It’s that time of the year again, when the thermometer hanging outside my window shows a lower reading than the display on my freezer. When I first moved to the Netherlands more than 20 years ago, one of the first things that caught my attention was the Dutch people’s preoccupation with ice. As soon as [...]
Things to do on transit at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
The man sitting next to me on the plane looked a bit flustered. We were about to land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol after an eight hour flight from Vancouver and aside from the polite “hello” when I settled in my seat, we didn’t speak a word to each other throughout the flight. He turned to [...]
High wine at The Dylan Amsterdam
Afternoon tea is a centuries-old English tradition of late-afternoon indulgence: a cup of freshly-brewed tea accompanied by a selection of pastries and bite-sized sandwiches. This quintessential English tradition was introduced in many of the ex-British colonies, including Malaysia, where I grew up, where it became commonly known as high tea. It was something I [...]
Inspiring designs in the Amsterdam Metro
I’m not a big fan of the Amsterdam Metro. In fact, I never thought I’d find myself writing a post inspired by Amsterdam’s public transportation system, and certainly not the Metro! However, travelling in the Metro has become a much more enjoyable experience in the past few months after a complete makeover of the interior. [...]
The last day of summer
Saturday, 9th October 2010. Technically, it wasn’t the last day of summer but it sure felt like it. The sun shone brightly and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. At 24 degrees Celsius, it was perfect t-shirt weather… if it weren’t for the reddish-orangy leaves in the trees, you wouldn’t have guessed that [...]
How well do you know your city?
It’s funny how a moment of boredom can somehow become an eye-opening experience. I was sitting in a plane on my way back from Italy. The meal service had come and gone and I’d finished reading the inflight magazine. Feeling a bit bored, I took a peek at what my neighbour was reading. It was [...]
Plane views: Amstel River, Amsterdam
The name Amsterdam originates from the earliest settlement along the Amstel River where a dam was built. Amstel + dam = Amstellerdam, which eventually became Amsterdam. Nowadays, the river is lined by stately mansions, parks and leafy neighbourhoods. On a recent flight back to Amsterdam, I was treated to views of the Amstel River and [...]
‘The One Thing’ in Amsterdam
I love trying to pinpoint ‘The One Thing’ that sums up the thrill of travel. Travelling around the world allows me to consider fresh ideas and meet people with experiences totally removed from my own. When that ‘One Thing’ is completely new, it becomes a memory that can define an entire trip. Sometimes ‘The One [...]
The canals of Amsterdam: a window into the city
My hometown, Amsterdam, with its rings of canals, historic monuments, world-class museums and vibrant nightlife is one of the most visited cities in the world. Amsterdam’s world famous canals offer visitors a unique window into the history of the city and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. In the 17th century, Amsterdam was one of the [...]
An afternoon in the Keukenhof
The Keukenhof is perhaps the Netherlands’ most popular tourist attraction in the spring. Literally translated, Keukenhof means ‘kitchen garden’, and is located near the town of Lisse, about a half-hour drive southwest of Amsterdam, in the heart of one of the country’s major flower-growing regions. The Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower garden and every [...]
About Keith Jenkins
I'm Keith Jenkins. In July 2008, I left my ten-year banking career to travel around the world. I've not looked back since.
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