Just an ol' Hippie making his first trip and wondering

[RollingStoned]

As an intro- I'm just an ol' hippie from way back in the 60/70's taking his first solo trip (physical) to Amsterdam. While I'm not a neophyte when it comes to weed, the selections available to me here in the US only consist of cheap and expensive and expensive really isn't that good. What is sold as Thai stick isn't much more than some fair weed wrapped with a thread of bamboo. That's why when I'm reviewing the menus here, I'm literally salivating in anticipation of just how good a buzz I'm sure to get as the buds look so good it's incredible. I do have a few questions for the real heads (I guess called stoners these days)...

I'll be arriving on Jan. 17th (through the 20th) staying at the Radisson Blu. Is that a good location where I'll be able walk/ crawl to most good coffeehouses?

Is there a reommended tour guide who can route me in the right diretion when I get there? I'd actually like to host (sponsor/pay for) a TNT with anyone available just to get a real feel for the city.

I'm thinking of starting at either Utopia or Voyagers. Good idea?

Are the taxis there safe....just in case I get too wasted and can only mumble where I want to go?

I have more questions, but I'll chill for now.

[FlyByNite]

Welcome to the forum.

You have been posted on the January Whos In Town page.

You can see who else may be in town during your stay.

If you don't see yourself, click your refresh or reload button
Your browser sometimes loads pages from your local cache and
you don't get the latest update.

Watch for Toke & Talks, I post them up to the last minute.

Set yourself up with your own T&T or Toke and Talk, where you pick the coffeeshop (your favorite)
and the date and time, I will post it and you wait for folks to show up, if they do you'll have a
T&T. If they don't you still get to enjoy your favorite coffeeshop!

If you run into gapie at either Utopia or Voyagers you will be in good hands.

By default I link your posting to your profile page here on ACD.

https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/membe ... le&u=86441

I can change it to a web link ( myspace, facebook, personal page )
or an email address if you want.

You can do a little practice shopping on the Coffeeshop Menus page.
Any with arrows are less than six months old.

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.


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

[Smith2]

Nothing in Amsterdam is that far from anything else, really. Your hotel is right opposite Rusland, one of the oldest coffeeshops and an old favourite of mine, with a cool cat. Any excuse to post my pictures, really: https://picasaweb.google.com/kurwamac/C ... 4431821954. Bagheera and Basjoe are just around the corner, and none of the coffeeshops in the centre are more than a 10-minute amble away.

[RollingStoned]

Wow...The read by SG Collins was most informative. Excellent tips on how to avoid some of the more frequent pitfalls tourists fall in. I used to live in Hawaii for 5 years and can relate to both the pros and cons of a tourist location.

Meeting the cat at Rusland is a must for me. That and being in such a close proximity to the hotel will probably make this my first place to just relax and settle in without getting too wasted. With my flight arriving at ~11, I hope to be enjoying a coffee and smoke by 1. That may be too optimistic, but it's a goal worth shooting for. If anyone stops by and wants to enjoy smoke, I'll be the american slobbering over the menu trying to decide just what to start with.

I appreciate the advice.

[StonedSince67]

I'm just an ol' hippie from way back in the 60/70's taking his first solo trip (physical) to Amsterdam.

hi i'm just an ol' hippie from way back then as well and have been discovering amsterdam myself over the last five or so years ... i would recommend paradox as a great shop for the older smoker - great budtenders, great product and the place is more a cafe than a coffeeshop, lots of locals, lots of chat and friendly arguments about the issues of the day, altogether a great place and a must for your first visit ... if asked the budtender will tell you about each and every strain they sell, if asked i would suggest the super silver haze and the moroccan "wash" hashish, and they are good together too in a combo joint

the other place you might enjoy is a quieter place run by two gentle and lovely women called la tertulia, it has a nice atmosphere and a good soundtrack plus great product, their best moroccan hashish is a tasty smoke, and it is only a ten-minute or so walk down the prinsengracht from paradox

have a great trip ... and yes you are right to thank flybynite for the bicycle info ... keep your stoned eyes peeled for the flying bicycle and stay safe

