Sightseeing

Today was a busy day with an informative and entertaining walking tour of Amsterdam. Today’s photo is of the Oude Kerk. Located in the heart of the Red Light District, the circa 1213 church is Amsterdam's oldest building and oldest parish church.

We followed the tour with a visit to Rembrandt House, a stroll through the Floating Flower Market, a short walk to the Rembrandtplein to see the bronze statues reenacting Rembrandt’s famous Nightwatch painting, and a ride to the top floor of the library to see the Amsterdam skyline. We finished the day in Dam Square.

Today, the flag on the Oude Kerk was flying at half mast because it was a very special day in the Netherlands. On May 4th each year, respect is paid to victims and fallen soldiers of WWII and other wars on Dutch Remembrance Day. This evening the King and Queen laid a wreath in front of the 1956 National Monument in Dam Square at the annual Remembrance of the Dead ceremony, and at 8:00pm two minutes of silence was observed by the whole of the Netherlands. We were among the 20,000 people who gathered at Dam Square. The silence was overwhelming.