Stint in Amsterdam at night

[mothwing]

After my conference was over, I had an hour to kill in Amsterdam in the evening before heading home. 





Standing in front of Amsterdam Centraal, looking at pretty lights. 


Walking along Damrak. Touristy shops always make it clear what a country is supposedly famous for. It's the same in Hamburg, so I shouldn't have been surprised, but seriously, I have never seen that many tulips for sale outside a flower shop in my life. 


These chandeliers were a thing, and Hotel Krasnapolsky clearly had fun with it. 


See? 


They do make the place look a lot more swanky. 


The Royal Palace. 


Café with optimistic seats outside, though, knowing the natives taking part in the conference and their defiance of the weather and disregard for warm clothes, I can picture it being quite full out there during the day. 


I loved these houses. 


Named after one of my favourite drinks. 


Pretty houses from bridge on the other side... 


... and back to Schiphol

Comments

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

Such lovely pictures! I rarely go to Amsterdam, so this was a treat to see. Thanks! Hope you enjoyed your stay here. And have some tulips. *grin*

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

Heh, I really should have bought some tulips, but I don't really have anywhere to plant them, so I opted out. Our stay was great. I'm always impressed at how friendly everybody is, that's not the same for complete strangers in Germany.

I did get to wow the natives with my knowledge of the Elfstedentocht thanks to you. *g*

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

So pleased to hear my Elfstedentocht posts were useful!
And yes, since there was a frost on the last week, the topic probably did come up. We're nothing if not optimistic.

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

They were, thank you very much!
Our rocket scientist nerdy course organiser (a hardy native walking through the three inches of snow dressed only in his shirt saying he actually preferred the chill o.O) said he was very hopeful, if not very optimistic for this year. And everybody from the Netherlands at the workshop was really into ice skating, too. I can count the number of Germans I know who go skating regularly on one hand, all of the six.

[minervas-eule.livejournal.com]

Such beautiful pictures. I can't take any at night without a stand for the camera.... but I am not much of a photographer :-(
I have been to Amsterdam once in summer and recognize a few views, but they are at least as pretty in December!

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I cheated by using various lamp posts and bridge railings to steady my camera - my hands are not that steady at that shutter speed. :)

I'd love to go again in summer - and during the day. Most of the most interesting buildings were closed.

[cranky--crocus.livejournal.com]

Mmmm love those pretty lights! Would really love to get there at some point. :D Loving the swanky lights. I'd lvoe to sit under there and read.

I really need to try a grasshopper one of these days. Oh, those house lights by the water! Beautiful. Glorious December pictures all around!

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

Glad you like the pictures! Dooo try a grasshopper, they're goooood. I think I'd love to go again in summer one day, all the water must be beautiful then.