Amsterdam: Top 5 things to do there

As a recent venturer to Amsterdam, I thought it would be great for me to share a few fun things to do out there if you're going for a city break. I spent four days there and I highly recommended it, you won't get bored! Here's what I recommend.

1. VondelPark

A city break is not a city break without visiting some local greenery so it would be a shame to miss a walk through VondelPark. Not only is it a really pretty park, but it is also quite a big one so it's perfect for late night strolls. Lakes, grass and trees everywhere, perfect for an Instagram selfie!

2. A Coffeeshop

For a serious culture shock, visit a coffeeshop. If you're weed friendly or 420 friendly as you cool kids say, then I highly recommended taking a pitstop to one because it's an experience like no other. Be sure to look for a "coffeeshop" and not a "coffee shop" though because they're two completely different things! If you're brave enough, you will find one every 15 seconds or so you walk through the city. No exaggeration, they are everywhere.

3. The Anne Frank Museum

This one is certainly a tear jerker and probably the activity that I recommend the most. The Anne Frank House will feel surreal as you get to see see where her and her family and some others hid for three months.

You'll see the markings that Anne's father, Otto, made on walls when he measured his children. You'll see the secret bookcase that hid the families. You'll see Anne's diary entries where she wrote about her experience. There will be a lot to see and it will really hit home what Amsterdam went through during WWII. An unforgettable experience.

4. Sex Museum

You knew I'd say this one; it's Amsterdam, of course I was going to! Maybe not the most educational experience, but it's certainly a funny one. Saying that, they have some pretty extraordinary art work in them too. Protect yourself though, there's penises everywhere. See what I did there?

5. Wander the canals

For some down time, wander the many, many, many canals that this city has to offer and take in the beauty of Amsterdam. You'll come across a lot of cool stuff like wonky buildings, house boats and incredible architecture, on top of the already beautiful sites of the canals.

What would you do in Amsterdam?

Liam

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Top 2 places to eat vegan food in Amsterdam city

Food glorious food, the one thing that's guaranteed to make me happy. So much so that I like to regularly indulge myself in food at as many restaurants as I can go to and welcome home a food baby. Last week I had the pleasure of satisfying this 'hobby' in Amsterdam city. Here I point out two of my favourite places I ate at. Now go get a tissue to wipe your dribble as you salivate over the photos - oh, just me?

1. De Bolhoed

Thank God for Google leading me to this restaurant because it would have been a shame to miss out going to this vegetarian and vegan slice of heaven. Stereotypically vegan, I walked into the cafe and was surrounded by plants EVERYWHERE and as someone who owns over 20, I can say I really enjoyed sitting in this mini rainforest. But as nice as the surroundings were, I'd have to say the service was even more delightful as I was served by a lady with charisma, enthusiasm and joy who explained the menu very well to me. She pointed out what was vegan and what each recipe included which was extremely helpful.

I started off with a peppermint tea which was filled with real fresh peppermint leaves before I moved on to the vegan ragout croissant.

The croissant itself was baked with seeds and filled with tofu wrapped in seaweed and leek. Marinaded in a mild curry spice, the dish was moist (sorry to use that word) and tasty and the curry spice was the perfect heat. As someone who has never had a stuffed croissant, I was excited by the originality of this dish. The side salad complementing the dish was equally as tasty but was no match to how flavourful the ragout croissant was. 

I ended the meal with an apple flop to satisfy my sweet tooth which was a vegan pastry filled with apple, raisins, sugar and spices. It was very sweet, but if you have a huge sweet tooth like me you would love it!

2. The Meatless District (*TMD)

Unlike De Bolhoed, The Meatless District was an all vegan restaurant which got me very excited upon finding it. It was a little further away from the city centre than first thought, but was well was worth the tram ride and walk there in the end.

Sadly there was no cactis in sight with this restaurant, but luckily TMD made up for it with fancy decor which was dreamy. The staff were also very nice and polite so no complaints!

Here I ate a tempeh-tofu tomato burger which was served with aubergine, pickles, tomato and onion. I loved how original this burger was. I'm so used to having the same old beanie burger that a tofu burger seemed a little more adventurous (yes I know tofu is made from beans, but you know what I mean) and it tasted great. What I loved even more though was how the patty didn't fall apart. You know how vegan burgers are; they're not very well bound but THIS burger was which made it 100x easier to eat and made a very happy Liam. Thank God for tofu burgers! The burger wasn't marinaded in much spice so I relied on using the avocado cream that came with it for extra flavour and that worked well. Eating out with my cousin, she commented saying that this was the best burger she ever tasted and I must say it comes in the top 5 for me.

And of course I finished the meal of with dessert because how could I not? I indulged myself in a chocolate fudge torte and had a 'few' bites of my cousin's carrot-beetroot cake. Both of which gave me a foodgasm and I can't stop myself from saying how MOIST they both were.

I highly recommend both of these restaurants should you be in need of food in Amsterdam city which I'm assuming you will be if you go...

Comment below with some of your favourite vegan restaurants in Amsterdam. I'd love to know!

