Posted: Fri 22nd Aug 2008 02:10 am
by Johnny J
Note: If you just want to get to the rankings, please go to the bottom of this post.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Arrived at Schipol with my girlfriend at 17:00. I always enjoy the adrenaline rush of taking the train into town, which starts by locating the vending machines for tickets. After showing my girlfriend how to buy train tickets, it was down the escalator, a short wait, 20 minutes to Centraal, the wild buzz at the station, then finally stepping out to the rush of activity at Stationsplein and Amsterdam at large. 5 minutes later by foot and we we were at our hotel. After settling in, we set out for some coffee shops.
(Before I go on, I want to say that whenever I visit a coffee shop, I always ask for the budtender's recommendations, and then decide whether to take his recommendation, or try something else. Also, I always try something new. And I limit my selection to one a day. I really load up on the first 'bake' of the day, which is the strongest. With anything afterwards, you're only chasing that first bake, and there's really no way to objectively evaluate anything new. Plus, Amsterdam is too beautiful a city to spend your entire time in coffee shops.)
After trading Dollars for Euros at Lorentz on Damrak (the place to change), we, in quick succession, went to Greenhouse Centrum, Dampkring on Haarlemerstraat, Greenhouse on Haarlemerstraat and Barney's -- not to buy, but to evaluate and then choose which one to buy from. I chose Cheese from Dampkring - 1 gram at 13 Euros. (This was one of the budtender's recommendations.) The color was lime green, as is typical of pictures of this strain. The pistils are not very prominent in color -- very few if any red or orange hairs. And the buds were fairly compact, though still not completely dry.
(So I was FINALLY going to try the fabled Cheese. I had first heard about it on a December '05 trip, when talking to some American holdovers from the Cannabis Cup earlier in November. Apparently it had made quite a splash. And in 2008 people seem to be saying its everywhere in Amsterdam. If '05 was the year of the Haze in Amsterdam, and '06 was the year of the Kush, it seems that '07 is the year of the Cheese. We'll see if Cannabis Cup '08 brings something new trend.)
We decided to go Homegrown Fantasy for ME to smoke it - my girlfriend doesn't smoke. When we got there, she caught a bad vibe from some of the people, so we decided to go back to Dampkring. I however had preferred the more "organic" Homegrown Fantasy to the "colder" Dampkring.
We wound up our way picturesque Nieuwendijk, which flows nicely into Haarlemerstraat, which took us to Dampkring, and settled in on the second floor. Even though it sports a chillier, more contemporary feel, the newly redesigned shop is quite impressive. Definitely make a trip to the bathroom, with its futuristic fixtures and see through top-half walls.
The bartender let me borrow the glass bong, and put in some ice to boot. However, I didn't care much for the screen in the bowl, which I'd never seen before -- instead of a wire mesh, it was a thin piece of metal with holes punched through -- like the top of a salt shaker. Its probably better for larger loads -- not the precise small one hits that I favor. I did 10 bong hits in the span of 20 minutes, and then took a couple of good drags off a joint I rolled. The joint could have burned a bit better -- probably because I didn't have a grinder (I always forget to buy one first thing) and probably because the bud wasn't fully dry. Nevertheless, I did get very high, and can wholeheartedly recommend the Cheese from Dampkring.
Name: Cheese
Shop: Dampkring (Haarlemerstraat)
Price: 1 Gram, 13 Euros
Smell: Good
Smell (after it was ground up): Good
Crystals/Trichomes: Adequate
Taste: Smooth
Thursday, July 10, 2008
From Dam Square we crossed the tram tracks of Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, and then Spui and Singel to reach Grey Area. (Though I've been there many times, I never realized how close Grey Area is to Dam Square.) John wasn't there -- he was out of town for a few days. That was too bad as I wanted to say hello as he always recognizes me with a warm smile. I went with one of the budtender's recommendations -- and a very strong recommendation of a regular standing next to the counter -- and bought 1 gram of the Grey Haze for 11.50.
