Impromptu Trip

Having submitted 4 papers and taken 4 courses at UAL, this summer is a real hectic, but achieving one for me.

Been caged in this urban jungle for this long can be suffocating, though city break in the city has been arranged on a weekly basis. Been to several up-market cafés for causal brekkies. Sounds pretty spendy, but a table for one is unforgivable.

Holding a passport allowing traveling in EU zone freely without using it is defo not forgivable.

After revising my wanderlust list, Amsterdam seems like the perfect place for a city girl to relax and rewind. 

Amazed again by how handy it is to live in a West Hampstead, where it is the transportation hub to underground, overground and train station. 

Less than 3 hours, you get to devote the authentic Dutch pancake, an hour direct train to Gatwick Airport, 1 1/4hr flight to Amsterdam, I feel so very privileged.

4 days 3 nights, a carry-on tote, Birkenstock sandals, Google map, and soy latte, I am good to go.

Upon landing the Netherlands, I was immediately greeted by the exotic language. Dutch sounds like Irish German to me. It took me 3 days to learn thank you in Dutch, dunky-ver?

But it doesn't matter as Dutch people are all fluently in English, which is also a reason why Amsterdam topped the list of my summer break destination.

When in Dutch, instead of munching on Dutch caramel waffles, you gotta look chic and bike aimlessly around the canals. That's why they do. Causal outfit and a blazer is the standard attire for a bike ride.

Windmill, cheese factory, and other tourisy things were not on the agenda, I was looking for surprises in a strange land. 

Dutch aesthetic has been showcased through concept stores, vintage shops, cafés, and the Dutch (of course!) Dim light, muted colours, and industrial bricks are the norm for the effortlessly interior design. Dutch boys and girls do know how to pay attention to details in their simple outfit. In the city of bikes, utility seems more essential with just one statement piece to make a theme. I have seen lady carrying 

a Birkin on a bike, and her outfit can not be more layback.

People watching then soon became my fav thing to do in Amsterdam. 

Caffè il Momento is a perfect spot for caffeine and the peeping mission.

Great coffee, served with a bite of Dutch waffle, and friendly baristas made me pay 2 consecutive visits.

Oh their plain croissant was so so good. 

Antidote: I do notice that Dutch latte is usually served in a gigantic glass, even a small one.

The size of the latte in De Koffie Salon, where much adored by Andy Torres, gave me a fright, it was the size of venti Starbucks.

If to visit Amsterdam on an impulse again, Caffè il Momento is the culprit to blame.

The architecture alongside the canals were built to be Instagrammed.

Gentleman Canal is said to be the wealthy residential waterfront.

It is so adorable that houses love to lean forward for more space to house more pieces of furniture. 

To be honest, I had hard time finding proper food at first. What I mean by proper food is simple sandwiches and salads with natural ingredients, but it is pizza-kinda-of place everywhere I went. Thank god I was lucky to spot 3 eateries for healthy food and juice.

I am glad that I chose Amsterdam over Lisbon and Paris.

But I missed London on the second day.

London is the place that I can call and feel home away from home.

Amsterdam Shortlist

Caffè il Momento

http://www.caffeilmomento.nl/

De Koffie Salon

http://dekoffiesalon.nl/

Juice & Salad Café

http://juiceandsalad.nl/

Dr. Blend

http://www.drblend.nl/en/

Soup en Zo

http://soupenzo.nl/