My views do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.
In 2017, I had spent a week in Amsterdam and over a week in Paris, and I was so glad I had done that -because just one day in these cities in not enough. Amsterdam is just over an hour from where we docked, but Paris is closer to three. Some guests had come all the way from the U.S. to do Paris in a day. I personally didn’t think that was enough time, but I was happy to go back for a quick rendezvous.
Wednesday January 8, 2025
Amsterdam
I love Amsterdam. I love the buildings and the canals. I was happy to see that it still had the charm I remembered.
The bus dropped us off near the Heineken Factory and our guide told us to meet back in a couple of hours for a canal cruise. I asked her for advice – where could I find the best local food? She recommended that I go down the street behind the Heineken Factory, away from the city center, to visit the local market.
The market was just setting up. This was so cool. The stands weren’t really open yet, but I loved walking down the streets checking out what they had.
When I reached the end, I turned the corner and went back toward the city center, aiming for the floating flower market in search of breakfast.
I wandered the streets, resisting the urge to take pictures of all the buildings.
I bought a wildly overpriced stroopwaffel (apparently the €3 stroopwafels are just as good – if not better than the €10 ones) and made it to the boat with plenty of time.
I believe the last time I was in Amsterdam was the first time that I vowed to take every opportunity I could to go on a boat. Especially if it was on a canal. And even more especially if there was wine.
Thursday January 16, 2025
Paris
I just loved going to visit the shore excursions office – It was always a surprise to find out where I would be going the next day. Do you want to go to Paris tomorrow? Um…Yes! Who just goes to Paris unexpectedly?
I think because I anticipated that the bus ride would be unbearably long, it went by relatively quickly. And then as we approached, the Americans started stretching out of their seats to see what they had all come for.
And it just kept getting closer and closer.
To many people (Americans especially), the Eiffel Tower is Paris. I was so glad I’d already been to the top eight years ago, because we didn’t have time for that today. To me, the Eiffel Tower is a lot like Mount Rushmore – There it is!
Now what?
Paris, however, is sitting on the side of a canal (preferably with friends) drinking wine and eating cheese with a quintessential French baguette as the sun sets and some guy wearing a beret plays an accordion.
Hold on – I might be able to find the photo from 2017.
Anyway, we were ushered onto this boat:
And this was our view:
This boat was fancy!
I looked out the window and savored the moment as the guide poured wine and pointed out the main attractions. I’d been to this city, but I hadn’t been with these people and I hadn’t tasted this food!
They must have told us what we were eating, but I don’t remember what it was – just that it was delicious.
And then came dessert:
And just like that, we were back where we’d started.
We drove a little closer to the tower so everyone could get their iconic pictures.
Let me see if I can find that picture:
Our next stop was the Champs-Élysées which I hadn’t made it to eight years ago! There’s a pedestrian tunnel that went under the swirling traffic.
And then we returned to the bus and headed back to the ship.
What did you do today? Oh me? I went to Paris.
(and had an amazing lunch!)