Today we board the cruise and head south east to Budapest.

Given it was 2pm pick up from our hotel we had the morning to do some more wandering.

After a stint in the gym – I did a Les Mills class which I had almost illegally copied by signing up for three days, then recording it from phone to ipad – we got out of the central area and wandered into residential Jordaan. We had been told it was pretty much authentic Amsterdam. A little more shabby a little less english and definitely more authentic.

Mind you it’s not too hard to basically understand Dutch signs which can indicate very clearly the English alternative.

We stopped on the way to sample authentic Dutch pancakes in a little cafe right beside Anne Frankhuis. They didn’t look that great but actually were delicious.

Some of the things I noticed: no rubbish bins, bags and recycling are left in piles in the street.

Both interior and exterior stairs are really narrow and quite steep. And maybe just a little dangerous for us olds.

We wandered around, I took more photos. Of course.

Thought we would check out the local supermarket – known as Jumbo – yes it’s similar to our supermarkets in NZ and Aus.

It’s not hard to get fresh produce and pre-made packets of food.

We checked out the Tulip Museum and the Cheese Museum.

I absolutely adore cheese but the smell as we walked in absolutely hit you in the face.

MoD of course sampled the different types but it took all my effort to stay there. I have an aversion to strong smells. Turns out we both felt like vomiting when we walked in but because the other seemed ok we stayed.

After that it was a stop at Tonys Chocolonely.

We had noticed ‘Tonys’ chocolates at the Singapore airport. It’s an experience. You go into the store, ask the chocolatier to create the chocolate you want, select your own ingredients, and choose the wrapper and the name you wanted printed on it.

It’s pretty cool.

There was too big a line, MoD and I don’t have patience for queues, so we just chose some chocolate and moved out.

Salted caramel milk chocolate.

I can assure you it was delicious even though to be fair, I don’t even LOVE chocolate. When in Rome.

From there of course we had to try one or two of the waffles I have been eyeing off. They were not delicious. In fact quite disgusting. We may have wasted our 14 euros.

We headed back to our hotel (Swissotel Amsterdam) to pack up, only to be presented with gifts from our concierge Steven – pictured with us here.

Because he loved us all so much. I put this solely in Julie and Gary’s corner. They are the ones who really engage everyone they meet.

In fact, as I write this blog, sitting on the cruise boat, soaking up the abundance of food and alcohol being served to us, surrounded by Australians, we have at least 20 new best friends…..because both Julie and Gary engage with people.

Me. I’m totally anti social.

Unless I feel like being social.

We are on level one. MoD did mention that if the boat leaks we are in real trouble, given we are actually just below sea level. I think we should be safe. There is a gym. First thing we checked. A hairdresser, I am definitely booking in there, a masseur, a pool and food and alcohol on tap.

So of course, we started the cruise off with a welcome drink or two.

And this was tonight’s meal, all table service with menus of course.

Yes I am turning into ‘that’ person.

It should be a pretty good 14 days I’m thinking.

I shall keep you all posted.

Whether you like it or not.