Amsterdam — The Visual Meow

It was a mission getting to Amsterdam but after one cancelled flight and half a day waiting around the airport we finally arrived to our next destination, Amsterdam. We took a quick 1hr and 15 min flight using KLM airlines from TXL to AMS. On our short plane ride over they fed us a very simple and delicious cheddar cheese sandwich with a cream cheese and chives spread. A basic looking bite with a flavorful cheddar which left no doubt in my mind that Amsterdam had some of the happiest cows on earth. So cheesy I know!

*Coasting through the canals of Amsterdam.*

*Canal cruises in the city on this perfect Summer day.*

We checked into our hotel at the Ramada Apollo Amsterdam which was well decorated inside and located near a bus stop so we could get to downtown easily. Our rooms were perfect for a two persons stay with comfortable double beds, plenty of storage space and a scenic park view from our hotel room. The roof deck featured panoramic views of the city with a bar and plenty of lounge areas for seating. I also give the concierge desk a thumbs up for guiding us on what tickets to buy for the train and later helping us book our bus tickets to Brussels. If you don't mind taking a short 15 min bus trip into the hustle and bustle of downtown Amsterdam and prefer something a bit more quiet at night then I recommend booking this hotel for your next trip.

The next morning we woke up extra early to beat the crowds and take a day trip to Zaanse Schans to visit the country side and the see the historic windmills turning in the wind. We bought a Region Travel Ticket, which you can either purchase online or at the train station for €18.50 and it gives you 24 hr access to the railways in Amsterdam. It's about an hour long train ride to the windmills from our hotel so we picked up some snacks and a bottle of Heineken for the journey. I'd always dreamed of coming back to this place with friends one day. I first visited this landmark when I was around 13 years old on my first trip to Amsterdam with my parents. Little has changed at this location and its just as magical and breathtaking as I remember it all those years ago. There's farm animals casually walking around the grounds, a clog workshop and a cheese making class where you can watch how it is made and sample the results. Thumbs up to all those happy cows. The grounds are free to walk around in and everywhere you go there's picture opportunities left and right. We enjoyed a beer and ice-cream by the windmills on that perfect Summer's day and took in the scenic views.

*Happy cows make for happy icecream swirls.*

Sittin' pretty for my perfect Instagram shot. — *Sittin' pretty for my perfect Instagram shot.*

After a few hours of looking at windmills we decide to open our maps and see what other areas we can explore before our train tickets expire. Trading in lush green grounds for some sandy beaches, we decidde to catch the train to Zandvoort which is a large seaside resort. A more european version of a beach town with cute shady blue and white half tents you can rent during your stay. The beach is great spot for a bite to eat. We settle on the restaurant Paviljoen Jeroen which overlooks the ocean and the beach goers in the distance. I order what I think is going to be your usual steak tartare dish but then it comes delivered in sandwich form with questionable orange meat staring back at me and a hardboiled egg on top. I take one bite and its a bland mouthful of nothingness. As a last attempt to save my meal I make a sauce from my side dish of mayonnaise with vinegar and olive oil to create a flavor bomb which relieves my disappointed tastebuds a little bit. My friend laughs at me and my poor decision in food ordering as he delightfully scarfs down his tuna melt sandwich. I have mixed feels about this place but the views were spectacular and the interior was modern and tasteful which I very much enjoyed. I'll be ordering the seafood instead next time I visit.

*Questionable orange meat from my steak tartare sandwich.*

On our second day in Amsterdam we do the most touristy thing possible...and no its not visiting the Anne Frank house or the Van Gogh Museum or even the Heineken factory, although I highly recommend visiting all three if you have the chance! Instead we opt for the Red-light district on a perfectly sunny afternoon to watch the ladies behind their glass boxed doors entice us with their looks. A few of the girls even follow us down the streets, one of them takes my hand and tries to lead me inside with her. I politely decline and realize the hard work it takes to find a real client out of the touristy ridden area. There's one distinct woman we came across, tucked away in one of the alleyways. She stands in the window with a wide grin, face full of plastic surgery injections in a tightly fitted corset and appears to be many years older than her neighbors. You can't help but wonder how long she's been partaking in this scene but one glance and you can immediately tell she's been doing this for a long time and has seen a lot of things go down. It was a look I'll never forget.

Unable to afford any of the dirty deeds the Red-Light District had to offer, we opt for a cheap bite instead. Next we head over to one of my favorite traveling abroad obsessions, McDonalds! I love trying out the unique menu items every country has to offer and comparing it to the ones back home. This time I decided to try out their new Parmesan burger. It was perfectly cooked and pressed between two picture perfect buns, just like the ones shown in a commercial photo. The crispy parmesan layer added a nice textural dimension to this otherwise basic burger. I was very impressed with this menu item, let's get this in the States people!

One last look at the canals and its off to the airport and on to our next destination, Brussels for the Tomorrowland music festival!

Do you have a favorite McDonald's item from another country? What's your favorite fast food chain abroad? Sound off below!

Minisode Monday: Amsterdam

Taking on Amsterdam, Am I Dutch Yet?