Day 2 - Tuesday 20th April 2010
Posted: Thu 13th May 2010 01:29 am
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Setting my alarm for a tender 7am, I was easily awakened and out of bed due to the pure excitement of this being when my holiday really begins. Still tired mind you, but planned on getting breakfast then back up for a shower and to hit the town. So after a typical Amsterdam sized morning pipe I slumped downstairs to the bar area within 15 minutes only to read the card on the table saying breakfast starts at 7:30am. Oh well, I guess I was too keen!!
It was only 5-10 minutes before the morning staff were arriving and turning on the stoves...the layout is weird in a way, as you can almost see inside the kitchen from a good portion of the bar area. Pot of tea (which is probably only the size of one of my mugs at home), 2 bacon 2 eggs and 3 slices of toast with jam or marmalade...I think that is reasonable for a free breakfast. Although I did notice it depends on who cooks it as to how good it was....some mix the bacon in with the egg (which is lovely), some cook them separate and place on top, and some just seem to chuck everything in an incinerator! Luckily I had the 2nd style chef this morning.
A quick shower later and by 8:15am your humble narrator was ordering a gram of his favourite hash in The Coin. If I could only smoke 1 hash for the remainder of my life, then it would be the great Nepalese Temple Ball. Handing over €15 (12,50 for the hash and 2,50 for an apple juice) to the dealer with the pony tail, I was set for the first...or was it third?....smoke of the morning. I sat in a booth by the door and smoked a big bowl of Bubblegum topped with a lot of NTB. As good as ever and nice and sticky with that typical odour I can tell a mile off. So nice, I actually made a pig of myself and happily repeated steps 1, 2 and 3 a few more times. After finishing my drink I felt the need to keep moving or else I would fall victim to the pipe, and never saw that hash again....I guess leaving it on the table (along with a lighter i think)....ah never mind....it’s only the 2nd time it happened to me. But i was looking forward to trying that in the glass pipe Stenman had picked up for me, speaking of which....I was on my way to the new Dampkring – one, for the fresh air and walk....and two, for a better place to meet up.
Always a nice walk for me, and brings back many memories of all my trips with several different people. It never seems as far as I remember too, which is good, and it didn’t take long before I was reading the menu for the second time this trip. Going in for a gram of LA Confidential (minus the price from my notes) and cup of Earl Grey tea (strangely with the price in my notes at €1,80), I sat myself on the sofa again and did the ritual loading of the bowl. It was about now that I started noticing how dry a lot of strains were in Amsterdam this time around....not always a bad thing, but some did dust up a bit too much for a pipe I found. However the LA Con was dry, but still nice enough to pick at and make a nice healthy bowl. It was a nice heavy stone, probably not the best morning smoke, but neither was the Temple Ball, and I happily sat reading and doodling away whilst I told Stenman where I was; he said he would be here in around half hour after breakfast.
Having one eye in my book (failing to focus for longer than one page) and one on the door, it wasn’t long until I saw a friendly face approach me. After exchanging pleasantries and gathering more smoke and drinks, we sat down and began to talk about our travelling from the day before. Stenman told me of his troubles with his apartment due to the current guests still being there because of the volcano, so he and his friend Ben were really beginning their trip today. We spoke about the 420 gathering and how it had been so disrupted, and both came to the conclusion that most of the toke and talks would not be happening, so would just take the following days as they come.
Before long we were settled in conversations, watching the extremely creepy videos on the tv screen wall opposite us. Stenman handed me the glass bowl pipe that he had picked up for me – not wanting any money for it – which was most kind, so I went to buy a hash to christen the pipe. Having tried the Leila rifman hash on my previous trip, I opted for the Habibi rifman (€15 per gram) this time round. Very sticky and oily in texture as expected, and a pure clean smoke – it has a spicy tingle to it, but a great smoke in a clean glass pipe. I think everyone agreed at the time also, and I also remember Stenman liked the pipe so much that he decided to pick one up the next shop we passed.
