Netherlands - Need Help/Advice - Taking a trip to Amsterdam

[TranceAddict]

So after many years of completely desiring going to Amsterdam - it will actually happen this year. I've saved up some money and I'm planning to go to the High Times Cannabis Cup as a judge with 3 of my friends in November. We figured going for the Cannabis cup would be a great way to introduce ourself to the country and if all goes well I foresee myself heading over there every year as I have much more funds to do so.

We are still shopping around for prices, travel packages, etc - so not everything has been fully planned. All we know is we have 4 judge passes.

I was wondering if anyone could give me Advice on how everything works over there - just general info. and anything would be highly appreciated! How does the transportation work over there? How to talk to the people over there (I know they are much friendlier in gestures than here in America - good because I hate how people act here)? etc etc.

Also as far as help I would like to know if anyone has some pointers as to good hotels to stay at. I'm not concerned so much about the money but not looking for elegance either. We basically want to go there and have a good time.

Alfa any pointers?

Also does anyone know of any cannabis cup travel companies other than CS travel (it seems to be the official travel company for high times or something)? We definately would like to look around and see what's best for us.

We sure plan on smoking a lot.

Also I know there was a smoking ban started over there on July 1st...however I also read that this was for tobacco only. Do smoking-allowed hotels over there accept the use of cannabis or is this left strictly for coffeeshop smoking only (we've always heard of people smoking in the hotels)

[dannyboys]

hi mate i was in amsterdam a few weeks ago, and it was great i wanna go back like yesterday!! the people were really friendly and spoke great english. as far as travelling car is not the way forward! i'm in england and drove over which was fine until we were in amsterdam, were the bikes definateley have right of way! I would rather walk or ride - so much easier!

We just got over before the smoking ban too, but your right, it is only tobacco. Although how they'll police it i dont know! we were sittin in a cafe with a police car outside, a strange feeling i tell thee! how youll smell if a joint has baccy in it i dont know!

4 of us went a we stayed at a place called rainbow palace hotel, we had a room for 4 - not elegant for sure but good enough for sleepin! the toilet was in the room with no extraction so you might wanna vacate the room if someone wants a sh1t! we paid 120 euros a night i think so 30 each not bad. we were also on top floor with skylight so smoked in the room and landlord never said anything and he emptied our ashtrays, so i guess some just turn a blind eye.

hope this helps enjoy yourself!

dannyboys added 2 Minutes and 51 Seconds later...

oh and i'd reccommend buying 'the smokers guide to amsterdam' has a list of cafes, weed types and a map etc- the map comes in handy!

[Woodman]

TranceAddict,


If you're going as a judge, be advised that you will be required to PURCHASE samples that you intend to evaluate.

IMO, you could do the same evaluation without a judges pass, and use money you would have spent on pass to buy meals, weed, booze & hookers.

[biggpri]

the main thing first-timers have trouble with in amsterdam is getting used to the enormous amount of bicycles. on each street there is a sidewalk on the outer edges for pedestrians, then another sidewalk/lane for bikes and mopeds between the sidewalk and the road, and then there are the car traffic lanes in the middle. at all times, stay on the pdestrian sidewalks. it is very easy to stray into the bike lanes and get hit, especially when stoned. swim witnessed many first-time tourists forget about this transportation system and almost get hit by a bike. the bikers there pay little heed to those on foot, and one's only warning of them is their bells. also, exercise good manners in terms of the getting high. don't make a fool of yourself by acting too stupidly high. and unlike in the past, it is considered rude to just walk down a busy street blazing a joint. smoking should be reserved for coffeeshops, hotel rooms, and secluded areas in the park.

[Mint boi]

Transpost in the dam is fantastic, lots of trams, my ferret says to buy a travel pass for the duration of swiys stay to help save money.

People are very friendly for the most part and my ferret has never seen much trouble on the streets at night.

The smoking ban applys to tobacco only indeed, some hostels will allow smoking, and, in my ferrets experiencs most coffee shops aren't enforcing the no tobacco rule too strictly.

