Amsterdam in Photos

Amsterdam has an impressive architecture with lovely bridges and canals criss-crossing the city and world famous museums (Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, Anne Franks House, Rijksmuseum, etc). Amsterdam took its name from the River Amstel. The city developed out of a small fishing village called "Amstelredam", built in the 13th century alongside a dam at the mouth of the river. The town was granted city rights around 1300. Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. Amsterdam is situated only 2 meters above sea level and it is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Amsterdam is bike friendly, sex friendly and drugs friendly which makes it one of the most tourist friendly destinations in the world. Love is in the air!

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Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Amsterdam

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum from Amsterdam is amazing. The museum is housed in a very large building in the center of Amsterdam and it is spread over four floors. The lifelike figures are so perfectly done that you almost forget that all those famous people could just stand there and melt away if somebody switched on a lighter. From royals, sport stars, popular musicians, world leaders (as from January 2009 the Bush figure was replaced by an Obama figure), contemporary Hollywood celebrities, historical figures such as Gandhi and Einstein to famous Dutch people, everybody is there to greet you. It´s not like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum from Amsterdam is better than the one in London or NY, but hey! where else in the world can you have your picture taken next to Rembrandt? And to be fair, the wax figures in my photos are hard to distinguish from the real people. Hm, could it be really Rembrandt standing there next to me? There is always a cue to enter the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum so be advised and get your patient mood with you. The entry fee is not cheap either, but it is worth the trouble. And by any chance, don´t, but don´t forget your camera in the hotel!

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