdam own 2 or 3 bicycles, including a weekday bicycle and a Sunday one. The owners park them around the city to serve their particular purpose.

We were surprised, though pleasantly, to see modern buildings such as this one. People of legend who have held back the North Sea for centuries are surely adaptable and inventive.