We then walked by Amnesia to see what was going on there -- I had read various reports in this forum that it was going through remodeling. It indeed was, and there was no area set off for sales as I had read. A woman stood in the doorway talking on a cell phone. This turned out to be the owner. She told me that the shop would re-open on Saturday. I asked her if she was indeed married to Barney, as I had heard. She made a point of saying that they were only friends, and that she had a coffee shop in Amsterdam way before him.
My girlfriend admitted that maybe Homegrown Fantasy was a more pleasant shop than Dampkring on Haarlemerstraat, so we went there so I could try out the Grey Haze. On the way there I bought a grinder at one of the "tourist" stores on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. It was a solid aluminum one (without a sieve), similar to the one I have in the States, and it only cost 13 Euros. A similar one costs at least 25 at one of the head shops on Warmoestraat or Damstraat.
By the time we got to Homegrown Fantasy, it was raining. (This was typical, as during our stay in Amsterdam, it was overcast about half the time, and sunny the other half.) For us it was a downer, as we planned to sit outside as much as possible on this trip. However, we sat inside by the big open window, and really, this was just as good. I ordered drinks, a spliff (out of courtesy) and borrowed their glass bong. This bong was more of a "Roor" type -- a bowl that had a tiny hole and didn't need a screen. It worked better than the one at Dampkring -- nice full hits. I examined the Grey Haze, and it looked like good kind bud -- green with bright red pistil hairs. Nicely dried. I ground it up, rolled a joint and left the rest of it in a pile on the table. In the span of about 25 minutes, I did 15 bong hits, and took a couple of drags off the joint, and encountered -- disappointment. I was high, but not very. So I can't recommend the Grey Haze. Grey Area usually has some fantastic bud, but they have their fair share of klunkers as well.
Shop: Grey Area
Name: Grey Haze
Price: 1 Gram, 11.50 Euros
Smell: Good
Smell (after it was ground up): Good
Crystals/Trichomes: Adequate
Taste: Smooth
Friday, July 11, 2008
We went to Greenhouse on Haarlemerstraat, and I bought the Train Wreck, recommended by the budtender. This is a famous strain that I had never tried, but wanted to. (My buddy had smoked it a lot courtesy the medical marijuana clubs when he spent a summer surfing up and down the California coast.) Greenhouse sells Train Wreck seeds as one of their strains as well. I bought 1 gram for 11. This was good looking kind bud - green with bright red pistil hairs. Nicely dried.
We then went to Siberie for outdoor seating, but there were no seats, so we walked around the corner to Rokerij and sat under the canopy, which was the next best thing. I borrowed their bong (which was PVC, unfortunately) and rolled a joint. I did about 15 hits off the bong, and took a few hits off a joint that I had rolled. This was another disappointment. This probably wasn't the best of batches. And a personal streak ended with Greenhouse -- this was the first time that one of their strains failed me.
Name: Train Wreck
Shop: Greenhouse (Haarlemerstraat)
Price: 1 Gram, 11 Euros
Smell: Good
Smell (after it was ground up): Good
Crystals/Trichomes: Adequate
Taste: Smooth
Saturday, July 12, 2008
We walked to Katsu, and the visit was the first time I had the pleasure to check out this nice coffee shop. At the recommendation of the budtender, I bought the Big Buddha Cheese -- 1.9 grams for 20. Apparently, Big Buddha is an actual person (and seed bank) in England who, according to his account in Red Eye magazine #18, crossed Cheese with an Afghani to produce Big Buddha Cheese.
