Day 4: Germany - Netherlands (Amsterdam)

20 Dec 2007, Thursday

800 - 1130 Drive on the German Autobahn to Cologne for brief stop to see the spectacular French Gothic Style Catheral.

1200 Lunch @ Peking Restaurant

After lunch continue northwards to Amsterdam, passes the industrial Ruhr Basin.

Watch "Beerfest" DVD on the coach, to understand Germany Octofest better.

1600 Finally snowing, everyone is so excited :)

Arrived at Zaanse Schans, known for its windmills. Unfortunately already dark, can't really see the windmills clearly. Followed by visiting a traditional wooden klogs maker in this village. They produced 2 million pair of klogs per year, handmade or traditional way to makeone pair of klog takes 2 hours; but using machine only take 5 mins. These klogs are made from 100 years old wood, very hard, good for safety & protection. The klog need to dry for 4 weeks before it can be wear. Commonly wear in farm and even 5-stars hotels.

1715 Walked along "Red Light District", saw many "chicks" wearing so sexy waiting for their prospect customers.

1800 Dinner @ Nam Tian Restaurant

1930 Check in Tulip Inn Hotel

About Amsterdam:

History, art, a head of beer and a roll-your-own.

Amsterdam is one of the world's best hangouts, a canny blend of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off 17th-century eaves; BMWs give way to bicycles; and triple-strength monk-made beer is drunk in gleaming, minimalist cafes.

The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere.

Fast Facts:

• Population:739,000
  
• Currency Name: Euro Code: EUR Symbol: €


• Languages Spoken - Official: Dutch, Frisian


• Nice houses (the structure)


• Something special- Boat house (with address), boattel (boat hotel)


• Prostitution is legal, need to pay tax, rental of 1 small room Euro 300/nite, no wonder they need to work so hard to cover the rental.


• Sex TV ads & movie, government encourage them to have more population


• Retirer can get many benefits (free medical....) beside getting pension, that's why many people like to get their citizenship.



• Best bicycle system (pioneer in europe), whereby people can rent it to avoid traffic jam and also reduce polution. It is so success that other countries also followed this system.