Thursday, June 23, 2011

European Escapade - First Night in Amsterdam!


So the water disruption scheduled for yesterday did not take place after all! Thanks to the whole no-water scare however, my home is now squeaky clean from my frantic last-minute cleaning, the laundry is done and the cat’s litter box and water-fountain are also cleaned. My cats are content, the house is spotless and aside from the new job that came in today, I am free to resume my European Escapade! Smiley

Last I stopped,
B and I had arrived at WestCord City Centre, which we had booked online prior to our vacation. Anyone heading to other European destinations like Italy any time soon? Don’t forget to book your apartments in Rome early. It’s always best to make early reservations as early-bird discounts are usually available then. duit

Situated in the heart of Amsterdam,
WestCord City Centre is a mere 5 minutes’ walk to Dam Square, Central Station, Magna Plaza and more. Throughout our stay, we took plenty of pictures of the hotel, which boasts a modern elegant interior so feast your eyes on the beautiful WestCord City Centre. peluk

WestCord City Centre



Lobby

The staff were helpful and we got settled into our room within minutes of arrival. Of course I was dying to see our room and couldn’t help wondering if it would be as tiny as I had pictured it in my head all this while. I read that most hotel rooms in Europe are tiny, though comfy and I was hoping this one will not shock me with its size. Smiley

Our room was located on the fifth floor and the hotel was really clean by the way. We opened the door to our room and hey, it was exactly like the photograph I saw when we made our booking online! As expected, the room was really tiny but like the many Rome apartments, Paris hotels and Amsterdam accommodation I had spotted online while scouting for a place to stay, ours was cleverly designed to ensure comfort, safety and convenience.
Smiley

Our room in Amsterdam

Total Luxury

Our bed was really comfy and the sheets were clean and smelled fresh. We dove into the bed immediately to rest our weary selves after our flight from Liverpool before B got us a snack from a nearby Mc Donald’s. I remember tweeting online while having this Shrimp with Chilli Dip, which was yum! Smiley


And I especially loved seeing my name on the TV screen, thanks for the warm welcome WestCord! ihikhik

Welcome Mariuca!


Mirror mirror on the wall

There was a small seating area, which we used to keep our luggage. The view from our window was just as lovely and we could not wait to explore Amsterdam and experience its many splendours.

Inviting

View from our window

And now, for the bathroom, which did not have a bathtub but was just as superb! I was a little skeptical about the so-called transparent bathroom walls when I read online reviews of this hotel but the reviews were exaggerated and they were really nothing to worry about! gatai


Cool Comfort



Lovely Bath Scents


Done snacking, it was still light outside and the plan that night was to cover as many things and places possible within the next few hours.

Along our hotel

Bikes Everywhere

Indian Cuisine

Tram passing by

Dam Square was amazing even at night. It was a non-stop affair of tourists and locals gathering around the square, eating, shopping and enjoying the many different sights to behold in this expansive square. I will post more pictures of Dam Square from Day 2 of our Amsterdam stay but here’s a few to keep you going.

Dam Square

Where shall we start?

Prior to our trip, I had read online about the famous Fries found only in Holland so I was thrilled to see an outlet as we walked along the streets of Amsterdam. The secret is in their many different types of sauces and the moment I saw the list, I had my heart set on SambalSaus, which was supposed to be spicy. It was not spicy but it was definitely yummy and though the queue was long, it was worth the wait! Smiley

I want some fries!


SambalSaus Fries


That night saw us having a lot of fun and entertainment was uppermost in our minds. We popped into a casino, took in a lot of interesting sights, enjoyed a little bar-hopping and of course made our way to the famous Red Light District (RLD) in Amsterdam! siul


Unfortunately, we could not take many pictures in the RLD as there were signs everywhere prohibiting photographs but I managed to capture this shot of Casa Rosso, the erotic entertainment theatre. Entrance was €35 per person, in case you’re wondering! ihikhik

Casa Rosso

By the time we found ourselves back in our hotel room, it was almost 3am and we were exhausted! Sleeping inside our cosy bed that night was just as exciting as the dreams I had that beautiful first night we stayed in one of the most amazing cities in the world. rindu

Until my next European Escapade post, I wish you good night and I hope you’re enjoying my Amazing Amsterdam adventure so far.


WestCord City Centre by night


-FCC Scoreboard points for my first THREE commenters-
MONICA
CAROLINE
LADY JAVA

54 comments:

Monica,  June 23, 2011 9:10 AM

:* :* :*

Monica,  June 23, 2011 9:22 AM

morning sweetie! wow the room is decorated with a stylish touch and i love the transparent bathroom walls! 8-) 8-)

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:23 AM

:* :* :* :* :*

LadyJava,  June 23, 2011 9:24 AM

:* :*

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:24 AM

morning dearie! 8-) 8-)

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:24 AM

haha yea i saw lotsa ppl tweeted that no water disruption after all! :-D :-D good thing for sure! ;) ;)

Monica,  June 23, 2011 9:29 AM

bar-hopping? yay..can't wait to see those pics!! :-P :-P

LadyJava,  June 23, 2011 9:30 AM

Good morning GP!!!! Wah i loves lah Amsterdam.. sound so clean, friendly and oh so interesting... that fries thingy looks so yummy!

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:31 AM

the room not too tiny! nicey! :-D :-D

LadyJava,  June 23, 2011 9:32 AM

must really save up and go to to this wonderful place lah... eh the hotel room does look small but it looks very well planned out kan? really smart!!

