Amsterdam -

 We caught a 7.30 am AirBaltic flight from Tallinn to Amsterdam (excellent airline). Before we could leave, the wings had to be 'de-iced' by hot steam (below). 

Goodbye Tallinn

Hello Amsterdam

Our Amsterdam apartment was located in a great neighbourhood outside the tourist area. However, carrying the bags up the stairs was a bit of a challenge.  Peter did a splendid job (the site did warn about the steep stairs 3 floors up). 

While it was about 10 deg warmer than Estonia, the weather changed every five minutes. Quite regularly we'd find the sun shining, next thing it was raining. Apparently, this is very common at this time of year. 

On our first full day in Amsterdam, we went to the Van Gogh Museum (tickets purchased weeks earlier). Wow! we were blown away by the beautiful artwork he created, despite his lifelong struggle with mental illness, which resulted in his death at only 37. He sold only one painting while he was alive. 

Museum Foyer

These are just a few of my favourites:

Two of over twenty five self-portraits. He did so many self-portraits so he could practise painting people and, as he didn't have much money, he struggled to find models. 

The Vicarage at Nuenen, painted while visiting his parents in 1885 (his father was a vicar but they had a strained relationship). 

The Yellow House (The Street) - his home and studio in 1888.

Sunflowers, 1889 - one of five Sunflower paintings (white dots are reflections from lights). 

Almond Blossom, 1890

The Harvest, 1888

Later, we did a dusk canal cruise, which turned out to be very good timing, a little day-light then lovely lights. 

There are only 2,500 houseboats in Amsterdam. It quite an expensive way to live as, in addition to the cost of the house boat, the annual parking permit (no more permits available), taxes, insurance, and mandatory week-long heck of the houseboat every 3-4 years in a shipyard.

There was also wine and cheese included

Royal Palace, Dam Square

On our walk back to the apartment, we saw these houses and thought they looked like gingerbread houses.

Friday, 24th weather wasn't very pleasant. We decided to try the Hop On Hop Off to stay dry. We got on the bus but we had to buy our tickets on line. 'Unfortunately', we tried three different cards and none worked. We told the driver and she kindly handed over the ear-pugs and said 'Don't tell anyone'. We saved $99 for what was a very ordinary tour. We would've been pretty 'p'd off' if we had paid! As the drivers changed we couldn't even give her a tip for her kindness. 

No, this isn't a black and white photo. I took it from the bus - I think it gives a good indication of the weather. 

After the bus, we found a cosy bar for a drink and a toastie. 

And this is 10 minutes later (after walking in windy rain!)

A visit to the Maritime Museum. 

Central Train Station

We had a fabulous dinner at a neighbourhood Italian restaurant, Testamatta Ristorante Enoteca where I tried sea urchin for the first time (with smoked fettucine). It was quite a different taste but I did enjoy it. Below is Peter's fillet steak, presented in a different way. 

The Testamatta Ristorante Enoteca staff

As our booked train trip from Amsterdam to Cologne was changed due to track work and would have meant several changes between bus and train, we opted for a direct bus. We caught train from Cologne to Amsterdam Airport and arrived in plenty of time for our flight to Hanoi at 2pm.  Due to the weather, we finally took off about 4.30 pm. 

Snow started an hour before boarding

Just before take off and snow was quite settled in. 

We had a very good overnight flight, arriving in Hanoi around 8.30 am.