When we visit Amsterdam, we always feel very much at home. Of course, we feel that way in many places, but this is one of those cities we keep returning to, whenever we get the opportunity.
Of course, the city’s architecture and urban beauty is like no other, and always lends itself to beautiful and interesting walks. But as well, it’s the open minded attitude of the Dutch which prevails and is so refreshing. Invariably, we have found locals to be consistently straightforward, humorous and not shy.
So we were pretty excited to have “scored” ourselves an exchange with a family which lives in a large houseboat just outside the center of Amsterdam. Perfect! We have done multiple home exchanges in Amsterdam before and each time we get to discover a different neighborhood and point of view. In this case of home exchange, the family will to be staying in our house in Sri Lanka, while we are in theirs, i.e a direct exchange.
Houseboat
The house, while technically a house boat, feels like a floating house more than a boat. Super modern, super spacious and beautifully designed, with lots of unique storage areas.
When one walks into this “houseboat”, the downstairs feels at first like a regular house. It is large and spacious. It is only when one looks out the window and sees water right there, that one remembers that we are in fact floating. There are 3 bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs. This is the dining area, next to the spacious kitchen to the right. Above the books, there is a staircase which leads upstairs to the living room and master bedroom, and decks, one in front and one at the back.
Up the stairs, open the door, and one has access to a large wooden deck. Perfect for yoga and watching sunsets.
From the deck, one can see how close the neighboring house boats are. There is a whole community of people here. This neighborhood started in the sixties in the area that had been used by the Olympics years before. At first, it was not seen as a desirable area, but today it is highly sought after for space and the waiting list is extensive for those wanting to live here.
From the large deck at the front, one walks into a loft type space which includes the living room and a small master bedroom and bathroom behind the wall. Clever design.
At the back, off the master bedroom, there is another, small wooden balcony which has a view over the water all the way to the trees on the other side of the river system.
We hear a splash and see that a woman is swimming in the “canal” between the house boats. A neighbor tells us that it is fine to swim, “nobody has died yet”… And so, given the unseasonable historic heatwave which is hitting Amsterdam, we dip in to cool off.
In the early evening when the heat subsides, we take a walk through our new neighborhood for the week, checking out the different styles of floating houses. There are many impressive, beautiful modern designs and then others more rustic, a combination of large and small, one story, two stories….each with an attached boat for easy access to the river, the forested area nearby and to the canals of Amsterdam.
Some of the other floating houses in the neighborhood, the one on the left has huge skylights and solar panels.
Another super modern design. These houses are really cool!
So the house itself is awesome. But wait, there’s more…
Side trip to Edam
This particular home exchange comes with a car, which means that we can do a few short drives to nearby villages, such as Edam. Edam is a charming town that for decades, used to produce, store and then distribute the gouda cheese market and warehouses. It stopped operating as a market in 1922.
Quaint draw bridges and small charming houses line the streets.
Clearly a very pleasant place to live…Water is everywhere in this country known for its picturesque canals, dikes and windmills. For centuries the canals and dikes have held back water and the windmills pump it away. The Dutch allocate more than a billion dollars a year to manage their flood infrastructure. In fact in an era of climate adaptation, the Netherlands’ expertise at managing the sea has earned the country a valuable and well deserved reputation.
Dutch architecture, wooden shutters, cobblestone streets, this is the square where the cheese market used to take place, supplying the rest of Holland with primarily gouda cheese.
We enjoy lunch in a tavern, out of the rain. Quiet place, perhaps due to the weather today…
A cheese shop with windows full of huge bright orange gouda cheeses. Most cheese shops here and in Amsterdam have a myriad of cheese samples for tasting.. something which can get a bit addictive.
Beach at Wijk Aan Zee
In a magical turn of events, and the dates for our exchange not lining up perfectly with the availability of the house boat, the home-exchangers suggest we might enjoy a few days at their beach “house”. A tiny, tiny eco home, which is right on the beach!
I, Ben, am not convinced. I mean, who goes to Holland to go to the beach? Wijk Aan Zee is about a 25 minute drive from Amsterdam. Who knew??! Opportunity having presented itself, we accept. And we are in for quite a lovely surprise…. of what turns out to be a very memorable few days.
