Amsterdam in the rain, and sun, and rain again

Thursday was designated "gallery day" and we took full advantage of the on-again, off-again rain day. My feet were telling me that we logged somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 km!

Our first stop for the morning, was the famous Rijksmuseum, The National museum of the Netherlands. Unfortunately the main building is under restoration and only the Philips Wing was/is open currently. On display currently is an exhibit of "The Masterpieces" which gave us an opportunity to view all the highlights of the Golden Age in one place at one time.

Next on our list was the Van Gogh museum, but it too is closed for the next 8 months and the Van Gogh's have been moved to a new temporary location at The Hermitage. Grand Opening is tomorrow (after we've left).

Not to despair 'cause if there is one thing Amsterdam has lots of (besides brown cafes and prostitutes), it's museums!

Our next stop was the FOMA, the national photographic museum (interesting). Once the sun came out we took in a canal cruise, followed by yet again more walking through the "exhibitions amsterdam" - the section of the city with all of the private and commercial galleries (very interesting). Our evening was spent at the newly re-opened Stedelijk Museum. After being closed for 8 years, the Stedelijk reopened this week just in time for our arrival! Very impressive with works from all of the major contemporary artists.

Today is our last full day and - finally - it look as though the sun will be with us all day. More walking with visits to the canal zone and the Jordaan districts. Maybe even some shopping!

Tot ziens ...