Our travel adventures began on Wednesday, June 27th (Stella's 19th birthday). Our plane departed Seattle midday and arrived in Amsterdam at around 9:30am on Thursday, June 28th. Easy 10 hour flight. I read an entire book - cover to cover. Also watched one episode of The Crown. Did not sleep. At all.

Arrived in Amsterdam and hit the ground running. We took the train to Amsterdam Central and walked about 10 minutes to The Albus Hotel where we unpacked, showered and changed. The Albus is a cool, artsy boutique hotel in a prime location. Easy walk to museums, shops, restaurants. Nevertheless, Amsterdam is effortless to get around using public transportation (and comfortable walking shoes).

Lunch was a Poke Bowl on the way to the World Press Photo Exhibition 2018 in De Nieuwe Kerk. This exhibit was the world premiere of a global tour with over 160 photographs by 42 press photographers from 22 countries. Incredible photo journalism, powerful imagery.

The rest of the day was spent wandering streets, crossing bridges over canals and soaking it all in. Dinner was at Moeder's - quintessential Dutch cuisine in a tiny restaurant with pictures of mothers adorning the walls floor to ceiling.

Great first day.