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:33 AM

hahaha!! transparent bathroom! i dnt really like it. lol :-P :-P

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:34 AM

i love the Dam Square picture!!! =-O =-O

LadyJava,  June 23, 2011 9:35 AM

oh thanks goodness the water shortage didnt take place.. but yeay for cleaner house.. lol..

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:35 AM

the fries at there so huge n nicer right?? :) :) :)

Monica,  June 23, 2011 9:35 AM

i absolutely enjoy ur Amsterdam story! thanks for sharing sweetie and looking forward to more of ur posts.. ;) :)

Caroline Ng May Ling,  June 23, 2011 9:35 AM

oooh cant wait for next post la!!! =-X =-X =-X

Monica,  June 23, 2011 9:40 AM

i've lost my appetite for food! :(

Nessa Henry J,  June 23, 2011 10:16 AM

Morning Marzie!!

oh yessss Amsterdam! :-D :-D :-D Been waiting for ages for this post u know... hehe

Hohoho so many pix, yay! Thanks for sharing with us, truly enjoyed reading and looking at these wonderful pix. Takes effort to upload ... me too lazy, 2 pix pun malas edi, sumore nak edit here n there :-E :-E. now u know y i don't blog anymore :-[ :-[

ehem red light district? ada apa kat sana tuuu, baju merah? ;) ;)

kianfai87,  June 23, 2011 11:10 AM

Number 1 Holland Fries! LOL and . . . . the logo dam cute wei :-D

foongpc,  June 24, 2011 1:13 AM

No water disruption also? But good also right cos forced you to clean up right? :)

foongpc,  June 24, 2011 1:17 AM

Wah! Your name on the TV screen? Not bad eh?

foongpc,  June 24, 2011 1:18 AM

Where got transparent bathroom walls? Where? Transparent on the inside facing room or facing outside road?

foongpc,  June 24, 2011 1:19 AM

Dam Square looks nice!

foongpc,  June 24, 2011 1:20 AM

Eh how come didn't take more photos of the RLD? Haha! Secret secret take mah LOL!!

gagay,  June 24, 2011 3:41 AM

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

gagay,  June 24, 2011 3:41 AM

morning GP!

gagay,  June 24, 2011 3:43 AM

wndless EE post! Yay! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

gagay,  June 24, 2011 4:05 AM

love the interior of the hotel! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

gagay,  June 24, 2011 4:05 AM

lotsa bikes! =-O

gagay,  June 24, 2011 4:07 AM

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Tekkaus,  June 24, 2011 9:46 AM

Wow...how come you get to go almost everywhere Mau? :D

Tekkaus,  June 24, 2011 9:47 AM

The picture showing casa roso....wow...those are swans swimming over there?

Tekkaus,  June 24, 2011 9:48 AM

Wow....how I wish I can eat those fries too. Number 1 in Holland? I thought McDonald's fries is number in the world. :D

Tekkaus,  June 24, 2011 9:49 AM

Anyway enjoy your Friday and weekend Mau. :D

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:12 PM

i love everything about Amsterdam and I enjoyed the fantastic night life there. looking at your photos does bring back wonderful flashbacks of my trip.

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:14 PM

bikes are definitely popular in Amsterdam and of cos, it is one of the best European cities for cycling.

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:14 PM

the fries look divine. oh yes i remember the Manneken pis. did you manage to visit the sculpture?

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:18 PM

RLD is cool but didn't manage to take any photos there. you were lucky that you didn't get into trouble.

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:20 PM

wow, the hotel room sure looks cosy and inviting and great views from the window.

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:21 PM

glad you had a blast and thanks for sharing the fun Mariuca. can't wait to see more photos from you.

Life Ramblings,  June 26, 2011 11:22 PM

good night and sweet dreams. :* ;) :)

Ane,  June 28, 2011 5:02 PM

I am so jealous Marzie! :-P I want those fries.. :-P hahaha

Ane,  June 28, 2011 5:02 PM

It's a good thing the water interruption didn't push through! 3 days without water is just incomprehensible! :-P

Ane,  June 28, 2011 5:10 PM

I love looking at the pictures Marzie, makes me feel like I was there with you.. :)

Ane,  June 28, 2011 5:10 PM

If you are rooming with your husband, I don't see what's wrong with transparent walls.. :-P hehe

Bingkee,  June 28, 2011 11:18 PM

Hi Marzie, thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. You really had a great time even in your 1st day at Amsterdam. The room looks luxurious ...I wish I could go there too , one day soon. :-D

bluedreamer27,  June 29, 2011 4:02 AM

love the view outside Marzie... love those architectures... just like those in the movies :) :) :)

bluedreamer27,  June 29, 2011 4:04 AM

the place must be really clean and not as polluted as other countries (Philippines included haha) knowing that they are more into cycling than those smoke-producing vehicles

bluedreamer27,  June 29, 2011 4:07 AM

the fries looks good... with a very thick sauce on top yum yum

bluedreamer27,  June 29, 2011 4:08 AM

have a great day ahead Marzie and happy blogging to you

Mariuca,  July 01, 2011 7:09 AM

:* :* :* Monica FC1!

Mariuca,  July 01, 2011 7:11 AM

Caroline FC2! :* :*

Mariuca,  July 01, 2011 7:11 AM

And LJ FC3! :* :*

Mariuca,  July 01, 2011 7:11 AM

Thanks for the EE chop ladies, yay! :* :*

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