By about lunchtime, Stenman and Ben fancied taking a walk for a beer somewhere and invited me along, which I happily did. The weather was sunny and warm without the wind, but that said wind also made sure I kept my coat with me on most occasions. We took a stroll down towards Dam Square, stopping in a tobacconist on the way to pick up a pipe for Stenman, as I stood outside taking some random pictures. I did pop in for a quick browse and ended up with a packet of Northern Lights and Red Lebanese incense sticks for €3 in total – mainly for the gimmick, as they smell more like soap powder than the pictures on the packet!!
It’s always great walking the streets of Amsterdam with another pair of eyes, pointing out places of interest and past experiences along the way. We walked down the shopping street that leads to Dam Square and cut through the fun fair, taking a moment to contemplate going on the big swirly thing for all of half a second before a group opinion of “fuck that!” was reached. Continuing through, avoiding the archers aiming for balloons and tourists buying the biggest sweets I have ever seen, we cut a left down Damstraat and pulled up by the first canal – much to the relief of Ben, who’s feet weren’t agreeing with Amsterdam’s cobblestones.
Originally planning of going to Ricks Bar, we saw it wasn’t open until 3 or 4pm, so we ordered our beers from Susie’s Saloon and took residence on the tables in the sun by the canal. Always a favourite pastime of mine that I don’t get round to doing more often, sipping a beer by a canal on a sunny day....and the wind even died down enough (sometimes) to be able to load a pipe – or tactically roll a joint using the empties as a windbreak....haha. Stenman had a close shave with one bag that took flight...a stoned delayed later from all of us to register what actually happened, and I was surprised to see him successfully retrieve the baggy from the edge of the canal. At least I knew to keep better hold of your smoke by the canal in future
I also remember Stenman and Ben both being in a fit of laughter at my story/experience at being on stage twice in the well known sex show, Casa Rosso, around 2 years previous. At the time of that adventure, I knew it was an experience I would tell for a long time to come so I wasn’t wrong there....and I can only laugh myself too. A couple of pints of Heineken later and I was running low on smoke so went for the closest option which was Ricks coffeeshop, no more than 20 metres behind me. My first ever time in this shop, so I didn’t get much of an experience being inside for no more than 2 minutes at the most. But a quick glance at the menu and I went for some Lavender Haze (€10-12 per gram...i can’t remember), which was very dreggy which was my only main complaint. It didn’t smell overpowering but did have a nice hint of the lavender and haze taste to a bowl. Not the strongest lavender haze I have bought, but also not the weakest....it did the trick to smoke for another couple of pints by the canal though.
Getting on now, naturally the next point of call was a coffeeshop. Wanting one fairly close by, we opted to head Bluebird direction. Arriving at the shop, we noticed the downstairs area was empty, as it usually is, and once upstairs the masses are hovering. It doesn’t seem the same not having the book to flick through and decide on the purchases, although the new card menu is easier to read – not that it bothered me much as I knew what I wanted, the Mexi Ice (€12,50 per gram) since it was recommended on the forum....and what a recommendation it was too!!
Grabbing a juice and making our way back downstairs to en empty pew, we began to smoke away......again! I think Stenman bought some hash too as he was putting his new glass pipe to some good use. It was in here that I noticed the skies getting a little darker and the wind getting a little crisper between the cracks in the door....so I knew the day had flown by at this point. The first time I checked my clock all afternoon, I saw that it was almost 5pm – so our 420 went pretty unnoticed to be honest, albeit over some heavy smokes so I guess that was always the plan!
Hunger setting in and smoke rapidly catching up, I think all of us wanted to retreat to the comfort of our hotel rooms in order to preserve some energy for the night ahead. Bidding farewell to my new friends, we head separate ways....my path of choice had to lead to food first, followed by the hotel. Taking a slight detour, I opted to try out the Burger Bar since I read about it on the forum...firstly I recognise that I actually had bought food from here before many years ago, but can’t remember the name or what I had. Anyway, I went for a small burger with cheese and onions, which I have to say was delightful...I chose the wrong bread though as was so thin I may as well been eating the burger bare with my fingers. It does get a little pricey after you add toppings, so being on a budget, would probably be my only trip here...but I was impressed.
