Move Over Heidi...: Anne Frank, Heineken, and Van Gogh

On Saturday we decided to hit up some of the major attractions in Amsterdam by going to the Anne Frank House, the Heineken Experience, and the Van Gogh Museum. The Anne Frank House opened at 9 am and we wanted to make sure we were there before it opened as we had heard that the line could be outrageous. And it was...even at ten to nine the line was around the street corner and half way up the block. The wait wasn't too bad as we only waited for about an hour. It was well worth it though as the tour was very unique and extremely sobering as you read, listened, and walked about the office and then more so beyond the bookcase to where the families hid. It is amazing how everyone viewing the house was quiet as they walked about it and only whispered when talking to eachother. My favorite part was learning of their capture and then listening to Anne's best friend talk about her. I was interesting, but also heart wrenching at the same time. Obviously no pictures were allowed so we could only take exterior photos...this is the outside door and sign.

From there we grabbed an early lunch and walked down to Heineken. I was so happy that we were doing a tour of a beer that I actually liked this time!

The tour was really good...although the Guiness Factory was a little better. We checked everything out and learned a little bit about the history and what makes Heineken unique. Here Jen and I are in one of the brewing areas. TJ took this picture through one of the big tanks.

The building was really old and pretty. You can kind of see the architecture behind this photo of Mike and Jenny.

TJ even participated in the stirring of the barley...and he was very serious about it!

After it brewed we tasted it...Yummy! It was good and we learned that Heineken should be overpoured with foam left on top to keep the oxygen in for the best taste. Here we are at the first tasting...

It was a fun tour with a special perk as you recieved two free beers at the end in the Heineken bar. It was great for the warm afternoon we were having!

From there we went to our last stop, the Van Gogh Museum. I was particularly excited for this one as one of his greatest works (The Starry Night) was there on loan for a short time and we were able to view it along with Van Gogh's permanent collection. Here is the museum from the outside...

And then a view of the special exhibition ad for his "Colors of the Night" collection.

I really enjoyed it! Jenny and I stayed a while longer to do some shopping and we picked up some of our favorite prints to display in our own homes while the boys hit the town. There are no photos allowed here as well, but the outside had a curtain version my favorite of his permanent collection hanging in one of the windows. It is called the Almond Blossom and it is the one in the middle (although the pic didn't turn out that well).