day1 Amsterdam

Walking on foot is by far the best way to get to know  a city and walk we did. In measured terms we did 11.3km the first day. We may have headed off in one direction but we always manage to deviate slightly off to the side of our original direction. Google maps is great if the GPS keeps up with your steps, which it obviously doesnt but at least it gives an indication of whether you are heading in the general direction.
First day destination was Albert cruypt market, a general disappointment full of cheap imports but the people were friendly enough. I purchased a couple of cheap magnets for friends back at home. We had a quick coffee at the Bazaar, which would have been a pleasant experience had it not been for one of the proprietors  moving furniture around and scrapping them across the floor- I swear he did not want us in there because there was definately nobody else in there to serve.I didnt realise it at the time but the short black coffee that we received at the time was to be hands down better than some of the lattes we were to have later.
I took a few photos on the walk to the markets of the canal houses - every thing was of interest
We managed to visit a vintage store where Richmal purchased a lovely pair of hand made leather shoes at 36euros - a bargain , we also purchased picnic food from a Turkish deli 11 euros for bread hummus, eggplant pickle, tub of strawberries, a hand of fresh cherry tomatoes, couscous and two roopio tea 
We walked and walked and walked to finally return to the hotel and then sit in the park for a late picnic lunch, We watched the passing parade of bicycles and dutch speaking riders, children play in the park on a sunless and cool day. A rest was definately necessary to recuperate from the previous travel and that we did

view  from our hotel window looking out to The Tropen Museum