Queen's Day - Amsterdam

Queen's Day (in Dutch: Koninginnedag) in Amsterdam is a unique night and day carnival-like event on 30th of April each year and during the night before – so called Queen's Night. Queen's Day is a huge party across the whole city combined with a flea market throughout streets.

This last minute decision turned out to be a cultural experience like none other. With Traci off to the States I took Chris and Lindsey up on their offer to let me crash at their house and with only minor challenges I arrived at Chris and Lindsey’s just in time for the barbeque. Friday night we took to the streets, where there were bands playing and thousands of people gathering along the canals to enjoy the festivities.

Saturday morning kicked off with a citywide flea market.  Queen’s Day is the only day each year where people are allowed to sell their stuff on the streets without paying taxes. This gives everyone and their brother the chance to sell their second-hand things on the streets and parks of Amsterdam, creating one of the world's largest flea markets. Not surprisingly Lindsey found many treasures she had to have including a battery powered sewing machine. We made our way to a barbeque and then to a friend’s boat where we spent the day watching all of the people dressed up in orange passing along the canal in other boats. We finished the day on a rooftop terrace taking in the evening moonlight and on our way home made sure to stop at the Kebab stand.

Sunday morning the streets filled with garbage, I made my way to the airport and got home in time for Traci’s arrival back from the US. 

A wonderful sunny day out in Amsterdam. What more could anyone ask for.... oh yes a urinal in the street please. Done.