Low Down

Dutch love sea, love rivers and canals, apparently they sail every day, every time, before or after work. The boats are indispensable its a must.  The boat rentals are on an every corner of Amsterdam, literally.  Don't be fussy rent a boat! You can rent whatever You want to, barge, boat, punts, sail boats, clippers, motorboats.  The season starts in May, or rather should start in May, the weather in Amsterdam is moody and changeable in every second, minute or so. Last year it was April, its warm winds stared boating season. This year, however, all boats lovers had to wait till mid of May.  The winter in Amsterdam lasted till the mid of April! I presume not only Holland felt all disadvantages  of coolness and everlasting wintry darkness. But when it stars the canals are full of all kinds of boats, small, big, huge, enormous passenger ships and cruise ships. The view is fanta...

© 2013 InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam. I am ...  In a bar or rather an  A Bar I met wonderful people with whom I still keep in touch, I like them very much. My colleagues, my friends, my ex-bosses, all kind of people. T he A Bar is.... nice! When I first entered it, it was just an ordinary bar nearby a hotel brassiere.  People were entering and leaving all the time, the bar didn't care, I guess, it was never ever empty, always full, teeming with life, gossips, rumors, constantly on an agenda. Years passed by,  the bar lived its life, bartenders and barmen changed, drinks and cocktails changed, wine glasses and all kind of glasses changed, it was all replaced by something more modern,  catching the eye ... except the room. I don't know when someone, somewhere, somehow  inspired by somebody having something in mind said "We are going to change a bar, we are going to make something with its unique...

November 2012 I love travelling I have always dreamed of visiting the Balkans - some countries of Former Yugoslavia.  Once I have been in Split (it charmed me and thrilled at the same time). I set some money aside and said "Have to do it, now or never".  I didn't call my mum, I knew how worried she would be, whenever she hears a word 'Yugoslavia' - becomes upset. Why? She associates it with a war that lasted more then 10 years! Not wonder she is over-reactive.  Neither she nor my sister knew of my departure.  I packed my small bag and went off.  Where did I go - to two towns - Novi Sad in Serbia and Sarajevo in BiH.  Novi Sad undoubtedly changed, unlike Belgrade it is truly a cultural cradle of Vojvodina. I was going all along the street admiring astounded how much effort it all had taken to renovate it (building, all kinds of facilities) to it present beauty.  The shadows ...

Amsterdam is full of culture, I hate this word but it truly is - full of sophistication, not everyone sees it, (un)fortunately it overwhelms the city. Uncovering Amsterdam is through observation, of people, their facial gestures, their perception of the city - the capital of not that big country after all. They think 'I am in Amsterdam so I can do whatever I want to, live it all up' - that right.  Amsterdam is unbelievably tolerant to everything that clashes in or within it surroundings.  I live here but sometimes try to discover it as a tourist. I want to go and see literally everything, cinemas, theaters (Dutch plays are fantastic - give you a nice Dutch tutorial), restaurants, parks, I go everywhere, namely, I deeply believe that to know something means to try, to taste, to acknowledge.  To live somewhere means to know the language, the culture, the history, all what is ...

My first day in Amsterdam - nothing special, what appeared as a shock, though, was a flat I moved into. In the blink of an eye I unpacked, closed my eyes and slept safe and sound till an early morning. Second day was marked by a trip - trip to Rotterdam which is a modern,cosmopolitan, humdrum city, its rich and modern architecture easily blends into concrete city's frames! You can't be easily lost. Every tram, bus, sub lane directs You right back to Centraal Station. I wanted to take a bus to sight-see the core tourists attractions but changed my mind and walked all day long - Euromast - the view is indeed stunning and fantastic. The - posh with tasty dishes and cozy atmosphere.Europoort - is not in Rotterdam vicinity, 60 km out of town. I will reach it one day. At the end of the day I met a crew of a Bulk Carrier 'OLZA' Szczecin, who were about to sail to Ireland. I still go to Rotterdam but I don't look for Europoort in the city center Maastricht- it doesn't ...

I arrived to Amsterdam a year ago, I left Poland for Holland, I know how bad it must sound - to leave Your home country to make a completely new start in another one. I do not regret it was firm and mature decision. I got out of the bus and heard a whisper in my head "Weronika You are in...".  I am in Amsterdam :)