The first time I travelled to Europe at the tender age of 19, I was too scared to travel to Amsterdam. As I hopped off the plane and the cool, wet air greeted me, it was hard to remember why that was.
Amsterdam may be Europe’s capital of debauchery and attract people of all walks of life, but it is not frightening. In fact it is one of the least scary places I have ever visited. It’s crammed, crooked alleyways spilling across the canals is the epitome of safety, with a spattering of risque. It is one of the most beautiful and iconic cities in Europe and should be on everyone’s Bucket List.
The reason my boyfriend and I were visiting the city of a million waterways was again to see a friend, Elisa. I met her while she was studying in Australia in 2006 and we have been intercontinental friends ever since. I have visited her in her home town of Thedinghausen and hung out with her in London and Bremen in Germany. She also has been back to the Gold Coast to visit me and I hope one day soon we will see each other again. Fortunately during our visit to Amsterdam, Eli had some time off and was able to show us around, even waiting in line for us at the Anne Frank House because we were time-poor and wanted to explore some of the canals and take an endless amount of kissing and posed selfies with the vast array of houseboats in the background.
If not for Eli we would not have known to go up the top of a beautiful hotel and have some delicious food and have the opportunity to look out over the city of Amsterdam. Even though unfortunately the weather was not that nice and clouds were covering what would have been a spectacular view. We also would probably have not jumped aboard a tour boat and cruised the canals. I think it is very important when travelling to see and experience a city from as many viewpoints as possible: height (via plane/chopper or building); by water (boat or kayak) and on ground level (walking/biking/public transport).