Day 1: Airport – Check in hotel @ - Heineken
Experience Museum– Dinner @ Moeders Restaurant
Day 2: Zaanse Schans Region – Explore Amsterdam
city – Dinner @ Castell Bar-beque restaurant
Day 3: Albert Cuyp market – Explore Food in Amsterdam City - Vondel Park – Shopping @
P.C. Hooftstraat – Dinner @ The Pantry – Red light district
Day 4: Check out hotel – Aspire Lounge –
Singapore
Day 1: Airport – Check in hotel @ - Heineken
Experience Museum– Dinner @ Moeders
Heineken Experience
After going through the list of museum in
Amsterdam, we decide not to get the I amsterdam card and choose the one we are
really interested in. H went to Asahi Brewery Tour during his trip in Osaka and
loved it! Thus, we decide to visit the Heineken Experience!
Unlike any of the museum I have been to, the
Heineken Experience museum offers interactive fun experience rather than an
informative one. The first part of the tour was sharing the story behind the
beer and brewing process. Next, it was various technology-based experience.
Which includes moving to different room for karaoke, video dance off, photo
booth and etc. Lastly, the tour ends with getting your complimentary beer at
the bar.
Overall, both H & I find it fun and because
of the vibe. It was fun but definitely not a place for you if you are looking
at a place to learn the in-depth history of Heineken.
Tip: Purchase your ticket online to skip the
queue!
Dinner @ Moeders
Restaurant
Feeling hungry, we visited the Moeders
Restaurant for dutch food. The restaurant is called Moeders restaurant aka
Mother’s Restaurant. The place is decorated with new and old photos of mother’s
from all over the world, giving it a ‘homely’ touch. Plus, the cutlery is
different because they were brought by people visited during the opening of
restaurant.
I had spare rib with fries and it was good! The
meat came out easily off the bone and goes really well with the sauce. Plus,
the fries came with 3 dip for us to go with! H had beef stew and thought it was
pretty good. The stew was thick and beef was tender. We end the meal with
dessert and it did not disappoint!
Overall, we love the ‘homely’ feel of the
restaurant and the food was great too! Service was great too! Definitely will
be back! Do note that the place is pack and it is best that you call and book.
Otherwise, walk in early to avoid disappointment.
Day 2: Zaanse Schans Region – Explore Amsterdam
city – Dinner @ Castell Bar-beque restaurant
Zaanse Schans
We took a day trip to Zaanse Schans in the
morning and was surprised by what it has offer. Although the place mainly
caters to tourist but I thought we got a good glimpse of Netherland’s culture.
Fun fact: Zaanse Schans is the oldest industrial area in western Europe.
We took the train to Zaanse Schans station and
walk to Zaanse Schans. First, we visited the Cheese Farm De Catharinahoeve for
cheese sampling and cheese making demonstration. There is a wide range of Gouda
cheese as well as other Dutch cheese. We had a good experience sampling the
cheese. We didn’t get our cheese from this place because my parents had
purchase these cheese from their previous trip and we thought of trying out a
new shop.
Next, we visited the wooden shoe museum to see
how clogs are made. These clogs were used as a safety boots for the Dutch
working in industrial area. Other than the wide range of clogs showcase in the
museum/shop, there are free clog making demonstration throughout the day. We
didn’t get any of the clogs because H says that I will break his toes if I wear
them at home. Yup, I always accidentally step on him.
The most interesting visit was to the spice
shop/ small windmill museum where we had read about the livelihood of these
windmill’s owner and how it has change from tobacco production to spices such
as mustard.
The visit to Zaanse Schans is free and
accessible by public. However, if you are interested to visit the museums and
windmills, you can purchase the Zaanse Schans Card. Do note that the Zaanse
Schans Card does not include transportation. We didn’t purchase the card and
explore the free places as well as a spice shop that is also part of a small
windmill museum.
Getting there
We took a train from Sloterdijk station to Zaanse Schans station and took a 10-15 mins walk.
Alternatively, you can take the bus #391 from Amsterdam station to Zaanse
Schans.