[Uncle Ron]

I'm just an ol' hippie from way back in the 60/70's taking his first solo trip (physical) to Amsterdam.

hi i'm just an ol' hippie from way back then as well and have been discovering amsterdam myself over the last five or so years ... i would recommend paradox as a great shop for the older smoker - great budtenders, great product and the place is more a cafe than a coffeeshop, lots of locals, lots of chat and friendly arguments about the issues of the day, altogether a great place and a must for your first visit ... if asked the budtender will tell you about each and every strain they sell, if asked i would suggest the super silver haze and the moroccan "wash" hashish, and they are good together too in a combo joint

the other place you might enjoy is a quieter place run by two gentle and lovely women called la tertulia, it has a nice atmosphere and a good soundtrack plus great product, their best moroccan hashish is a tasty smoke, and it is only a ten-minute or so walk down the prinsengracht from paradox

have a great trip ... and yes you are right to thank flybynite for the bicycle info ... keep your stoned eyes peeled for the flying bicycle and stay safe

Excellent recommendations, very nice people and shops...
In addition, a side trip to Haarlem perhaps?
Plenty of trip reports to read from, especially the ones by FlyByNight (FBN), Mr. Haarlem...
Enjoy your visit...
...

[Sailor59]

Another vote from me for Paradox. Spent a few hours there recently just toking and reading. Down in De Pipj area is Yo-Yo. Another quiet shop with mainly locals. Eclectic opening hours usually 12-8. Good for a daytime smoke as the gear is all outdoor and organic and wont bang you on your arse too quickly. Having said that the Maroc Crystal hash was an excellent smoke for the price.

My usual method is just to walk into a shop and if the vibe is not for you then buy and fly or just move on. Plenty more out there. Enjoy.

[lazerbeam]

Welcome to the forum.

Print out the map that is on here and you`ll find it easy to locate the shops in the Centrum. Paradox is definitely a good place to go for a quiet smoke - if you can find it!

Interesting to see if anyone takes you up on the paid for TnT...

Enjoy your trip and don`t forget to tell us all about it when you come back!

[Willjay]

Taxis are safe and affordable, pick up some business cards from your hotel and you don't have to mumble just hand the driver the card.

A Lot of flights land early in the Netherlands from the US and I don't think Voyagers opens that early, our traditional 1st stop is the Bluebird, opens at 9:30.

A couple of observations I have made: 1. Take your spoon out of the cup, you don't want to poke your eye out with a whitey 2. decide witch way you want to go when entering the shop, you wont be thinking when you leave

Have fun, the cost of a T&T is the cost to copy the map so people can identify you, You also have to call one

[danny211204]

for defo stan will meet up with you if you plan a tnt!!

[Slip & Sal]

Don't tell em you'll pay for weed you will have too many friends.

I'm sure you won't have to anyway

Watch them bikes, really watch em.

They attack from everywhere.

[RollingStoned]

My plan on avoiding a collision with a bicycle is to get such a good buzz, that I'm floating several feet over the bike paths thus avoiding a collision with anything not as high as I am.

I'm putting together quite a list of shops I must get to on this trip based on everyone's recommendations and am really looking forward to my first bowl. Do any of the shops have vaporizers you can rent or bongs to use or will I have to roll my own or buy a bong just for my visit? I have a Vaporair vaporizer, but I don't really want to go through airport security with that. Same thing with any bongs I have here. Granted I'd be just as content to roll my own, but a smooth toke through a ool wate bong or powerhitter would let me enjoy the taste better.

Wow- 13 days and counting.

[StonedSince67]

Do any of the shops have vaporizers

paradox has a volcano to use for free

http://www.volcanovaporizer.com/

[dude65]

Many coffeeshops have bongs for their customers to use. Some have Vaporizers.

I've seen and used Volcanos in 420 and Rookies. Didn't see one in Rookies in August, though. Barneys has a several Volcanos.
The Dolphins has the classic dutch "Verdamper"s as does Katsu.

[gapie]