Amsterdam - The Saga Cotinues

Day Three

Amsterdam is popular because of its network of canal which stretches out all over the city. There is a story behind this. The version of the story goes like this . . .

Once upon a time, the ruler of the City of Amsterdam has put a plan to control the flows of water in the city. City of Amsterdam is a city below the sea level hence water is everywhere. So the ruler ordered the construction of canal network as a method of controlling the water flow and as well act as a transportation network. Hence, the canal we see today. The End.

You can do more research on this. The story that I got was...I think from Majalah 3.

You can get to literally anywhere using the water taxi. The concept is like Hop On Hop Off Bus in the city of Kuala Lumpur. So we decided to try the water taxi. I can't remember how much we paid for the ticket. We bought a one-day ticket which is valid for 24 hours.

The taxi service is very very....very slow. There is no rush during the cruise. You will cruise calmly and harmoniously with the quiet surrounding of the canal. This kind of transport is suitable for people does have to sit for exams...because you will not feel the urgency of getting to next stop. It was so relaxing and you can sit anywhere in the boat, because there were no passenger during that time.

The water taxi has many routes and it also has its own schedule. So you can plan your journey in the city easily. Let the pictures below do all the talking =)

I think this the city council.

Some Dutchman ship.

Before continuing with next photo, I have some notes for you. Please don't be amazed if you see some boat house. Some of the Dutch literally lives in the boat or small ship where they park their house near the canal bank. This boat-house is like the normal house, they have everything - TV aerial, toilets, kitchen, yard, post box.

I forgot the name of this canal. They have names for each of the canal.

We stopped at one of the diamond factory. The factory entry situated just by the canal bank.

Then we continue with the most efficient transport of all time - walking.

Day Four

Today is the most exciting day. We decided to go out of Amsterdam a bit. One of us was saying that it is quite a waste we don't go and see the popular Windmill. So we went to the Tourism Info Center. They gave us some direction and guide to Zaanse Schans.

We took a train and the journey was about one hour and continue walking after arriving at the station. And you can see this from far:


So the place is like a culture village where they everything in one place. Like cheese making facilities, wood shoes factory, sheep farm etc.

Above is cheese making factory.

In a nut shell, this place has everything so you don't have to go to other places in Holland to see all this.

Day Five - Final Day

We had nothing much to do this day. All of us can't wait to go back to Soton. Well, our journey back to Soton was not easy. You can read "Coming Back From There"

Till then, Have a nice day! Tchuss!