I got up and packed up my gear and checked out.
The hostel has a day locker facility so I didn’t have to cart my case around with me all day which was good.

I organised my bike hire and Van Gogh Museum ticket at the hostel because again it is cheaper and headed to the bike shop.

Click the logo for a few details on bike tours

Tanya ready for a bike tour (two photos)

I got my bike which was quite old fashioned with back pedal brakes - not on the handle bars - but you will see that in the photos.

Click on Tanya's ticket for a few details on the Museum

The Museum - and the crowds waiting to enter!!! (two photos)

I rode straight to the Van Gogh Museum because I had heard that the line is massive and it was.
I happened to see a sign that said if you had pre-purchased tickets you didn’t need to line up - handy!
It was only small and it was in a pretty boring building too but it didn’t matter.

"Sunflowers"

I went and stood in front of “Sunflowers” for about five minutes.
It was quite amazing.

"The Bedroom"

Right next to Sunflowers was “The Bedroom” which I now really like as well.
They are really nice paintings.

"View of the Prins Hendrikkade and the Kromme Waal in Amsterdam"

However my new favourite painting of the moment is by Monet who I love anyway.
It is called “View of Pins Hendrikkade and Kromme Wall in Amsterdam” - bit of a mouthful but it is a perfect picture of the way I see Amsterdam.
I bought postcards of that one to keep.
It was lovely.
Reminded me of the morning I was up early and it was misty.

Tanya waiting to get a beer!!!

and here are all the details on the "Heineken Experience"

After that I rode to the Heineken Brewery.
There is no beer actually brewed there anymore as they moved to a bigger place just outside Amsterdam but they have tours.
My guidebook said that it was a waste of time but a few people at the hostel said that I should go as it is actually good so I went and I am glad that I did.
The tour is very modern - one of my favourite bits was looking at all of the old TV commercials.
About halfway through there is a bar and your ticket has a voucher on it to get a glass of beer so I did.

The photo Tanya sent from the Brewery

After that you go into the technology room where I sent the video and the picture from.
Then there is more history and information about how they make beer.
Once you get to the end there is the shop and another bar.
I went into the shop and brought a bottle opener but I did really like the t-shirts.

One of the bars Tanya visited----- A "keg" drum kit

Anyway I went into to the bar and had another beer - there were two left to have!
I then went back into the shop cause I really liked the shirts and I brought it!
It is green and very cool.
Back to the bar for my last beer and my free gift.

"Me and my beer in a Heineken Glass"

You get a Heineken glass the same as the ones that you get in pubs but this one has on the back “Heineken Experience Amsterdam”
You can only get them there so it is another nice souvenir.

Then it was back on the bike for another hour of riding around before my time was up!

"A canal house I wanna live in!!"

I rode back past the Anne Frank house and around the back streets looking at the beautiful canal houses.
It was lovely and a nice way to end my trip.

Then it was back to the hostel to collect my bags and take the tram to the train station and then the airport.

The sun was out when we took off and the scenery was beautiful.
The coast line with the blue sky and blue water looked just like home but I bet it was really really really cold!
The views of the bulb fields when I was flying out were gorgeous as well.
So much colour.

I landed and got home at about 7.00pm Sunday night with Easter Monday to recover before going back to work.
I had a fantastic time and got another stamp in my passport.

Next stop Turkey!