hmmm, I am glad that some of you said you enjoyed it while not smoking weed. It really irritates me that people only come to Holland to smoke weed. As if thats what we are all about?!
Most Dutch people I know have never ever smoked weed or done any other drugs.
Yes we seem tolerant, but that doesnt mean drugs is all over the place. Most parents would be very concerned with their kids doing softdrugs.
But the thing is this way the government can control it better. It is still something we dont talk about to much.It is still taboo. I reckon much the same as in America only here they dont throw you in jail for it.
AND we are not so obsessed with it as many foreigners are who come to Amsterdam....
Amsterdam is not the Netherlands in my opinion. Most of what you see there is also shaped by tourism... The red light district included!
I have been to Amsterdam many times (I live in Eindhoven myself), but I always forget streetnames. I really like the 'negen straatjes' (nine streets). These are some really nice small streets near the canals with great restaurants and second hand stores and designer stuff: http://www.de9straatjes.nl/nl/plattegrond.html
Also if you are into photography go to the FOAM museum (address:Keizersgracht 609) . Heres the website: http://www.foam.nl/
I would suggest staying away from the Damrak (the street from the station towards the dam) and the bigger shoppings streets. Go into the smaller streets and you'll have more fun.
Amsterdam isnt more or less dangerous than any other city. During the day you'll be fine as long as you watch your belongings and dont act all touristy.
Havent been there much at night.
When are you in Amsterdam exactly? Ill go there next weekend, we might be able to meet up.
Furthermore, if you want to see more of Holland go to Scheveningen for some Dutch beach weather, to Utrecht which has canals as well but a much cosier athmosphere than Amsterdam, to 'de Veluwe park' to see typical Dutch forests and natural landscapes (also great bike tours and a great modern museum with art-garden: the Kroller-Moller museum)......so many places that are worthwhile...
Well, pm me for any other info.
Groetjes, Francisca.
Why not be mediocre and be the best at it that you can be?
Having visited the Dachau concentration camp, stopped outside Auschwitz-Birkenau, done the Paris WW2 tour, the Churchill museum in London, the Nanking war memorial and the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, I found the Anne Frank House to be, well, inadequate.
It was just too sanitised. The lack of any furniture, even replicas, of what they had, was pretty disappointing.
There's a brown cafe in Raamstraat that was pretty nice- a HUGE range of Belgian beers, a damn fine selection of music by the bartender, and sitting there you know that it's not a tourist trap at all- they're all locals there, and you feel you're REALLY in Amsterdam, among the Dutch, rather than being with tourists and only tourists.
The Nine Streets and Jordaan areas were REALLY pretty. I could just sit there and watch the world go by forever, if it wasn't so damn cold (for an Aussie- the Canadian companion was fine).
As a PJ fan, you oughta have a toke at 'Stone's Coffeeshop', if for no other reason than just to be able to say that you've had a joint at Stone's.
The canal trip I jumped on was really nice. I was in a pretty bad mood when I was on the boat, but it was still a great way to see the city. Just get a canal bus one-day pass and get on and off as you please.
One day, I'd like to attend an Ajax-Feyenoord match.
And you must grab yourself a kroketten at one of those Febo outlets. Awesome.
What was the hostel name? I'm in need of a room for one night.
like Hinny said, it was called Vita Nova
and Hinny, i think we were all in agreement about the Anne Frank Huis... def. could have been better (and i say that in the most respectful way)
One day, I'd like to attend an Ajax-Feyenoord match.
And you must grab yourself a kroketten at one of those Febo outlets. Awesome.
That boat hostel was the Vita Nova.
