My Dream Birthday Trip (Part 1) | Adventures In Amsterdam
For my 30th birthday, I decided to treat myself to a trip to Paris and Amsterdam with my boyfriend. It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it felt amazing to finally check these two incredible cities off my travel bucket list. After everything I've been through with my dad's passing, I knew that taking a vacation was exactly what I needed to give myself the gift of restoration and renewal.
Our journey began with a 5-hour drive to Chicago, where we took our flight to Amsterdam, which was our first stop. We were happy to discover that it was cheaper to fly from Chicago than to leave from Cincinnati. Our flight was booked through KLM, a Dutch airline that my boyfriend recommended for its reliability and quality service. We prepared for our flight with all necessary documents, including passports, IDs, proof of vaccination, and health declaration forms. We also filled out the required forms for our trip to Paris, as France had different travel requirements than the Netherlands. Our flight to Amsterdam was comfortable and not too long. When we landed, we went through customs quickly and happily reunited with my boyfriend's family. They kindly hosted us during our stay in the Netherlands.
We spent our first day relaxing and catching up, so there wasn’t much to document. However, after a bit of rest, we went to a few shops and restaurants. Our first stop was Markthal in Rotterdam, a town that is south of Amsterdam. Markthal is a market and food hall, where you can eat and shop from many vendors. There, I had some Dutch staples: stroopwafels, herring, bitterballen, and poffertjes (mini pancakes). There were also some American places, like Dunkin Donuts. But I, of course, wanted the authentic Dutch experience and stuck with the traditional shops.
Our time in the Netherlands was spent eating, spending time with family, and seeing the historical and modern architecture of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. We’ve seen the infamous Red Light District, and it was everything I thought it would be. We went to a few shops, bars, and small museums to learn more about the district’s history. Out of respect for the workers and patrons, we did not take any pictures.
After our visit, we stopped by a local Surinamese restaurant for dinner before we turned in. I was excited, though I had prior knowledge of the food, thanks to my boyfriend and his mom, who is from a former Dutch Colony in South America called Suriname. Surinamese food is a blend of dishes influenced by African, Indigenous, Indian, and Asian cultures. We got a few familiar favorites: Bami with chicken (pictured, similar to lo mein), lumpias (Filipino spring rolls), and chicken satay. The food was good, and it felt cool to have a place like that close by. But nothing beats the homemade taste!
According to my boyfriend, this cuisine is known as the "soul food" of the Netherlands. Similar to the United States, people of African descent represent a small portion of the overall Dutch populace, including those from Suriname. So the restaurants are like the soul food places in America, providing you with a taste of home.
On our last day, before we left for Paris, we visited a restaurant in Amsterdam called Mama Kelly. Mama Kelly is famous for its pink decor, with various shades of pink and gold adorning everything from the floors to the seats. It’s like Art Deco meets Barbie’s Dreamhouse! I stumbled upon this place on Instagram while looking for restaurants with excellent food and a picture-perfect atmosphere. Whenever I go on a trip, there are two things that I always keep in mind. The food at Mama Kelly was exceptional, as was the atmosphere. We opted for roasted chicken and lobster, and both were fresh and tender. It was the only meal that closely resembled what we typically eat back home, but it was still fantastic. (We still reminisce about the chicken to this day!) The drinks and dessert were also good. I paired my meal with a glass of Rose and a pink Pornstar Martini to maintain the pink theme. I highly recommend checking out Mama Kelly for a meal. Adding it to your list of restaurants to visit would be well worth it.
Overall, I had an amazing time during my trip to the Netherlands. It was the perfect way to kick off my European travel journey. The food was incredible and I was surrounded by wonderful people. Feeling at home while traveling is always a good sign for me. I believe that the best trips happen when you feel relaxed and comfortable. I'm already looking forward to planning more exciting adventures in the future!
-Anyssa xoxo
Stay tuned for my recap of the second part of my trip: Paris, France.
