Great start to a few days in Amsterdam – we got dropped off at the wrong end of the street we were staying and had a lovely 1 km walk in the rain, complete with wheelie bags over cobble paths. At least it was scenic as it was next to one of the main canals. Definitely couldn’t complain about the room however which was on the first floor and looked out over the Herengracht canal. Only a couple of blocks from Dam Square in the centre of town. Very pleasant after hours pounding the pavement to retreat to your room, put your feet up, have a glass of something cool and simply watch life walking and sailing past you window.

The canals are the heart of Amsterdam. What better way to while-away an afternoon than to stalk the streets and canals of old Amsterdam, and watch all the canal traffic, checking out the flash, and not so flash houseboats and then to settle down at a streetside café. Wonderful.

Amsterdam is of course famous for it buildings, many of which tend to lean as a result of settlement of their foundations over the hundreds of years since they were built. Some lean against each other, others into the street. This gives the streetscape a very quirky feeling and really adds to the charm of the place.

We took a bus trip to Delft and Rotterdam through the Holland countyside. Spotted both 21st century and 17th century windmills. Visited what must be the largest flower market in the world at Alsameer, just south of Amsterdam. Each morning they auction 15 MILLION flowers to be sent throughout Europe. 15 Million. The buildings cover 700,000 square metres or as they told us about 250 footy fields. That’s big.

Delft is a very pretty town, still producing the famous blue and white handpainted pottery – but for the rich only. A nice little dinner plate will set you back a thousand dollars. Unique though and very nice.

This was only a short stayover in Holland, but we hope to return one day to further explore this interesting country.