The parade started out with two boats carrying white-dressed colleagues of AIDS campaigners who were killed in the MH17 crash in Ukraine marked the start to the gay parade. Signs reading “Remembering our colleagues on MH17″ and music made this a very emotional start into an otherwise flamboyant party. 80 boats, thousands of spectators along the canals, brilliant costumes and vibrant sounds.

Members of the Aids Fonds organisation pay tribute to the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 at the start of the Amsterdam Canal Parade.

It was my third pride parade this year (after Auckland & Vienna) but I’ve never felt the kind of spirit & energy as I have in Amsterdam. The entire city went along. Hotels & restaurants advertised the parade, rainbow flags hung from several apartment buildings and posters & flags were hung up everywhere. Amsterdam is such an open and tolerant city and I love that!

80 boats started from Westerkerk church down the Prinsengracht.

Westerkerk Church was covered in a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade. Something you unfortunately don’t see very often, but in Amsterdam EVERYONE goes along – also the church.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade is one of the best and most fun prides in the world.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade is fun for everyone – gay and non-gay.

About 500.000 people from around the world attended the multicoloured beats-fuelled Pride Parade in historically tolerant Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade shows people celebrate equality & freedom together.

Even the planes diverted their route to fly over the Amsterdam Canal Parade.

Pride Parades are held all across the globe, but Amsterdam is the only city that has the parade on boats.

Amsterdam’s reputation of being the “gay capital of the world” is severely tested as thousands of people flood the city.

Moroccan and Jewish boats debut at this years Amsterdam Pride Parade.

After King’s Day, the Amsterdam Pride Parade is the biggest event in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001. Another reason, why it is such a popular destination for LGBT visitors.

Amsterdammers decorate their own boats along the Gracht to celebrate the Amsterdam Pride Parade.

Large companies such as Absolute Vodka or Google have started to sponsor the Pride Parade by joining the parade on their own boat.

Nowhere in the world you will find so many gay-friendly attractions per square metre as in the city centre of Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade tends to have a more profound meaning than just party. Every year boats from a more “controversial” background – like the police or military for example.

Amsterdam could be considered the birthplace of LGBT rights. Homosexuality was decriminalized here in 1811.

The party crowd didn’t let a little rain get in the way of celebrating the 19th annual Amsterdam Pride Parade.

“Live and let live” is one of the city’s favourite sayings.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade was my personal highlight during my 4-day visit.

1.) Tell us a little bit about yourself and how your passion for travelling started.

I’m a 24 year old Dutchman, stuck between the United Kingdom, Netherlands & China. I only really started travelling when I left high school at 18. Backpacked through China for a year, worked in China for a year, and took up my university studies in the UK, before setting off to do my own things (i.e. travel & be funemployed). Have been a professional expat for 6 years now, and have not managed to quit.

2.) When did you decide to hit the road? Was it hard to take that step? What preparations and arrangements did you have to make during the planning period?

I started with a ‘simple’ backpacking trip on my own. I booked a flight, packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and was on my way. Somehow it really wasn’t that tough.
 And if my 18 year old self could travel through Asia alone, any wisdom gained along the way must surely rub off on future trips. I feel preparation and planning can easily ruin a great adventure. They also sell toothbrushes overseas.

3.) Where & how do you celebrate Christmas?

With my family in the Netherlands, or with my girlfriend in the UK. But always with people I love.

4.) How do you stay in touch with family and friends? Do you write postcards?

I haven’t the discipline and decency to send nearly enough postcards. I’ve always found travelling a very personal experience, and normally go off the radar for weeks on end, whilst on the road. In fact, I’d say I’m pretty bad at staying in touch. But email, twitter, facebook & Skype are normally the first beacons of communication I use when I resurface.

5.) Are you planning on traveling for the rest of your life or would you like to settle down sometime (by settling down we mean finding a place to come home to)?

I would like to settle down, but not for another few years/decades. I now consider London to be my home base, until moving on to the next city. My travels normally consist of slightly longer periods in the same place, and that suits me, for now.

6.) If you could choose one city/country for living, which one would it be? Please give us a little explanation (weather, people, etc.).

