What a long 14 days it has been but oh how rewarding. I will have time to write a few raspberry-flavored blogs from the coach tomorrow as we start our last day.

I am going to say goodnight by showing you a few photos. They are random………..from all the places we have visited and have been taken by a great friend of mine Radu who is the Carnival fleet’s best photographer………….his work will be displayed on the Carnival Splendor during an exhibition and in my opinion………he should have his work published.
 

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OK, let’s talk about the red light district and the coffee shops which are, let’s face it, probably and unfortunately on everyone’s top ten list of what they want to think of when talking about Amsterdam.

First the Coffee Houses…….which actually do sell coffee but that’s not what people go there for. There is some misunderstanding that drugs are legal in Amsterdam but that is absolutely incorrect. Marijuana is available legally to purchase and smoke in the Coffee Houses however it is illegal to purchase it and walk onto the street with it. If the police catch you it’s a huge fine or worse if you have an amount that could in the laws eyes make you a dealer.

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I have been to Anne Frank’s house before and it certainly was a memorable experience however today’s visit was something else.

For those who do not know the story of this young girl who for two years hid behind a bookcase that led to a hidden area. She lived there with her family for two years before being betrayed by the owner of the building and sent to the concentration camp.

During the time she was in hiding from the Nazis this young girl wrote a diary and wrote in a style way beyond her years.

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Before I say what I am about to say I must tell you I love Holland and I will tell you why later.

However, before I tell what I like I have to balance that out with the dislikes.
Firstly, the language which is as confusing as why someone hasn’t given Simon Cowell the good news with a five iron yet.

In Dutch the A is pronounced I and the E pronounced A and don’t get me started on the J.

Then there are the words which require half a ton of phlegm in your mouth just to say it……I asked directions from a Dutch Guide today and my hair is now full of his spittle.

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