Eating didn’t take long and I was back at the hotel having a shower and lounge/smoke on the bed shortly after. I probably fell asleep for an hour or so, but always have my alarm set for 8pm as not to oversleep and waste a night. There is something strangely relaxing about the mixture of noise from the streets of Warmoesstraat from the open window and MTV Europe from the tv.
Forcing myself out of bed and back onto the streets, I had in mind that I wanted to try a couple of new places out. One being Hill Street Blues, which was only a minute walk from the hotel. A uniquely decorated coffeeshop, but I managed to pick out the dealers desk which seems almost camouflaged in graffiti, and had a glance at the menu. Nothing really jumped out at me, so I just bought some Polm (€7 per gram I think)....which was standard and exactly as expected. It is never the smoothest hash to smoke, but I do like the high. To counter and predicted coughs or tickles this hash was going to produce, I bought a chocolate milkshake from the drinks bar – a bargain at €3,80 for what it is worth. I could have drunk these all day to be honest!! I didn’t explore much of the shop and took a pew in the front area to sample my smoke and watch the people walk by the front window. A nice shop with some very friendly staff, and I will be back again this trip for sure....although the seating is very wooden and not the most comfy so I casually made my way onwards after a short stay.
Taking a leisurely stroll in no particular direction, with no particular plan or destination set, I came walking up the Singel canal and decided on another new shop, this time, the Rokerij 2. A shop I must have walked passed a hundred times without even passing a though to enter, which is kind of why I decided to do something different and check it out this time. I was greeted by a friendly dealer at the counter, in an overall very dim lit shop with low down Moroccan style seating throughout. The dealer offered to show me his menu if I had any questions, and one strain jumped out at me....Super Chocolope Haze (€10-12 per gram...i must take better notes next time!). On first look, the container had lots of tight little nugget style buds with a hazy loose texture to them....and the smell that escaped was one of pure Chocolope. I ordered an Earl Grey tea, which is usually my choice of drink in shops, and sat on a slightly more raised wooden bench by the computer terminal....as my back probably wouldn’t have appreciated a stint on the floor that particular day. Overall I liked this shop, staff and purchases were both positives...I just couldn’t imagine too many people adapting to the seating easily, even with the smoke going round. I happily enjoyed my smoke in there, and without sounding too obvious, the Super Chocolope Haze was exactly as described.....ok.....maybe not that super, but still a top Haze effect with the Chocolope taste not shy to make an appearance.
Time was starting to tick on, and I was feeling the effects of the day catching me in the race and occasionally sticking its neck in front. But I still wanted to make it to Excalibur for the first time this trip, so took a slow walk across town and followed my nose to the red lights. Making a slight detour as to take in the benefits of this area of town, I made my way round the OZA canal and up the top end and take a left where the bikes are parked on the street.
Always a favourite stop off of mine, largely due to the music played there, but the beer is cold and cheap, and the staff is always real friendly too. Still €4,50 a pint (which was the same 2 years ago), I ordered one and sat down with my knight in shining armour.....literally! The place was busy but not packed, and I got a seat easy enough, so loaded a few pipes and kicked back taking it all in....once again. I attracted the attention of a couple of weirdos during my stay, one guy was a drunk tourist who would not shut up....and the other a begger from Afghanistan, who was ejected by the barman for not buying any drinks....much to my amusement/relief. But nothing would ruin my buzz as I was exactly where I wanted to be
The time had passed midnight, and I was at the limit for one day...ending off with a nice lap of the lights, slice of pizza for a couple of euros, and had originally planned for a quick night cap in The Coin as Matt was working. Although on passing, noticed it was actually rather busy for that time of night, so just carried on walking directly to the hotel and my bed. Finishing the night with a bowl of the first thing I took out my pocket, and barely remember having time to mull over a very successful day before being out for the count.
