A Canal Cruise & Returning to a City of Heart
Amsterdam has held a special place in my heart ever since my very first visit back in December 2008. It was the first European city both David and I ever explored—a place we cherished together and always looked for reasons to return to. Walking these familiar streets for the first time without him was profoundly healing. With Jorene by my side, I realized that my love for this city remains just as vibrant, and it still feels like home.
We docked right at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam around 7:30 AM. After relaxing on board for a bit, we headed out around 8:45 AM for our canal cruise, taking to the water just after 9:00 AM. Gliding through the canals in the glass-topped boat, we took in the morning light over the historic gabled houses, stone bridges, and charming houseboats before ending our loop near the Diamond Factory.
Wandering Favorite Streets & Sidewalk Lunch
With the rest of the day open, I loved taking Jorene through some of my favorite, frequented spots across the city. We soaked in the blue-sky weather, crossed canal after canal, and stopped for another wonderful outdoor sidewalk lunch. Jorene opted for a delicious Croque Monsieur-style sandwich, while I stayed safe with a classic—and delicious—club sandwich!
“Wouldn’t it be fun if we got tattoos?”
As we were walking, a spur-of-the-moment idea hit me. I turned to Jorene and said, “We should get tattoos while we are here!”
Without skipping a beat, Jorene was all in! Every shop we passed, she’d ask, “Is this the one?” Finally, we stepped into Atelier Pax Tattoos. The staff were super welcoming, incredibly professional, and spotlessly clean. They set us up for a 1:30 PM appointment.
Jorene got a delicate tulip (she already had the soul sisters tattoo, lol), and I got the three X’s (St. Andrew’s Crosses) from Amsterdam’s coat of arms. Two permanent symbols of the healing, laughter, and unbreakable bond we shared on this unforgettable trip.
Fresh Stroopwafels, Powering Through & Farewell
To celebrate our new ink (and recharge for our walk back), we treated ourselves to fresh, warm stroopwafels melted with chocolate and toppings right in front of us, paired with what we have always known iced coffee to be!
About five minutes into our 30-minute walk back to the ship, Jorene suddenly experienced severe pain shooting up her left leg from her ankle. Despite the swelling and intense discomfort, she powered through like an absolute champion all the way back to the boat.
We spent our final evening resting up before our 6:15 AM departure for Schiphol Airport the next morning. We enjoyed a nice light dinner in the bistro and more laughs with Brandi, Rhonda, Darcy and Jeanette. Amsterdam truly left its mark on us this time—in our hearts, our memories, and on our skin forever.
