Last Saturday it was splendid weather, not too hot, not too cold. Perfect weather to go boating in Amsterdam with friends. I don’t know whether “boating” is the right word, but “sailing” with a motorboat sounds very silly to me.
This post has a lot of pictures (20 or so) and is especially for Dan from Italy who put in a request for photos of the Amsterdam canals LOL. But I hope everybody likes it.
Dressing for climbing over a boat, hoisting yourself up canal quays and winding ropes, is not easy. Fortunately I won a bar of soap called Zote at Heather’s blog The Style Confessions. And yes, it did get my white trousers white again (you should have seen the stains….).
Below: The Captain:
Below: Amsterdam has a lot of houseboats:
Below: our boat, baptized by my father who is called Meindert:
Below: this is what people in Amsterdam do: they sit on their doorstep and read the paper. Relaxed.
(I did ask this good looking gentleman permission to publish his photo. I should have known this way of making contact when I was younger and single… what a chances I have missed…)
Below: we stopped off at a market where they sell flowers, vintage stuff, cheese, bread, olives, you name it. All biological. For lunch in the boat. Shopping in Amsterdam is nice !!
Below: I asked this lady if I could take her picture because she was looking so good. 
Below: this is how all fashion winds up… in a pile at the market.
Below: we boated up north and stopped for coffee at this place (De hoop op d’Swarte walvis – Hope of the Black Wale):
Below: arguing with the captain over the route. Husband/wife, captain and being equal… does not go together very well.
Below: this is where lots of tourists go as it shows you The Netherlands as it was half a century ago. It is not like this anymore. So tourists go to this small area to see mills hahaha. I managed to take pictures without them or I photoshopped them out of sight: 
Below: we saw these dogs leaning over a fence. We thought they were statues, but no… they moved. Mesmerized by our dog across the small ditch.
Below: after lunch and coffee, we headed back to Amsterdam. Tied up the boat and went for diner on a terrace. Where I saw this lovely lady with her stunning shoes:
Below: and back to the marina, straight through Amsterdam by twilight:
Below: this last picture shows you old and new: on the left a replica of a boat which used to house 100 sailors and to the right of the building a 2013-boat which is probably used by 4 people:
Hope you enjoyed the post. It was a wonderful day.
Greetje
These are great photos Greetje! I have only been to Amsterdam only once and it was way back when I was in college. I would love to visit again and see all the city has to offer.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I love Amsterdam, great big city but with a small town lay-out.
Thank you so much for these pics, I pretend while looking at them that I was there, and I loved it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I must have done a good job writing this article, if that worked.
I missed this post, do not understand. It’s wonderful, I love the way you teach life on the canals of Amsterdam. I must visit soon. I think it’s a wonderful city. How many nice things, many people lovely … The photos are wonderful and I think people are happy in such a place. And besides, are you!
I knew you would like this post. I have made it with such pleasure.
If you do visit, I will show you around. By the way I do not speak Spanish. At all.
Thank you very much Greetje, certainly would be my better guide. I do not speak either Dutch and my English is very bad. But the language of the friendship can with all the difficulties, sure.
🙂
Greetje,
I am so glad, I finally got to see this post (thank you!) as the canal, the landscape and the variety of the scenery is amazing. I truly love it. Now I think every reader is dreaming of those little houses (with the dogs) by the canal…
The mix with some streetstyle fashion, the man reading his newspaper (he has a lot of new admirers now!) and seeing you with a happy smile on this tour is fantastic!
Thank you for sharing,
Annette | Lady of Style
I was so thrilled making this post. Really enjoyed it. The weather was particularly good and the 195 photos (…) gave lots to choose from. Loved going around town with my camera. Would not mind making a living from this, but I am still in baby stage.
Oh how amazing and fun it all looks. I’d love to be there right now. Must say I do love the lovely ladiy’s beautiful shoes. You look totally at home laid back on the boat. Love it!
We are going again tomorrow. Making the most of it, now that it is finally summer.
Great pictures. I have a question about the cars lining the water. The street in which they are parked is very narrow so how does a car parked behind another car move out of the space?
Hahaha…. I love this question. Those cars move out of the space because the drivers are really skilled. In towns like Amsterdam (or Paris or London) there is little space, so you have to manoeuvre your car very well, sometimes by inches. My friend, who you see in the first picture, lived in America for two years. Totally ruined her parking skills.
Or perhaps your question derives from the fact that the photos are a bit deceiving. There is enough space between the houses and the parked cars, more than a car wide.
Great photos. Hope some day to visit Amsterdam
It is a great place to be.
this looks so fun and relaxing
thanks for sharing
Brett
My pleasure entirely. For sure.
Oh wow! Looks like so much fun! I want to go boating in Amsterdam!
Yes, life is treating us very kindly.
