I visited Amsterdam for the first time with my family — here are 4 things that surprised me most about our trip

From fearless cyclists to Indonesian feasts, the Dutch capital challenged my assumptions.

Alesandra Dubin

• I visited Amsterdam for the first time with my family, and a few things surprised me.
• I knew the city had a big bike culture, but I didn't realize how intense it could be.
• The public transit options pleasantly surprised me, and I was blown away by the Indonesian cuisine.

I'd long imagined Amsterdam as a picturesque city of canals, tulips, and windmills.