Amsterdam Day Six

Today we awoke to a wet, rainy day. We decided this was perfect weather to visit the Heinekin Experience, which is an indoors activity. We firstly had about a 15 minute walk in the rain to catch the necessary tram, which would take us up to the brewery. Once we got there, it became apparent we weren't the only people with this idea, and had to queue for around 30 minutes outside in the rain before we could purchase tickets.

While we were there, we saw a taxi pull up, and the back seat passenger opened his door into a passing truck. This wrecked the door, and lifted the car up on that side. Once the truck reserved to released the door, and pulled over, it seemed the door could not be closed as the hinges were wrecked. Watching this unfold helped to pass the time.

The Heinekin Experience is inside the original factory. These days, production has grown too large for the original factory, and has moved to larger facilities outside the city. The original factory makes an an ideal site for a visitor attraction as it is well within the city of Amsterdam and easily within reach of tourists.

The tour is a multimedia experience, gives a little about the history of the company and its founders, and has two different sets of tasting along the way. However unlike other brewery tours we have done, there is no actual manufacturing here on site. The vats are just for display.

Afterward, we really didn't do too much, found some lunch nearby and then returned to our accommodation to relax a bit.

Early evening, we jumped on a tram to get us into the right neighbourhood, for a wander around the red light district. No sooner did I pull my camera out, and it pelted down with rain suddenly. All the people around us screamed and ran for cover while trying to pull out umbrellas. Once I found cover, I put the camera back in its bag nice and dry.

As we walked around, it was a little early and most of the famous prostitute windows were unoccupied. There were plenty of people around, especially groups of guys probably there for a stag do. We found a spot for dinner alongside the canal, and during this time it got darker but also more wet. We wandered back in a similar direction, but taking a few different back lanes and streets. By now there were a few prostitutes open for business, which makes for a very strange and surreal display. I didn't know quite what to expect, and I suppose what I saw matched what I've read and heard, it is just weird to see it for real.

We have seen all the main highlights of Amsterdam now, so tomorrow will venture out of town again on the train to Utrecht.