Hello Greetje!
Thanks for sharing all these gorgeous photos! You revived one of my long time dreams: having a place in Amsterdam – one of my favorite cities in Europe. Lucky you! If you hear about a good deal in Amsterdam – preferably a place with a view on a canal – I am on! Even ready to ride a bike to look like a native;-)
Let’s keep in touch 🙂
Best,
Anne
Ah.. I don’t live there anymore Anne. I live in a small town near Amsterdam. It is my dream too to return. Or a pied-a-terre. That would be nice too.
Greetje,
These photos are just fantanstic. As i said on the FB post, I feel as though you have give me a world
class virtual tour!
XX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
From time to time I do these “tours”. Like my livingroom or the garden or the neighburhood or celebrating Queensday.
Hi Greetje, and first of all thanks for the wonderful present you have given me. I wasn’t at home when you posted it . I had a quick glance to my tab and, as I realized it was online, I told my husband that I had something important to do at home and for that reason I had immediately to go back.
There I enjoyed every photo on my PC.
What can I say? Fair, interesting town and so nice to cross it by boat!
Beautiful people, funny dogs, an expert captain and two wonderful girls who are enjoying the breeze…but above all…no mills!
Now I have a precise idea of Amsterdam!!
Hahaha… telling your husband little white lies…Bad girl. LOL
But I am very flattered with so much interest in my little blog. Thank you. I had you in mind when I made the post. If you ever want to come to The Netherlands, I will give you help, service and information, like you have never had before. And a tour of course.
You are so kind! I am sure that ( soon or later ) this dream will become real!
I love the houseboats in Amsterdam! It seems like such a lovely way to live.
It is a lovely place. We moved to a smaller town but I left my heart in Amsterdam.
Yes! you posted the pics upon request! and i love the post! invite me some time:=) I understand you don’t need to travel much, you have all this beauty nearby. Take care, Barbara
Yes, when the sun shines (not often unfortunately), Holland is beautiful.
Absolutely love this post. It was so much fun sailing (boating) along with you. Gorgeous scenery you have in your home town and your boating picnic looks delicious. This is the time of year I should probably come for a visit (haha). You look very stylish for a day of boating, much different than my ensemble and look when on the lake.
Yes, this is the perfect time to visit. But Amsterdam is not my home town anymore. I live in a town nearby. By American standards it would be the same town haha as it is only 10 miles or so away. I love Amsterdam very much,
Thank you so much for your city tour!
i love how you photograph people, the boats, the channels, the river, the market, the mill, the cottage and those lovely dogs.
You look great for boating and I understand how difficult it can be to have two captains with equal rights on one boat trying to get routes correct can be a challenge.
We fight a lot, the captain and I, but never get into real trouble. On board his opinion prevails otherwise it does not work. And I thoroughly enjoyed making this post. Would not mind making a living out of it. But still learning.
You can do it (sorry, sound like a shoe commercial?!). Is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the business side and then just go for it (Oh no, again sounding like a commercial!).
Besos,
Nice reportage, Greetje. I love Amsterdam, it’s canals and it’s colorful people!
So do I.
Greetje,
I am so glad, I finally got to see this post (thank you!) as the canal, the landscape and the variety of the scenery is amazing. I truly love it. Now I think every reader is dreaming of those little houses (with the dogs) by the canal…
The mix with some streetstyle fashion, the man reading his newspaper (he has a lot of new admirers now!) and seeing you with a happy smile on this tour is fantastic!
Thank you for sharing,
Annette | Lady of Style
I was so thrilled making this post. Really enjoyed it. The weather was particularly good and the 195 photos (…) gave lots to choose from. Loved going around town with my camera. Would not mind making a living from this, but I am still in baby stage.
I missed this post, do not understand. It’s wonderful, I love the way you teach life on the canals of Amsterdam. I must visit soon. I think it’s a wonderful city. How many nice things, many people lovely … The photos are wonderful and I think people are happy in such a place. And besides, are you!
I knew you would like this post. I have made it with such pleasure.
If you do visit, I will show you around. By the way I do not speak Spanish. At all.
Thank you very much Greetje, certainly would be my better guide. I do not speak either Dutch and my English is very bad. But the language of the friendship can with all the difficulties, sure.
🙂
These are great photos Greetje! I have only been to Amsterdam only once and it was way back when I was in college. I would love to visit again and see all the city has to offer.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I love Amsterdam, great big city but with a small town lay-out.
Thank you so much for these pics, I pretend while looking at them that I was there, and I loved it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I must have done a good job writing this article, if that worked.
Oh how amazing and fun it all looks. I’d love to be there right now. Must say I do love the lovely ladiy’s beautiful shoes. You look totally at home laid back on the boat. Love it!
