(no subject)
Well, we're back from our trip to Amsterdam. I want to post about it so I will remember everything because the drug filled haze sweeps in and all I have are the photos to remind me of our trip.
MONDAY
We get into Amsterdam at about 9:45am local time and catch a train from Schipol Airport to Centraal Station. To be honest at first we were a little worried that Amsterdam wouldn't be as nice as we had anticipated because there was stupid graffitti tagging all over the place (graffitti is good but tagging SUCKS), but how wrong we were!
We got into Centraal Station and it was beautiful. Wheeled our suitcases down to our hotel (Rembrandt Residence - www.rembrandtresidence.nl). We checked into our room, which was suprisingly nice. We had ordered a double room but our bed was most ceartainly king size, and SOOOO comfy!
As soon as we got our stuff into the hotel we changed into some non-travel clothes and went out into the city for a snack. One thing that took a little getting used to in Amsterdam is that not only are there vehicles, but EVERYONE rides a bicycle. Bicycles have their own lanes (similar to here in England, but we don't take it as seriously) but there, bikes are EVERYWHERE and rule the roads as much as cars, if not more. As soon as you have the flow of traffic down, you have to be on the lookout for cyclists (which are easy to miss sometimes, and then they will chime their bike bells in a very nice, non threatening way. The Dutch are so chilled.
So as for the snack, Ollie stopped at a FEBO for some fries. FEBO is this deep fried vending machine type place, but you can get the fries and a few other things made "fresh". Interesting concept though. I popped into a cafe and got a veggie pizza slice with gouda cheese instead of mozza. It wasn't so much a slice of pizza as it was a rectangle pastry/bread type thing with toppings, but it was delish.
We pretty much just walked around stopping at different pubs for drinks, taking it all in. In the evening we went to an asian infusion restaurant which was incredible. They would make your stir fry with all the fresh veggies you could choose from, along with whatever sauce you would like. They also had different pieces of sushi to choose from, dim sung, chinese vegetable and meat dishes, hot and cold. So we filled our boots, then went walking around the city to find a good coffee shop. By this time it was dark and all of the canals were lit up. It was so beauituful and romantical. Something that I will remember forever.
So we went off the beaten track a little, rather than going to the Bull Dog straigt away we went to a very chilled place called Siberie Coffeeshop (http://www.siberie.net/). It was just really chlled out. We bought a gram of weed called "purple" for 6 euros. Purple was so easy to smoke and left you with a nice happy buzz, which is exactly what the menu said it would do! Rather than the sketchy shit you get in Gander and Corner Brook that I had grown accustomed to which would either knock you on your ass so all you could do is sleep or do nothing.
After our joint we continued to walk around the city and into the red ight district. We didn't get down to the part with all of the prozzies on it this time because we were both pooped from travelling and everything we had done during the night and day. I will say that the red light district was great though. Such a feeling of safety and open tolerance. It was great, and I loved every minute of it.
TUESDAY
I got up early to go to the Ann Frank House, but it wasn't open until 10 and it was 9:00am and I was ready to get on the go. I figured I'd put it off until Wednesday. So I went back to the hotel, got Ollie up and nagged him to get ready then we were off for another fun filled day. We then walked around trying to find this pancake house that Ollie's dad reccommended but it turns out it was closed. No bother though, it was great walking through the canals looking at all of the boats, bikes, and houses.
So we just turned into a local grocery store and picked up some nice breads, cheese, fruit and a few other Dutch essentials, went back to the hotel, ate quickly and then set off again.
We then caught the tram down to the city centre and walked down to a beautiful bridge that Ollie was in love with (it's even nicer when lit up at night). We then made our way through a huge local market that sold everything from fresh fruits, meats, poultry, fish, cheese, to clothes, music, bags, boots and accessories.
