As part of our wedding trip, my husband and I spent two nights in Amsterdam. Why? Well, because my Schengen visa entry is through Holland, and I had never been before – so why not. Flying directly in from Scotland, the temperature felt a lot warmer. It was cool enough to keep us comfortable while walking around, but not cold enough to need a thick jacket (it was the end of October by the way).
It was my first time in Amsterdam, yet it already felt like home. For those who don’t know, Indonesia was colonised by the Dutch for a long time – long enough for their influence to shape our culture and daily life, from language to food and so much more. So many things I came across like home decorations, familiar snacks, chocolate sprinkles for breakfast brought back memories of my childhood at grandpa and grandma’s house. Anyway, during the 48 hours I spent there, of course I did all the tourist things – and here they are.
It’s one of the most iconic museums in Amsterdam, home to a collection of Dutch art by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. When I was there, they were running a collaboration with Disney, exploring the intersection of Disney’s iconic Donald Duck and the traditional art world. There were workshops and activities, like this one I did, sketching King William I from the 1800s… as Donald Duck. Quack!
Left – Donald Duck drawing activity at Rijksmuseum. Middle and right – Moco Museum.
Why not Van Gogh? Well, I didn’t have time for both, and I was drawn in by the artists they featured on the poster, like Banksy and Andy Warhol. They didn’t have an extensive collection though, but it was nice to feel like an art student again, when I used to visit galleries all the time.
Left – Canal walk near the hotel. Middle and right – Bitterballen and Sate Ayam from the food hallen.
We love food, but we’re not exactly the Michelin-starred-restaurant type of couple. Plus, I can only manage itty bitty portions, but I still want to try a little bit of everything. So, what’s a better spot than a food court? I sampled all sorts of snacks, but two highlights stood out: the Bitterballens and Sate Ayam. Now, you might be wondering, why would I eat Indonesian satay in the Netherlands? Well, I was curious – and I was pleasantly surprised that it was so delicious! Not very authentic, but it was pretty good.
I am now officially one of those people who take photos in front of a canal, and I have absolutely no shame about being a typical tourist, haha! There’s something undeniably charming about the Amsterdam canals. I loved watching boats drift by, listening to the soft ripple of the water, and doing nothing.
Day trip to Volendam – first time seeing a windmill!
On our last day, my aunt, who lives there, took me to this charming fishing village, Volendam. It reminded me of Fife in Scotland – so nice. The highlight was a visit to a cheese and wooden clog studio, Henri Willig. I still don’t know how cheese and clogs are connected – and why I didn’t ask, lol.
P.S. It was dangerous that they had cheese samples because, whoahh they were so good! I ended up going home with three different cheeses.
Amsterdam left me with such a warm and fuzzy feeling – I’d happily return to again and again. In just 48 hours, I got a little taste of everything; the history, the art, the food, and all the charm. Two days wasn’t nearly enough, but it definitely left me wanting more.
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