Canal Boat Tour

Waiting for our canal boat.

Our third day in Amsterdam we went on a boat tour which cruised through a number of the city's canals. In the oldest part of the city center, we glided past elegant seventeenth century merchant's mansions, carillon-crowned churches and the old warehouses, most now converted into expensive aparments. All are rich in history from Holland’s Golden Age.

Papa and Ariana on the canal boat. It was partly covered with glass viewing windows, but we chose to sit at a table in the open area.

We cruised past the  Centraal Station, the Haarlemmersluis floodgates (used in the nightly canals flushings),  numerous houseboats, and the city's narrowest building, as well as some large houses still in private hands. We also saw the official residence of the burgermeester (mayor), and many bridges, including the famous Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) over the Amstel.

Ariana waves her hand over the water.

These buildings are known as the dancing houses of Amsterdam because the houses are slanted slightly to one side. Ariana was very taken with this idea and craned her neck to keep them in view for as long as she could.

A refreshing drink of water on the boat. We went through several bottles of water each day. The other main beverages of choice on hot days were a wonderful carbonated iced tea (Ariana and I) and Heineken beer (Papa).

I was very fortunate to capture this passing shot of a row of young men along the canal edge. They each had a book in their hands.

The architecture of the row houses facing one of the canals was very interesting. I love the red shutters and flower boxes on this one.

One of the many old bridges we passed under. The tour gave us a perspective of Amsterdam that we otherwise wouldn't have had. I understand now why Amsterdam is often referred to as the Venice of the North. We ended the tour just as late afternoon was beginning to change into a warm, buttery evening. The light mellowed, the heat less intense. We walked home tired and hungry, but happy.

As Gordon and I cooked dinner, Ariana luxuriated in a scented bubble bath. Our bath is so massive, it's almost like a swimming pool to her. Listening to her hum to herself as she soaks squeezes my heart with tenderness.

Nana's little water pixie.