Happy Easter Part 2 in Amsterdam!!!

Well, its taken me a few days to get to this next post and the most beautiful post as I have been sick the past 2 days.  The second day in Amsterdam started out foggy and cold.  The weather was calling for 17 and sunny.  We decided to Start at Anne Frank's hiding place then if it was sunny and warm to head to Keukenhof gardens to see the beautiful flowers.  So we decided to get in line and then one of us would go run and get a pastry from the pastry shop and eat breakfast and drink our coffee.  The line was ridiculously long as it had been the day before.  We went ahead and got in it not knowing how long the wait really was.  Now just a little info and hint to any of you out there interested in going to Amsterdam and going to see Anne Frank's hiding place. You can buy tickets ahead of time on line if you know what date you are interested in going.  We tried but with us booking our trip so late all tickets were booked. So that meant we had to get in line and wait.  While discussing where we were going to pick up breakfast ( about 20 min of standing in line) a member of the staff was walking around.  She came up to us and asked if the 3 of us were together and we of course said yes.  She said with the cold temperatures and the long wait it was unfair for Ivy to wait that long so she was going to move us to the front.  We proceeded to ask her how long the wait was and she responded 3 hours ( Jaw drop) .  Thanks to the cold temperatures and our little angel we were taken inside ahead of many, many others.  What luck!!! 
Any way, it was worth seeing and a must in my opinion.  I have to say though there are lots of stairs!!!  You have to remember that They were hiding on the upper level and it was 2 levels in the back.  So its a lot of standing and walking up stairs!!! Anne's father has all the furniture removed but everything else remains the same.  There are pictures in each room showing how it was when they were in hiding and its a very emotional experience or maybe I am just slightly emotional as a person.  It really puts it in to prospective more so than her diary or any movie.  You could not take any pics inside so I have one of us standing outside in front of the name and just one of the building to share. 

 

We pretty much ended up skipping breakfast but did take snacks so Ivy wouldn't starve.  Another note, if you take a backpack they make you wear it on the front.  My only thought is that its to keep someone from pick pocketing but I am really not sure.

 

After lunch we headed to Keukenhof. Now there are a few options there as well.  You can buy tickets on line but we decided to wait because we didn't know which day we were going.  It ended up being the best in the end.  The hotel sold a 5 hour tour for 45 euros and we went on our own to the airport, stood in line for 45 min bought and entry ticket and a bus ticket round trip for 23 euros.  You could do most any options.  They had canal tours were you road around a canal boat and saw flowers.  I will tell you this place is huge and is a lot of walking.  They even had a petting zoo.  Words can not describe the beauty and the pics you see here aren't even 1/3 of what took.  I am not even sure I am posting the best pics.  The rest of the post will be pics.  I may comment on a few but enjoy God's Gorgeous art work!!!!

 This Picture of Ivy and I was taken 10 minutes before she fell head first into the pond.  Kevin caught her at the waist.  She was soaked, scared and upset but ok.   It ended our trip a little early.  We still had about an hour left at the park.  We decided she need to get better clothes , we had the yellow sweater and a furry vest but her jeans were wet. So we did a quick walk through and then left. 

I hope you enjoyed this pictures.  Like I said this isn't a 1/3 of all I took and they may not even be some of the best pics.  I will do one more post on Amsterdam and

Easter to wrap up .  It will likely be in the next day or two.  In the mean time enjoy the beauty!!!!