I flew in and out of Amsterdam, which is really nice that Delta offers non-stop flights from Portland to The Netherlands! With a nine hour time change, I got myself adjusted after a few days and found myself back in some favorite places. White trying to adjust to the time change, I walked around in VondelPark. There were so many green parrots flying overhead!
Chun is an amazing cafe with some incredible breakfast sandwiches.
Since this was my third time visiting Amsterdam, it was fun to finally take one of the canal tours! The city is filled with man made canals that everyone bikes over to get around.
A must stop was at Louf for their tasty baked goods. Yes, I got a ham and cheese croissant and an apple Danish. I have always really enjoyed that this city feels a lot like I am in Portland. (Obviously, architecture is older!) I walked between cafes and popped into Huis Marseille, Museum of Photography!
Hay is an incredible store where I found a ton of inspiring pieces. I was struck that this design house had a lot of items created in Portugal. After spending time there last summer, it was fun to see the influence while in The Netherlands. Color Color Color!!!! Sketching every design was fun way of noting these pieces.
I would be remiss if I didn't say that I got to spend more time at The Stedelijk Museum. Incredible art works by Coretta Kent and many other amazing contemporary artists. With some nice weather finally, I walked up and down some canals, always finding beautiful flowers and BIKES everywhere!
Another reason I was excited to visit The Netherlands again was that a friend just had a baby and I got to visit her family on their Dutch farm. Lots of cows, a donkey, goats, chickens, and their beautiful Australian Shepard! With a full garden and fruit trees, the pace of life in the northern part of country is always worth the extra train ride. Farm life is a wonderful reminder of slowing down and enjoy all that a season has to offer.
Extra fun spots just in case you find yourself in Amsterdam:
Skina- go for the colors, stay for the drinks
Lera- matcha for life
Café Twee Prinsen- best little natural wine bar
Enjoy.
xoxo- Abigail