Queensday!! Party Party & Freemarket :o)
by La_Holandesa
KONINGINNEDAG / QUEENSDAY! ORANJE BOVEN !!!
this year on 29th of April!!! Her birthday actually falls on a different day, but who cares?
Queen's Day is one of the biggest and most popular national holidays in The Netherlands. In Amsterdam in particular it's an excuse for a huge extended party as millions take to the streets to celebrate the birthday of Queen Beatrix!
Party! Party!
Partying is what its all about on Queen's day. For twenty four hours the city of Amsterdam turns into one huge club, the bars open their doors from ten in the morning and people take to the streets. Tthe parties are fast and furious and the smiles never ending. As the sun goes down, the pace picks up and the dancing continues until the small hours.
Free Market !!
As well as having a country-wide party to celebrate the Queen's Birthday, the people of the Netherlands also set up a free market for the day where anything can be bought or sold. Attics are emptied and basements are searched and whatever is found is sold on the street. If you want it, they've probably got it, and cheap too! Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) !
This is the biggest party day of the year as the whole country wears orange, goes nuts and gets drunk ;o)
Go and visit the Ann Frank...
by canuckcj
Go and visit the Ann Frank house and museum. Also take a tour on the canal as well visit the Red Light District at night time. We stayed at a campground while in Amsterdam. It was just fun to relax with friends and play cards.
Comfortable boat travel :)
by Jenniflower
This part of Amsterdam is endearing. We loved the river life of the canals, seeing people go about their business - one boat had a lady sitting on an actual SOFA in their boat whilst hubby was rowing away... haha... It looked out of place, but at least she was comfortable :)
Old houses
by betako3
Three things that make Amsterdam's old houses special:
Firstly, those decorative tops of the houses (I'm sure there is some formal name for it, can someone give me a hint?), each house having its own pattern.
Secondly, some houses are so incredibly narrow that it's hard to imagine that you can actually live in it (See that picture I took in Begijnhof!)
Finally, most buildings have a facade which is actually leaning forward and a big hook attached at the top. Why? Because all the furniture you want to move in- or out of the house has to be lifted through the windows, the staircases are far too narrow and too steep to allow any manoeuvres (even with a suitcase!). The hook at the top is for the rope on which the furniture is lifted and the leaning front helps you move things up. (Begijnhof once again provided a perfect example. Plus it's about the only sunny picture I have from Amsterdam :)
Center is close
by Lalique
Wanted to take this pic last time but have done only in this trip....
Rokin.... a busy street leading to the heart of Amsterdam, to Dam square.... in a few hours there gonna be the loudest fire works in the whole city, NY is coming....
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exercise in the park
across from Anne Frank House
Outdoor display
At my table. The decorations are gorgeous!
