Amsterdam, May 2016 Trip Report – Part 2

Amsterdam Centraal Station
Amsterdam Centraal Station

Part 1 of this trip report is here

The path I took when moving from the first hotel, over to the new hotel took me back past the Amsterdam Centraal Station.  I was really hoping I would complete my move before the rain or hail returned.  I had decided to book a smaller room and save some money during the part of my trip that I was going to be staying alone.  I found and booked this hotel on Expedia.

Damrak Amsterdam
Damrak Amsterdam

It wasn’t very far away, and in fact I could see the backside of the three buildings that contained the hotel rooms, as I walked past the Damrak and the assorted tour boats that dock there.

Buildings backing up to the Damrak
Buildings across from the Damrak
Buildings backing up to the Damrak
Buildings backing up to the Damrak

I had to walk another block past the buildings that back up to the Damrak to find the front entrance to the Hotel CC.

Hotel CC entrance
Hotel CC entrance

Even though the interior was thoroughly modernized, it was readily apparent that this hotel was housed in some older buildings that were adjacent to each other.

Hotel CC Amsterdam
Hotel CC Amsterdam

My check in was super simple and then I walked a short distance over to the Hofje van Wijs where I hoped to use a Bitcoin ATM.

Hofje van Wijs Amsterdam
Hofje van Wijs Amsterdam

I sat indoors at a table that faced a window and watched people go by for about an hour as I had a couple of beers and just relaxed.

Hofje van Wijs Amsterdam
Hofje van Wijs Amsterdam

It turns out that the Bitcoin ATM had recently been stolen from this place, and I wasn’t able to sell any of mine for Euros.  I was able to pay for my beers using Bitcoin which was kind of neat and no more difficult than using a credit card.  I’m planning on writing some more blog posts about Bitcoin over on my technology focused blog.  I’m glad I had some US dollars that I could exchange for Euros with me as a Plan B.

Hofje van Wijs coutyard Amsterdam
Hofje van Wijs courtyard Amsterdam

By the time I left the sun had come back out, and the outside seating area looked rather nice.  I continued my walking and stopped every so often to take a picture or video.

Canals in Amsterdam
Canals in Amsterdam

My next stop after some more walking was at Cafe Old Sailor in the Red Light District.  This is a place I have been in many times and one of the things I like is that they serve Amstel beer.  This isn’t the “light” version we see in the states.

Amstel beet at Cafe Old Sailor
Amstel beer at Cafe Old Sailor

I walked around some more and then stopped in at the Bulldog Mack Cafe for a couple of Extra Cold Heinekens.  This is the same beer but it’s served at a colder temperature.  I find that helps to keep it from getting warm when you are taking your time drinking it.

Bulldog Mack Cafe
Bulldog Mack Cafe
Bulldog Mack Cafe
Bulldog Mack Cafe

I saw the China Sichuan Restaurant just down the street from my hotel and the reviews on Google looked pretty good.  I stopped by there for supper.

China Sichuan Restaurant Amsterdam
China Sichuan Restaurant Amsterdam

I got some sesame seed covered shrimps and the pork and vegetable Chinese noodles and liked both of them.  It was pretty busy when I went, and I ended up eating another meal there before the end of my trip.

New York Pizza Amsterdam Damstraat
New York Pizza Amsterdam Damstraat

The next day I tried some of the “New York Pizza” from one of the many locations of this chain in Amsterdam.  I found that it was good and quick, but the crust was not what I would consider to be authentic NY style.

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For supper I tried a new place called La Paella which was Spanish themed and close to my hotel.

Chorizo tapas
Chorizo in white wine tapas

I ordered chorizo in white wine, and also garlic shrimp tapas.  I liked them but would recommend the Tapas place I tried earlier in part 1 of this report, over this place.

Garlic Shrimp tapas
Garlic Shrimp tapas

My walking continued the next day.

Canals in Amsterdam
Canals in Amsterdam

If you’ve ever been to Amsterdam you might have seen a fast food place that sort of looked like a large vending machine with little windows holding food behind them.

FEBO in Amsterdam
FEBO in Amsterdam

You see something you want, check the price, and then feed coins in to the slot next to it.  Once you pay enough you can press a button to open the door and grab it.

FEBO in Amsterdam
FEBO in Amsterdam
FEBO in Amsterdam
FEBO in Amsterdam
FEBO Bacon Cheese Burger
FEBO Bacon Cheese Burger

It’s pretty cheap and when you are hungry and want something in a hurry it’s a perfect choice.

This trip report continues in Part 3