Instructions are as follows: Park the car, take everything you need for a few days stay, and then walk across the beach until you are almost at the end of the row of little houses and then it’s the one with the white canopy and stairs in the front! This place has an old fashioned feel to it… like something out of the 1920’s
These are all temporary little mobile houses which are brought in at the beginning of the season and then hauled by trailers to warehouses as the weather starts to get cooler. The houses line up against the lime green covered sand dunes behind, which is a favorite spot for para gliders as you can see.
Each mobile home has a connection to water and electricity. One cannot rent these particular homes, they are all owned by Dutch families who come here almost every summer. It is one of these unique set ups by and for locals, not a destination for tourists, as there is no accommodation to be had. Except for the lucky ones, i.e us, who are allowed to masquerade as locals as a result of our home exchange.
So simple. So perfect. A little sitting area in the front which has a glorious ocean view and is perfect for watching the landscape in the changing light and times of day.
Next is the little kitchenette behind me. And behind the mural on the wall is a bed that pulls down and transforms the kitchen into a bedroom. And a very comfy bed at that!
It’s a kitchen, it’s a bedroom. It works. The focus here is on the ocean. You hear it and see it 24/7. As we are here during the week, most of the other mobile homes are unoccupied. We spend 3 days here resting, walking, swimming, stretching, reading.. but mostly just watching the ocean, the birds and the changing colors in front of and around us and feeling more in love with Amsterdam than ever. Because all of a sudden, Amsterdam has a beautiful beach close by!
Bliss. What more does a girl need?
Time to take a break from work Ben… The work can wait a few days…
In the heat of the day .. chilling with my flute and the view.
From the bluff behind you can see the back of the houses. We are impressed with the low impact on the environment these houses have, and yet the location is obviously top notch!
The colors are incredible… The lime green of the grasses, the creamy colored sand and the constantly changing blues of the sky and ocean.
The sky, sand and grass. Dutch engineers created these natural looking dunes. The dunes protect the town from a sea surge or big storm and sea level rise of the future. The Dutch believe in being prepared for flooding. They are masters at dealing with water levels rising.
The para gliders are a constant source of visual interest and color. When we are on top of the dunes behind “our” house, one or two of the gliders float right by us, we could have touched them. The wind lifts them up and then sometimes, back down again… their feet touch the ground, a few steps and up into the air again with the next gust of wind.
Flying like a bird…
The beach here is very wide, thanks to the government which brings in sand every season to prevent erosion, (a worldwide problem with rising oceans.)
The Netherlands, one of the most flood-prone places in the world, almost never floods. Holland is about twice the size of New Jersey and is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. Much of it is below sea level, yet the Dutch don’t bother with flood insurance. They don’t need it. The approach to flooding and sea level rise is to focus on preparedness, proactive policies, investment in climate adaptation and the sustained pursuit of technological innovations to anticipate and address any vulnerability. They have been doing this for centuries.
It’s good to have a beach to ourselves.
In the short video below, you can hear the seagulls and the surf… Even though we are at this beach mid summer, as it is also mid week, there are very few people around.
We could easily stay longer… time on the one hand stands still and hours blend into days and we lose track of any sense of time other than early morning, heat of the day and sunset. How wonderful to own a mobile home here with it’s low footprint on the environment and gorgeous setting. We put our names down on the fifteen year waiting list .. Why not?
Amsterdam
And then we are back in Amsterdam, for another two weeks at another two home exchanges, both terrific, in different neighborhoods. Our favorite thing to do in Amsterdam is to walk and walk and walk.
The houseboats in the center of Amsterdam are much smaller than the one we stayed in. a These are more “houseboat” than “floating house”. The original houseboats are restored ships that hail from Amsterdam’s seafaring and trading legacy. Many of these are more than 100 years old and retain original features alongside modern amenities, such as solar powered electricity, heating and running water.
In the sixties and seventies, houseboats were an innovative solution to the rising demand for housing in Amsterdam. Today, the houseboat market is seen as a competitive residential area, as the issuing of permits is tightly restricted.
Whenever we are in Amsterdam we go to our favorite yoga studio in the Jordaan area ~ this studio has such an innovative design and location right on a canal, and also near to our favorite movie theater which features international movies. Yoga, dinner, movie = winning combo for us.
When in Holland, you HAVE to eat herring, of course! Straight up raw herring is sold in kiosks, specialty small gourmet fish shops and even along the canal from a roving boat which sells herring and eel by way of announcement on a speaker.