We chose Amnesia as the place for me to sample it, and took a slow leisurely walk back, winding our way past Rembrantplein, down Kalverstraat and through Dam Square to the coffee shop. Upon closer examination, the Big Buddha Cheese looked and smelled a lot like the first cheese I bought -- compact, lime green nuggs with few bright pistils. However, it was a bit better dried than the first cheese. I borrowed the shop bong, and rolled a joint. While workmen were putting the finishing touches on the re-opened shop, I proceeded to do 11 bong hits in rapid succession, followed by a few drags off the joint to get a "fuller" taste, and was done. Big Buddha Cheese got me plenty high, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The new decor of Amnesia was very tastefully done in a "futuristic" tone, in somewhat the same vein as Dampkring on Haarlemerstraat, but in its own unique, personal style. Black-toned wallpaper. I have to admit however, that I had a certain fondness for the woodsy, organic Amnesia of old. And I didn't care for how the entrance/exit in back is now closed off -- the bar extends to the wall. I'll be open-minded and see if the new decor grows on me. Say it -- CHANGE IS GOOD.
Name: Big Buddha Cheese
Shop: Greenhouse (Haarlemerstraat)
Price: 1.9 Grams, 20 Euros
Smell: Good
Smell (after it was ground up): Good
Crystals/Trichomes: Adequate
Taste: Smooth
Sunday, July 13, 2008
This was going to be our day to fly out, but in managing to get my girlfriend to her flight on time -- we were flying out to separate destinations -- I missed my flight. I got put on standby for the next day, and took the train back to Centraal Station. Frantically, at 5:00 P.M., I searched for a hotel room and couldn't find a vacancy (for my price range) at the first three places I tried. I contemplated sleeping the night on a bench at Centraal Station or Schipol. Finally, someone recommended Hotel Mevlana on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal (just around the corner from Dam Square), and I found a nice, clean room for 50 Euros.
With two more days in Amsterdam, I made my way to Basjoes, tucked away nicely across the canal from the Muziektheater. I walked in and introduced myself to one of the owners, Leo. I went in really wanting to use a bong, but gave in and let Leo sell me a joint of the Sensi White Widow for 4 Euros instead. This was a mistake on my part, as I don't really get high off of joints only, and this was no exception.
Name: Sensi White Widow
Shop: Basjoes
Price: 1 Joint, 4 Euros
Smell: n/a
Smell (after it was ground up): n/a
Crystals/Trichomes: n/a
Taste: Smooth
Monday, July 14, 2008
From Hotel Mevlana, I crossed Dam Square to Greenhouse Centrum. I had seen their Bubble Mania ice-o-lator hash, and was thinking of buying it. I was looking for some true full-melt bubble hash, like the stuff I was shown at a seed bank a few years back. Hash that bubbled; meaning of a such a purity that it didn't burn, but rather melted when heat was applied. I had purchased a variety of ice hashes at various coffee shops over the last few years, some real good, some just good, and frankly, I don't remember any of them sizzling, melting or bubbling, only burning. So I felt I was on a quest.
When I got there, I asked the dealer if he was fine with selling me a half gram of Bubble Mania ice-o-lator hash, and he was. I paid 32.50 for a half (normally 65 a gram). I left for a walk around town and came back a little later to smoke it.
I made my way to the bar and asked the bartender whether I could borrow a bong. As she went to get it, it occurred to me that the bartender had a remarkable resemblance to my girlfriend, who was now long gone. This threw me for a little loop. It also occurred to me that hygiene might be an issue with using bongs. While I was contemplating this, she came back with the bong filled with water. I asked her whether the bong was clean, and she told me that they were washed twice a day. This wasn't very reassuring, so I made a mental note to myself to be sure to bring antiseptic wipes on my next visit.
I looked over and saw that my favorite indoor spot was free -- the table by the window at the right when you first walk in. I walked over, sat down and pulled the baggy out to give the hash a good look. After sitting in my pocket for a little while, the Bubble Mania was so sticky that it was actually stuck very HARD to the inside of the baggie. It took me 15 or 20 seconds to pry it free. I showed it to some guys from Spain sitting at the table next to me. One of them guessed it to be a Himalayan import -- Indian or Nepalese. And indeed it did look and feel like it -- almost black and very malleable. But clearly this was a domestic product.
