Amsterdam | From the Red Light District to the Van Gogh Museum: A Journey Through the Canal City
Amsterdam
This time, we flew from Manchester to Amsterdam, arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport around 3 PM. However, due to the EU's implementation of the EES system, the customs line was very long, and we didn't get out of the airport until almost 6 PM. Because our first day's itinerary was compressed a bit, after settling our luggage, we went directly to the Red Light District, one of Amsterdam's most iconic areas, that evening.
Red-light district
Amsterdam's Red Light District is a place many people want to visit when they come to the city. After actually going in, I felt that it was not quite the same as what I had imagined. Although there were many people and bright lights at night, I did not feel that the security was bad.
You can't take photos freely in the Red Light District at night, especially not of the workers in the shop windows. Amsterdam at night has a very special atmosphere, with neon lights and streetlights reflected on the water, and distinctive narrow houses nearby.
Amsterdam city center
The next day, we strolled leisurely through Amsterdam. I have a little habit when I travel: whenever I visit a city, I make sure to check out the local LEGO Store. Because LEGO stores in different cities often have displays that incorporate local culture or landmarks, the LEGO Store in Amsterdam had many displays related to Dutch characteristics. My favorite was a LEGO set of "Girl with a Pearl Earring."
Van Gogh Museum
When you come to Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum is a very popular museum, so it is recommended that you make an online reservation in advance, rather than trying to buy tickets on the spot, as it is easy to fill up during peak hours.
If you have an international student ID, you can buy a student ticket.
In the evening, we went to Café Sonneveld . The atmosphere was very comfortable, with a retro yet lively feel. We ordered Dutch fried meatballs, pork ribs, and pasta.
The texture of Dutch fried meatballs is quite different from the fried food I've had in Taiwan. The outside is crispy, but the inside isn't a dense meat filling; instead, it has a more mushy, thick texture. It might seem a bit unusual for first-timers, but it's definitely a local food worth trying when visiting the Netherlands.
My personal favorite was the pork ribs. The sauce was very flavorful, and the meat was quite tender. It tasted even better than I expected. This restaurant tends to fill up quickly during mealtimes, so if you're planning to come, I recommend making a reservation in advance, otherwise you might have to wait.