Today was a day spent getting to know Amsterdam.

It started by catching our local tram (Nikki’s favourite mode of transport) and a short walk around the central Amsterdam before catching a ferry to Amsterdam Noord for a bike tour. We did make a brief pitstop for some bitterballen.

Then we met Joe from The Amsterdam Bike Pirates. What are the chances our guide would be Capetonian! We passed the bike riding test and along with three others we were given an alternate view of Amsterdam. Taking in a few sights but getting a fascinating insight into the historical and present day Amsterdam. And getting to grips with cycling around the city…not for the faint hearted or the stiff-necked.

We then made our way to the Van Gogh museum and spent over two hours experiencing everything Van Gogh. A fascinating journey and well worth the visit. But only after the obligatory ice cream. Priorities!

After a bite to eat (not the best) we met ‘Those Dam Boat Guys’, filled up our cooler box, OK just 2 craft beers and an Aperol Spritz) and spent 2 1/2 hours on the canals learning a little but chatting a lot.

The tour ended at twilight, just after 10pm. So we decided to make our way back to tram 12, through a corner of the Red Light district, and ‘home’ at around 11pm.

A full and fulfilling day.