Hrm... for the record (and I don't want to rant, just share a bit of my country), if you happen to be in The Netherlands tomorrow, I recommend a visit to Eindhoven instead ; PSV is most likely going to win the national division tomorrow and there is going to be a huge party there. Frankly, Ajax and Feyenoord are not even close ;=)
A "kroket" is very nice, but the FEBO does not have such a good name. It is just a machine in which those things remain for a few hours, before you eat them. I recommend instead visiting a Snackbar and ordering a "kroket" or "patatje oorlog" (chips with sateh, onions and mayonaise) there, much better and fresh (that being said you can order at the FEBO too - but that still means often that they are gonna fetch your "kroket" from the machine
Wrigley 1 + 2 '16, Amsterdam '14, (Wrigley '13), Amsterdam '12, PJ20 Alpine '11, Chi '09, DC, June '08, MSG#1, June '08, Nijmegen, The Netherlands '07, Arnhem, The Netherlands '06
I heard somebody say something about the Hard Rock, if you go there, there is a court yard kind of thing with a huge chess board on the ground, it was really cool chilling out there watching guys play each other.
Also, just make sure to walk around alot cause you will find different things to do all over the place. We were just walking around one day and ran into a free concert being held outdoors. There were like 100 people just chilling out, drinking, enjoying the show and that was also really cool.
Also on the sunday we were there, they turned dam square into an outdoor beach football tournament They had teams from all over competing with stand set up and everything, that was crazy to just sit down and have a beer while watching the guys go at it.
And like everybody has said, the locals are awsome there. Any time we had question they were very friendly answering them and just very friendly in general.
"I'll ride the wave where it takes me"
09/19/05, 05/09/06, 05/10/06
A "kroket" is very nice, but the FEBO does not have such a good name. It is just a machine in which those things remain for a few hours, before you eat them. I recommend instead visiting a Snackbar and ordering a "kroket" or "patatje oorlog" (chips with sateh, onions and mayonaise) there, much better and fresh (that being said you can order at the FEBO too - but that still means often that they are gonna fetch your "kroket" from the machine
Yeah, but I just love the idea that I can get a hot snack from a machine. Hygiene and freshness be damned.
Hrm... for the record (and I don't want to rant, just share a bit of my country), if you happen to be in The Netherlands tomorrow, I recommend a visit to Eindhoven instead ; PSV is most likely going to win the national division tomorrow and there is going to be a huge party there. Frankly, Ajax and Feyenoord are not even close ;=)
A "kroket" is very nice, but the FEBO does not have such a good name. It is just a machine in which those things remain for a few hours, before you eat them. I recommend instead visiting a Snackbar and ordering a "kroket" or "patatje oorlog" (chips with sateh, onions and mayonaise) there, much better and fresh (that being said you can order at the FEBO too - but that still means often that they are gonna fetch your "kroket" from the machine
OH how could I forget about THAT!!! Yeahhhh, party at my place coming up!! WOOHOO PSV!!
Nice to hear you touristies talking about Amsterdam...kroketten haha. We make the greatest worst food of the world. Behind America and Canada I should say
Why not be mediocre and be the best at it that you can be?
snack from machine, from human, raw, well done, smoked, grilled, made into a spread... i don't think it even matters with you!!
You think you know me soooo well after being stuck with me for 3 weeks?
Ok, you do. You shoulda seen the look in my eyes as I hit one street food stall after another in Hong Kong. The high I got from all that goodness all around me was about 10 times bigger than that hash brownie in the 'Dam. I didn't even enjoy that one so much, what with it being so cold. And wet. I was positively giddy in HK. You woulda been amazed at just how much I can cram into my belly in so short a time.
Thanks to everyone who has posted advice and links. Looks like I've got a lot of research to do this weekend. I will definately be getting out and about.
Cheers!
i've been there 2x...and i've never gone to the anne frank house. hahaha. as everyone else mentiones, the van gogh museum is a MUST-SEE! loved it. love just walking the streets, all around the canals, etc. i am a bit of a wanderer.....and a photographer....so that's my thing.
i also recommend hoping on the train and visiting the hague. it's maybe 45 minutes? away, also a truly lovely city.....LOTs of museums, etc, as well. M.C. Escher's museum is there....quite cool. also, errrr....can't remember the name of the museum off the top of my head, but i think it's like their national museum? and it has the vermeer painting girl with a pearl earring...spectacular to see in person.
No matter what you do, you will have a great time. Oh and try some nice white belgium beers, i probably miss them the most.
absolutely I just asked for a white beer in every pub and don't think I had the same one twice (apart from La Chouffe) and they were all fab.
