Starting late , of course, we walked to the train station to pick up the hoho bus. We decided to sit on opposite sides of the bus so we could get more photos.. talk to Joey if you want to see his pix eventually... Starting in the 1700s trade started here in the port. City is built on piles to stop it from sinking into the sand. Some houses have crossbeams for extra strength.. The Amsterdam ship is an exact copy of the original sunk in the 1800s. Nearby is the only windmill left in Amsterdam proper. Parks are subsidized by City Council in the English style with wandering paths. Diamond factory tour in the Jewish quarter. We toured the Gassan diamond factory on and learned about cut color and clarity. Also were able to handle lovely jewelry that we didn't purchase. Although there was one that was calling me ... There were 2 synagogues - the Portuguese synagogue and The Ashkenazi Jewish synagogue - which is now the history Museum. Synagogue members have moved out of the city center. Heineken brewery - everyone used to drink the beer, even children, because the canals were so dirty. Now there are more than 20 breweries but all breweries are now outside the city center. There are 2500 houseboat moorings all with water electricity and sewer- and it is quite expensive. Plus houseboats are not able to leave.. they are wonderful to see, especially decorated for Kings Day (April 27) But can be a crowded waterway. Row houses must stay authentic to original colors and any changes must be checked out with the city. People in the city tend to move every eight years on average. Beams stick out from roofs for lifting furniture as lifts are not used in most private homes and stairs are too narrow for furniture to be moved to upper floors. Rarely freezes here but when a freeze occurs canals are closed to boats soothe water has a better chance to freeze for skaters. And I cannot believe that I forgot to pack a hat and gloves, so I had to purchase a hat and gloves. We stopped in the red light district, between a cannabis store and a luggage store .. right down the street from Leonidas chocolates. Also, we stopped at a very interesting Turkish fast food place that sold baked potatoes - choose your own toppings. Late afternoon repast. And of course I couldn't resist the picture of cannabis ice cream .. Walking back to our hotel through the Red light district, we came across a beautiful factory that appears as if it may have been converted to living space.