Soulboy's Trip Report - 11-14.04

[Soulboy]

Day 1 :

We arrived at Schiphol at 8:10, go to the Tourist Information Desk for trains tickets and 2 Strippenkaart. Then we take the train to Central Station, put our big bag in the lockers and go to Barney's for a morning breakfast. It was the beginning of a nice sunny day and we was really happy of that due to my knowledge of the Dutch weather.

Our first stop is at Barney's CS. The budtender was very friendly and was speaking french like us. We were looking for 1g. of G-13 Haze and 1g. of Morning Glory. But after some talk with him about what kind of weed we were looking for (a sativa/haze/high,not stone one), the budtender tell us to try the Honey B. instead of the Morning Glory. So we follow his advice (and weren't disappointed but see the Weed Report down for more infos). Then we crossed to Barney's Uptown for a breakfast with our goods.

After that, we needed fresh air and leaveed in direction of Prinsengracht and followed the canal until DonnieCam for a brief "Hello from Dam" to our friends who stayed at home. Then we go to Paradox CS for trying their veggie burger.
This CS is mainly locals from 35-50 years old, we were the only tourist here. It's small with quiet jazz music... nice atmosphere but not the one we were looking for (too "quiet" for us)... The bud/bartender was friendly. The veggie burger were not so bad, but not worth a trip until here only for that. We didn't buy any goods here and when we finished our meal we left for a smoke at sun and walking along Prinsengracht.

Then it was about 14:00 so we go back to Central Station, take back our bags at lockers and go in direction of our hotel for the registration. After that, we go in direction of Dam for some shopping for my friend. Then we go to Dampkring.
We take 1 g. of Amnesia Haze, N.Y. Diesel, Nepal Cream and Riffman "Satavia ??" (the "best" new one at 14€). The budtender was a bit busy, ok, but very unfriendly. First I have a "Oh! Only 1g." when I order, then he rip me off 2€ when I paid. So we don't take drinks and just sit for enjoy our smoking (tried here the N.Y. Diesel and the Amnesia Haze). Music was good but too loud, and it was really hot and smoky inside. The place started to become very crawly so we left for our dinner.

We followed Prinsengracht again until De Bolhoed, a really good vegetarian organic (no-smoker at all) restaurant with big portions for hungry smokers like us. I really enjoy to go here when I'm at Dam, food is really good, and they make the best banana-chocolate pie I have eat. Only minus is it's take long time for being served so when you enter, you know you will have for like 1.30-2 hours until you leave.
After a big meal, we left for our hotel along the canals in direction of Museumplein. Then, arrived at our room, we enjoy our last smokes with the Riffman and the Nepal Cream on the terraces and day one finish here.

We spend most part of the day one outside, as it was my first sunny day at Dam and my 2 previous trips were rainy all the day, so we really wanted to enjoy Dam at sun.

[Soulboy]

Day 2 :

We left hotel at 10:30 for shopping and breakfast at Barney's. We bought 1g. Of Hawaiian Snow and Blue Cheese and we sit this day at Barney's CS for an hot chocolate (they are really better with the cream at top than the one we can drink here). We smoked the rest of the weed from yesterday and the Hawaiian Snow. We were really disappointed by the Hawaiian Snow with an heavy and paintfull head and a stoned effect, so we left for walking outside and trying to recover our head.

At this time we try to find the Maoz around Leidseplein on line 1 but never reach it.... At this stage, I lost us as I was sure Maoz was on line 16... hehe So we finally go to the Albert Cuyp one as it was the closest from where we was. After two big fries each, we were having recover our head and were ready again for some smoke.

Then we walked to and along the Singel to a record shop for my friend what's near the Grey Area. Friend spend some time here then we go to Grey Area for some shopping.
We bought 1g of Grey Haze, Grey Mist, Grey Berry and Lemon Skunk. The budtender here was friendly and we feel really more welcome here than at Dampkring. We rolled each one a joint here but left quickly as the place was really crawly and smoky and their was no place to stay. But I was aware of the fact it was a "shop and go" CS so it wasn't planned to stay.