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
There's a brown cafe in Raamstraat that was pretty nice- a HUGE range of Belgian beers, a damn fine selection of music by the bartender, and sitting there you know that it's not a tourist trap at all- they're all locals there, and you feel you're REALLY in Amsterdam, among the Dutch, rather than being with tourists and only tourists.
I was just gonna reply to this then I realised it was you... you FOUND IT Yayyyyyyyyy... isn't it a fucking great bar!
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Ohh thats a long time in Amsterdam. Alot can happen. lol
Ann Frank house
Heineken brewery tour
Van Gogh museum
For smoking try the Grey zone or Rookies. Both are very cool places. Very friendly people work at both place and can help you out if you have questions.
Ahhhh, what a great time we had in Amsterdam. Make sure to stay away from the Flying Pig though, as you may have a rat go into your travel bag!
Besides the rat that went into your bag the Flying Pig is a great place.
That story still makes me laugh like crazy. hehehehe
That's true. Let me revise my statement...if you stay at the Flying Pig don't stay in the basement! I also like how they transport kegs though that room every Tuesday morning!
That story is so ridiculous. Especially with the girl who ran out of the room in the middle of the night. Good times...
AMS is an interesting city, i spent a few days there back in '05. Van Gogh is a must as many others have stated here. Also the Sex museum is a total hoot, lot of fun. The redlight district I thought was quite cheesy, after you hit a few bars and walk around for a while you suddenly feel the need for rubber gloves and then a shower... badly.
AMS is an interesting city, i spent a few days there back in '05. Van Gogh is a must as many others have stated here. Also the Sex museum is a total hoot, lot of fun. The redlight district I thought was quite cheesy, after you hit a few bars and walk around for a while you suddenly feel the need for rubber gloves and then a shower... badly.
Yep, also if you see a group of english men who could possibly be on a stag weekend (I hate generalising but not in this case) do NOT listen in on their conversations about what they've been getting up to :eek:
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Comments
Most Dutch people I know have never ever smoked weed or done any other drugs.
Yes we seem tolerant, but that doesnt mean drugs is all over the place. Most parents would be very concerned with their kids doing softdrugs.
But the thing is this way the government can control it better. It is still something we dont talk about to much.It is still taboo. I reckon much the same as in America only here they dont throw you in jail for it.
AND we are not so obsessed with it as many foreigners are who come to Amsterdam....
Amsterdam is not the Netherlands in my opinion. Most of what you see there is also shaped by tourism... The red light district included!
I have been to Amsterdam many times (I live in Eindhoven myself), but I always forget streetnames. I really like the 'negen straatjes' (nine streets). These are some really nice small streets near the canals with great restaurants and second hand stores and designer stuff: http://www.de9straatjes.nl/nl/plattegrond.html
Also if you are into photography go to the FOAM museum (address:Keizersgracht 609) . Heres the website: http://www.foam.nl/
Then there is a very nice park in the center which is called the 'Vondel Park': http://www.oudzuid.amsterdam.nl/sport_en_recreatie/overige_paginas/vondelpark_oud/tourist_information
There are some nice cafes in the park as well.
I would suggest staying away from the Damrak (the street from the station towards the dam) and the bigger shoppings streets. Go into the smaller streets and you'll have more fun.
Amsterdam isnt more or less dangerous than any other city. During the day you'll be fine as long as you watch your belongings and dont act all touristy.
Havent been there much at night.
When are you in Amsterdam exactly? Ill go there next weekend, we might be able to meet up.
Furthermore, if you want to see more of Holland go to Scheveningen for some Dutch beach weather, to Utrecht which has canals as well but a much cosier athmosphere than Amsterdam, to 'de Veluwe park' to see typical Dutch forests and natural landscapes (also great bike tours and a great modern museum with art-garden: the Kroller-Moller museum)......so many places that are worthwhile...
Well, pm me for any other info.
Groetjes, Francisca.
feels cool to say that.
i stayed in a hostel on a boat. that was cool.
...and my post holds very little use, i know.
I was in Canada last year...did a great lakes tour with own car. Was great!
dutch and canadians love each other too!
