Day 6: Orienting Ourselves in Amsterdam :)

We are heading to Amsterdam this morning. :) Lin booked us on the Thalys. :D

The train ride was approximately 3 hours 15 mins. Not too bad. :) From Amsterdam Central Railway Station, we cabbed to Mr Jordaan Hotel. ;) This hip hotel is located along the Bloemgracht canal, in a 1896 building. :) That's quite something isn't it! :D

View from our room ;)

Now time for some nice Dutch fare. ;) Walking is the best way to explore the city. :D

Here's our lunch spot, The Pantry. It serves traditional, old Dutch dishes. :)

I have no idea what Dutch fare is about until this first meal in Amsterdam. :)
Dutch shrimp croquettes with homemade cocktail sauce. 

Bitterballen (beef croquettes)

Seabass fillet with mash and fresh green herbs 

Stew beef with mash and beetroot

Our Amsterdam day 1 exploration continued after lunch. :) 

Albert Cuyp Market didn't interest us much. But at least we tried Stroopwafles. :D

When in Amsterdam, how can we not visit the Miffy store! :D I really needed to get one Miffy! :)))

Cherry blossoms are in season! Woohoo! :)

After a week away from home, we missed Asian food. So dinner tonite would be Indonesian cuisine at Jun. :D

Tummies are filled and ready for bed. Was contemplating to find a supermarket to grab some ice cream but our lids were just too heavy. So this is our day 1 in Amsterdam. :)

Details of The Pantry:
Leidsekruisstraat 21, 1017 RE Amsterdam, Netherlands
T: +31 20 620 0922
W:https://thepantry.nl/info/

Details of Jun's Indonesian cuisine: 
Frederik Hendrikstraat 98, 1052 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
T:+31 20 785 9185
W: http://www.restaurantjun.nl/en/#

Day 3: More Time at Giverny Please ;)

When you are in the land of baguettes and pastries, you gotta have them isn't it? :) Any patisserie you go to in Paris serves the best bread and cakes your diet can take a back seat. :D 

Patissier C&G sits right opposite where we are staying. Hence we grabbed some baguette and pastries for breakfast. The chocolates ones are just divine. :)))

The thought of going to Monet's Garden gets me excited all week. :) I could already see the early spring blooms in my head. :)))

Claude Monet's painting room is filled with his masterpieces. *.*

Since we are here at Monet's Garden taking a glimpse into his works and life, we checked out his favorite restaurant, Restaurant Baudy too. :D With such perfect weather, we opted al fresco dining!

Everything tasted good in such wonderful weather. :))) Oh yes, do not leave this restaurant until you visit the restroom, which is located at the beautiful backyard of the establishment. :) 

I think Giverny deserves one day on its own. We could have visited some art galleries, museums and retail shops. But Lin planned another destination for us. So I went snapping whatever I could in the last 30 mins here at this small and beautiful village. :)))

The weather became overcast when we are about to leave Giverny. But we are still thankful for a beautiful day in this charming village. :)

Details of Fondation Monet:
W: http://fondation-monet.com/

Details of Restaurant Baudy:
81 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France
T:+33 2 32 21 10 03
W: https://www.restaurantbaudy.com/