[firebeastm]

gl to you dude! one day I will come to amsterdam too

[sandoz1943]

First suggestion would be not to go during Cannabis Cup. I have been a few times and it it more crowded and everything is more expensive. It really wasn't any better. If you go at the end of season. It's cheaper and everyone isn't so busy so they have time to chat and because they aren't so stressed everyone is even nicer than usual. The Dutch are the nicest people. Almost everyone speaks English. Suggest find a hotel near the Grand Central Station on Damrak. The train goes from the airport there and you can take the train anywhere. Also you can catch a tram anywhere from from the Dam square. High end would suggest the Swiss Hotel and low end the Koopermoolen. The Koopermoolen is on the edge of the red light and it's noisy but the people are great and they have a room on the top floor with a huge spa bath. Great for soaking after a hard day or night out.
If you take the tram pay for it or the gangs of tram police will get you. You can walk or take a tram just about everywhere. You can rent a bike but watch out the bike thieves are rampant and will still manage to steal it even if you lock it up. Renting a car is a waste besides the drivers are crazy. You will see big ugly metal poles along the sidewalk. They are there to keep cars off the sidewalk and it's a good thing too. There is a charge for parking your car in the city.
Don't be a stupid tourist be polite. The Dutch are super cool but don't think that give you the o.k. to act like a douche. Suggest you avoid the big Mc Donalds chain cafes like the Bulldog. The smaller shops offer better goods and a better all around atmosphere. Global Chillage was one of my favorites. They have a Bang milkshake that is to die for.
The museums are great. There is even a hemp marijuana museum and a sex museum.

Tips
Don't buy drugs from the shady folks on the street.
Don't just light up a joint in public it's considered rude unless you ask those around you if they mind.
Don't be that guy.
You can get pretty ill from eating too many space cakes and hemp treats. Pace yourself
Pack some of your favorite munchies from home. They are good to have and nicer to share.
Don't take pictures of the girls in the red light district. They will beat you up and take your camera.
Talk to the locals they are super friendly and can turn you on to some of the cooler places off the beaten path.

Hope you have a great trip.

[JBlaze]

I agree with the points that sandoz1943 made at the end of their post.

I have to say at the beginning of this that I traveled, just making the tiny amount of money I used as I traveled, for 4 years. I mention this because my Amsterdam experience in many ways will be different from yours, but I do hope to offer you some good advice.

I was there for 2 weeks. We caught a ferry from Dover, England to Calais, France and hitchhiked up to Amsterdam. It was the end of March and we were stuck sleeping outside for a week while there with it snowing on us.

With no money to really sit and hang out for a while at the coffee shops we were forced to walk the city most of the time.

Here are some pointers.
Plenty of people (everyone?) speak English, dont worry about that.

Like sandoz1943 said, do not buy smoke from anyone on the street. Your choices are so vast and the prices so comparably cheap compared to in the u.s. at the coffeeshops that there is no need to buy on the street.

It is acceptable to buy pot and then leave the establishment without purchasing anything else. If you sit down to smoke though you may want to think about at least getting a tea or something, it is certainly considered polite. It is also totally acceptable to bring 'outside' pot in to a coffeeshop and smoke it, so long as you purchase something while there.
Please do not go into an establishment, sit down and smoke without contributing to them.

Go to the cannabis museum. They have the only map you will need. They are super friendly and have great smoke. If you play it right they may really lighten up an burn down with you, its not such a thing there though, always smokin'. Anyways, go to the museum, look around, talk to them a bit, give them a donation to go see the grow room downstairs. The growroom will be worth it.

While on your way to the museum you will surely realize that you are in the red light district. If you think it is horrible or beautiful you need to take some time to really take it all in.

When I was in Amsterdam the bus system worked with a ticket that had a certain amount of rides attributed to it. Each time you get off the bus they stamp it.
The buses can be expensive and Amsterdam can be walked, but it is convenient.
Depending on your time limits I suggest taking public transit out of the city and seeing the "country" (Holland is the most populated country in the world).

Food.....Do not go for "American" foods. Dip in to a tiny little store that has a deli and get something there, go to a kabob stand, smell something good and buy something from that place.

Walk the city. For an entire week my girlfriend and I just walked the whole city. Pay attention to detail. One of the most rewarding things you could do while there is keep your focus up. While walking around the city keep your eyes towards the top of the buildings. You will notice some of the neatest things.

If you have some money to spend, than experiment. Go in to any coffeeshop that draws you towards it and get some smoke. This is your time to indulge.

The real Spacecakes are stronger than they may seem. If you dont believe that you can overdose on Marijuana than Amsterdam may change your opinion. SO many people underestimate the power of Spacecakes and eat too many only to find themselves in jail or in the hospital. Be careful.

I would not spend money on any of the 'herbal highs' that you find in the space shops. The shrooms are very real though.

May your experience be kind and may you learn a great deal from it.

[Diazepam]

planning to go on summer 2010