What was the hostel name? I'm in need of a room for one night.
It was just too sanitised. The lack of any furniture, even replicas, of what they had, was pretty disappointing.
There's a brown cafe in Raamstraat that was pretty nice- a HUGE range of Belgian beers, a damn fine selection of music by the bartender, and sitting there you know that it's not a tourist trap at all- they're all locals there, and you feel you're REALLY in Amsterdam, among the Dutch, rather than being with tourists and only tourists.
The Nine Streets and Jordaan areas were REALLY pretty. I could just sit there and watch the world go by forever, if it wasn't so damn cold (for an Aussie- the Canadian companion was fine).
As a PJ fan, you oughta have a toke at 'Stone's Coffeeshop', if for no other reason than just to be able to say that you've had a joint at Stone's.
The canal trip I jumped on was really nice. I was in a pretty bad mood when I was on the boat, but it was still a great way to see the city. Just get a canal bus one-day pass and get on and off as you please.
One day, I'd like to attend an Ajax-Feyenoord match.
And you must grab yourself a kroketten at one of those Febo outlets. Awesome.
That boat hostel was the Vita Nova.
and Hinny, i think we were all in agreement about the Anne Frank Huis... def. could have been better (and i say that in the most respectful way)
Hrm... for the record (and I don't want to rant, just share a bit of my country), if you happen to be in The Netherlands tomorrow, I recommend a visit to Eindhoven instead ; PSV is most likely going to win the national division tomorrow and there is going to be a huge party there. Frankly, Ajax and Feyenoord are not even close ;=)
A "kroket" is very nice, but the FEBO does not have such a good name. It is just a machine in which those things remain for a few hours, before you eat them. I recommend instead visiting a Snackbar and ordering a "kroket" or "patatje oorlog" (chips with sateh, onions and mayonaise) there, much better and fresh
Also, just make sure to walk around alot cause you will find different things to do all over the place. We were just walking around one day and ran into a free concert being held outdoors. There were like 100 people just chilling out, drinking, enjoying the show and that was also really cool.
Also on the sunday we were there, they turned dam square into an outdoor beach football tournament They had teams from all over competing with stand set up and everything, that was crazy to just sit down and have a beer while watching the guys go at it.
And like everybody has said, the locals are awsome there. Any time we had question they were very friendly answering them and just very friendly in general.
09/19/05, 05/09/06, 05/10/06
OH how could I forget about THAT!!! Yeahhhh, party at my place coming up!! WOOHOO PSV!!
Nice to hear you touristies talking about Amsterdam...kroketten haha. We make the greatest worst food of the world. Behind America and Canada I should say
Yeah, we did the east side this time, but everybody keeps telling us to go west!
Ok, you do. You shoulda seen the look in my eyes as I hit one street food stall after another in Hong Kong. The high I got from all that goodness all around me was about 10 times bigger than that hash brownie in the 'Dam. I didn't even enjoy that one so much, what with it being so cold. And wet. I was positively giddy in HK. You woulda been amazed at just how much I can cram into my belly in so short a time.
i've been there 2x...and i've never gone to the anne frank house.
i also recommend hoping on the train and visiting the hague. it's maybe 45 minutes? away, also a truly lovely city.....LOTs of museums, etc, as well. M.C. Escher's museum is there....quite cool. also, errrr....can't remember the name of the museum off the top of my head, but i think it's like their national museum? and it has the vermeer painting girl with a pearl earring...spectacular to see in person.
have FUN!
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
http://photos-914.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v166/18/125/648930914/n648930914_853382_592.jpg
but I have to say... it was strangely good!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Ahhhh, what a great time we had in Amsterdam. Make sure to stay away from the Flying Pig though, as you may have a rat go into your travel bag!
Besides the rat that went into your bag the Flying Pig is a great place.
That story still makes me laugh like crazy. hehehehe
That's true. Let me revise my statement...if you stay at the Flying Pig don't stay in the basement! I also like how they transport kegs though that room every Tuesday morning!
That story is so ridiculous. Especially with the girl who ran out of the room in the middle of the night. Good times...
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you