SEP 22-28

[free_phil_spector]

avoid tedious and unending arguments with travel partners

All my trips these days are solo so that's not an issue for me anymore, thankfully.

I dunno, I guess I just dont feel the need to rely on technology unless it's absolutely necessary. I mean, what if your battery dies? Or you cant get a connection? You risk ending up as one of those numpties who goes in a coffeeshop more interested in the free wifi than the weed. For me, when it comes to getting places, old skool still works just fine. I take a pen and small notebook wherever I go and that's always done me fine. Last week for example I was heading out to Osdorp and Geuzenveld and all I did was scribble the tram numbers and very brief directions in my notepad before I left.

using your device to find out exactly how long each proposed route is and the time it will take by driving, cycling, walking or public transport.

Kinda my point - these 'devices' are taking the fun out of life. First time I went to New York me and my mate took one look at Brooklyn Bridge and said yeah! lets walk across it, it'll only take 20 minutes! 45 minutes later when we still werent even halfway across we sacked it and walked back. But we had a great laugh along the way, the views were fantastic, and it was fun to do. If my phone had told me beforehand that it was an hour on foot we wouldn't have even bothered trying.

[LLMReb]

I like a mix of tech and notebook myself. I collect old maps, so I naturally gravitate towards maps. I learn a city so well if i have a map in hand.

Yet some tech is great, too. I can look up what is on an adjacent street to see if i should wander over. And w my phone, i can smoke and text w friends.

But i do love a good map in hand, worn and used.

[nycht]

By the way, I'm staying at Stayokay Vondelpark (8-bed mixed dorm) for the whole duration. I'm starting to get worried about it, if I end up hating it there and have to struggle for 6 nights. Anyone got recent experiences there? Would it better if I divide my time in 2 different hostels from your solo travelling experiences?

[BongHug82]

Maybe worth looking at Voyagers hotel and seeing if they have any of the single rooms available for first or second half of your trip. You could split your trip in two between hostel and hotel?

55€ a night and the price doesn't move regardless if you book early or late. Would give you a bit of personal comfort for a chunk of your trip. Worth a look at maybe dude?

Have you payed in full for the hostel? Or can you cancel/modify the booking free of charge? Also how much is it to stay the full 6 nights at the hostel if you don't mind me asking?

[nycht]

Maybe worth looking at Voyagers hotel and seeing if they have any of the single rooms available for first or second half of your trip. You could split your trip in two between hostel and hotel?

55€ a night and the price doesn't move regardless if you book early or late. Would give you a bit of personal comfort for a chunk of your trip. Worth a look at maybe dude?

Have you payed in full for the hostel? Or can you cancel/modify the booking free of charge? Also how much is it to stay the full 6 nights at the hostel if you don't mind me asking?

It's about 250 euros in total for all 6 nights. I reserved through Hostelworld with flexible booking so I can cancel with a charge of 1 euro and retain the deposit (~35 euros) for future bookings. The rest would be paid at the hostel when I arrive.

I'm looking through Voyagers right now and prices/quality seems very decent. I thought I wouldn't be able to find a hotel room with less than 100 euros a night! Thanks mate!

[nycht]

OK Voyagers booked for 25/26/27
Booked through HotelRunners, hope it's a legit website
Now I'm actually considering changing the hostel too as it's 55 euros on Fri/Sat which might not be worth it.

[BongHug82]

HotelRunners is legit mate and no deposit with cash on arrival. It's my first time staying at Voyagers but plenty of ACD have stayed many times and reviews are always good. I believe we need to be aware of the stairs and it's attached to a Coffeeshop which is a bonus

If you can get your whole trip there then why not?! Works out at 80€ more for the 6 nights with your own room and bloody good location too.

[nycht]

Actually the 23/24 days are booked in Voyagers (perhaps I can book in advance next time if I like it). Looking now at Flying Pig Uptown which is cheaper than Stayokay VondelPark (and pretty much opposite each other location-wise).
Stayed in the DownTown one last time and was very good, made some friends there too.

[BongHug82]

All sorted then mate and not long now till you'll be there!

[nycht]

Ok Stayokay out - Flying Pig in! Only bad thing is the deposit was much higher in Stayokay so now "I'm stuck" with 25 dollars in my account as credit. That means "I'll have to" come to the 'Dam again soon, shame

Countdown:

http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/ge ... nt=cursive

[CopenhagenCouple]

We think you have made an excellent choice there mate, flying pig uptown is our favorite hostel anywhere!

We last stayed three nights during our last visit and it was a blast, met tons of new people, smoked a fuckload of top shelf stuff in the large, but mostly very busy, smoke room and made friends with quite a lot of the staff there (really great people). The breakfast there is actually quite nice for hostel standards and the bar is reasonably priced (and open most hour s).

.Weather permitting there's a pub crawl every night, although we half never gone, and theme parties and general bad behaviour most nights, and always someone looking for (and finding) a party...

Say hi to Hugh and Aron in the crew from the couple from Copenhagen who (in their words) "had the best smoke" and left them a little treat before going home! great guys and a lot of fun chatting to in the wee hours when everyone else was out for the count...

CopenhagenCouple

[nycht]

Thanks for the encouraging and detailed info mates Made me look forward to it even more

[Abbs]

Is there any way to download the ACD Google maps on my smart phone

[modellista]

Hey man,

I'm in Amsterdam with a couple of friends the 23rd-25th. It would be fun to meet up if you're available, preferably on the Saturday.

In fact, I think we're going to rent a boat on the Saturday afternoon, and there's three spare spaces in the boat, so if you fancy that you'd be welcome. Toking on the canals - I've not done that before.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll keep you posted.

[Junglist Movement]

Call me old school but i usually take a map, the laminated kind which you can write on with a white board pen so you can wipe it off. As of now we have the coffeeshops marked and other places of interest also. A little tip, learn the names of the larger canals ie Singel, Prinsengracht and maybe a few of the more "main" Streets ie Damrak etc. I basically learned to navigate the city this way, when we got lost, we would find the closest canal and walk it until we saw something we recognised.

Primative i know but it worked for me, i now have a decent understanding of the city, plus it was fun getting lost on occasion (we accidentally found Boreonjens this way) and as you said, you have your google maps in case you need it!!

Hope you have a decent one!

J