I’d have to go with Shanghai. Despite the smog and general unhealthiness of the city, it exudes an air of excitement and opportunity I have yet to find anywhere else. And the food is exquisite. As are the people.

7.) Where are you right now and how did you get there?

In London. I landed here after my degree in Political Economy at Birmingham, mostly because the people closest to me moved here. And my (British) girlfriend is here for her university degree. 
I’m running a startup in London, but there’s a good prospect I may move again next year. Figuring out where the people you love prefer spending their time has become a litmus test for where to go next.

8.) Travelling is expensive … so how do you get from A to B?

Budget airlines, crash on couches, and combine work with pleasure. And if all else fails, just hitchhike or borrow a bicycle (although for a Dutchman, I’m exceptionally bad at the latter).

9.) Do you use a travel guide (Lonely Planet, etc.)? If so, please tell us which one … if not, why?

I used to, far more than I do today. I’ve found social media to be a superior source for travel tips. However, Rough Guides and Lonely Planets are still solid authorities on how to make the most out of your time travelling. 
Then again, just setting off, without a plan, has proven to be the most fun and rewarding, time and time again.

10.) What does a perfect day on your trip look like? What season is it? Are you inside or outdoors? Are you in a city or in the middle of nowhere?

I’d be in Asia, out of the city, with great company, food, drink and sights. It would probably be spring, as it would be too hot otherwise, and I would most definitely spend the day outside. Whether I’d be at the beach, or in the desert, as long as I’m surrounded by nice people and good food, I’m sure I’ll be fine. :)
Perhaps hit up Dunhuang for some stunning desert views, sled down some sand dunes, stroll along the Crescent Lake and cool down in the Mogao Caves.

11.) Name three spots from your last adventure, which you’d probably not find in a guidebook but you could recommend to travellers. Tell us what’s special about them.

London (I tried to stick to 3 spots, but got carried away…):

1) East London:  You can still get proper jellied eels here, as well as exceptionally friendly (and hard to understand) locals. A few areas in East London have been somewhat gentrified, but several (Hoxton, Bethnal Green) still retains much of their original charm and character.
Take the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) towards the Thames Barrier Park & London City Airport to get a glimpse of Canary Wharf and the Docklands. Cheap ride with stunning views along the Thames.

2) Markets: Borough, Columbia Road, Brockley, Billingsgate, Brick Lane, Broadway, Covent Garden, Spitalfields – just to name a few. All offer different views of the unique combinations and contradictions that define London. Pick up some excellent Monmouth coffee on Borough Market, a rabbit for a roast in Brockley, fresh cut flowers on Columbia Road, vintage Beatles t-shirt on Brick Lane, or some oysters at Broadway.

3) Regent’s Canal: the cafes and restaurants along this canal are some of the best in the East End. With canoeists paddling by, enjoy a coffee and the best view of the East London hipsters whizzing by on their bikes.

4) St James’s Park: despite this spot being in every guide book, it remains an all-time favourite. Have a picnic in the park on Sunday, spot the rarest birds taking a dip, and feed the squirrels of course. Definitely a classic guide book choice, and for a very good reason. Buckingham Palace and Westminster are just around the corner.

5) Late night openings at London museums/galleries: some of London’s most famous sights remain open till late. There really is nothing quite like snooping around the Natural History Museum after-hours. Most venues have talks, live music, drinks/snacks, and remain free..

Walk everywhere. The Underground is a great experience, but you risk missing out on the amazing sights and atmosphere you’d experience walking down London’s streets. Pick up an A-Z Map and you’ll be well on your way.

12.) Where & how do you write your blog articles? Do you start with a rough draft or get right to it?

With work being a tad busy, I have to write blog posts on the go (on my phone mostly). I tend to tweet a lot more than I blog, as it provides me with more interaction and more free time. I have started drafting blog posts and tweets recently, which has resulted in better work and more refined thoughts. It’s hard to do that though, especially with very current topics…

13.) What’s your favorite local dish? Where does it come from? Can you cook it & what are the main ingredients?

