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Münster

April 2002, continued

As we cross the street from Centraal Station to our hotel we see four recumbent bicycles, one painted in the style of a famous painter. Ahh, energy-conscious Netherlands; so happy to be back.

We walk up the main drag, and at the first intersection come into a huge square. We're confronted (there's no nicer way to say it) by this imposing building, the main courthouse (I think).

UPDATE: 2004-12-04 A very nice Rutger Wessels says "This building is the Royal Palace on Dam Square. The Queen works and lives in The Hague, where the Dutch goverment resides. But being the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam needs a Royal Palace."

It turns out that after the signing of the peace treaty of Münster, in 1648, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam was built in the 17th century as the new city hall.

As we stroll onwards we come across to the Japanese Museum of the Netherlands, where this great archway catches my eye. The crest with the three Xs is the shield of Amsterdam. Below it, hard to see in this picture, is a tribute to sailors lost at sea.

This is the wonderful bakery at which we got delicious hot chocolate for breakfast. The pastries are great, and of course much better than the breakfast provided by the hotel (which is filling but not exciting). Here you see Rose waking up :-)

Next, more views of Amsterdam.

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