Amsterdam City
After spending the first part
of our day in Zaanse Schans, we head back to Amsterdam city in the late
afternoon and continue to explore what the city offers. Amsterdam is a food
haven and our first stop is to get the fries from Mannekenpis! The fries are
crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. Best served while it’s hot! There were many sauce to choose from and we were spoilt for choices! Then, we went to the
nearest Febo in Amsterdam city to try the croquette .
Then, we visited the canal Belt
and Nine Little Streets for a little shopping. The alleyway along the canal
belt offers a great view of Amsterdam heritage as well as artisanal business.
There are many cafes, restaurant as well as fashion and accessories boutique
shops.
We visited kaaskamer to get
some premium gouda cheese before heading to dinner. There is a wide range of
cheese. The cheese is amazing! I brought a couple home and share with my guest.
They all loved it! Staff are helpful. They even share with us how to handle and
keep the cheese if we can’t finish. However, you got to wait patiently for your
turn.
Dinner
@ Castell Bar-beque restaurant
Like its name says, its’ a bar
restaurant. However, this bar serves really good spare ribs! The downside? They
do not have proper table. Only bar table or sofa seat. We ordered the Spare
ribs with potato as it was the most popular item in the menu. It was served in
wooden tray and we are supposed to eat with the tray on our laps. Not a very
comfortable position but the spare ribs are really good!
The meat came of easily off the
rib and sauce were not too sweet. Definitely the best spare rib in town! The
potato that comes with the spare rib were tasty too! We called to make
reservation. Tables are usually full. So be sure to call and make reservation.
Day 3: Albert Cuyp market – Burger Bar - Vondel Park – Shopping @
P.C. Hooftstraat – Dinner @ The Pantry – Red light district
Albert Cuyp market
The next morning, we stop by the Albert Cuyp
market to purchase the famous Stroop waffle. We tried the fresh Stroop waffle
with chocolate syrup and it was amazing! Other than the Stroop waffle worth
trying for, the market is pretty much the same like all tourist market -
selling souvenirs, t shirts and etc.
Lunch was well spent at the burger bar. We
ordered a chicken burger and the patty was really good! Perfectly grilled!
Plus, the caramelise onion and mushroom add more flavour to it! Then, we
visited Winkel for its apple tart! Honestly, it was a little let down. Probably
hoping the apple tart to be warm but it wasn’t. However, I like the cream that
goes with it! It was not overly sweet and gave the tart a more creamy
taste. Few Streets down the road, we bought cookies from Van Stapele. The shop
that sells only 1 type of cookies. Seriously? It’s the best double chocolate
cookies i ever had! Every piece is like jewel, made to perfection.
Vondel Park
After stuffing ourselves with delicious food, we visited the Vondel Park. This park is in the city and has a mixture of both wild and maintained garden. It is a nice place to chill (or even picnic if we didn't visit in winter it would be awesome!)
P.C. Hooftstraat aka the
P.C
After the walk at Vondel Park, we spend time
window shopping at the beautiful street with many luxury boutiques - P.C.
Hooftstraat aka the P.C. From Chanel to Hermes, you can find all the luxury
brand in the street.
Dinner @ The Pantry
Restaurant
Last night in Amsterdam, we decide to pop by The
Pantry restaurant for our traditional Dutch meal. We ordered the Pea soup,
Stamppot and Poffertjes. Not a fan of pea but the pea soup was
surprisingly good. The stamppot consist of mashed potato and vegetables. We
ordered it with a sausage and it was superb! Last but not least, we had
Poffertjes for dessert. How could we missed the pancake in Amsterdam? It’s so
cute! Served with butter, the Poffertjes is served with a scoop of ice cream! Yums!
Red light District in
Amsterdam
Red light district also known as De Wallen is
quiet and beautiful during the day and comes alive at night. With its one-room
cabin with glass window/door , one can find sexual service behind these glass
at night. Also, there is peep show available for 2 euro for 2 min. I heard there
is student price too! lol
Next morning ,we set off to the airport.
Although our stay in Amsterdam was short, we had a great time there! Definitely
got to make our stopover in Amsterdam if we have the chance!
Which Amsterdam Travel Pass should you get?
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