Sunday, December 30, 2007

Amsterdam - Canal ice cream, houseboats, parking

Heron on houseboat, Amsterdam NL

That is a heron on the houseboat. Houseboats can be rented by the week. Prime real estate.

Watch for the canal take-out.

On this canal, we saw a family pull up while still in their little outboard motorboat, ring the brass bell and out cames a waiter to take their ice cream order. Dash back in and presto - cones for all. Houseboats are becoming pricey, I understand - best non-real estate deal around.

Houseboats, canal, Amsterdam, NL









The canals are lined with houseboats.


Boat-it over for ice cream, canal scene, Amsterdam, the Netherlands



Houseboat row, Amsterdam, the Netherlands



 









Parking is hold-your-breath. The cars just roll right in all the time. Parking is usually at an angle, to maximize space. And to facilitate the big splash. The authorities have special car-retrieval equipment.

There are also large underground garages.

Most areas along the canals are limited to residents who display a parking permit. So head for the underground lots. When finding a place to stay, it is best to find the garage first, in an area with some hotels, then park and find a nearby hotel. Mark a map where your hotel is, and write out the cross-streets. Easier to ask directions back.

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