Amsterdam and the Ferry back to England
Sunday 2nd August 2015
Chie's parents went to a museum in the morning, whilst the three of us just slobbed lazily around the hotel (Erika had not been very well in the night, and after yesterday's exertions we had no real enthusiasm for sightseeing). After an unsuccessful attempt to store our bags at Amsterdam Central station (all the lockers were full), we fortunately stumbled across a Bistro a friend had recommended to us for lunch. Chie's parents went off to do a bit more sightseeing again after that, whilst we roamed rather purposelessly around Amsterdam and Erika had a nap. Left Amsterdam in the early evening, headed to Hook van Holland to get the ferry back to England, and were treated to a nice sunset as we sailed away.
Belgium and the Netherlands
John's Pictures

11:17:20
Met Chie's parents in the hotel gardens after they'd come back from an early morning visit to one of Amsterdam's museums.

11:17:32
Me and Erika, who hadn't been very well in the night.

11:17:39

11:18:25
Chie's Mum and one of the statues.

11:18:32

11:19:30
Erika liked this light installation.

11:19:41

11:19:47

12:03:59
Outside the hotel, whilst we waited for ages for a taxi to take us back to the station. Taxis in Amsterdam really are a disaster.

13:22:38
At Bistro Neuf, where we had lunch.

13:35:00
Taken by the waitress, who actually reminded me of the friend of ours who'd recommended this place to us.

13:35:02

13:35:49
My lunch.

15:38:18
Erika having a nap, as we rather aimlessly wandered the streets of Amsterdam in the afternoon.

17:02:17
Once Erika woke up, we took her for an ice cream at this Italian gelateria I found - partly driven by guilt that there hadn't really been anything particular fun for her to do today.

17:02:25
At least she enjoyed the ice cream!

17:09:39

18:11:52
Just before getting the train to Hook van Holland, we found this "city beach" near the station, so Erika had a quick play there.

18:11:52
I think I accidentally pressed a button on my camera which caused it to generate versions of that photo with all sorts of effects.

18:11:52

18:11:52
This one is kind of interesting I suppose.

18:11:52

18:11:52

19:18:21
Erika playing with the Miffy tea set we bought her on the train to Hook van Holland.

19:18:21
The camera still seemed to be in that funny mode!

19:18:21

19:18:21

19:18:21

19:18:21

20:48:17
At the ferry port now in Hook van Holland.

20:51:42
Erika was given a sweet by the nice lady at the check-in desk. You don't get that at airports.

21:11:01
Our cabin on the ferry,

21:37:35
We were treated to this lovely sunset as the ship got ready to set sail back to England.

21:37:44

21:39:42

21:39:58

21:43:59
We all sat on the deck for a drink to watch the sunset and the ship sail away.

21:44:09

21:45:18
This was quite a nice end to the trip.