Setting my alarm for a tender 7am, I was easily awakened and out of bed due to the pure excitement of this being when my holiday really begins. Still tired mind you, but planned on getting breakfast then back up for a shower and to hit the town. So after a typical Amsterdam sized morning pipe I slumped downstairs to the bar area within 15 minutes only to read the card on the table saying breakfast starts at 7:30am. Oh well, I guess I was too keen!!
It was only 5-10 minutes before the morning staff were arriving and turning on the stoves...the layout is weird in a way, as you can almost see inside the kitchen from a good portion of the bar area. Pot of tea (which is probably only the size of one of my mugs at home), 2 bacon 2 eggs and 3 slices of toast with jam or marmalade...I think that is reasonable for a free breakfast. Although I did notice it depends on who cooks it as to how good it was....some mix the bacon in with the egg (which is lovely), some cook them separate and place on top, and some just seem to chuck everything in an incinerator! Luckily I had the 2nd style chef this morning.
A quick shower later and by 8:15am your humble narrator was ordering a gram of his favourite hash in The Coin. If I could only smoke 1 hash for the remainder of my life, then it would be the great Nepalese Temple Ball. Handing over €15 (12,50 for the hash and 2,50 for an apple juice) to the dealer with the pony tail, I was set for the first...or was it third?....smoke of the morning. I sat in a booth by the door and smoked a big bowl of Bubblegum topped with a lot of NTB. As good as ever and nice and sticky with that typical odour I can tell a mile off. So nice, I actually made a pig of myself and happily repeated steps 1, 2 and 3 a few more times. After finishing my drink I felt the need to keep moving or else I would fall victim to the pipe, and never saw that hash again....I guess leaving it on the table (along with a lighter i think)....ah never mind....it’s only the 2nd time it happened to me. But i was looking forward to trying that in the glass pipe Stenman had picked up for me, speaking of which....I was on my way to the new Dampkring – one, for the fresh air and walk....and two, for a better place to meet up.
Always a nice walk for me, and brings back many memories of all my trips with several different people. It never seems as far as I remember too, which is good, and it didn’t take long before I was reading the menu for the second time this trip. Going in for a gram of LA Confidential (minus the price from my notes) and cup of Earl Grey tea (strangely with the price in my notes at €1,80), I sat myself on the sofa again and did the ritual loading of the bowl. It was about now that I started noticing how dry a lot of strains were in Amsterdam this time around....not always a bad thing, but some did dust up a bit too much for a pipe I found. However the LA Con was dry, but still nice enough to pick at and make a nice healthy bowl. It was a nice heavy stone, probably not the best morning smoke, but neither was the Temple Ball, and I happily sat reading and doodling away whilst I told Stenman where I was; he said he would be here in around half hour after breakfast.
Having one eye in my book (failing to focus for longer than one page) and one on the door, it wasn’t long until I saw a friendly face approach me. After exchanging pleasantries and gathering more smoke and drinks, we sat down and began to talk about our travelling from the day before. Stenman told me of his troubles with his apartment due to the current guests still being there because of the volcano, so he and his friend Ben were really beginning their trip today. We spoke about the 420 gathering and how it had been so disrupted, and both came to the conclusion that most of the toke and talks would not be happening, so would just take the following days as they come.
Before long we were settled in conversations, watching the extremely creepy videos on the tv screen wall opposite us. Stenman handed me the glass bowl pipe that he had picked up for me – not wanting any money for it – which was most kind, so I went to buy a hash to christen the pipe. Having tried the Leila rifman hash on my previous trip, I opted for the Habibi rifman (€15 per gram) this time round. Very sticky and oily in texture as expected, and a pure clean smoke – it has a spicy tingle to it, but a great smoke in a clean glass pipe. I think everyone agreed at the time also, and I also remember Stenman liked the pipe so much that he decided to pick one up the next shop we passed.
