Amsterdam in April

Mario's birthday is the same day as Queen's Day in Holland, the appropriately raucous, happy orange-drenched celebration of the Queen's birthday. Who knew? This April 30th, however, also marked the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the ascension of Willem-Alexander to the throne making next year the first official King's Day in Holland, assuring our revved-up orange-clad group of five travelers a doubly festive time to be had.

Indeed.

With a street festival lasting two days sandwiched between day trips to Amsterdam and Utrecht to take in some killer sights, we rocked so long and hard to the free concerts in Utrecht that we could still see the pulse of orange lights behind our eyelids the following day. It got us wondering how the first King's Day next year was going to be. If he's anything like Beatrix--who, by the way, we saw on the locals' t-shirts as name-emblazoned as well as mug shot--the people of Holland are sure to rejoice with the same amount of beloved fervor we will want to be apart of again and again in the years to come. If that's the case, long live the King.

Dam Square decked out for Queen's Day.

Of course Mannekin Pis french fries with Special Sauce--mayo, ketchup and diced onions--is a must on our first day!

Amsterdam train station.

Science Center NEMO with its cool nautically inspired design.

Typical architecture and view from the canals.

Hotel and Palace of Justice on the IJDock peninsula in Amsterdam.

EYE Film Institute Netherlands, designed to look like an object in motion.

My favorite pancake with bananas and Nutella at the Pancake Bakery.

Timothy, Jacqui, and Mylana enjoying the treats at the Pancake Bakery.

Square over the Singel canal in Amsterdam.

Exit local Amsterdammer...

...enter rockstar.

Typical alleyway in the shopping district.

Catching some rays near the train station.

Timothy at the train station.

Having some fun at the I Amsterdam sign in front of the central library.

Looking out of the top floor of the central public library is a must-do insider tip when you're in Amsterdam. It's free and the views can't be beat.

There is even a little informative vantage point exhibit explaining the surrounding architecture and their history.

When you're done taking in the view you can head indoors to their cafe for a reasonably priced bite to eat before they close around 8pm. We ended up heading to Vapiano next door and immediately saw two famous Dutch soccer players who, as thrilling it was for the boys, I don't and won't for the life of me remember.

Along with great views of the city, the Centrale Bibliotheek is also a floor to ceiling example of great modern decor. Here is a close up of the wall treatment below.

After we enjoyed a day of pub hopping, shopping and a late night in Utrecht of outdoor dancing and concerts on the 29th, we returned to the city to enjoy the second day of the celebration on the 30th.

Queen's day means the entire country of Holland turns into a collective flea market with locals raiding their attics to pull out items old and new to sell in the streets.

The crowd in Utrecht.

All bars and clubs stay open on the 30th and keep the party going in the streets with loud music until late afternoon.

Shopping district in Utrecht.

Some local color, literally.

Private boat parties cruise the canals.

The Oudegracht, the famous central old canal of Utrecht.

The concert scene and its limitless supply of enthusiastic partiers.

It's all about the cheap orange sunglasses today.

Getting ready to throw that dice.

Crunch crunch! Cool sneakers atop a bed of refuse.

One of the many orange beauties in Holland.

Some alleyway characters at the all-day flea market.

We came across a very pretty neighborhood in bloom.

Looks like someone had a rough night.

It's good to be king. The youth of Utrecht selling their stuff.

Enjoying the sun.

 Canal lined with sunbathers and the Dom Tower in the distance.

Vredenburg at the close of the Queen's Day festivities.

Aftermath of the celebration at dusk.

St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht.

Catching the Dortmund/Madrid soccer game at Mick O'Connell's Irish Pub in the evening.