France-tastic

Counting ourselves lucky to even get there, after a mad dash for the train and no passports (globe-trotting Europeans that we are, hop over to another country like it's crossing the Harbour Bridge... although actually, I did have mine, but quite by chance), we rolled into Amsterdam last Friday night, for a little weekend of debauchery with a bunch of friends and friends-of-friends, and even a friend of a friend-of-a-friend!

I was excited to leave my crutch (I had graduated to one on the Friday itself) in our hotel room and venture out empty handed for the first time in weeks, hobbling around canals and cobbled streets, getting at least slightly cheery just from walking past the clouds of smoke emanating from the endless coffee shops, ducking drunk English bucks weekend groups, and just plain gaping at all the interesting things that Amsterdam is famous for, like the first-time visitors we were. It was a very short little visit, so we have saved a bike ride and a canal cruise and chez Anne Frank for next time, instead heading out of town to check out the amazing tulips which are in bloom right now! This was actually really fantastic to see, the colours are just amazing, and the whole display a great opportunity to play with the "Flower" function on my camera! And, voilà, les resultats:









Just in case there wasn't quite enough colour in this garden, this tree is hung with puffy rainbow shower loofahs!


Colourful urinals scattered around the city add to the scenic attractions.


Canals and bikes...


...and windmills and tulips. Welcome to Amsterdam!