Amsterdam!!

Amsterdam has been just an absolutely great time over the past two days as the city has so much culture and history to explore!

We went on a Canal boat tour, and learned about much of the history in the city- we even passed by the house that Ann Frank hid in during WWII. 

We also visited the Amsterdam Van Gogh museum- they have an extensive collection of Van Gogh originals from every part of his life. We did some extensive walking exploration throughout the city's beautiful canals, and enjoyed waving to the people in the boats that passed by. We traveled mostly by foot, but took taxi's once in a while to save the precious short time we had in the city. We also visited the Amsterdam Conservatory, which is right on one of the biggest main canals of the city- the conservator has 9 floors, and at the top the view of Amsterdam and the canals are incredible. The conservatory building was made in 2006 and has top of the line facilities. It is also right next door to the biggest library in Amsterdam, which has a huge floor devoted entirely to music and art in it. The resources at the conservatory and the next door library are amazing.  

The biggest highlight of our trip in Amsterdam was seeing the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The concert was truly incredible, especially since Mr. Benard Haitink conducted, and they played Bruckner's 5th Symphony!!!! The audience gave a full standing ovation to the Concertgebouw- the first full standing ovation we have experienced in our europe concert tour! It was surely a special moment. 

Our Eurotrip has certainly turned around for us with our visit in Amsterdam! 

Canal Cruise

Exploring the city

Amsterdam Conservatory

Percussion Rehearsal room in Conservatory

View from Conservatory/Library right next door to conservatory.

Concertgebouw!!!!!

Inside Concertgebouw!!

Nick Woud's Timpani!!!!

Far away view of Concertgebouw in a greenspace/park

Inside the hall

In a park

Bruckner!!!!

We found a tiny tiny car!

View from outside the window of our hostel room.