Then we walk along Spui to a shop next to the Bluebird CS and then we go back to our hotel for rest one hour before leave again for the Dropkick Murphys Show at Melkweg. Doors opening and first show begin early at Dam compared to my town (18:30 opening and 19:30 first band at Dam when it's 21:00 doors and 21:30/22:00 first band here). So we reach Melkweg at 19:00. For the show, see report down. We left at around 23:30 and go back to our hotel for enjoy our last smoke of our terrace and day two finish here.

We doesn't make many things or smoke a lot this day as our goal was to keep our forces for enjoying the show.

[Soulboy]

Day 3 :

Like previous day, we left our hotel at 10:00 for Barney's where we buy this day 1g. Of G-13 Haze again and Laughing Buddha. On the road to Barney,s we decided to buy a grinder for our Grey Area weed. We cross and sit this day at Barney's Uptown until 11:30 enjoying the G-13 and some Grey Haze. Then it's become crawly by people coming for eat so we left as we were wanting their veggie burger but it's from 12:00 only.

So we go in direction of the Grey Area and waited the opening at 12:00 for some Lemon Skunk again. At the opening, we were lucky enough to find a table to sit, so we stayed here 1 hour enjoying the Lemon Skunk and some Grey Berry bought the previous day. The budtender was friendly again. The place started to become quickly crawled, hot and smoky so we left for the record shop next to Grey Area again.

After some time spend in record shop, we go back to Barney's Uptown for finally get their veggie burger with a milkshake. It's a nice plate with burger, fries and salad but a bit too small for hungry smokers like us... Two burgers would be better... hehe But they were good and we were happy to try them with a milkshake. So the stomach full, we were ready to reach the Stix for their Temple Ball.

Stix was a small jazzy place with a unfriendly budtender. It was filled with tourists and a local "clown" "trying" to roll a 50cm. long joint for the joy of the tourist taking him in pictures. We bought 1g of Temple Ball and sit here with a tea trying it. We grab another g. and left quickly as the atmosphere was not what we searched/liked. Then we go in direction of Katsu for their SuperSkunk.

Staff at Katsu was friendly and even it was crawly, we liked the atmosphere here. It's mainly local from all age and all kind with nice music. Exactly the place I would go in my town for a drink. We bought 1g of SuperSkunk and I was happy to see Purple Skunk on menu so we take 1g of it too. We sit with a drink and enjoyed our two purchases.

Then we leave for our dinner at De Bolhoed again. It's always the same pleasure to come here for a meal and it's my top restaurant of Dam. And my friend confirm it... hehe Then we go back to Leidseplein enjoying a smoke along Prinsengracht during the night for finally reach the Noon for a last smoke.

The Noon was not full at this time so we bought 1g of Blueberry with a tea and take a sit there. Before I discover Katsu this day, Noon was my favourite coffeeshop and I really wanna show it to my friend and make him try their Blueberry (my favourite smoke) before leaving Dam . The bud/bartender was the same as my previous visits so I know he's seems rude at first but he's in fact friendly. This last smoke killed my friend and we left for our hotel.

We stopped at Museumplein on the road for our last 3 pre-rolled joints we was still having in stock then we have joined our room. This was the end of the day three.

Day three was the "smoking day". We spend most of our time to try every CS or goods we was looking for and the goal was reached...

[Soulboy]

Day 4 :

It was our last day to Dam. We give back our room at 10:00 for keep most of our time for our last things to do. My first goal was something I absolutely wanna try before leave Dam: a Volcano. From the long time I hear about, that's was my last pleasure I don't wanna miss. First we go to the Noon but as it was full, so I only buy 1g of Blueberry for the Schiphol's joints and we left. As the day before I was having see a Volcano sticker at Katsu, we directly go to there with our bag. But what was my deception when I asked the barmaid for a volcano and she showed me a homemade vapo fixed on a wall. So we left with our bags and we go back in direction of the Noon where I know they have a digit Volcano.

