AAAHHHHH...AMSTERDAM

After our time In Portugal, we arrived back on Ecstasea on the night of full moon. We were happy and content to watch Mother Moon rise as we sat on the foredeck in the port of Almerimar. And once again we were leaving Esea to fly to Amsterdam in just a few days. The Captain had been to Amsterdam before and had promised to take me back someday. And when we found out that one of our spiritual teachers was having a retreat there---well, it was a perfect opportunity!

So the first three days of our Amsterdam trip was spent with Rupert Spira in retreat. If you are interested you can watch this short Youtube video of his on the True Goal of Life:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTh56DJ2_LQ


The retreat was a little out of the city so afterwards we moved to a hotel right in the heart of Amsterdam. And this luxurious hotel room looked just like a room in the Palace of Versailles with it's red and purple covered walls and decor. Complete with a balcony overlooking the canals below. And wow, did we really enjoy this wonderful room as it was so warm and inviting since the weather in Amsterdam was cold and rainy. Now after record breaking heat waves all summer, this was quite a shock to our systems and we snuggled into this comfy bed with much enthusiasm. Now I know that I took some wonderful photos of this room, but can't find them anywhere...it must mean that it is really meant to live in the wonderful world of my memories and imagination. And it does!


Amsterdam is so lively, vibrant and alive. We found it very upscale, not only in it's liberal mind-set, but in it's culture and architecture. We were able to walk everywhere, thankfully, as we didn't dare rent a bike as the Dutch are crazy, crazy bike enthusiasts. Just to cross a bike path by foot was treacherous as you had to dodge not only bicycles, but motor scooters, motorcycles, and even electric wheelchairs.

First stop was the central Train Station where everything seemed to emanate from.

The homes right on the canal waterways...

The Canals were awesomely laid out and engineered, and everywhere! On a rainy afternoon we took a canal cruise and just enjoyed feeling lost on the water, taking in the sights.


Known for their French fries and even though it has been a VERY long time since we had them, we just had to play native (or tourist) and indulge ourselves...
And yes, that is a pile of french fries with little boy spigots dispensing various toppings (usually some form of mayonnaise)...

Somewhere along this summer season we fell in love with Irish coffees and had them everywhere we went, sampling and comparing along the way.
Since we are such admitted wimps when it come to rain and cold, what could be better than another hot Irish coffee to warm our innards?

Richard outside our Irish pub after warming up...

And of course, every city has a famous square. This one is named Dam Square...

 And of course, every square has pigeons...

The Diamond Factory building was impressive...

Along the canal in the Tulip District...

And YES, we did go to the Red Light District. We feel that Amsterdam has established a good working system for the world's oldest profession, as the women are in control.
And here is the Condom Store which had quite a crowd around it...

Something for everyone---Close up and personal...

Then the famous Coffee Shops where you can enjoy your favorite cannabis in it's many forms...

Night view along the canal...

We didn't get to see the Ann Frank Museum as tickets sell out months in advance, but a highlight was the Van Gogh Museum, where we spent one whole afternoon...

Bikes along the canal...

Canal house boats...

Complete with bamboo growing on the roof...

We found great food in Amsterdam---anywhere from fine French cuisine to good Mexican food. And we even got adventurous and tried Hachee, the famous dutch stew, and also pea soup.

Now most of you know that my Captain is not shy...but even this surprised me!!! As I walked ahead and he called my name---this is what I saw--Oh My...

Yes, Amsterdam was very good to us in spite of the cold rainy weather. It proved to be all that i had anticipated and more.
And now it is time to go back home to Ecstasea and put her to bed for her long winter nap in Spain. And we are ready to rejoin our warm desert home in Tucson.
It has been an unusual summer for us. Not bad, just different and we are thankful for all of the new opportunities to explore in an open, flexible manner. Living for 12 summers on the ocean, we have certainly learned the value of flexibility and going with the flow. It's much easier to sail downwind than struggle going anywhere upwind against Mother nature.

Thank you Ecstasea, thank you Captain and first mate, thank you Yemaya Mother Ocean and Vayu mighty wind, thank you smooth seas, and even stormy ones. And with our deep appreciation we continue to say "Yes" to it all!