flower markt

The flower market here in Amsterdam is the only floating flower market in the world.  The flower stalls all stand on houseboats but you would never know it looking at the stalls from the street.

This is a relic from the days when the flowers and plants sold at this market were shipped in by barges. Nowadays fresh flowers are still brought in every day; by vans, however, and no longer by boat.    

  

The floating flower market was first held in 1862.  It has since developed into the best-known flower market of Holland.  Whatever your favorite flower is, you are bound to find it here.  Merchandise ranges from the traditional Dutch tulips and geraniums to indoor cypresses and plants.  Along this part of the Singel canal you’ll also find a lot of souvenirs shops.

Bennett enjoyed playing with the butterfly decoration at one of the souvenir shops.

There was a lot to see here but we headed back after stopping in a few shops to buy a magnet.  

The architecture in Amsterdam is so lovely.  I learned that the hallways in most of the homes are really narrow which makes it impossible to bring in furniture using the stairs.  To solve this problem the buildings have hooks on the roof that are used to lift furniture using rope through the windows.  

Back at the Damiani's we prepared dinner.  Bennett found his favorite toy, the peek-a-boo bear.  He loved playing with this bear when we would visit the Damiani's in Grafton.  

Isla and I patiently waited for dinner.  

We had a special treat we brought home with us today for dessert, Van Stapele cookies.  At Van Stapele Bakery they only sell one sort of cookie, literally.  There were no other baked goods at the bakery.  The cookie is made from a high quality chocolate dough, full of rich Valrhona cocoa.  The cookie’s crispy outside envelopes a soft filling of melted white chocolate.  Their cookies are freshly baked throughout the day, so when we picked them up the cookies were still deliciously warm.   

I can honestly say this was the best cookie I have ever tasted.  The melted chocolate inside tasted a lot like marshmallow.  I will miss this place.  

Across the street a couple of artists were busy working.  I wonder if the book shop across the street has a special meaning for artists.

After dinner we were off to bed.  We have a long day tomorrow.  We are off to Belgium bright and early.