Hey y’all! So my during part of first trip to Europe I hit Amsterdam! I was not sure what to expect visiting Amsterdam since the only things I heard about were people smoking marijuana everywhere,the Redlight District and boats on the canal. Let me tell you all, I absolutely LOVE Amsterdam and cannot wait to visit again. It kinda reminds me of a big, cleaner San Francisco minus the canal. 

I took a three hour train ride up from Paris, the ticket cost a bit more than I expected (€239) but we’ll worth it. I stayed at Xo Hotels Park West for three nights, my room was very European in size, but chic and very clean for €323.10. It was very easy to get to the city center via the light rail-bus, sorry I can’t remember how many euros is cost to ride but it was inexpensive. 

If no one has told you yet, omg so many good places to eat there! Two of my favorites were Mannekenpis for they’re awesome French fries which included roughly thirty choices of sauce toppings, Cut Throat’s red velvet waffle and chicken was yummier than I expected and pleasantly filling. 

I knew that during my trip I wanted to visit the Moco museum but I was lucky to find out on the day I bought a ticket Banksy had an exhibit, which was amazing. His exhibit pieces felt so real life as I passed through every room the artwork felt more real. I couldn’t come to Amsterdam and not hope on a boat tour through the canal, I booked my ticket through “Those Dam Boat Guys” a recommendation from a friend and I was not let down. The canal is beautiful, the guide was knowledgeable, I booked a tour at rough 6pm so I was able to enjoy the sunset *sigh*. BEAUTIFUL! My favorite bridge was “7 bridges canal” of course I got lots of dope selfie shots! 

You can’t visit Amsterdam and not visit a Coffeeshop, yes Coffeeshops are were they sell marijuana for those who like to partake. Coffeeshop Green Place  had all types of flavors for you marijuana lovers and adult beverage and I was happy to hear some old school hip hop music. For those who plan to travel if you want coffee please go to a Cafe’ not a Coffeeshop *smile*. I did not get to visit the Anne Frank museum, if you don’t buy your ticket months in advance there is a raffle online everyday for tickets. I’ll have check it out during my next visit!  

I couldn’t leave out my brief walk through the Red Light  District, I had to see what the hype was and believe me I was there less than ten minutes. Not my kinda crowd! Yes, there are woman in the glass windows along the alley streets and sexual acts with woman are exchanged in those same dark alley streets of the Red light District. How could I forget Adam lookout, I met another solo traveler from the states and we spent the day exploring Amsterdam together, we took the ferry over to ADAM lookout to take in the sky view of town, have some drinks and bring some adventure to our trip on there sky high swing. So, looking at the swing while waiting in lineit seemed pretty simple and chill but once we were seated I felt how high we really were. I’m all for asw tues and usually don’t scare easily but I was a bit nervous on that swing ride but glad we did it. The view was breathtaking. A must when in Amsterdam. 

Amsterdam owes me nothing! I wish I had been able to stay a few more days but I’ll be back!! 

Xoxo

DiamondSharelle

~MeandMyPassport~