The Dam square, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

This area is the centre of the city.  Just as it's named, the place used to be a big dam to shelter from the water.  I am really surprised with all the construction and canals that they make their home safe.  This city could be called as the pioneer mega city.  Once again, that's how the survival theory can be seen from this place.  When problems came, we need to face it and solve it.  If those seniors didn't build those dams to solve the water problem and simply walk away to other places for living, we wouldn't have been able to see this city - Amsterdam.  So we should be happy to solve problems.  Don't hide them as that will hide yourself too.

China Town, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The China Town area is busier than the other districts.  Seems like the locals pretty much enjoy some Chinese food.

An interesting thing, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

What do you think about this set up?  A phone kiosk?  A poster board?  A rain/wind shelter?  A gas station?  A solar water pump station?

Flower Market, Amsterdam, the Netherland

It's quite extreme that this city appeared to be a sin city (of its legal drug and prostitute), but on the other side it has lots of agricultural produce and for sure a big variety of flower.  Supposed I could have taken more photos but the wind and rain were so hard that I gave it up.

Construction everywhere, Amsterdam, the Netherland

On day 1, I found this city very active in many construction works.  Almost every street corner, I saw one or two constructions underway.   Photo 4: noticed quite a no. of buildings weren't built vertically.

Le Pain Quotidien, Bakery & Communal Table, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Once again, I tried this place because of the local crowd.  I looked at the menu outside the restaurant and noticed they served all day breakfast.  So I tried a dutch breakfast with a fresh orange juice and coffee, bread basket, a boiled egg with cheese and ham platter.  Before the meal, a nougat was served.  Noticed the shop has their own preserve, chocolate paste and a wide range of tea/coffee and cooke...  Though I can't take too much cheese, it's really special and I forget my stomach issue - took most of it.  The bread is very nice with their fruit preserve.  No complaint and the breakfast set is about Euros 12.5 net.

The canals, Amsterdam, the Netherland

When I look at all these photos, I recall how my hands got chilled at 4 degree celsius, raining and windy with my umbrella all the way.   The good thing is that my X100 comes in a very handy way that I can switch the aperture and shuttle speed manually, instead of jumping in the on-screen menu.