After all of that, we began to pub hop again. Then we came along another coffee shop called Rookies (http://www.rookies.nl/) where we bought the nicest, smoothest and most potent weed I had ever smoked in my LIFE (the weed was called The Rookies, we also have a menu from there). I had a coffee there, and it was the nicest coffee I had ever had, and that wasn't the weed talking! Everyone in Amsterdam knows how to make a perfect coffee. I quit coffee cold turkey in June of this year, but I think I more than made up for it when I was there. So Ollie and I smoked a joint at Rookies and had a few drinks (he had beer I was a a coffee monster), when we notcied a guy next to us rolled the PERFECT cone joint in one swift swoop. Ollie commented on his technique and he agreed to roll us one (since I've kind of been out of practice!) So we sat, we smoked, we enjoyed.
We then went back to the hotel and got changed as we were going out to this piano bar. We had a little diversion because Ollie was so stoned he couldn't decipher the map. But it was hilarious and fun anyways! The piano bar was alright, but we were both too burnt out and decided to go back to the hotel at about 10pm and get some rest for the big day we had planned.
WEDNESDAY
I got up had a nice hot bath that Ollie kindly ran for me, then set out to the Ann Frank House. This is definitly one of the most moving experiences of my life. The way that they have the museum/tour arranged is superb. It's just overwhelming when you crawl through the bookcase door into the secret annex, stand in her bedroom with the black screens on the windows so no one could see inside during the day, smell the stale thick air, and imagine that these people were hiding in there for 2 years. And then to think that she was just a little girl, really, dealing with all of this is such an inspiring way. We all know the story of Ann Frank and know how inspiring she was, but the horror of what she and many other Jews suffered during the holocaust doesn't really hit you until you go there.
On a lighter note, I then walked back to the hotel, got Ollie and we went out for some traditional dutch pancakes. We then walked up to the Bull Dog, went in had a chat with the nice bar/weedtender who sold us 2 space cakes which we gobbled up, after sharing a piece or two to a pigeon! We then walked down through the red light district and saw some prozzies. They tapped on their windows and whatnot, but I think it's great that they choose to do this and aren't being forced. They are business women doing the worlds oldest profession. And in case you're wondering the going rate for a "suck and fuck" as they call it, is 50 euros.
We then went to the Van Gogh Museum/Gallery. By this time our space cake was taking full effect. It was great. The painting ot Sunflowers and most of his paintings are much larger than I had imagined. And the prints of his paintings do not do them justice. At the end of our trip to the museum we video'd a message to our parents, you can see it here http://vangoghen.bitmove.tv:80/bitmove/vangoghen/index.jsp?uid=EB3B9743F8B635D6B6B4841A2FAA1E79&format=WMV.
Yeah. We're high as kites. Fun times.
After that we walked back to the hotel, planned to go out, but our space cake was still in full swing (about a 7 hour hardcore buzz!). So we decided to do what everyone does when they're too stoned to go out when in Amsterdam: we stayed in, ordered room service, and watched some dutch tv.
THURSDAY
Being our last full day in Amsterdam, we did what any good toursit would do: buy souvineres! After that was over and done with we went to the Pozen Boot (http://www.poezenboot.nl/poezen_uk/index.htm) which is a boat on the Sengel canal that takes care of stray cats. We went there, played with some cats and made a donation to the kitties.
For the rest of the day we just went into different cafes and pubs and chilled out, taking everything in. In the everning we went to another coffee shop on our way to dinner. This one was just down the street from our hotel and it was called the Magic Room (sorry no website). This coffee shop was incredible. It was like something out of arabian nights. I'll post the pics later. It was very chilled and relaxed. You could spend all night smoking pot, drinking coffee, and reading the magazines provided and you would never get the "you've been here too long" vibe from the staff. In fact that's kind of what all of Amsterdam is like, the people just want you to take your time to enjoy and chill. This is where I made my LJ entry.
We then went for an Indian meal and on a night canal cruise. You really get to see the city from a different perspetive from the canals at night. It was beyond beautiful. The canal cruise was 90 minutes long and brought you all around Amsterdam. I got to see the prozzies in the night time in their windows, which are lit up so seductively. It looked great!
On the way back to the Hotel we stopped into the Magic Room for our last spliff and coffee. We had to be up at 5:30am to catch our train to the airport.
FRIDAY
Kiss Amsterdam goodbye. I'm very happy we went, saw, and experienced. I have absolutely no regrets.
