Amsterdam Canals

[Continuation of the previous post]

Early spring back then, but surprisingly not many Asian visitors, mostly European & Middle Eastern.

The leaning signboard pole looks comical to me....Stay strong, leaning pole!

Walked past the red-light district of the city. There are coffeeshops selling cannabis 'legally' and they smell unpleasant.

Many years ago, I envied my colleagues who had the opportunity to visit Amsterdam's canals during their business trips. I told myself that one day, if I ever had the chance to transit through Amsterdam, I would make sure to visit the canals.

I heard bells ringing from the nearby cathedral that keeps reminding me of the time. Can't stay long. Need to speed up and get back to the airport in a few hours😅

Looking serene and peaceful. I wish I could stay longer here....

Cooling weather too. Natural air-cond.

There are lotsa people dining alfresco enjoying the scenery and cool weather...

[Above] The bicycles parked at the bridge.

[Above] Basilica of Saint Nicholas. I stood outside and didn't know it was open to the public.

Amsterdam Centraal station. Took the train back to the airport around 4pm.

'Sprinter' refers to a local train service that stops at most or all stations along the route.

I bought a return ticket, using the same ticket to enter the platform. Took around 20 minutes to reach Schiphol. Bye bye Amsterdam, see you again next year!

I did the same solo walk again in 2026, posted here.

Vlaamse Frites

[Continuation of the previous post]

Exited the train station and right outside is the waterfront. Lotsa people hanging out and sat there to enjoy the view. There are vessels sailing thru as this river connects to the English Channel.

bicycle lanes

Coffeeshop....you'll see people smoking weeds and enjoying space cakes.

Some sort of building....

Private building....fully covered with curtains for privacy.

The facade of Amsterdam Centraal station. The station was opened in 1889.

Some buildings were built around 17th - 18th centuries, some even older.

This area is too commercialised....too many cruises spoilt the view😐

I prefer looking at the old architecture. Do you notice the wiring for the trams?

Be cautious on where you walk/stand, there are bicycle lanes, tram rail, vehicles on the road and lotsa people walking too.

But their roads are in good condition, no potholes.

Along Damrak street, there are shops selling Vlaamse Frites (fries).

Long queue, but as a newbie I joined in the queue😂

I had truffle mayo fries. Yummeh!

Price was around 6+ EUR....

Sometime this year, I explored some hidden alleys nearby, there are shops selling the same but no queue at all😅

How long does it take from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal?

[Throwback year 2025]

Plenty of time to kill before my next flight. So I went to explore the city center. After exiting the immigration, i walked towards the Schiphol station which is inside the Schiphol Plaza....

But before that, made a detour outside the plaza for this iconic signboard.

Now back to the station....

There are ticket machines to purchase tickets, but I only have big notes, hence i gotta buy from the counter.

The terminals are underground, with no proper gate/turnstile. Just remember to tap the ticket at the yellow check-in pole before boarding the train, or else risked being fined.

This station looks very retro.

The underground terminal.

How much is my return ticket?

3 stops away. Expected to reach Amsterdam Centraal in 13:47

Reached!

Back to the question.....the answer is roughly 20 minutes!

FUHU by Zouk

This restaurant was firstly launched sometime in 2019 with vibe-dining theme.

It is located at the lowerground of SkyAvenue complex, right below this glass ceiling.

The escalator heading to the restaurant...

No crowd on a Friday weekday.

Ordered a wat tan hor and sliced beef in black pepper sauce.

The sliced beef in black pepper sauce is very flavorful with tender beef meat. Need to eat with rice.

The ambience...dim lighting....and cushion seats.

Total bill came to RM69 nett. Paid by vouchers.

HAPA awarded restaurant....heck cares what award is that as long as the food is edible😂

This place used to be a bar. The bar seating was dismantled and replaced with more dining tables.

Next door is Zouk. Have you been to the Zouk?

How about Red Tail?

I'm an introvert so I've never been to both😅

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Chapfan from 126 Mixed Rice restaurant....

3 pieces of curry chicken, a piece of fuchuk (beancurd skin) with fish paste and soy knots with assorted veggies.

After 50% off the price is RM6.60

Very worth-it!

Tasty Wok @ Happy Garden

After a year (or maybe 2) we are back at Tasty Wok restaurant. This restaurant was previously located in Bukit Jalil and has closed down for a year plus....

It made its comeback at another location - Bukit Indah, Happy Garden which is still quite nearby.

We ordered our usual dishes - nyonya style steamed fish

Romaine lettuce in fuyu (fermented beancurd) sauce

Minced pork tofu

Tried a new dish - plum sauce pork ribs. The dish has potato cubes in it. Tastes sweet and tangy.

Overall, the dishes were OK, very much the same taste as last time....the boss still recognizes us coz we used to patronize his restaurant while in Bukit Jalil.

Total bill came to RM137.50 nett which is reasonable. We kept the bill for next visit to claim a free steamed fish, not sure when this promotion end, but the boss said it's flexible for us😆

BON APPETIT!