Windmill of The Gods

This is the last day in Amsterdam. Wooot? 4 days already? D had been b$#&hing to see windmill since the day we arrived....

18/4/2007 @ 11.00pm

D : Are we seeing any windmills in Amsterdam?

Me : Perhaps...

19/4/2007 @ 9.00pm

D : When are we seeing the windmills?

Me: Dunno...

20/4/2007 @ 10.00am, 1.00pm, 10.00pm

D : Today no go see windmills ar?

Me : No...

21/4/2007 @ 8.00am, 12.00pm, 3.00pm, 7.00pm..

D : What are we doing tomorrow? Can see windmill or not...

Me: Um.. see first....

*She put insurance agents to shame...

22/4/2007 @ 7.30am

D : Let us go see the windmills pleaaaaase....

Me : um.............ok lor ....go lor go lor.....

She probably thought her presistance has finally eroded me. Actually it is in the intenary, if she ever bother to read at all. I am so evilllll....

====================================

The last day is always a frenzy day. Packing, eating breakfast, checking out, there are so many things to do. But first things first, breakfast always has the highest priority. Luckily, breakie was provided. Unluckily its not buffet. By the way the drink is not from the house. Its C's detox drink. What can I say... Travelling is a constipated affair for her.

After breakie its checking out time. If I am not mistaken, we stayed on 4th floor and the stairs are winding. Have you ever tried carrying a 23 kg trolley luggage down this flight of stairs. Salute Cousin Rain. I would dearly love to show a picture of how she actually carried the luggage down but I still want to live to a ripe old age of 100 with all my limbs and organs still in good working condition. Sorry folks.....

I come to a conclusion nothing is simple when its cheap. When we informed front desk we want to leave our luggage at the reception they gave us a lock and tell us to "kau tim" ourselves.

I wonder if I can sue if I fell down trying to store my luggage

The Van Sloten Windmill is actually very easy to go. Just take Tram 2 all the way to the end and walk 20 minutes. Don't worry just follow the crowd. You will walk through a quiet and peaceful housing area. Its one of those places you envisioned spending your retirement years..

Its a peaceful Sunday and you can see people puttering in their gardens, rearing chickens, dogs...


Or just plain basking under the sun enjoying the cool weather. Don't be fooled. Its around 12 to 13 degree celcius out there. But darn...the whole scenary looked like an advertisement for some expensive property in Damansara. I was soo envious my teeth hurt.

These kids actually caught us discreetly taking photos and poised for us. Is that cool or what...

We actually went nuts and took photos of almost all the houses along the way. Its wonder no one set their dogs after us. Of all pictures, I like this one the most... However try doing that in Malaysia.... I bet all those stuff will end up in some iron black market tomorrow.

A simple journey of 20 minutes end up close to an hour. What do you expect when everyone is busy snapping and clicking. We are actually the last to made it to the windmill. I actually was a in shock to see this windmill is as small as it looks! Its like ordering a big mac and they serve you nugget.

This chili padi is a water pumping windmill. Its duty is to ensure the city in within x radius does not turn into an aquarium. Believe it or not, Amsterdam is below sea level and if someone forgets to turn on the switch.....ho ho ho.... Come to think of it, how come Malaysia didn't import one or two of there babies over to pump flood water? It might be the answer to our forever flooding KL and some say JB. Oh wait I forgot.... our problem is not too much rain water.. its clogged drains... go figure...*bonk self*




This Chili Padi is operated by one man. Yes him....This is one man you can never afford to insult unless you want to be Little Mermaid. The wheel he was stepping on actually manuvers the windmill wings. News flash! The roof of the windmill is actually rotatable. Imagine me with a cap on. You can turn it anywhere you want to capture max wind or min wind...

When things are rotatable, they can be exhausted. You need to constanly oil it to keep it smooth. And what do you oil it with? Pig fat. Yes, Pig fat. I suddenly feel very important.....

After the whole morning spend on learning how to operate a windmill and envying on how quality other people's life is, we end up with very little time left for the remaining sight seeing. The next stop is the Rjik Museum, house of Rembrant's art. After which it's a mad dash to the Historical Museum. The officer actually whined at me when we arrive at 4.30pm. He almost wanted to reject our visitation as there simply not enough time to cover the museum. I also feel like pouting at him. Why la, the museum had to close at 5.00pm. Cause its a Sunday duh...

After 5, we went to hunt for the free coffee courtesy of the Amsterdam card. I told you its powerful right. After several tram hopping (FOC), we manage to find that place at last. Ironically its called La Place. What better way than to wind down with a cup of superior Amsterdam Coffee in your hands while you look at the hustle and bustle of the city.

I drank tea cause 1. I hate coffee, 2. I hate coffee, 3. I still hate coffee. Of course I kena razed for wasting a good cup of coffee....
And so its bye bye to Amsterdam and off we go to Prague.....