It’s very hard to beat a full English breakfast. Definitely not the healthiest option, but the undisputedly best way to start a Saturday/Sunday. I prefer my eggs poached, bacon crispy, and hash browns, mushrooms and baked beans on the side. Sausages and black pudding are not indispensable for me, but are great additions. As are grilled tomatoes or bubble and squeak.
This is such a classic hearty meal, that it’s become the daily staple of many hardworking/boozy Londoners. I’m not very good at cooking it, but the main ingredients are widely available.

14.) How much does 1 liter (or one gallon) of milk and petrol cost today?

Approximately £0.80 ($1.25/€1) for 1L of milk & £1.30 per litre of petrol

15.) On which device to you answer this questionnaire and what shoes are you wearing (if possible please add a picture )?

My 2008 white MacBook, barefoot! I’m currently working from home
(in my living room or on our tiny balcony), on a laptop that has served me well for over 4 years. Bought in Hong Kong and still runs like a charm. I’m normally barefoot around the house, and with the London summer starting just in time for the Olympics, I can wear my flip-flops more often as well.

16.) Last but not least: What does “home” mean to you?

The more I travel, and the more time I spend abroad and away from my family, the less I know where,when or how to expect to come ‘home’. I’ve noticed I’m starting to feel ‘at home’ in places that seem entirely unrelated to where I’m from, who I think I am, or what I think is important in my life. Increasingly, I find myself ‘at home’ out of my house, with people I didn’t know a few years ago, and in a language I didn’t grow up in.
Home is not a place, it’s a state of mind.

Want to be a part of this series?

If you want to be a part of our series, just go to the “Home Sweet Home” article and download the appropriate questionnaire. We’d really like to read your stories :)

Participants so far:

#1: Ulli Maier
#2: Nisa Maier
#3: Shvyia Nath
#4: Rika Huang
#5: Yvonne Zagermann
#6: Dario Endara
#7: Frankie Thompson
#8: Roy van den Bos
#9: Monica Stott
#10: Doris Neubauer
#11: Amanda Slavinsky
#12: Edna
#13: Casper Oppenhuis de Jong
#14: Ashley Abroad
#15: Inma Gregorio

Hotel tip.

• The Times Hotel – not the cheapest place (also not the most expensive) but a really lovely little design hotel. The neighborhood is fantastic (see the first photo below) & the staff is very friendly and helpful. We were upgraded to a canal-view room which was designed in the “old vs. new” style (wooden beams, crooked walls, flat screen TV, huge ceiling – we were right up in the tower -, trendy decoration & very modern bathroom). It was really cosy & homey and I can only recommend it.

Shopping tip.

• There are so many cute little shops in Amsterdam but one really stood out: “Het Grote Avontuur” is an amazing vintage shop. Walking into the store almost felt like being beamed back in time straight into the 50’s. You’ll find furniture, posters, magazines, textiles, interior decoration, kitchen gadgets and heaps of other stuff.
• If you’re looking for flower seeds, bird houses or herbs & spices, the flower market is the right spot for finding these. Even if you’re not a gardener it’s a great sight worth seeing.

Food tip.

• Few words are enough for this one: Find an Indonesian restaurant! Yummy ;)

The Begijnhof is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. A group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings, centre on it.

Cycling is a fun, efficient and easy way of getting around Amsterdam – just like the locals do.

Walking along the canals in Amsterdam is especially cool in the morning. Then you’ll get the chance to see the beautiful reflections.

Be it at breakfast, on sandwiches, cut in cubes and served with mustard, or even fried in a croquette, you can find an excuse to eat cheese any time of day.

Flowers – tulips in particular – in Amsterdam can be found in different forms; here you see tulips made out of wood.

And my camera was with me all the time.

Did you know?

You’ll find it on almost every house – whether it’s 400 or 4 years old – in Amsterdam: hooks – or as they are called in Holland “hijsbalk”. Beams stick out of the façade usually above the roof window. They are no historic artefacts; these hooks are still used today. The stairs in the houses of Amsterdam are extremely small and steep, therefore you (most likely) won’t be able to carry bulky things up the stairs. Instead you borrow a cable winch, fix it onto the hook and heave cupboards, pianos, etc. up through the window into the apartment. To prevent that these items hit the façade, the houses used to be built a little bit bent-forward.

Hooks can be found on pretty much all the buildings in Amsterdam.