Oct 11, 2011

We have had a quiet day today after breakfast. Did a little bit of wandering about town between showers before we came on board. It was raining when we checked on and then has set in throughout the afternoon so have stayed put rather than exploring more of Amsterdam.



A bit self conscious but one of Norm's favourite shots of the trip (note the new coat and hat...happy with the purchases).

The Ship is just beautiful and our cabin comfortably large with an internal and external deck which means 2 chairs and a table inside a window and 2 chairs and table on an outside deck.



Dam Square behind our hotel. This wheel was set up overnight and today they were attaching the carriages....the wheel people at Docklands should come and get some lessons in rapid assembly here perhaps....

We had a lovely bottle of wine and some yummy chocolate and shortbread snacks waiting for us along with a steward who will look after our cabin in transit and then a butler to help with my unpacking and anything else we want basically….after we had finished unpacking. Not quite sure how to deal with that….sooo not used to such things.



A last look at last night's hotel. The Duke of Windsor Bar which has been decorated with the same timber panelling, luggage racks and furniture as the 'Orient Express' and the connection with the Duke of Windsor was that he had his own carriage decorated in the same manner. Nice and cosy feel.

Once we had unpacked we set about exploring the lounge, library, gift shop (not yet opened) and restaurant. We checked out where the beauty salon and health centre were and how to get to the sundeck and swimming pool on the roof. Not sure about the pool, sounds more like a big spa (28 degrees so nice and comfortable) have to get the bathers out of the case after all. After that we were compelled to have a drink in the lounge and then head back to have a nap before we headed back to the lounge for a cruise briefing. What can I say….it’s a tough life but someone (albeit Norm and I) has to do it.



MS Amaverde at the dock in Amsterdam as we boarded

Bits and Bobs:



I know this is actually a way to ask people not to put junk mail in the mail box here in Holland but the warning made us giggle how it translatd so well to English when we thought of all the unfriendly jokes about solicitors. (Sorry to my solicitor friends).



We travelled all over France and didn’t see one of these but came across this today in Amsterdam. What a ‘pisser’ if you’ll pardon the pun

Last nights’ accommodation:

The Convent Hotel (MGallery)
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 67
Amsterdam NL 1012

A very nice hotel in central Amsterdam. A combination of three buildings at least but this is not noticeable inside. The public spaces are lovely and the staff very helpful with excellent English….it feels a bit strange not concentrating on starting a conversation with bon jour madam or monsieur but we can cope. The rooms are nicely laid out and bathroom comfortable as well. Décor perhaps getting a little tired but well maintained. A comfortable bed but think that one of the bases was lower than the other as I slept on a hill all night…very weird. There were also some other Australians staying here to join the cruise.



The Convent Hotel