We are going again tomorrow. Making the most of it, now that it is finally summer.
this looks so fun and relaxing
thanks for sharing
Brett
My pleasure entirely. For sure.
Oh wow! Looks like so much fun! I want to go boating in Amsterdam!
Yes, life is treating us very kindly.
Great photos. Hope some day to visit Amsterdam
It is a great place to be.
Nice reportage, Greetje. I love Amsterdam, it’s canals and it’s colorful people!
So do I.
Wonderful pictures!
Thank you Marla.
Greetje very good propaganda tour of Amsterdam. You should charge the V.V.V. [tourist bureau] .A lot of your followers are tempted to visit our litttle country.. Love the photo’s you made.
I was thinking the same Marianne.
Great pictures. I have a question about the cars lining the water. The street in which they are parked is very narrow so how does a car parked behind another car move out of the space?
Hahaha…. I love this question. Those cars move out of the space because the drivers are really skilled. In towns like Amsterdam (or Paris or London) there is little space, so you have to manoeuvre your car very well, sometimes by inches. My friend, who you see in the first picture, lived in America for two years. Totally ruined her parking skills.
Or perhaps your question derives from the fact that the photos are a bit deceiving. There is enough space between the houses and the parked cars, more than a car wide.
Wonderful pictures!
Thank you Marla.
Greetje very good propaganda tour of Amsterdam. You should charge the V.V.V. [tourist bureau] .A lot of your followers are tempted to visit our litttle country.. Love the photo’s you made.
I was thinking the same Marianne.
Thank you so much for your city tour!
i love how you photograph people, the boats, the channels, the river, the market, the mill, the cottage and those lovely dogs.
You look great for boating and I understand how difficult it can be to have two captains with equal rights on one boat trying to get routes correct can be a challenge.
We fight a lot, the captain and I, but never get into real trouble. On board his opinion prevails otherwise it does not work. And I thoroughly enjoyed making this post. Would not mind making a living out of it. But still learning.
You can do it (sorry, sound like a shoe commercial?!). Is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the business side and then just go for it (Oh no, again sounding like a commercial!).
Besos,
hahaha… I am not so sure. For now I want to enjoy myself and not having to comply with anything or anybody. This is my blog and I do what I want. As soon as you go commercial, you have obligations.
Hello Greetje!
Thanks for sharing all these gorgeous photos! You revived one of my long time dreams: having a place in Amsterdam – one of my favorite cities in Europe. Lucky you! If you hear about a good deal in Amsterdam – preferably a place with a view on a canal – I am on! Even ready to ride a bike to look like a native;-)
Let’s keep in touch 🙂
Best,
Anne
Ah.. I don’t live there anymore Anne. I live in a small town near Amsterdam. It is my dream too to return. Or a pied-a-terre. That would be nice too.
I love the houseboats in Amsterdam! It seems like such a lovely way to live.
It is a lovely place. We moved to a smaller town but I left my heart in Amsterdam.
Greetje,
These photos are just fantanstic. As i said on the FB post, I feel as though you have give me a world
class virtual tour!
XX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
From time to time I do these “tours”. Like my livingroom or the garden or the neighburhood or celebrating Queensday.
Well then I can’t wait for the next “tour”
XX, Elle
The tours I mentioned are already on my blog… Find them trough the search box.
Absolutely love this post. It was so much fun sailing (boating) along with you. Gorgeous scenery you have in your home town and your boating picnic looks delicious. This is the time of year I should probably come for a visit (haha). You look very stylish for a day of boating, much different than my ensemble and look when on the lake.
Yes, this is the perfect time to visit. But Amsterdam is not my home town anymore. I live in a town nearby. By American standards it would be the same town haha as it is only 10 miles or so away. I love Amsterdam very much,
Yes! you posted the pics upon request! and i love the post! invite me some time:=) I understand you don’t need to travel much, you have all this beauty nearby. Take care, Barbara
Yes, when the sun shines (not often unfortunately), Holland is beautiful.
Hi Greetje, and first of all thanks for the wonderful present you have given me. I wasn’t at home when you posted it . I had a quick glance to my tab and, as I realized it was online, I told my husband that I had something important to do at home and for that reason I had immediately to go back.
There I enjoyed every photo on my PC.
What can I say? Fair, interesting town and so nice to cross it by boat!
Beautiful people, funny dogs, an expert captain and two wonderful girls who are enjoying the breeze…but above all…no mills!
Now I have a precise idea of Amsterdam!!
Hahaha… telling your husband little white lies…Bad girl. LOL
But I am very flattered with so much interest in my little blog. Thank you. I had you in mind when I made the post. If you ever want to come to The Netherlands, I will give you help, service and information, like you have never had before. And a tour of course.
You are so kind! I am sure that ( soon or later ) this dream will become real!