By about lunchtime, Stenman and Ben fancied taking a walk for a beer somewhere and invited me along, which I happily did. The weather was sunny and warm without the wind, but that said wind also made sure I kept my coat with me on most occasions. We took a stroll down towards Dam Square, stopping in a tobacconist on the way to pick up a pipe for Stenman, as I stood outside taking some random pictures. I did pop in for a quick browse and ended up with a packet of Northern Lights and Red Lebanese incense sticks for €3 in total – mainly for the gimmick, as they smell more like soap powder than the pictures on the packet!!
It’s always great walking the streets of Amsterdam with another pair of eyes, pointing out places of interest and past experiences along the way. We walked down the shopping street that leads to Dam Square and cut through the fun fair, taking a moment to contemplate going on the big swirly thing for all of half a second before a group opinion of “fuck that!” was reached. Continuing through, avoiding the archers aiming for balloons and tourists buying the biggest sweets I have ever seen, we cut a left down Damstraat and pulled up by the first canal – much to the relief of Ben, who’s feet weren’t agreeing with Amsterdam’s cobblestones.
Originally planning of going to Ricks Bar, we saw it wasn’t open until 3 or 4pm, so we ordered our beers from Susie’s Saloon and took residence on the tables in the sun by the canal. Always a favourite pastime of mine that I don’t get round to doing more often, sipping a beer by a canal on a sunny day....and the wind even died down enough (sometimes) to be able to load a pipe – or tactically roll a joint using the empties as a windbreak....haha. Stenman had a close shave with one bag that took flight...a stoned delayed later from all of us to register what actually happened, and I was surprised to see him successfully retrieve the baggy from the edge of the canal. At least I knew to keep better hold of your smoke by the canal in future
I also remember Stenman and Ben both being in a fit of laughter at my story/experience at being on stage twice in the well known sex show, Casa Rosso, around 2 years previous. At the time of that adventure, I knew it was an experience I would tell for a long time to come so I wasn’t wrong there....and I can only laugh myself too. A couple of pints of Heineken later and I was running low on smoke so went for the closest option which was Ricks coffeeshop, no more than 20 metres behind me. My first ever time in this shop, so I didn’t get much of an experience being inside for no more than 2 minutes at the most. But a quick glance at the menu and I went for some Lavender Haze (€10-12 per gram...i can’t remember), which was very dreggy which was my only main complaint. It didn’t smell overpowering but did have a nice hint of the lavender and haze taste to a bowl. Not the strongest lavender haze I have bought, but also not the weakest....it did the trick to smoke for another couple of pints by the canal though.
Getting on now, naturally the next point of call was a coffeeshop. Wanting one fairly close by, we opted to head Bluebird direction. Arriving at the shop, we noticed the downstairs area was empty, as it usually is, and once upstairs the masses are hovering. It doesn’t seem the same not having the book to flick through and decide on the purchases, although the new card menu is easier to read – not that it bothered me much as I knew what I wanted, the Mexi Ice (€12,50 per gram) since it was recommended on the forum....and what a recommendation it was too!!
Grabbing a juice and making our way back downstairs to en empty pew, we began to smoke away......again! I think Stenman bought some hash too as he was putting his new glass pipe to some good use. It was in here that I noticed the skies getting a little darker and the wind getting a little crisper between the cracks in the door....so I knew the day had flown by at this point. The first time I checked my clock all afternoon, I saw that it was almost 5pm – so our 420 went pretty unnoticed to be honest, albeit over some heavy smokes so I guess that was always the plan!
Hunger setting in and smoke rapidly catching up, I think all of us wanted to retreat to the comfort of our hotel rooms in order to preserve some energy for the night ahead. Bidding farewell to my new friends, we head separate ways....my path of choice had to lead to food first, followed by the hotel. Taking a slight detour, I opted to try out the Burger Bar since I read about it on the forum...firstly I recognise that I actually had bought food from here before many years ago, but can’t remember the name or what I had. Anyway, I went for a small burger with cheese and onions, which I have to say was delightful...I chose the wrong bread though as was so thin I may as well been eating the burger bare with my fingers. It does get a little pricey after you add toppings, so being on a budget, would probably be my only trip here...but I was impressed.