Now when can I get back there?
MONDAY
We get into Amsterdam at about 9:45am local time and catch a train from Schipol Airport to Centraal Station. To be honest at first we were a little worried that Amsterdam wouldn't be as nice as we had anticipated because there was stupid graffitti tagging all over the place (graffitti is good but tagging SUCKS), but how wrong we were!
We got into Centraal Station and it was beautiful. Wheeled our suitcases down to our hotel (Rembrandt Residence - www.rembrandtresidence.nl). We checked into our room, which was suprisingly nice. We had ordered a double room but our bed was most ceartainly king size, and SOOOO comfy!
As soon as we got our stuff into the hotel we changed into some non-travel clothes and went out into the city for a snack. One thing that took a little getting used to in Amsterdam is that not only are there vehicles, but EVERYONE rides a bicycle. Bicycles have their own lanes (similar to here in England, but we don't take it as seriously) but there, bikes are EVERYWHERE and rule the roads as much as cars, if not more. As soon as you have the flow of traffic down, you have to be on the lookout for cyclists (which are easy to miss sometimes, and then they will chime their bike bells in a very nice, non threatening way. The Dutch are so chilled.
So as for the snack, Ollie stopped at a FEBO for some fries. FEBO is this deep fried vending machine type place, but you can get the fries and a few other things made "fresh". Interesting concept though. I popped into a cafe and got a veggie pizza slice with gouda cheese instead of mozza. It wasn't so much a slice of pizza as it was a rectangle pastry/bread type thing with toppings, but it was delish.
We pretty much just walked around stopping at different pubs for drinks, taking it all in. In the evening we went to an asian infusion restaurant which was incredible. They would make your stir fry with all the fresh veggies you could choose from, along with whatever sauce you would like. They also had different pieces of sushi to choose from, dim sung, chinese vegetable and meat dishes, hot and cold. So we filled our boots, then went walking around the city to find a good coffee shop. By this time it was dark and all of the canals were lit up. It was so beauituful and romantical. Something that I will remember forever.
So we went off the beaten track a little, rather than going to the Bull Dog straigt away we went to a very chilled place called Siberie Coffeeshop (http://www.siberie.net/). It was just really chlled out. We bought a gram of weed called "purple" for 6 euros. Purple was so easy to smoke and left you with a nice happy buzz, which is exactly what the menu said it would do! Rather than the sketchy shit you get in Gander and Corner Brook that I had grown accustomed to which would either knock you on your ass so all you could do is sleep or do nothing.
After our joint we continued to walk around the city and into the red ight district. We didn't get down to the part with all of the prozzies on it this time because we were both pooped from travelling and everything we had done during the night and day. I will say that the red light district was great though. Such a feeling of safety and open tolerance. It was great, and I loved every minute of it.
TUESDAY
I got up early to go to the Ann Frank House, but it wasn't open until 10 and it was 9:00am and I was ready to get on the go. I figured I'd put it off until Wednesday. So I went back to the hotel, got Ollie up and nagged him to get ready then we were off for another fun filled day. We then walked around trying to find this pancake house that Ollie's dad reccommended but it turns out it was closed. No bother though, it was great walking through the canals looking at all of the boats, bikes, and houses.
So we just turned into a local grocery store and picked up some nice breads, cheese, fruit and a few other Dutch essentials, went back to the hotel, ate quickly and then set off again.
We then caught the tram down to the city centre and walked down to a beautiful bridge that Ollie was in love with (it's even nicer when lit up at night). We then made our way through a huge local market that sold everything from fresh fruits, meats, poultry, fish, cheese, to clothes, music, bags, boots and accessories.
