Amsterdam. Sunday 31 August.

After a light breakfast of yoghurt, fruit and a mini croissant we are fast approaching Amsterdam. The sunrise is very pretty.

I can already see lots of water ways and canals. It is very green. They is some low cloud and it is most so there has definitely been some rain. We arrive on time and make our way to Immigration which was a very easy process. A bit of a wait for our suitcases but we're both very pleased to see them come onto the baggage carousel. Nothing to declare at Customs so you simply walk through. E then make our way out of the airport which is vast and goes in lots of different directions. We have a fair walk to the Uber pick up point but no WiFi tobook a car so Julie head back to the terminal to arrange a car. A short while later our driver arrives and we head off to our hotel. Arriving at NH hotel about 8am we know that check in isn't until 3pm, but thankfully there is a room ready and we agree to pay the extra money for an early check in. Mind you, we then got slugged with a city hotel tax so it wasn't a cheap exercise. However although the room is small, there are twin beds and an electric jug, so first order of business for me is to kick off my shoes and make a cuppa. Julie aims for the shower, and tells me it was heavenly. My turn for the showerand we then attempt to read the map given to us at reception. We abandon hope and instead head out through the rear doors of the hotel and simply wander. the different architecture is amazing, and so are the bikes everywhere.

Ofcourse there are canals aplenty. Lots of people around too so we are definitely in the main tourist districts.

We have decided to have a big lunch later on and just something light for our dinner so find a small supermarket where we get some cheese,a bun (couldn't find any crackers) and a bottle of wine to share. Dinner is sorted. Lots more wanderings and eventually we make our way back to the hotel. We passed Ann Frank's house which was very unassuming, but then around the corner was the museum and there were queues of people waiting to go through.

Finally back at the hotel and it is only 1.30pm and we have walked over 7km. Time for a bit of a rest with our feet up before we head out for lunch. Am certainly feeling the jet lag today, but needs must. So we again venture out to a fresh food eatery we had seen on our earlier wanderings, La Place. Even more people out now at about 3pm. A tuna salad roll for me and Julie tucks into a ham toll. Back to the hotel and decision made no need to go out agsin today. We eventually decide yo have our Brie and crusty roll with our eine purchase. Julie tells me that the eune tastes better after the secind mouthful but I remain skepticsl. Most of the television viewing is in various multicultural lamguages with little English, but we happen upon anold James Bond movie with Roger Moore and the tail end of an early Vera programme. Beung totally worn out by noe, it is time for lights out, even though it is still light outside, and hopefully a long nights sleep ahear of our start of the rier cruise tomorrow afternoon.