Today I accompanied my colleague that has come over from China to Amsterdam to take a look at a few of the art museums.

We went to the Van Gogh Museum & the Rijksmuseum.

The original plan was to go in that order with lunch in the middle, but after seeing and being told a 2 hour queue at the Van Gogh museum we found out we could book a time slot to visit on the internet so we didn’t have to line up.

So that was that, quite easy to organise in fact.

We walked to the Rijksmuseum as many of the museums are in the vicinity.  Sharleen, my colleague, really wanted to see ‘The Night Watch’ 夜巡 Ye Xun, by Rembrandt.

I also managed to pick up a yearly museum card, which means that with 60 euros I can visit any of 400 museums around the Netherlands.   As I haven’t found out yet what Dutch people do in their free time, I figured I’d visit a few more museums.

I only bought it after I purchased the Van Gogh museum tickets… which meant I obviously wasted a bit of money… fun fun fun.

It should be worth it.  As most museum entrance tickets are 14 euros or something.

Without further adue, here are some pictures from the Rijksmuseum Even the stained glass is nice inside the building

 Ornate weaponry    These whalers hats were apparently so much a part of the sailors that they were buried with them. 

The description says that it’s a painting of a river where you eyes follow the serenity and peaceful work as you follow the river downstreamI really like the accentuated shadows in this piece.  This is very nice as well, it was in place of one that I really like before about a man with an upside down beard, but this was nice too.  This is apparently a square man… but it looks like a koala to me.

 Supposedly the uncivilised world holding technology in their hands. 
All done in dot painting, very Australian Aboriginalisk.

They didn’t have the actual Mondrian picture that 1st got me into Modern art, this one doesn’t say as much.  Somehow I quite like this too
 Ornate woodwork
 Mother of Pearl (for mum)

The amazing library

Note. I’ve been before so there’s only a few pics.

I have to point out as well, Sharleen who is Chinese did very well to keep up with me around the Modern art in the Rijksmuseum.  She appreciated what she could and I explained what I have learned since last visiting that museum.  I think if you like those pieces and can understand a bit of the history and thinking behind them, then its up to you whether you like it or not.  And she did well to see that for herself.

Van Gogh museum, again I’ve been before, so here are just a couple of photos:

 I really like this picture for some reason

Oh and it was easy to convince Sharleen to eat some traditional Dutch food which was nice.

Went to an amazing restaurant called Hasje Claes.   Which I would recommend to anyone, plus… I will definitely be taking future visitors there because the food was authentic and delicious, and the beer was pretty good too.

The waffle we got on the way back.

Was nice to have a day out with Sharleen.