Obviously, downing herrings is a time-honored tradition in Amsterdam. A good one!
We eat our weight in herring, almost… Whenever we see a booth or a specialty fish gourmet store, we buy, we eat, we firmly declare this is the last herring… until the next kiosk! Typically eaten with sweet and sour pickles and or raw onions, either plain (our preference) or on a bun.
Speaking of food, this ~ poached eggs on crispy potato hash with house tea cured hot smoked salmon with apple cider hollandaise and micro greens at “Dignita” in Vondelpark neighborhood, was hands down our favorite breakfast, and yes we went back a few times it was just so good.
Amsterdam is a multiethnic European capital that is a magnet for immigrants from all over the world. As a result, there is an abundance of ethnic food. Because we are in the process of manifesting an African travel adventure that we hope to start in Ethiopia, we opt for an Ethiopian meal.
Gay Pride
It just so happened that we were in Amsterdam for Gay Pride. We have been to Gay Pride in Washington D.C. and in San Fransisco, and are pleased to witness this day long extravaganza in Amsterdam which celebrates freedom of choice.
I mean.. really. Yes! Amen.
The whole parade takes place where else? Of course, on the canals. In addition to the floats, which keeps going all day long, the canals are lined with boats full of people, and behind that rows of people on the streets all vying for a view.
Of the dozens of floats, this one captures best the philosophy of societal acceptance of LGBT lifestyles ~ the boat theme “Heroes from the government” ~ LGBT members of the police, fire department, local gov and military. Seriously, just pause and think of the likelihood of an outright pro LGBT government float in the U.S. for instance. San Francisco yes, but that’s about it. Love the Dutch default to inclusivity.
Early on… getting ready for the big celebration. Revving up here…
If you look closely, you will notice a person atop of the water jet sprays… Music, cheering and a huge non stop party…. and the parade begins.
Everyone comes out today… So strange to see Amsterdam’s canals so crowded.
Alas it is time to draw the curtain on our three weeks in Amsterdam and our travels in Europe.
The bottom line of this visit? Amsterdam is now a strong contender, unexpectedly, in our search for an eventual European home base. We have ruled out France (too many baguettes, croissant, saucisson, cheese temptations), but retain Portugal as another viable option? Time will tell…
We will be back!
My mouth is watering just reading about the herring! …Nothing like it anywhere. I have very fond memories of Amsterdam but never knew there was a beach near there…
My favorites are all the gorgeous bright colored houses and mostly the free spirited people who live in Holland.Thanks Peta and Ben for bringing back lovely memories from my past…..
Ah Madame Bell, how nice to read you here! We thought of you when we ate all that yummy herring!
Aren’t those houses fun? The colors at that beach made me feel as though I was inside of a painting. The space as you saw, was extremely tiny, yet your son said repeatedly he would be quite happy living there. I guess the expanse of beach more than makes up for the lack of indoor space. One doesn’t need much at the beach…
So glad this brought back lovely memories for you…
Peta
I have just got back to Amsterdam and loved reading this post. Made me feel proud of ‘my’ city! You captured the beauty of it. You really lucked out with the places you stayed. I would love to stay on a houseboat and I’ve never heard of Wijk aan Zee.
Tracey, glad to hear we did your city proud!
We were extremely happy with our exchanges and in fact, the other two we had (not covered in this post as it was so full already) were incredible as well. Both very spacious and in great locations, one was right on Herringsgracht canal and had a beautiful rooftop garden. But alas, no space in this post. Every time we come to Amsterdam we stay in a different neighborhood and as a result we feel like we know the city pretty well.
How interesting that Wijk aan Zee is not a place you have heard of. Highly recommend you visit if you can. Such an easy short drive from Amsterdam and such a nice infusion of beach time.
Ben & Peta
Most fun and surprising adventures. And can we come visit when you live in. Amsterdam?
Sharon, but of course. You already knew the answer!! It’s a date…
Peta
OMG I loved it all and it makes me want to go back to Amsterdam. How lucky you are to have stayed on a houseboat! I told my children that we should take a vacation like that.
And the yoga studio tops the bill. I always look for yoga when traveling but don’t always find a place.
Ah yes, home exchange for us, is definitely the way to go. We have stayed in over 60 exchanges all over the world, in the last ten years.
We always look for yoga too and are thrilled when we find a studio like this, which is not only a stunning building but also has a large variety of classes, workshops and very good teachers.
