waking window iii

Another new entry in a series of waking windows. This one greeted me from my room on the 17th floor at this establishment. Funky enough (if a little small) rooms, friendly and efficient staff, with not a square inch of florals in sight, good shower treats, a cocktail sets (including salt rimmers) in each room and an iPod docking station.

Best of all, there was a wine reception between 5 and 6 pm every evening in the hotel living room! Red and white wines were being poured on the house, and delicious little snacks snowed up on silver trays at regular intervals. A brilliant way to wind down after a day’s work, or if by chance that might apply, to have a course of the hair of the dog.

waking window ii

So different from the last waking window I shared, but every bit as lovely. I’m sorry the updates have been so erratic, but jungle living isn’t conducive to blog updating. Lots to tell though and only more to come. Watch this space!

the taxi

Two bicycles, three people, a quarter past midnight, a twenty minute walk home. The Chef gallantly offered his bike as a two-wheeled taxi. Lit-up bridges and skinny canal houses whizzed past, the towers of the Noorderkerk and the Westerkerk loomed overhead. Some of the bow bridges proved to be too steep for two on a bike post-dinner, requiring a hop off the bike, a little trot up to the crest, and speedy reboarding to freewheel down. A couple of close encounters with rare cars on the Brewers’ Canal. Safely home, a vertigonous climb upstairs to the apartment with the view. The fare: a bunch of daffodils. Spring has sprung.

waking window

This was the view outside my Amsterdam bedroom window on Sunday morning. What else to say? Thank you Mr and Mrs Chef for sharing your gable view with me!