After all of that, we began to pub hop again. Then we came along another coffee shop called Rookies (http://www.rookies.nl/) where we bought the nicest, smoothest and most potent weed I had ever smoked in my LIFE (the weed was called The Rookies, we also have a menu from there). I had a coffee there, and it was the nicest coffee I had ever had, and that wasn't the weed talking! Everyone in Amsterdam knows how to make a perfect coffee. I quit coffee cold turkey in June of this year, but I think I more than made up for it when I was there. So Ollie and I smoked a joint at Rookies and had a few drinks (he had beer I was a a coffee monster), when we notcied a guy next to us rolled the PERFECT cone joint in one swift swoop. Ollie commented on his technique and he agreed to roll us one (since I've kind of been out of practice!) So we sat, we smoked, we enjoyed.
We then went back to the hotel and got changed as we were going out to this piano bar. We had a little diversion because Ollie was so stoned he couldn't decipher the map. But it was hilarious and fun anyways! The piano bar was alright, but we were both too burnt out and decided to go back to the hotel at about 10pm and get some rest for the big day we had planned.
WEDNESDAY
I got up had a nice hot bath that Ollie kindly ran for me, then set out to the Ann Frank House. This is definitly one of the most moving experiences of my life. The way that they have the museum/tour arranged is superb. It's just overwhelming when you crawl through the bookcase door into the secret annex, stand in her bedroom with the black screens on the windows so no one could see inside during the day, smell the stale thick air, and imagine that these people were hiding in there for 2 years. And then to think that she was just a little girl, really, dealing with all of this is such an inspiring way. We all know the story of Ann Frank and know how inspiring she was, but the horror of what she and many other Jews suffered during the holocaust doesn't really hit you until you go there.
On a lighter note, I then walked back to the hotel, got Ollie and we went out for some traditional dutch pancakes. We then walked up to the Bull Dog, went in had a chat with the nice bar/weedtender who sold us 2 space cakes which we gobbled up, after sharing a piece or two to a pigeon! We then walked down through the red light district and saw some prozzies. They tapped on their windows and whatnot, but I think it's great that they choose to do this and aren't being forced. They are business women doing the worlds oldest profession. And in case you're wondering the going rate for a "suck and fuck" as they call it, is 50 euros.
We then went to the Van Gogh Museum/Gallery. By this time our space cake was taking full effect. It was great. The painting ot Sunflowers and most of his paintings are much larger than I had imagined. And the prints of his paintings do not do them justice. At the end of our trip to the museum we video'd a message to our parents, you can see it here http://vangoghen.bitmove.tv:80/bitmove/vangoghen/index.jsp?uid=EB3B9743F8B635D6B6B4841A2FAA1E79&format=WMV.
Yeah. We're high as kites. Fun times.
After that we walked back to the hotel, planned to go out, but our space cake was still in full swing (about a 7 hour hardcore buzz!). So we decided to do what everyone does when they're too stoned to go out when in Amsterdam: we stayed in, ordered room service, and watched some dutch tv.
THURSDAY
Being our last full day in Amsterdam, we did what any good toursit would do: buy souvineres! After that was over and done with we went to the Pozen Boot (http://www.poezenboot.nl/poezen_uk/index.htm) which is a boat on the Sengel canal that takes care of stray cats. We went there, played with some cats and made a donation to the kitties.
For the rest of the day we just went into different cafes and pubs and chilled out, taking everything in. In the everning we went to another coffee shop on our way to dinner. This one was just down the street from our hotel and it was called the Magic Room (sorry no website). This coffee shop was incredible. It was like something out of arabian nights. I'll post the pics later. It was very chilled and relaxed. You could spend all night smoking pot, drinking coffee, and reading the magazines provided and you would never get the "you've been here too long" vibe from the staff. In fact that's kind of what all of Amsterdam is like, the people just want you to take your time to enjoy and chill. This is where I made my LJ entry.
We then went for an Indian meal and on a night canal cruise. You really get to see the city from a different perspetive from the canals at night. It was beyond beautiful. The canal cruise was 90 minutes long and brought you all around Amsterdam. I got to see the prozzies in the night time in their windows, which are lit up so seductively. It looked great!
On the way back to the Hotel we stopped into the Magic Room for our last spliff and coffee. We had to be up at 5:30am to catch our train to the airport.
FRIDAY
Kiss Amsterdam goodbye. I'm very happy we went, saw, and experienced. I have absolutely no regrets.
Now when can I get back there?