April, 2015 - AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

We had a brisk 6 hour motor sail from Scheveningen (Den Haag) to the Seaport Marina in Ijmunden.  Wind against us and the current made for a lumpy ride.  Next day we motored through the lock and up the river to Sixhaven Marina in the heart of Amsterdam.

The marina has just been completely rebuilt.  The washrooms had been open for only 3 weeks when we arrived.  Just a short walk to a free ferry to the central railway station.  It could not be more convenient.

Way too much to see here.  These pictures do not even scratch the surface.

We "lock up or was it down?" to the river/canal.

Tugs are needed to help the bigger ships round the bends.

Holland has more "tall ships" then anywhere we have been.

Passat II at the Sixhaven Marina.

The original Central Train Station is much as I remember it from the mid 70s.

The Venice of Northern Europe.

Ship like building on the main river/canal.

Grand Hotel Square.

Fun in the square.

I offered Sandra "a ticket to ride, but she didn't care" to.

Trfafic jam in central Amsterdam.

Lifting bridges are everywhere.

We walked through the "Red Light District", but it is very quiet during the day.  The windows were empty and the only stores open sold adult toys.  At night the clubs and restaurants would be open.

Multi colored flags signify gay shops.

This place was open, but we opted to pass.

The air in all of Amsterdam was fragrant with marijuana.  Some things haven't changed since the 70s.

This was a high end mall, not a church.

Atlas at work.

Flower Market.

Plastic Clogs.

Inside the central train station.