Judy thanks for stopping by to read us and for your comments.
Peta
Oh boy, you make me want to go back (again) to Amsterdam tomorrow! Love that city. Thanks for the houseboat tour – I’ve often wondered what they were like inside and to live on. And the fabulous Dutch beaches – a well-kept secret. I make sure I go to the seaside every visit back to the land of my heritage! I’ve seen those little cabins too, and appreciated the tour inside.
My mouth is watering looking at your pictures of herring and thinking of other wonderful foods I have enjoyed in the Netherlands.
Did you try rijstaffel or any Indonesian foods while you were there? My cousin (who I stay with in Amsterdam) is married to a wondeful Indonesian lady and her cooking is out of this world. I’d love a plate of her gado gado right now, and I just ate breakfast…hehehe!
Thanks for all the lovely feedback! Interestingly all three of our exchange partners in Amsterdam, all had small little cottages at a beach near Amsterdam. So clearly the Dutch know that their beaches are awesome, but we sure were surprised and delighted to have had a peak into the secret of Dutch beaches.
We both love Indonesian food and have had it before in Amsterdam and in Bali, but the problem sadly for me, Peta, is I have a food sensitivity to onions ~ almost every Indonesian dish is pre-made with onions. We were actually seated at an Indonesian restaurant and going through all the dishes with the owner, but alas, we could not find one that had no onions!
Cheers to your Dutch heritage!
Peta
Amsterdam has moved considerably up my travel list thanks to this post. Everything about it sounds delightful, right down to the herring and that breakfast dish. I am definitely wishing we had not sold our home in Sedona. What a great way to travel!
Thanks for the compliment LuAnn. Three weeks and we could easily have stayed another three! For Europe in particular home exchange is really great as usually the most expensive part of the travel is the accommodation.
Peta
Oh my goodness Peta & Ben, what an absolutely delightful stay you had in this marvelous city & surrounding area. My daughter & I stopped in Amsterdam a few years ago for a couple of days when on route to South Africa. So much to explore & take in, I would definitely go back and can certainly see the draw for the two of you!
We did have a delightful stay and these photos do not include our last two weeks home exchanges which were as well fantastic but not novel like the houseboat. However, we did get to experience two more neighborhoods, which was great fun. Amsterdam never fails to delight us. Thanks for reading us and commenting.
Peta
Loved your experiences in Amsterdam! I traveled through when I was 15 and quite impressed by the freedom of the hippies. Your stories whet my appetite to return!
Gib, how nice to hear from you!!! Have you never returned to Amsterdam since that visit? you are way overdue for a trip! I don’t think you would find much surfing at the beaches there, but nonetheless, have no doubt you would enjoy a trip to Holland.
Peta
How magical! Quite a different perspective on Amsterdam.
Thank you Anabel, what a lovely compliment.
Peta
All of your lodgings look absolutely heavenly … and Peta’s blissful smile, especially at the beach house, makes it pretty clear you felt that way, too!
Our home exchanges were awesome! There were two more which we didn’t post photos of, even though both of those were incredible too. But one has to contain the post at some point…
You can tell, huh.. we loved it! Such a treat to have three full weeks in Holland. Such a treat.
Peta
Oh I am so jealous! The houseboat home, and the cabin on the beach both sound like something I’d love. I love being on the water. And the Pride Parade sounds fabulous. I too like Amsterdam a lot. It’s a city with a lot to recommend it.
Alison, the family that own both the houseboat home and the cabin on the beach seem to certainly have created a wonderful lifestyle. We loved their homes and they loved our home. It was a great exchange.
I love being on the water as well, especially if its not rough waters where one could get seasick. Actually, we never ever felt any kind of movement in the house boat – it was so large and so protected that I doubt it ever really registers movement unless it is being “towed” to a different location.
After three weeks in Holland we could have easily stayed for another three weeks! We just never tire of it.
Peta
Ben I feel as if I have just been on a magical tour. I very much enjoyed following along on Instagram during your trip and lapped up your stories and video with great pleasure. The floating house so modern and not what I would have expected. However it was the Wee beach house with endless sand, gliders and blue sky backdrop that stole my heart. As to the inclusive nature of the people a resounding BRAVO!
