Amsterdam / Netherlands
Day 1
Amsterdam, our first weekend getaway in Europe. Our first work > airport mission and our first EasyJet experience. The commute to the airport was almost a disaster and the flights were delayed on both ends, but at least the weekend was good.
We left Gatwick airport just after 8pm and arrived in Amsterdam an hour later. We trained to Central Station in the city where we were greeted by my friends Pete and Leah are on a Workaway helping turn a boat into a home. Their hosts were kind enough to let us stay on their sailing boat for the weekend. They doubled us on their bikes, made it to the boat and crashed for the night.
We had planned on getting up really early to make it down to the I AMSTERDAM sign in front of Rijks Museum before the crowds arrived. We then went to pick up some rental bikes for Monita and myself. Getting around Amsterdam by a bike is hands down the only way. But you have to be careful because over half the city are also on bikes. It gets pretty hectic and we did witness one solid crash. The rain was on and off so we dodged that when we could. Once we had our bikes we took a ferry across to NDSM Wharf. It’s a cool spot that’s being reutilised in this modern day. Read about it more here. We found a cool spot for to have a drink before heading back to the boat for some lunch.
One of my favourite things about Amsterdam is the freshly squeezed orange juice that you can get at the supermarket. You grab an empty bottle, press down on a lever and this contraption will feed and squeeze fresh juice into the bottle. Sadly I was too excited to take photos of it, but a lot of orange juice was consumed on this trip.
After a shower and nap we headed out into the city for a night out. It was everything that Amsterdam nightlife is known for. Enough said.
Day 2
A slower start to the day but we forced ourselves up. We headed to the Foodhallen for lunch, we got their early and had to wait but the food was good! It’s an Indoor Food Hall in the West of the city. The area reminded me a lot of Lower Haight in San Fran. Would love to come back and stay in this area. Pete and Leah headed home and Monita and I checked out the Open Gardens Day. An event that happens once a year where around 25 canal houses open their private gardens for the public to see. In a city surrounded by canals and urban housing, it’s amazing to see the hidden green of the city. That took a couple of hours then we headed to the Anne Frank house. The line to get in would have taken over an hour to get in, so we’ll have to come back and tick a few more things off the list. We met Pete and Leah at the NEMO building before doing another quick walk around the city. Then we caught the train and flew back to London. Weekend over.
I love creating images that speak to me.
I grew up in a small town that nobody really knows about, Levin. Spent a good ten years in Hamilton making some of the best friends anyone could have. And now I’m living, working and playing in the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Also a small country that people have trouble locating – I’m looking at you America!
Life is about stories, and that’s what I love to capture and document. My shooting style is unobtrusive. You may be a natural in front of the camera, or have no idea what to do but before we even start I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed.
Things I love: Travelling to wherever I can, my partner Monita, homemade burgers, wood fired pizzas, the smell of rain on a hot summers day, mountains, the snow, sunsets and sunrises, star gazing, natural light, the aesthetic of wood, crashing waves and day dreaming.