WorldTravelReynolds

Canal through Amsterdam

While having dinner one night, we overheard some people behind us discussing getting off a cruise and having to be reimbursed for certain amounts, etc. We inquired as to what cruise and it was the one we were getting onto but couldn’t due to testing positive to Covid last week before boarding. So, they are here in quarantine as well. Someone in their party was working with a travel agent that is getting their travel certificates much quicker than we are. (less than 10 days) We contacted a doctor here in town that issues certificates and spent at first 24 euros each for the consultation and then once I finished my portion, it asked for another 89 Euros for the certificate. I wasn’t too happy to find that out after the fact. 

Montelbaanstoren Tower of London. Clock is uneven on one side due to weight. Because of this, the time is different on all 4 sides of the clock.

What is very clear is that an official covid positive test result must be in hand. That I had, but Chuck did not. Since I tested positive and we both had symptoms, we only used the self tests on him. Once we knew that he needed that we decided to have him take the proctored exam. And lo and behold he tested negative. I’m like, what? So, we decided to go ahead and start the process to get our airlines reservations changed. Lots of delays and cancelations are happening here in Amsterdam. Very strange. Weather is fine. We think its staffing issue and the holiday. 

The “Kissing Bridge”. Supposed to bring good luck if you kiss while cruising under it. We gave it our best shot!

So, we found out they would not change our flight. We are on Condor airlines, a german airline. We found an opening for June 6 but the representative on the phone said it was canceled and that our original flight of June 9 would be the only one available. We weighed the costs of getting another flight of about $1500-$2000 one way vs. how much we are paying each night for hotel, $200 plus meals and decided it was best to find a flight if we could get it under the $1500. I totally forgot we had airline miles so were lucky enough to find a flight that left on Thursday with American. I really like that better anyway since it has one stop, Dallas and then on to Tampa. We’ll even get home earlier in the evening than expected. That was around midnight last night. So, this morning, we received my letter of recovery, we went to breakfast and then we took our proctored exams thats required to enter into the USA. 

Beautiful homes along the canal. At one time, was inexpensive. Cant buy them today!

You’re not going to believe this. Both are negative. So, we totally wasted almost $200 USD on obtaining the letter and we didn’t need it. Oh well, peace of mind and if it hadn’t moved in that direction we might not of known until too late about the airfare. Our flight that we will cancel, cost us $1400 and we will only get the “taxes” reimbursed on it of about $200. We should come out ahead or at least even. We are happy with that solution. We took a canal ride earlier in the week so posting those now. It was so nice outside but rain was threatening. The canal boat is partially covered but has glass windows that can be opened. It wasn’t too cool. Just a little. The ride was really nice going around the different parts of the city. There were many boats of all kinds here. Many houseboats, 2500 to be exact, that the guide said cost more than some houses now. In the 70’s most people lived on houseboats because it was so inexpensive.

Royal Palace of Amsterdam. The architecture is magnificent!

No taxes on the water. These people were called Shippies. Boats on the water today cost between 50,000-250,000 euros. The homes along the canal are beautiful and can cost between 1-3 million euros. The majority of the people here bought back in the 70’s when it was cheaper. Today, not many homes are sold in this area. Along hte canal, you can tell the value as in low, medium or high by the size of their front door. The smaller the door, the less taxes you have to pay. There is a bridge that is rumored that if you kiss your spouse, significant other, etc under the bridge, you will have good luck. We did that!

Dutch wooden shoe

Me inside the dutch wooden shoes. My legs look so funny!

Marijuana is illegal here but there are special coffee shops that you can buy a maximum of 5 grams per day and smoke inside the coffee shops. You cannot drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes in these shops. It is illegal to grow marijuana but the police will not prosecute for 5 plants or less. They just confiscate them.

The hook at the top of the house is used to lift furniture in and out of the house.

It was a nice day. Still a lot of people and bicycles but we managed. Had Pizza for dinner so we wouldn’t have to leave the hotel. Love visiting another country but on my terms, not being stuck. It’s just frustrating.

Basilica of St. Nicholas

We’ll keep you updated.  May God bless you and keep you safe!

Chuck & Lea Ann