Sue we too fell in love with the beach house. It was funny because Ben was definitely skeptical going in. As in “tell me why we are going to the beach in Holland??” (Seeing as I organize all the exchanges, and we do live right near gorgeous beaches in Sri Lanka). All of it was a wonderful surprise for us!!!
In the current atmospherics of the US, being in Amsterdam, so inclusive and accepting was oh so refreshing! Our type of place.
Peta & Ben
I can SO hear Ben say that! 😂
Hahaha !!! He was so wrong !
I’ve had only a brief taste of Amsterdam, back in 1980 (connecting flights at the airport don’t count.) At the time I thought it was a cool city; the canals, the history, the architecture, the open-minded attitude. Guess it’s yet another of those places due for a return visit.
Dave, Amsterdam is very much one of those cities you can keep returning to over and over and it always still sustains interest. We didn’t post photos of our museum visits but there are many incredible museums in Amsterdam as well as the architecture, canals etc.
38 years! You are definitely due for a return trip.
Peta
What a treat to stay for a while in such a fantastic home. It’s nice to base yourself somewhere comfortable and do great day trips.
Yup that’s the perfect way to do it if possible. Not only is it fun to stay in people’s homes as opposed to hotels but it also makes it very affordable of course!
Peta
You make me want to move there!
Oh and if you ever want to learn Nederlands, I’m your girl! 😉 x
Let’s all live there one day!
Given that I grew up having to learn Afrikaans in school am thinking it will be easier to learn than Spanish was. I can often understand words and signs because of that background and know how to pronounce things. But Ben says yes yes, be my tutor!
Peta
Yes of course! I can understand lots of Afrikaans. Tell Ben yes yes it’s a deal! You two are welcome any time at ours x
You got a “double whammy ” there with two great houses and locations. I love Amsterdam and have visited many times, it is such a liveable and fun city. You guys know how to have fun😄
Gilda we actually had a quadruple whammy as we had 3 home exchanges in a row (the beach one was included with the houseboat)! We didn’t post pics of the last two exchanges as we already had so many photos in the post. While the last two were really lovely, one was right on a canal! they were certainly not as unusual as the houseboat and mobile beach home.
Thanks for stopping by to read us!
Peta
Oh my. I love living vicariously through you two. The photos are outstanding – again – and sent me there. My guy and I only visited Amsterdam once (on our way to see our daughter who was studying her year abroad in Florence). So we had three days in Amsterdam; three days that poured. And cold (this was in April.) And it’s the only city where my guy was pickpocketed. So, obviously, we need to return to experience the Amsterdam you write about so beautifully here. :–)
Thanks Pamela for the lovely compliment on the photos. I guess one can be pickpocketed anywhere (I was once in Barcelona) and that can leave a bad taste. SO yes, you will need to return to experience the beauty. The only downside to Amsterdam is that it does get very cold ~ we have been there in April once as well, and man it was bitter!!
Peta
Life on a houseboat! My absolute idea of heaven, Peta 🙂 🙂
So now you know the address for heaven: Amsterdam, Netherlands… 😉
What was especially fun was the wide range of tastes, modesty or grandeur, level of “gardening” to transfer the houseboats into amphibious creatures. There is a lot of creativity and engineering behind making these houseboats increasingly self reliant re power, waste management etc. A very interesting lifestyle choice…
Peta
We have yet to visit Amsterdam, although hubby and son spent a layover day exploring several years ago. I would love to go, sans the herring.
I want to see the canals and maybe take a canal cruise. I’d love one of those beach huts as well, what a fantastic idea! I’m curious as to where their source of water and power is.
Ooh Patti you have a treat ahead of you! The herring is not compulsory, haha, and if you have never had it before it might seem weird, but both Ben and I grew up having herring as children so it it is something that for us is perfectly normal. Think of it as sushi. 🙂
It is interesting how crowded the canals have become these days with so many boats, both tourist and way more private personal ones as well. It’s great seen from a boat and by foot ~ different perspectives, but it never gets old.
The little tiny houses on the beach have water and power brought in as just behind the dunes to one side there is a town and its just a matter of extending those resources out towards the beach and of course they have been doing it for years.
Thanks for reading and your comments.
Peta
Amsterdam is among my favourite cities but it has always been a bit of an afterthought in our travels…a quick stopover before/after heading somewhere else. It’s wonderful to hear and see more about this city and its surroundings. That gorgeous beach…I never would have guessed. What a bonus that your home exchange included two such unique properties.