At this time, Noon was almost empty so I take 1g of Blueberry again and we sit at bar. The bud/bartender was not the same than the day before but was really okay to show us how to use the Vapo. He does it for us the two first time and let us try it ourself the third one... I was thinking it's like a toy and I would like that maybe 10 years before with bangs and waterpipes, but it's no more my pleasure (without be critical for the ones who like it ) And we were disappointed by it with my friend, we were thinking it would be more "effective". We would have been more stone if we were smoking the same amount of weed in a joint. But the taste was fresh and smooth and more sweet than a joint for sure.
Then we smoked the rest of the Blueberry and we left for our last shopping around Dam for our girlfriends.

Then we go dropping the bags in lockers at Central Station. Without our heavy bags, we go to Barney's Uptown for a last smoke and last milkshakes. We rolled our Schiphol's joints, smoked all the rest we got then leaved for a last walk and smoke along the canals.
As it was too early for take the train, we come back at Barney's and bought 1g of Red Cherry Berry for a last try. We rolled all and go back to canals smoking the last joints at Dam.

Then it was time to leave, with a short walk to a cheese shop in Haarlemmerstraat for gift then go back to Central Station, take our bags, then train to Schiphol. After registration finished, we go out smoking our last 2 joints reserved for that (1 Noon's Blueberry and 1 Stix's Temple Ball) then we go take our flight.
The 2 last joints at Schiphol are a tradition for me from my first trip to Dam.

We spend our last day in Dam doing our last "ToDo before leave" then we smoked what we need to take a good flight when enjoying our last moments at Dam with a sunny day.


This trip was my best "stoned" one as I go for that with my best friend. And for this time we have had all our trip sunny when all my precedent trips was rainy as hell.

[Soulboy]

Melkweg Report :

We arrived at 19:00 so the doors were already open. We weren't aware of their membership so we need to take the member card at doors for 3€. After a short shopping at the merchandising (it was the last date of the tour, so almost all stuff was out of stock) we reached the concert hall. It's a large place with stairs, balcony and bars along the wall. From the beginning to the end, it was fresh inside with 1500 people and not smoky at all. I was really surprised, as here in my town, I would be 40°C inside and smoky as hell... Otherwise, we were the only 2 morons to keep our bags with our jacket inside when everybody else use the cloakroom. It was annoying as hell for us and everyone else. So, for advice, if you go to Melkweg, put your stuff in cloakroom !!! hehe

The 2 first opening bands weren't really good. I don't remember the name of the first one, the second was Against Me. The singer of the first one was doing too much and was looking like in a MTV clip. Second was annoying, so common californian punkrock band, dressed all in black and stuck behind their micro stand (please, remove their batons in their ass !!).

Then Dropkick Murphys come. The show started with a massive call from the audience to the band... like 1000 people crying Dropkick Murphys in chorus... something we never see in my town... last gig with almost same ambiance was Sham69 like 4 years ago. Then band coming on stage and the show begin. People from all kind knowing the lyrics, singing and dancing all together... Really impressed !! As planned, Dropkick come back with I'm Shipping Up to Boston then finished with Boys on the Docks with the stage full of public.
A really great show I'm most than happy to have see.

Thanks to my girlfriend for the gift.

