Saying Goodbye to The Summer That Wasn’t
By Deepa Paul
Living in the Netherlands for 12 years, I’ve heard it said one too many times that the best way to enjoy a Dutch summer is to escape it. July certainly proved the popular opinion when it came to this escape, with knock-you-off-your-bike gusts, endless rain and grey skies that almost made me regret my choice to stay in the city until after Amsterdam Pride.
Still, summer in the city yielded its share of pleasures. There is something strangely enjoyable about the mad dash out to the nearest terrace on the rare sunny day—VESSEL is totally acing their terrace game, while friendly French favourite CAFÉ PARLOTTE has Jordaanites literally rubbing elbows (in the nicest way possible) on its cosy streetside slice of the Jordaan. Read the full Café Parlotte review here.
For me, one of the best things about summer in Amsterdam is going for a dip in the city’s many wild swimming spots. You have to pick your spot carefully—away from tourist boat traffic, in wide waterways where the flow is continuous, not stagnant—or simply consult this handy city map of official swimming spots.
My personal favourites are the docks along Erasmuspark in Bos en Lommer and Hotel Boat & Co in Houthavens, which turn into canalside fiestas when the heat is on. Combined with brunch at the minimalist chic OFICINA (close to Erasmuspark) or cocktails at VESSEL (at Boat & Co), you can’t go wrong. Read the full Vessel review here.
A wet, gloomy Pride Parade was the signal that I needed some real colour and sunshine in my life. August back home in the Philippines was just what the doctor ordered—along with the best mangoes in the world, fresh-squeezed coconut milk for my daily Batangas-grown coffee, and the sour-sweet tang of a tall, icy calamansi (Philippine lime) shake delivered to my lounger by the poolside at THE PENINSULA MANILA, or by the sea at CLUB PARADISE on Dimakya Island in Coron, Palawan. Rinse and repeat, all day, every day.
Flying back to Amsterdam high on sunshine and Vitamin D, I hopped straight out of the plane into DE SCHOOL for the summer’s last Het Weekend, a 48-hour party that unfolds in the basement, hallways, and magical inner garden of this former technical college and the city’s best club. New spot CALISTO welcomed me back with elegant plates and natural wine on one of Haarlemmerdijk’s cutest corners. The girls and I caught each other up on our August adventures over a boozy brunch at GITANE, while Greek gem IKARIA PARK helped the summer vibes keep going with its Mediterranean feel and fare.
So, how was your summer?
Saying Goodbye to the Summer that Wasn’t
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