Eating didn’t take long and I was back at the hotel having a shower and lounge/smoke on the bed shortly after. I probably fell asleep for an hour or so, but always have my alarm set for 8pm as not to oversleep and waste a night. There is something strangely relaxing about the mixture of noise from the streets of Warmoesstraat from the open window and MTV Europe from the tv.
Forcing myself out of bed and back onto the streets, I had in mind that I wanted to try a couple of new places out. One being Hill Street Blues, which was only a minute walk from the hotel. A uniquely decorated coffeeshop, but I managed to pick out the dealers desk which seems almost camouflaged in graffiti, and had a glance at the menu. Nothing really jumped out at me, so I just bought some Polm (€7 per gram I think)....which was standard and exactly as expected. It is never the smoothest hash to smoke, but I do like the high. To counter and predicted coughs or tickles this hash was going to produce, I bought a chocolate milkshake from the drinks bar – a bargain at €3,80 for what it is worth. I could have drunk these all day to be honest!! I didn’t explore much of the shop and took a pew in the front area to sample my smoke and watch the people walk by the front window. A nice shop with some very friendly staff, and I will be back again this trip for sure....although the seating is very wooden and not the most comfy so I casually made my way onwards after a short stay.
Taking a leisurely stroll in no particular direction, with no particular plan or destination set, I came walking up the Singel canal and decided on another new shop, this time, the Rokerij 2. A shop I must have walked passed a hundred times without even passing a though to enter, which is kind of why I decided to do something different and check it out this time. I was greeted by a friendly dealer at the counter, in an overall very dim lit shop with low down Moroccan style seating throughout. The dealer offered to show me his menu if I had any questions, and one strain jumped out at me....Super Chocolope Haze (€10-12 per gram...i must take better notes next time!). On first look, the container had lots of tight little nugget style buds with a hazy loose texture to them....and the smell that escaped was one of pure Chocolope. I ordered an Earl Grey tea, which is usually my choice of drink in shops, and sat on a slightly more raised wooden bench by the computer terminal....as my back probably wouldn’t have appreciated a stint on the floor that particular day. Overall I liked this shop, staff and purchases were both positives...I just couldn’t imagine too many people adapting to the seating easily, even with the smoke going round. I happily enjoyed my smoke in there, and without sounding too obvious, the Super Chocolope Haze was exactly as described.....ok.....maybe not that super, but still a top Haze effect with the Chocolope taste not shy to make an appearance.
Time was starting to tick on, and I was feeling the effects of the day catching me in the race and occasionally sticking its neck in front. But I still wanted to make it to Excalibur for the first time this trip, so took a slow walk across town and followed my nose to the red lights. Making a slight detour as to take in the benefits of this area of town, I made my way round the OZA canal and up the top end and take a left where the bikes are parked on the street.
Always a favourite stop off of mine, largely due to the music played there, but the beer is cold and cheap, and the staff is always real friendly too. Still €4,50 a pint (which was the same 2 years ago), I ordered one and sat down with my knight in shining armour.....literally! The place was busy but not packed, and I got a seat easy enough, so loaded a few pipes and kicked back taking it all in....once again. I attracted the attention of a couple of weirdos during my stay, one guy was a drunk tourist who would not shut up....and the other a begger from Afghanistan, who was ejected by the barman for not buying any drinks....much to my amusement/relief. But nothing would ruin my buzz as I was exactly where I wanted to be
The time had passed midnight, and I was at the limit for one day...ending off with a nice lap of the lights, slice of pizza for a couple of euros, and had originally planned for a quick night cap in The Coin as Matt was working. Although on passing, noticed it was actually rather busy for that time of night, so just carried on walking directly to the hotel and my bed. Finishing the night with a bowl of the first thing I took out my pocket, and barely remember having time to mull over a very successful day before being out for the count.