I broke off a small chunk and put it in the bowl. I struck the wheel of the lighter and watched the tip of the flame dance on the chunk, and slowly the chunk started bubbling, and melting away. Meanwhile, smoke started filling up the bong, and I inhaled, held it for a short moment, and exhaled a thick stream out. I took a look, and indeed, this was full-melt bubble hash. There was no ash -- just a little sticky layer of resin left on the screen.
I picked up the hash chunk and broke off another small piece and placed it in the bowl. As I lighted it, I began to be a little more aware of my surroundings. I tried to pick up pieces of the conversation in Spanish next to me, though I can't speak the language. Re-load; re-light. I observed the 60-something shaven head bouncer and wondered whether I could be as cool as him when I got to his age. Another piece; a new hit. As I looked through the window, I realized how people were grooving with the outdoors in the pleasant summer weather. Things were beginning to feel a little surreal now, and I loaded up again, and took in a nice fat hit. The Spanish guys were now checking out my bong, and one of them asked if they could borrow it when I was done. Only a couple of them knew English, but there still was a camraderie that comes from being in that place called high. Re-load; re-light. Now things were VERY surreal. Thoughts and ideas started to flood and rush a little quickly; I popped another small piece in, and took in another strong flood of smoke.
After six hits, I had reached my limit. This was a personal best -- I have ALWAYS been able smoke at LEAST 8 hits off a bong. That's not to say this was the most potent smoke I've ever had, only that I reached my limit much sooner than normal. Ironically, missing my plane actually provided me an opportunity to smoke the best cannabis of the trip.
Name: Bubble Mania
Shop: Greenhouse Centrum
Price: .5 Gram, 32.50 Euros
Smell: Good
Smell (after it was ground up): n/a
Crystals/Trichomes: n/a
Taste: Smooth
I bid farewell to my Spanish buddies, gave them the rest of the hash (a nice chunk), and told them to check the menu to see what it was I was giving them. Not too many people will spend that kind of money on any kind of cannabis, and I don't blame them. But I had to unload it -- I never risk taking anything back to the States (given the country's asinine attitude) as some of you British lads who frequent this forum do at times when returning to the UK.
There was a seat for me on the standby flight later that day, and I finally had to say goodbye, at least temporarily, to Amsterdam.
Did I say: I Love Amsterdam!!
The rankings:
1. Bubble Mania, Greenhouse Centrum, .5 Gram/32.50
2. Cheese, Dampkring (Haarlemerstraat), 1 Gram/13
3. Big Buddha Cheese, Katsu, 1.9 Grams/20
4. Train Wreck, Greenhouse (Haarlemerstraat), 1 Gram/11
5. Grey Haze, Grey Area, 1 Gram/11.50
6. Sensi White Widow, Basjoes, 1 Joint/4
Total Cannabis Cost: 92 Euros over 6 days (average 15.33 per day)
Katsu was added to my list of "trusted" Coffee Shops:
Amnesia
Barney's
Greenhouse
Dampkring/Tweede Kamer
Grey Area
Bluebird
Dolphins
Katsu
(By "trusted" I mean trusted in quality, not necessarily in value.)
And I added 7 new Coffee Shops to the ones I have already visited (44 visited total):
Siberie
Greenhouse (Haarlemerstraat)
Basjoes
Katsu
Goa
Old Church
Homegrown Fantasy
Some final thoughts:
There are trips when I feel that Amsterdam cannabis is definitively better than the States, and other trips where I feel that it is only on par. On this trip I felt that it was only on par. That doesn't mean that Amsterdam bud is getting worse, only that my availability of quality in the States has gotten better. I can say that without a doubt, I had a Super Skunk before and a Head Band after this trip that were much better than the bud I just had in Amsterdam. Only the Bubble Mania on the last day (fortunately) was in the same league.
As to how this Cannabis compared to other Amsterdam visits, I would say it was middling, but in the lower half.
!!JOhnny J!!
