Our Itinerary :
Basel , Switzerland Breach , Germany Colmar , France Khel / Strasbourg , France Mannheim / Heidelberg / Rudesheim , Germany Middle River Koblenz , Germany Cologne , Germany Gorinchem / Kinderdijk , Netherlands Amsterdam , Netherlands
Interesting tidbits :
Amsterdam ’ s application of local laws was very interesting . They have a specific term for things that are illegal but tolerated . A Coffee Shop in Amsterdam might sell coffee but they are better known for selling soft drugs ( all forms of cannibus , magic truffles , salvia and peyote cactus ). They have a green and white license sticker in their window . Here ’ s the fun part : It is legal to sell marijuana and soft drugs but illegal to supply them … yet some how the marijuana and drugs get there . We just avoided them and looked for a café .
Bicycles had the right of way everywhere in Amsterdam . There are no rules pertaining to which side of the road they were to ride , they didn ’ t have to stop for anyone or anything . Pedestrians and cars alike had to be careful not to run into them . And they are everywhere .
There are 62 miles of canals in Amsterdam with 90 islands and 1500 bridges . Three of the four main canals were dug in the 17th Century . Old Amsterdam is called the “ Venice of the North .”
Above : Cathédral de Notre Dame soars over Strasbourg ’ s Old Town . At an impressive 426 feet , it is the highest medieval building in Europe .
Right : The golden tomb is said to contain the remains of the wise men .
Photos , Page 94 :
Upper Left : One of the crooked houses in Amsterdam
Middle Left : Cheese artisan in Strausberg
Bottom Far Left : Wine shop in Strausberg
Bottom Right : On of the streets in Rudesheim
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 gmhtoday . com
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