Van Gogh at Hermitage Museum

You should not miss Van Gogh if you're visiting Amsterdam. You will probably miss the tulips season (like I did!!), you will probably skip some museums (there are plenty, it's simply impossible to visit all), you will probably skip eating herrings (something like our "kiam hu") etc, you MUST NOT miss Van Gogh!

When I was doing research on my Amsterdam itinerary, to my "horror" Van Gogh Museum was closed for renovation. I was really disappointed. However, Van Gogh is one of the most important icon in Amsterdam, sure they will house Van Gogh's paintings somewhere temporarily.

Well, the answer was Hermitage Museum, the museum I didn't really put into plan had just made its way back into the itinerary again.

The back door of Hermitage Museum when we're done visiting

I was not very diligent in making the ticket booking of museums as I thought it shall be fine. But yet... when we joined the queue, we were exactly in front of this sign.

Torturous one hour waiting time

Only visitors with their own print out tickets can queue at the fast lane. The rest of us had to join the normal queue.

Slowly we were here.

Half an hour more!!!

When we're finally here, it started to snow. Yes, snowing in spring, that's how weird the weather was when we were there. Global warming is real! The colder it got, the stronger I wish I would be in the warm museum as soon as possible.

Some snow on the ground

Just to show you the snow on our head, that's the Man's head

Finally we got in. It's nice and warm inside. Like most of the museums we went, you're required to leave your bags and/or winter jackets in the locker. Hence, if it's possible keep your things as simple as possible.

It's prohibited to take any photos of Van Gogh's work. So there will be no photos sharing.

I can't describe how it feels when we're finally standing in front of the paintings. Every single stroke was clearly seen. I was imagining Van Gogh painting crazily when he had his panic attack. We saw the  Sunflowers, Almond blossoms, Irises, Potato eaters (I don't fancy this one), and a lot more that I just can't name them. Too plenty of them.

But then, I realized there's no Starry Night. My favourite. So I went to ask the security. The answer I got was:"I am really sorry, but we do not own Starry Night. It's currently in museum in New York."

:(

Still, it's really wonderful to being able to see Van Gogh's painting so closely. To observe every stroke. If you're going to Amsterdam, and not wanting to miss Van Gogh, one important thing, book your ticket early! Don't end up in the long queue like we did.

Ticket to Hermitage Museum for Van Gogh's painting, was 15Euro per pax. Since Van Gogh Museum has reopened now, please visit the page for more updated details.

De Stadskantine

First morning in Amsterdam, we woke up early as usual. (We woke up early everyday during the trip, because we sleep very early. Very healthy lifestyle, well, for a week) However, the lodging we booked in Amsterdam was not B&B. So, we didn't get free breakfast. Therefore, our food hunt started from morning.

We went to De Stadskantine, which located at Van Woustraat, near to where we stayed. It's a nice place, but I guess nobody wake up so early in Europe. In the morning, everywhere we go seems empty. Even in this crowded city. Unbelievably peaceful.

Street view of Van Woustraat

De Stadskantine

Good thing about De Stadskantine, is that you could dine here, even you do not have cash. Because they ONLY accept credit card :P

After we placed our order, we picked a window seat to enjoy the view out there.

Our seat by the window

The food was served quite fast, and we can't help to act like crazy tourists again, snap pictures of the food.

Our breakfast

They served pretty good croissant. After a week of croissant in Europe, I wondered if I would ever want to eat croissant in Singapore anymore. We paid 13.70Euro for whatever you see on the picture above. I had a smaller set of breakfast, croissant, egg, orange juice and coffee. While YH had a bigger set, croissant, egg, ham & cheese sandwich, orange juice and coffee.

The food is nothing to shout for. But if you're at that area, it's worth to come by and have some food at the nice environment at quite reasonable price.

Address:
120 Van Woustraat

Albert Cuyp Market

When we were in Amsterdam, we stayed really close to Albert Cuyp Market. Basically, just next street from it.

Albert Cuyp Market

Albert Cuyp market is the open air market located at Albert Cuyp Street, which was highly recommended by most of the guide books. It is also very close to Heineken Experience, so if you're planning for a trip there, you could combine this into your half a day itinerary.

Influenced by my parents, I like to visit markets in different part of the world. Just to experience how the day to day life of locals. I've got to say, I really like this market.

Like markets in Penang, they sell a lot of local finger food. Sandwiches, herrings, poffertjes, fries, cheese, freshly baked breads etc.

Poffertjes, looks like mini pancake

All sorts of cheese!!!

Freshly baked bread, smell so nice!

And it's really clean, even though they're selling seafood and meat! How did they manage it? I think Penang government should really learn from them, and hopefully one day, market can be part of the tourist attractions too.

Fresh seafood!

And there are some stuffs that I've never seen before.

Do they need so many varieties of tomatoes???

Weird looking ones

And, there are a lot of flowers! Mainly tulips! People like to decorate their house with flowers. However, if I asked mom to buy some flower for home, I bet my mom will say "Siau ah?!". Lol.

Flowers

Tulips~

It's interesting how the government turned this simple day to day life thing into a tourist attraction. I hope with much effort to clean up Penang by the Penang state government, one day, when foreigners ask us where to go in Penang, we will recommend them market too! =)

Oh, by the way, please do not try to go to the market too early. I read from the guide, market open at 9am. So when we went there at 9am, they're just setting up the stalls. Go slightly later than 9am, you'll find most stalls are up and open.

Heart of Brussels B&B

Heart of Brussels B&B is one of the best accommodation during our journey. It's value for money, and it's convenient. Besides, we really like the interior of this modern looking studio!

Foldable bed

Kitchen and dining table

Bathroom

Bathroom interior

Bathroom

Kitchen and balcony from living room

Common dining room where we have breakfast 

Common living area 

The owner Jan provided very good directions when we're communicating through email. Getting to the place wasn't super difficult (anyway we took cab). The B&B doesn't look interesting from the outside, just a normal apartment. But based on my experience in Zaragoza, I was quite confident that it will turn out well :) It did.

Breakfast was provided, every morning we came down to the common dining area where Jan provided a small spread of buffet breakfast, for only 3 guests. And he made coffee for us, every morning. Besides, he explained to use where to go, how to go with a map. Lovely.

It's walking distance to shopping street, Grand Palace, Manekan Pis, National Theatre etc. It's really convenient!

There are only 3 rooms, so book early if you'd like to go. Highly recommended :)