[Soulboy]

Smoke Report :

- Honey B. (Barney's) : Spicy with sativa taste – Hight – Effect come gradually – Strong – A little bit too dry but okay.
- G13 Haze (Barney's) : Sativa with pepper taste – Hight – Strong – Dense buds – Correctly dry (Barney's Style) – My friend's Best of !!!
- Ocean 12 (Dampkring) : Low and little taste – Limit too dry – Not the best memorie
- Amnesia Haze (Dampkring) : Low spicy taste – More stone than hight – Correctly dry
- N.Y. Diesel (Dampkring) : Low spicy taste – Hight – Not very strong – A bit too dry
- Hawaiian Snow (Barney's) : Outdoor taste (not a good taste) – More stone than hight – Too dry – Give an heavy and paintfull head – A big disappointment – Our worst smoke !
- Blue Cheese (Barney's) : Little spicy and little pepper taste – Half hight / half stone - Correctly dry (Barney's Style)
- Grey Haze (Grey Area) : Haze and spicy taste with a little fruity taste – Hight – Correctly wet = Grinder
- Grey Mist (Grey Area) : Pepper taste but not a spicy taste – Half hight / half stone – Dense buds – Correctly Wet = Grinder
- Grey Berry (Grey Area) : Soft, sweet and fruity – Stone – Correctly wet = Grinder
- Lemon Skunk (Grey Area) : Fruity !! + Little lemon taste / Fresh taste – Stone – Correctly dry
- Laughing Buddha (Barney's) : Not a particular taste / a very little pepper taste – Hight – Come slowly – Correctly dry (Barney's Style)
- Super Skunk (Katsu) : Nice skunk taste but not very marked (would like a little bit more skunk taste) – Not very strong / Warm the head – More physical than cerebral - Correctly wet = Grinder
- Purple Skunk (Katsu) : Outdoor - Good purple taste – Stone – Stronger than the SuperSkunk – Correctly wet = Grinder
- Blueberry (Noon) : Very sweet and fruity – Stone – Very strong – Come quickly – Correctly wet = Grinder – My Best of !!!
- Red Cherry Berry (Barney's) : Very sweet, very soft and very fruity with a little taste of red fruit – Stone – Correctly dry (Barney's Style)

- Nepal Cream (Dampkring) : Very soft and creamy, little bit sweet – Strong good taste – Hight and cerebral – Make you dreamy
- Riffman "Satavia" ? (Dampkring) : Strong spicy taste – Very soft and fat – Heavy stone
- Temple Ball (Stix) : Not very tasty, less than the Dampkring one – Stronger than the Dampkring one – Physical hight and cerebral stone – More physical than cerebral compared to Dampkring one.

My only two precedent smoke were the Ocean 12 and the Noon's Blueberry. Noon's Blueberry have always been my favourite from my first travel. I have been a bit disappointed by the Ocean12, I was remember it better, but the Blueberry was as good as always...
My friend really liked the G-13 Haze for the pepper taste and the hight effect. The Hawaiian Snow was our biggest disappointment with the taste and the effect. We was happy to find some Skunk with a taste who make us remember our first skunk smoked like 10 years ago. We liked the fresh taste of the Lemon skunk too and my best "New Discovered Weed" was the Red Cherry Berry for the very sweet taste.

Barney's weed was almost always the same drying that doesn't need a grinder, not too dry and not too wet (I call it Barney's Style in my reviews up). Personally I prefer a bit more wet like the Grey Area drying that need grinder cause I think we better smell the taste and the joint don't consume too fast. But that's personal I think.

For the CS, we liked Barney's for the friendly french staff (budtender at CS and barmaid at Uptown) and their menu (CS and Uptown), the quiet ambiance of the Uptown at certain hours and their milkshakes. We stayed often at Uptown too for the opportunity to smoke goods bought everywhere. The Katsu was a great new discover and I would go back happily. But my favourite one stay definitively the Noon.

[itsmymagicallife]

Great trip reports. Glad you enjoyed a couple of my favorite non coffeeshop places in Amsterdam, the Melkweg & De Bolhoed. I've seen the Dropkick Murphys several times in Amsterdam and they were great shows.

[Twichaldinho]

Nice report Soulboy, thanks for sharing.

[geoffk]

Nice.

[Tall Guy]

Great stuff Soulboy, I wish I had your memory for detail/note taking abilities.

[Soulboy]

thanx all

picts will come, i have to work on them them now...


and about the memory, i needed a little book for write all my smoke report or i would forgot them too