One of the best ways of getting around Amsterdam, given there's about of 100 miles (163Km) of canals packed into a relatively small city, is the "Hop-on, Hop-off" water bus. A daily ticket isn't too expensive and you can spend all day just pootling around and taking in the sights.
On one such trip, we got off the boat opposite the Anne Frank house. I've always wanted to visit but, despite visiting at various times of the day, it's always had a massive queue for tickets - let alone actually getting into the place. I've read the book and will visit one day but, without wishing to be disrespectful, it's a bit of a circus and a few people I've spoken to that have been into the house seem to miss the point by treating as an "attraction" rather than an historic remnant of a time that must never be repeated. I digress....
Staying on the western side of the canal from Anne Frank's house allows you to take a stroll around the Jordaan. No-one seems to know how it came to have this name but a tour guide on the canal bus suggested that it's a take on the French word "Jardin" (Garden). I'm not convinced. Apparently, much of it was originally low class accommodation for local workers. Not exactly likely to be a place of open, healthy spaces in 17th Century Holland.
Incidentally, the first 3 photos were taken on slightly out of date Kodak Ektar 100 (35mm) using my Nikon F3HP and either 20mm f2.8, 35mm f2.0, 50mm f1.2 or 105mm f2.5 lenses. Minimal PP work other than adjusting levels, adding a border and a tad of sharpening.
The next 3 photos were taken using the same camera / lenses but on Fuji Superia 400 (colour print) film and converted using the channel mixer technique in Photoshop CS3.
This is Westerkerk, almost next to the Ann Frank house:
AMSTERDAM by
rushfan2112 (Late Developer), on Flickr
Shortly after taking the shot of Westerkerk, I was nearly mown down by this pair of loonies. Lara alerting me to get out of the road sharpish allowed me just enough time to get a grab shot:
AMSTERDAM by
rushfan2112 (Late Developer), on Flickr
I'm not sure whether Amsterdam cyclists are mad, have lightning reflexes or just don't care if they hit someone but they are virtually silent until they ding their bell at you and, if they're coming at you from behind, it's an evens bet whether you're going to jump into or out of their way.
One "fact" we were told on the canal bus is that the canals are 3 metres deep "1 metre mud, one metre bicycles and one metre water". This I don't doubt as a few cyclists (probably tourists on rented bikes) came perilously close to taking an impromptu dip.
The other classier and more sedate transport option is the horse and carriage. I daren't imagine the cost but these beasts were immaculately turned out - and the horses weren't bad either
AMSTERDAM by
rushfan2112 (Late Developer), on Flickr
Okay, some more to come later in the week. Hope you like these.