Liam
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AmsterDAMN

I went to Amsterdam on holiday for a few days this week. It was one of the best experiences so of course I took lots of photographs, duh.

Typical tourist photo.

Truer words never spoken...

There was more bikes than people in cars over here. I almost got run over about 10 times, really.

House boat.

"Flowers can't solve all problems but it's a great start"

Vondel Park.

Have you ever been to Amsterdam?

 Liam

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Chasing Waterfalls

The perfect day out has to include seeing waterfalls which is why last week I visited Pontneddfechan. A hike like no other, this walk really worked out my glutes. Sadly after it I did not return back home with an ass like Kim Kardashian's, but it was still worth it to see the views and waterfalls! Here's what I saw...

These waterfalls were forged by glaciers a VERY, VERY long time ago. I know, glaciers in Wales?! Mad.

There was even a spot to eat lunch on top of this waterfall. Luckily I did it without getting wet!

If you've got it in you to get a little bit muddy; a little bit wet; and a little bit sweaty, head over to these waterfalls. They're between Neath and Brecon Beacons in Wales.

My favourite bit of the day: Seeing all the tens of dogs around. I PET SO MANY. Okay taking in all the sights was fun too.

My least favourite: Falling over three times and getting my shoe stuck in the mud...

How long? As little as 5 miles (you can do that!). According to my Fitbit I did 15, 889 steps. I think I deserve a trophy for that, surely?

Have you got any waterfalls near you?

 Liam

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Swansea's very own Mt. Everest

A very sore body and two tired eyes later, I have returned home from Swansea's very own Mount Everest: Kilvey Hill. It was a great hike on a slow Saturday today that made the perfect activity to satisfy my busy mind, so was well worth the limp I am dealing with now. Sigh.

The view from the top.

Kilvey Hill was that GIANT mountain in the distance that I passed in the car on my way to Swansea city centre as a child. I didn't live in Swansea city when I was younger like I do now which meant I didn't get to see this place regularly - but when I did get to see it in passing I was a very happy Liam. I only ever saw it for 1 minute max though but that was fine. Yeah, I was easily pleased back then... 

I never thought people actually went here though, as if it was forbidden or off limits. It was a place you could see but you didn't go to. It was a different world.  Little did I know, people did go here; and now that I've leaned this astonishing truth I come here once or twice a month to satisfy my childhood fantasies.

It's such a beautiful bit of Swansea. As much of a city boy as I am it's nice to know there's a place close by that I can retreat to for a bit of peace and quiet.

Peace & Quiet.

Lakes.

Ponds.

Sea.
Forest.

Views.
Squirrels.
Big Foot...maybe.

The way to the enchanted forest.

16, 000 steps and 7 miles later I am much more chilled out. Thank you nature for distressing me (such a vegan thing to say, I know). I'll see you again soon.

Where's your favourite place to unwind? Let me know.

Liam

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Related Links:

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/kilveyhill

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLTePEJAwFw/

Where I want to go Wednesday: Australia

Australia. You hear about it all the time; people move over there, people travel to there, people do working holidays out there. But why does everyone fly over the pond for this place?

Source: here. Snapped by my big brother in Melbourne, Australia.

I'm actually one of those people that are going over there - by January 2018 in fact. As part of my travels I am planning on ending my journey in Australia with a working holiday and I can't bloody wait. A few of my friends have gone travelling over there, and my brother has lived out there for almost 4 years. My friends travelled around Australia whereas my brother did a working holiday out there, but has since ended up living there for good. Hearing their stories has filled me with jealousy and given me the nudge to 'go down under'.

Source: here. Snapped by my friend. 

Source: here. Snapped by the same friend.

Why, why, why? Here are my top 5 reasons for jetting off.

1. The beauty of Australia. You are surrounded by one in a million sights. I'm not just talking about the great landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, I'm talking about the luminous sunsets; the beaches with clear water; and, the amazing jungles. Plus hello the great barrier reef?! You don't get that sort of thing in the UK.
2. The wildlife. Yes there are some scary animals over there, don't even get me started on the spiders out there I could cry just thinking about them. I mean the kangaroos, the koala bears and the whales. I could go on. What a treat to the eyes.
3. The money. If you go on a working holiday to Australia, you can earn around $20 an hour just by being a bartender, need I say more?
4. The beautiful weather and climate, which is enough of a reason for some people to move out there! It's hot, like really hot, and the sun makes an appearance most days so you can count on getting a tan and everyone knows everything is better with a tan, right?
5. The healthy lifestyle. Australians are typically very health focused as a society so you can guarantee you will find some good wholesome and organic food - whether you eat out or buy some food from a shop. This is great for us vegetarians and vegans; niche, what niche?

Source: here

There are so many reasons to visit Australia, but above are the most common. Some of the places I plan on a visiting out there are Melbourne; Sydney; Perth; Queensland and, Brisbane but I'm sure I will venture off the beaten path too. 

Have you ever been to Australia? Let me know about it below in the comments!

Liam

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Related links:

http://www.australia.com/

http://www.statravel.co.uk/travel-australia.htm

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia