1 week trip to Amsterdam in December

[bokbokgun]

Hi all, been lurking in this forum for a while now looking at others travelogue and getting information from here and there. Being a newbie to this thing but finding it interesting, I had decided to book a trip down to the Dam to obtain my Haji (if u know what I mean) status in December. However, being of asian ethnicity and never travelled to the Dam before, I guess asking for guidance in this forum should be right thing to do. I might be travelling alone or with a friend to the Dam for most probably 5 days to a week (booked my ticket to the uk) and to the Dam from there. Having looked through some travelogues and hotel subforum, I have gained some knowledge of where to go for some quality stuff.

However as for accommodation, I am still relatively blurry. I set my eye on Hotel Abba but upon further investigation, I found that Hotel Abba could be a little bit too far off the famous coffeeshops? I am afraid that I would take ages just to find my way back to the hotel after a smoke or two. Can I get reassurance in this? Or are there any hotels that are nearer and more convenient for me to explore the city in at the price equivalent to Hotel Abba (last I checked ~$285 euro for a single bed 1 week stay). I would prefer a place that is more quiet at night where I could enjoy my smokes without the constant noise of others if I were to stay nearer to the Centrum?

I've also read that many people said that some of the stuff outside of the Dam is just as good/or better and cost less? Any recommendations on this as I said before that I love to be in places that are more quiet.

Also, what is the best way to get to my accomodation? Train to ams for Schipol airport? And then taxi or walk to for example Hotel Abba from there? From google map, it seemed to be about a 1km+ walk from the station? I am definitely a little bit scared if I were to haul my luggage around the Dam looking for my accommodation being a first timer to a new place.

In my planned 1 week trip, I would also like to visit places eg. Cannabis College? , a few museums here and there, and other interesting places? Any recommendations as well? I have planned to get to Voyagers once i reach the central and smoke a little just before looking for my accomodation as well. Apart from that, where can I buy grinders/bong etc so that I could enjoy my session if I am too high to walk out of my hotel for the first day?

I have been reading about this 420 session and I still have no idea what it's about. Anyone care to explain?

Lastly, I would prob love to meetup with a few of you people to learn more about the place and its culture.

Sorry for the rant.. couldn't think of any questions for now. Your help is most appreciated. Thanks.

[bokbokgun]

Also, would the popular stuff be empty for the Cannabis Cup is in November? Sorry but I seriously have no idea on where I'm leading myself into lol

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

I'll be staying at Hotel Abba for 10 days in December - it'll be my third time staying there. There are plenty of coffeeshops nearby and I like the fact that it isn't in the Centrum. It's only about a 10 minute walk to the Leidseplein and about the same distance from the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum. Also only about a 5 minute walk to Vondelpark. Coffeeshop Tweedy is about 2 minutes away and the #1 tram stops literally right in front of Hotel Abba. Oh, did I mention they are smoker friendly and their rates include breakfast?

I take the train from Schiphol to Lelylaan Station instead of Centraal Station and then transfer to the #1 tram so I don't have to deal with all the nutjobs hanging out at Centraal Station.

As far as walking long distances goes, you can get a one week transportation pass for only 30 euros and then you can get almost anywhere in Amsterdam. Their website is http://www.gvb.nl/ENGLISH

It all depends if you want to be in the center of all the action, or have a nice quiet place to sleep at night! Have fun.

[bokbokgun]

Thanks for the help. I see that u would be there at around 17th or so? I would prob be there earlier at 12-19th somewhere there. Problem is I'm going to a place that I've got no idea about and all those street names make no sense to me (straat here and there)..I would be walking around in circles and while high, it would a little bit harder for me to navigate even more. I love my quiet sleeps so I guess Abba shud be a better bet? although I'm still thinking if I could find my way back home at night after a whole day out and about

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

I'll be arriving 12/15 and departing 12/24. As far as getting lost - well, it happens to a lot of people, but a good map helps. I carry a laminated "Streetwise Amsterdam" map. It folds up to about the size of an envelope and it's laminated so it doesn't matter if it gets wet.

