22 November 2014 - Rest Day Amsterdam

It had to be a lazy start to the day because breakfast at the Bicycle Hotel was not served until 8am. Dawn doesn’t break until about that time, so all is dark outside until the breakfast room is open. There was no rush today in any case. We were not in a hurry to see things. We had no list of ‘must see’ things to get to. The only two things on our agenda was to get to Mike’s Bikes to get the rental bike for Julie, and also just to walk around the canals district of the inner city of Amsterdam, both of which were relatively close to the Bicycle Hotel.

We lingered long over breakfast. Julie read her book. I loaded photos to the blog, sipping coffee and getting into conversation with the Russians and the Italians who are also staying here. The Italian guy guessed we were Aussies because he picked up the word ‘Wallabies’. We then talked about Rugby Union and David Campeze, but then went on to discuss the politics of Italy, the drowning deficit of the country, and the massive challenge with asylum seekers arriving by boat from Africa. It was all very interesting.

Our room is on the 2^nd floor of this narrow yet quaint hotel. It is in the ‘Pijp’ (pronounced pipe) district of inner Amsterdam. We are probably 2-3k from the main Amsterdam station, and only a few streets from where the canal district begins. Our room is small and cozy, a tad on the cool side, but has a desk and cable television. The small bathroom has to always be closed while showering otherwise it sets off the fire alarms, which automatically triggers the Fire Brigade. The annoying light is movement sensored, and lasts only about 1-2mins before going out. You then have to do an imitation of the conductor of the Philharmonic orchestra to get it turned on again. Fortunately no one can see you at the time!

We enjoyed the stroll into the main city area. We found Mike’s Bikes easily. The bike had been booked with ‘Mike’ for months, with an exchange of numerous emails to ensure that it was the right bike with rack, panniers and spare tubes. Mike clearly wasn’t there. The young guy who served gave the impression he preferred to be home in bed after a late night, and basically didn’t care. He wasn’t aware of our booking – I had to show it to him in his own diary on the counter! He wheeled out the first bike he put his hands on, and the surprise on my face must have told him that I wasn’t happy. There was no rack and no panniers. So we sent him back again for another one.

This one did at least have those things, but looked like you wouldn’t ride it down the street, let alone several hundred kilometers on a country tour. It really tested my grace and my patience. The panniers were damaged, with holes in the bottom. He said he couldn’t replace them, so I said he could keep them. After coaxing, he handed over two new tubes, two small neat lights for front and back, he pumped the tyres (reluctantly) and disappeared before we left the shop. Another more helpful fellow assured us the bike would be okay, and bid us farewell. Only out of the shop did we discover that the front brake needed adjusting (all bikes seem to be back pedal brakes, with a handlebar operated front wheel brake). After a few hours in the city area with the bike, we took it back – the more helpful fellow served us again and agreed the brake needed to be adjusted.

Mike will be hearing from me later with a few tips on how to improve his business! I considered asking them to service my own bike, but have changed my mind now!

We enjoyed the wander through the canals area. Julie was the guide, having been there earlier in the week as part of her conference. Being Saturday, the people, bikes and cars were overwhelming for us Aussies. Bikes were flying in all directions, our Aussie brains just not working fast enough to feel safe in this bike dominated world of inner city Amsterdam. We loved the endless canals though, and the inner city entertainment, the various buskers in Dam square could hold a crowd for ages. The pigeons were tame, and trained to wait for every loose crumb. Julie just had to put out her arm and had no problem having a pigeon come and sit on her hand. It was all amazing and entertaining.

Julie also showed me through the infamous ‘Red Light’ district, at least the edge of it I suspect. The Salvation Army has a vital work in this area, which is led by a very passionate young male Salvationist. We found The Salvation Army ‘church’ building in the Red Light area, which looks like every other building in the street. The Salvation Army has a very helpful supportive ministry to the women who work in this district, which has had a long and impressive history for maybe a century or so.

We were happy to come home in the early afternoon, via Mike’s Bikes, and to secure the bike away for the night. We were hoping the Wallabies game against Ireland would be on one of the 200 cable channels, but sadly not! We enjoyed dinner at the local corner family pizza shop, and were early to bed, the warmest place to be in our cool hotel room.

Tomorrow we will get on the bikes and head away from the city into the country, exploring the way out for our tour starting on Monday, but also just to enjoy the Amstel river as it runs through the farms and small villages that surround Amsterdam.

From our below sea level Hotel on the fringe of the great city of Amsterdam, we send our love. Tomorrow promises to be 9C, with sun and a blue sky!