Caroline any time we get a stopover between places, we always extend that to a few days at the very least, just because we love Amsterdam so much. Of course there are also magnificent museums, which we went to but didn’t write about because this blog post was already pretty lengthy. And the beach was for us the “cherry on the top”. Such a surprise! We had two more exchanges after that one, both of them utterly delightful, one right on the canal and two more neighborhoods for us to explore.
Thanks for stopping by….
Peta
I had NO idea that Holland is so lovely! I would enjoy staying on the houseboats, and at that tiny house on the beach. And walking and exploring and discovering delicious local foods…sounds perfect!
You both look so “at home” everywhere you go. And I appreciate the way you fully immerse yourselves in every place that you visit. That’s the way we like to travel, as well.
You’re inspiring me to expand our travels when we return to our home in southern Oregon (not yet, but perhaps in a couple of years :-)). We don’t much enjoy traveling as tourists, but I think we would love home exchanges!
Laurel thank you for these lovely comments and compliments!
I do think we have the same approach to travel … slow and full immersion. Ben and I are lousy tourists, we have no interest in most of the tourist destinations ~ too many people, too much hype. We just enjoy doing what we do, wherever we are and nothing we enjoy more than feeling local and blending in as much as possible, no matter where we are.
Home exchange is for us such an optimal way to travel, there are just so many benefits. Free accommodation, a new neighborhood to explore and as well meeting the owners of the homes we stay in and making new friends, has been fun as well.
Peta
You have the most interesting stays. That houseboat is fantastic. I remember seeing the ones in the center during my visit years ago and thinking they looked a little rickety and probably smelled mildewy inside. The mobile homes on the beach are a great idea, too. I’m surprised at your choice of Amsterdam as a possible home base. I always picture you both as Spain/Portugal people. Holland is a lovely country, but seems so crowded. I’d eat my weight in herring, too. You both look fabulous and happy as always. So inspiring.
Thanks J.D. for the thoughtful comments ~ happy we inspire… 🙂
We would definitely consider Spain and particularly Portugal as a home base as well. Spain primarily because we both speak Spanish (albeit a bit rusty for me, but still I have enough to make myself understood) and Portugal because we both fell in love with it, it’s less expensive than Spain, and who knows .. it will depend on what opportunity comes our way. It does have better weather than Holland overall, I think.
The benefit of Holland is that everyone speaks English and it’s not conservative, which is a huge draw for us.
Peta
What a fantastic houseboat, Peta. I never imagined there could be so much living space. Do people live on them all year round? How fortunate for you to be able to do a home exchange. I love Amsterdam but have not spent enough time there on visits. I’m all about space, but that little beach house looks so heavenly for a short stay.
My, how you do get around the globe and you make it look so effortless too. Thanks for sharing your experiences here. xx
Sylvia, that houseboat was an absolute dream! It was huge, as were many of them. It felt so much like a “regular” home, one could almost forget that it was on water, until of course you go outside or look out the window. Such a great experience. Yes, most people live on them year round.
We love space too, but in the tiny mobile house because the beach was so wide and expansive we never felt cramped and could easily have stayed there for months!!!
We are of course both passionate about travel, and that is a lovely compliment “you make it look so effortless”… We don’t write about the airports, the cancelled flights and so on, because who would want to read that?? Haha. Thanks for stopping by…
Peta
SO enjoyed reading this and checking out the videos thank you so much! The photos are terrific and really capture the magic that is Amsterdam – and that gorgeous beach – who knew! Happy travels 🙂
Susan thanks for your lovely comments and so glad that you enjoyed this post of our time in Amsterdam. So now the secret is out.. Holland has good beaches!!
Peta
Just read your blog on Amsterdam – great writing! I am super excited now! We are coming to The Netherlands for a convention this summer and will be there for a week. The convention is only three days, so I will definitely keep in mind the things you wrote in your blog for us to explore, especially the herring and your fav breakfast. I am a pescatarian – only eat fish as far as meat goes, so I know I’m going to be happy there ! Can’t wait! Thanks so much, love your blog!
Hi Lela, welcome to our Green Global Trek! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Oh yes, you will be very happy in Amsterdam food wise. There is a ton of choices and lots of vegetarian and vegan restaurants that we enjoyed as well. Enjoy, enjoy….