Hotel Abba is located on Overtoom, a major road so it's fairly easy to locate on a map. A lot of people like to stay in the Centrum due to the concentration of coffeeshops so it really just boils down to personal preference.

I would suggest going to Google maps and just familiarizing yourself with some of the major streets and landmarks.

[FlyByNite]

When you have firm dates, get them to me.
I'll post you on the Whos In Town page.

First timers get my S G Collins recommendation
I think a read of this will maximize your efficiency once you get there.

How not to get hit by a bike and other stuff they forgot to tell you about Amsterdam.

You will find that Amsterdam is a very compact city.
If you think you are hopelessly lost, find a tram track and walk to the nearest stop.
There will be a map there to show you where you are.

Enjoy
FlyByNite - Travel preference, not business practice
Coffeeshop Menus - Let your Mouse do the walking

[Dave near London]

The "Abba" is on my list as an affordable and comfortable place to stay - my last trip was an outragous smoke fest (solo) and I ended up paying for a kings ransom in the NH near Leidesplein (not much else available)

I assure you , when stoned nicely , its no big deal to navigate - on foot from the CS station to somewhere like the Abba , and there is always a friendly cab or a tram.

Afterwards, I pieced together perambulations - AMS - Haarlem - all over the Dam and safely back to hotel with the excellent ACS map , so dont worry.

Better stoned than pissed I reckon .....

[Balou]

However as for accommodation, I am still relatively blurry. I set my eye on Hotel Abba but upon further investigation, I found that Hotel Abba could be a little bit too far off the famous coffeeshops? I am afraid that I would take ages just to find my way back to the hotel after a smoke or two. Can I get reassurance in this? Or are there any hotels that are nearer and more convenient for me to explore the city in at the price equivalent to Hotel Abba (last I checked ~$285 euro for a single bed 1 week stay). I would prefer a place that is more quiet at night where I could enjoy my smokes without the constant noise of others if I were to stay nearer to the Centrum?

Abba is a good choice and is not far out. A 5 - 10 minute walk will bring you to at least 10 different coffeeshops. Amsterdam is a very walkable city, just grab a map. You can also look at the map at the tram & bus stops. Voyagers is a hotel as well, have you thought about staying there? Here is a thread about smoker friendly hotels. https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=14240 To avoid noise in the Centrum ask for a room overlooking the courtyard, not all have them.

I've also read that many people said that some of the stuff outside of the Dam is just as good/or better and cost less? Any recommendations on this as I said before that I love to be in places that are more quiet.

I would suggest you take the 15 minute train ride to Haarlem for a day. Close to Amsterdam and it has a nice selection of coffeeshops. There is also a few museums if you're so inclined.

Also, what is the best way to get to my accomodation? Train to ams for Schipol airport? And then taxi or walk to for example Hotel Abba from there? From google map, it seemed to be about a 1km+ walk from the station? I am definitely a little bit scared if I were to haul my luggage around the Dam looking for my accommodation being a first timer to a new place.

If you plan on staying at the Abba you can take the 197 or 370 Connexion bus from outside Schiphol directly to the Leidseplein for 4 euro, pay the driver. It only about a 5 minute walk from there. You could also do as CSS suggested or simply opt to take the train to Centraal Station. It might help to get your bearings. You're not the only first timer, so don't worry.

I have been reading about this 420 session and I still have no idea what it's about. Anyone care to explain?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4:20

Sorry for the rant.. couldn't think of any questions for now. Your help is most appreciated. Thanks.

Not really a rant, so no worries. Thanks for using paragraphs!

Peace

[bokbokgun]

Thanks for the advice guys! As for Harleem cs, which ones are the more famous shops? It is definitely the herbs that I'm after when in the Dam..anything more is just a bonus!

FBN - will tell you when i booked and confirm my stay in the dam!

Anybody has got anything else to add to? Places that you guys find interesting or worth a look into?