Amsterdam - Part 4 - Orlando / Florida Guide
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Anyone who has been in Amsterdam will get inevitable questions about the Red light district. In the Netherlands prostitution is legal. Although not appreciated by everyone, a tour through the Red light district will certainly be an interesting experience. It can be combined well with a visit to and a good meal in adjacent China town.
Close to Central station you will find one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam; the Zeedijk. The place is swarming with restaurants, cafes and Indonesian shops. The Zeedijk is the centre of China Town, the Peking ducks hang behind the windows and a large Buddhist Temple colours the street scene.
From midday, you will increasingly smell aromas that make your mouth water. Pull up a chair in one of the smaller Chinese restaurants. This is where Chinese locals eat too. Look to see if there a queue somewhere, is so then the wait is very probably highly worthwhile.
The Red light district covers the area between Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat. As soon as dusk falls the shining red lights greet you, the atmosphere is loose and laid back here. The ladies behind the windows wink playfully are friendly and wave to merry passers-by.
The Old church square, ‘Oude Kerksplein’ is a special place in the heart of the Red light district. The 14th-century church is the oldest building still standing in Amsterdam. There’s a bronze statue on the square in honour of the prostitutes who have been active in this area for centuries. This lady is called ‘’Belle’’
The nearby cannabis college offers free advice on safe recreational cannabis use in addition to educating the public about the many uses of the hemp plant. Guided tours of their cannabis garden allow them to bring the information to life with a beautiful, completely bio-organic example of indoor growing.
A five-minute walk from Amsterdam central station, you will get to Dam Square. Here you will find the Palace and the National Monument. The large dove population and street artists also attract attention. From Dam square, you walk straight into the Walhalia for shopping fanatics. The major store chains are all represented here.
Everyone in the Netherlands knows this shopping street, Kalvestraat. It is about one kilometre long and has 15 side streets and alleys. Halfway through Kalvestraat you can walk onto one of Amsterdam most beautiful small squares; Spui. You will find a second-hand book market here every Friday. On Saturdays, there is an art market.
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