Peta
Love, love, love this post!!
You and Ben have the best adventures! It makes me proud of my Dutch heritage. My mom was quintessential Dutch with her directness, pragmatism, … and love of herring ❤️
Thanks for taking us along on the Amsterdam portion of your journey and giving us a glimpse of the Netherlands I’ve never experienced. My loss!! I LOVE that houseboat! I would never have expected swimming in the canal!!
Thanks Joanne for all the love!
You have a lot to be proud of right there!! Love those qualities in the Dutch. And their wry humor…
Who knew? swimming in the canal, and cool beaches. The secret is out… Hope you get to go back and do both of those fun things.
Peta
Aaah, the Hollandse maatjes. They are a favorite in Flanders as well and I usually eat them once each time I visit home in the summer. Once is enough for me, though, as there are so many other yummy foods to eat whenever I’m back. I can see why you like Amsterdam, and I can see even more why you liked that little beach vacation! I had no idea that these wooden structures were there temporarily and get taken out and put back every season. What a great idea, because with the winter storms, you never know.
I really enjoyed reading this post and seeing the photos for a totally different view of Amsterdam and its surroundings. Edam reminds me of Utrecht and other smaller Dutch towns. You got to love the architecture and atmosphere!
Since I was a kid, we were familiar with the “Deltawerken” in the Netherlands. They are, indeed, experts at preventing floods now. And, fear is not a big part of how we (and them) grew up. It wasn’t as instilled in us as here in the US. Hopefully, it stays that way!
And, as a last little remark – wow, that house boat was big and modern! Mark and I recently spent the night at one of these (but a tad smaller) in Portland, Oregon, where our friends live. Very unique!
Thanks Liesbet for your thorough and interesting remarks on this post.
The little beach mobile homes are such a great concept. It really makes you realize how little one needs to be happy, especially when you are right on the sand and wake up to the sound and the view of the sea each day. We just loved it. Some people we spoke to on the beach told us it is a lot of work at the end of each season, as everything has to be packed away so that the house can be moved, but so very worth it for a whole season of having a place like that to come to for a getaway from the city.
Yes the Dutch are experts at prevention and at dealing with any flooding that comes their way. When we lived in Nicaragua and had our bamboo business we were working on the design for a floating bamboo house and at the time met with a Dutch architect in Rotterdam – it was fascinating. Unfortunately that project never got off the ground for a lot of complex reasons…
Who knew that a house boat could be so gorgeous? We came to the conclusion that it was much more “floating house” than house boat. Would happily live there as our main house, with the beach mobile home as our summer cottage haha.
Peta & Ben
Amandla is having ‘interior envy’ looking at your houseboat pictures! Don’t expect such luxury if you come to visit us someday. Your post has me saddened that I didn’t find my way to Edam when sailing the region. We were supposed to do a two-week tour when I was visiting there, but the passage across the North Sea was so intense that we booked into a hotel upon our arrival in Amsterdam and never managed to move beyond that city. Next time around I guess.
Haha Lisa… I don’t think that the houseboat could handle the seas like Amandla. Too funny.
Well, there is always next time for Edam.. A very charming sweet little town, but Amsterdam still has our hearts. Sounds like you needed to stay put for a while, that must have been quite a passage!
Thanks for all your comments,
Peta
Thanks for taking me back to Amsterdam! I always wondered how would be to stay in a houseboat. 🙂 It looks so cool! I loved the pictures of the beach and the sun and the blue sky!
Thanks Cheryl… the houseboat was a great opportunity to experience a different lifestyle. Although in some ways it is not much different to life in a regular house. That was surprising to discover. I am sure that smaller houseboats feel way different, but this one was really large.
The palette of colours at the beach was an absolute treat.
Peta
What a visual treat this is – I had no idea of the houseboat residences – I guess that’s a double take, kinda like pizza pie or tuna fish. I love the tiny beach residence. You know how to make the most of every place you visit and then you’re gracious enough to share with us – thank you.
Thank you Sharon, that is such a lovely compliment. Makes me smile 🙂
Peta
My eyes and heart and soul overflow when I visit your world.
And Peta, you are such an inspiration as a woman; A Guru-Feminist-Hero! xx
Kim thank you. These are lofty words indeed, but I’ll take ’em and am thrilled that I am inspiring others to live a full life of adventure and to be open to other cultures and travel.
Peta