Last Day in Amsterdam

At De Zaansche Molen

Hey everyone! Hope you all enjoyed our post yesterday. Today was an amazing day! We have done some things that will definitely go down as one of the most amazing experiences of our lifetime. Enjoy!

Inside the windmill

We started out our day by hopping on the train to go see the Windmills outside of Amsterdam. They were a cool sight and pretty interesting as well. There were a couple of the windmills that we were actually able to go inside them. However they charge you for each one you go into, so Melissa and I decided to check out the inside of one of them. We went into the oil mill which produces oil from peanuts. The process is really cool and the inside of the windmill is rustic and amusing. It's amazing that they actually thought of this technology over 400 years ago. After visiting the inside of the mill, we headed over to another area where they showed all the visitors (tourists) how they make wooden shoes. A demonstration was being given and they went through the whole process. It was really cool.

When we arrived back in Amsterdam we ate some lunch, and killed some time until our 4:30 canal boat ride. Everyone reading this, I want you to read this carefully so you don't forget what I am about to tell you. If you ever find yourself heading over to Amsterdam for whatever reason (business, pleasure, or both) you MUST go on the St. Nicolaas Club boat ride!

First of all, the ride is FREE. The captain manning the boat is a volunteer that does it out of love for the organization that runs the trip, plus he gets to use the boat whenever he wants, and he meets people all over the world. The group only takes donations at the end to pay for the restoration of the old boat. Second, what better way to experience the canals in Amsterdam than to take a boat ride through them! And finally, the best part... I (Orry) got to man the boat! Yes, that's correct! I drove the boat everywhere! It was such an amazing feeling being in control of the boat driving it through the canals, under bridges, and even docking it. Our guide, Miguel, was so cool and down to earth. He let us choose where we wanted to go, what we wanted to see, and he was really knowledgeable about the buildings and areas he took us to. While I was partaking in my captain duties, Melissa struck up a conversation with some of the people near her. She met two Swedes (guy and girl), and a Fin (girl). They all worked for the same company, and were in Amsterdam for business. Ironically, (and in some ways it really isn't that ironic) they work for a company that sells drug testing kits. (I'm sure business is booming here!)

Driving the boat

After our incredible boat ride, we (Melissa, I, and our new Swedish and Finnish friends) decided to go out for some food and drinks. We ended up sitting outside in a cafe in Leidseplein, a bustling area of Amsterdam  with lots of restaurants, stores and side shows. We really had a great time meeting these people. Even if we never see them again, the time we spent with them was something we'll never forget. That's what traveling is about. Seeing new places, meeting new people, and creating new incredible (and maybe sometimes not so incredible) memories.

Tomorrow, we are off to Germany. So, tot ziens to Amsterdam, and guten tag to Berlin! Till next time...

Orry and Melissa