We learned a few things:
1) why the city wants to cut down trees in certain parts of town (because the roots dislodge the pavement and it makes for horrendous bike riding)
2) why people gather at a dockworker's statue for Remembrance Day (it commemorates the 1941 strike made by dockworkers who protested the deportation of Jewish residents)
3) how Holland maintains its windmills that are no longer used (part of the heritage, allows people to live inside)
4) the location of a tasty microbrew that was initially marketed toward squatters (near the windmill on zeeburgerstraat)
5) how one of the manmade islands seems to have two names (Javaeiland and KNSMeiland (or something like that))
6) the location of an urban beach (atop the Nemo museum, entree 2 euros, possibly includes beer)
7) why Amsterdam has kept its older outdoor urinals when the portable plastic ones are available (part of the city's history)
8) that the slang for the word for "Amsterdammer" is Hebrew-based (mokummer)
9) where the best genever is (down a covered alley near Dam Square)
10) what happened to the Jordaan habitues of oom-pah-pah music (they moved to a different town)
The bike tour included an hour-long boat ride through the canals, including water and 2 Heinekens. Afterwards, we had to get back because our sitter had to go, but the tour ended with a bike ride through Vondelpark. It was a great way to see everything and I'd recommend this sort of tour for anyone who comes here. Mike's Bike Tours also has a bakfiets (bike box) for rent for anyone who has kids.
I also found out that Melinda took a Mike's Bike Tour in Munich and had a great time!
The bike tour met outside the Rijksmuseum. Here are some dogs frolicking in the fountain on Museumplein.
I took this picture b/c I liked the weathervane. It's atop the Lloyd's Hotel Amsterdam, which was once occupied by squatters and artists to save it from destruction. It's now a boutique hotel.
1 comment:
Mike's bike tours are great! I'm so jealous! Melinda
Post a Comment