Amsterdam

I didn't take any notes of what we did in Amsterdam, and I can't really be botehred to try and remember everythign we did there- so i'm just going to say a few things.

Amsterdam is awesome. Such a cool city. When we arrived, skies were grey but tempereatures were between 1 and 7 degrees- so for once, we weren't paralysed by cold. Everyone in Amsterdam rides a bike. There are bikes everywhere. Take your eyes off the footpath in front of you to examine a cool bird (they have some really pretty birds in Amsterdam) and you're likely to trip over someone's bike. They say there are almost 500,000 bikes in Amsterdam- and almost 50,000 bike thefts every year. I feel like if they didn't leave them lying all over the footpath, this number could possibly be reduced.

I love Amsterdam. We visitied the Van Gough Museum, Anne Frank House, Rijkstal museum, Dam Square, Leidseplein area, various clubs and bars, red light district.. everywhere. I especially enjoyed the Anne Frank house - imagine being in the space they lived in for all that time. THey actually had more space than I thought- although being in an enclosed space with 7 other people for even 1 week would be claustrophobic. The museum is inspirational, and downstairs tehre is a really unique exhibit. There is a large room with tv screens where theyplay a moral problem facing people in teh current world - italians wanting to ban crosses in classrooms, banning anti isamist groups from protesting in the UK. THey present the story objectively then ask you to say "yes" or "no" to the proposal. You press a button then the screen displays how people in the room voted in percentages. Very interesting stuff.

I loved the van gough museum as well - he truly was an insane tallent.

Amsterdam in general was a great - and the higher temperatures were a welcome relief. It's sad to be back in London after the Eurotrip - only 2 days until I go home - but it is nice to lie down and sleep for a bit - we had a hectic two weeks of exploring, partying and good times!

I'm ready to come home now though, provided brisbane hasn't been washed away by the time I get there. I talked to my sister on skype today - she's in Condamine helping with the flood relief. The flood waters are rising again though, and I think she'll probably be stranded there. I imagine I won't get to see her before I join the Royal Princess this time next week. But I will get to see Penny Pup, who is in Brisbane - which is very nice- I havn't seen her for 9 months!