Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known to be Venice of North Europe. This is one of the places where I want to see just to know what it’s like, but don’t want to come back again. So is the real Venice (see why http://iventurous.com/rottieto2001/2009/06/09/venice/).
To control the population living on water, there is no new license for boat-house. In order to build/move a new boat-house into the area, you’ll have to wait for the current residents move out. All houses along the canals have the hooks high at front, used to haul the furniture in and out of the houses.
Lots of bicycles in Amsterdam. Actually, bicycles are one of the main means of transportation here. Most people have 2 – 1 for riding to work, the other for weekends. Bicycles thefts are notorious here. Most would need 2 locks – 1 for front wheel, the other for the back, or else you’ll come out and see only 1 wheel left! The local joke is by the time you buy your third bicycle, most likely that bike was previously stolen from you at some point!
Oh, and let’s not forget about the famous Red Light District: curtain up – free, curtain down – having customer. Real sex shows in theaters, with all sort of variety. You have choices of either watching live sex shows or you yourself perform while others watch. Then you have conventional sex shows, three-some, homosexual, etc. All were advertised right on the sidewalk with pictures fully displayed. I was curious to see what it was like, but after seeing it, I felt a bit…insulted and angry. Women in all shapes and forms are bought and sold right on the streets like a commodity. The government taxes those women on the income generated from prostitution, they also enforce mandated checkups for STDs. Some think this is the way to go, to control and make the whole thing safer. But I don’t feel that way. I guess I’m old-fashioned after all.
The irony: the oldest church of Amsterdam is in the red light district! Talk about resisting temptations!
We had dinner at Sea Palace, the most famous floating restaurant in the area. And for those who are wondering, yes, it’s the sister of the original Sea Palace in Hong Kong. Its capacity was estimated to be for 900 people, but sinked on the opening day! This was because the designers forgot to factor in the height and weight of the Dutch! Dutch in general are taller and weigh more than Asians. It had to be closed for redesigning.