The well-known landmark of the steepled tower of the Montelbaanstoren looms over a canal, Montelbaans, Amsterdam. The Montelbaanstoren towers over a canal, Montelbaans, Amsterdam. The stone section of the tower was erected in 1512 and for protection purposes. The timber top was added in 1606 by Hendrick de Keyser. During the Dutch Golden Age, the Montelbaanstoren was the meeting place for sailors that would embark on the ships bound to sail to the East Indies. The tower is not open for public but it hosts the offices of the Amsterdam water authority. - Footprints in Paradise: Photos of Maui & the Hawaiian Islands

On my last trip out of Saudi Arabia, I spent three days in Amsterdam. Even though March weather cut into my outdoor time in the city, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Didn't take as many pics as I should have, though!

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Buildings near the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Canal boats moored near the CentraalStation, PrinsHendrikkade, Amsterdam.

A drawbridge opens to allow passage of a commercial barge on the Damrak canal, Amsterdam.

A bridge over one of the canals near CentraalStation, PrinsHendrikkade, Amsterdam.

Houses along the Damrak canal, Amsterdam.

Quayside at the CentraalStation, PrinsHendrikkade, Amsterdam.

An example of the 17th Century gabled canal houses of old Amsterdam. The building occupying the entire corner in this photo is an example of the "stepped-gable" style.

The minesweeper "Mercuur", a permanently-moored museum vessel anchored at a small yacht harbor in Scheveningen, near The Hague. Hr. Ms. Mercuur is a wooden ocean-going minesweeper originally built for the United States Navy and subsequently transferred to The Netherlands in 1954. Provided as part of the Marshall Plan (Mutual Defense Assistance Program), Mercuur and five sister ships assisted in clearing sea mines from Dutch harbors after WWII. She was converted to a torpedo-trials ship in 1972. Mercuur is the only Marshall Plan ship still afloat in the Netherlands.

The well-known landmark of the steepled tower of the Montelbaanstoren looms over a canal, Montelbaans, Amsterdam. The Montelbaanstoren towers over a canal, Montelbaans, Amsterdam. The stone section of the tower was erected in 1512 and for protection purposes. The timber top was added in 1606 by Hendrick de Keyser. During the Dutch Golden Age, the Montelbaanstoren was the meeting place for sailors that would embark on the ships bound to sail to the East Indies. The tower is not open for public but it hosts the offices of the Amsterdam water authority.