October 9th - October 14th

Kaiser Saucy · Post by **Kaiser Saucy** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 03:43 pm

Well i've taken the plunge and booked my first ever solo holiday

I remember posting a thread on solo trips ages ago & plenty of you seemed to enjoy them, a friend ended up deciding to meet me there that time though so i didn't have to face up to a solo trip.

Im just hoping i have as good a time as some of you have had going on your own. Im probably going to stay at the flying pig, seems the liveliest of the hostels & they have a lot of facilities for the prices.

I'll be arriving in the Dam around 9am, gonna head to whichever hostel i choose first and drop my bag off, then it's off to picasso's to start things off. Im up for meeting up with people for a smoke and a few beers

Bit nervous about my first solo trip so kill off any doubts for me.....give me some more about how much you've enjoyed going solo

echc1 · Post by **echc1** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 03:51 pm

solo...you get in where bug groups don't,move around easier,budtenders remember you, and you don't have to apologize for others plus you get to do what YOU want to do/go to.. and not listen to the group moaner going on how we all got good smoke except him...leave yer worries behind and enjoy

Kermit · Post by **Kermit** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 04:08 pm

echc1 wrote:solo...you get in where bug groups don't,move around easier,budtenders remember you, and you don't have to apologize for others plus you get to do what YOU want to do/go to.. and not listen to the group moaner going on how we all got good smoke except him...leave yer worries behind and enjoy

deffo

NirvanaEJ · Post by **NirvanaEJ** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 05:03 pm

been there twice before and i wouldnt mind going solo at all, having the freedom to do whatever or just nothing and get ripped is the best

i havent yet done vondelpark or some other things ppl on here said were fun, so going alone would give me the chance, but alas as most of us no $$ for it

Ash333 · Post by **Ash333** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 05:21 pm

My first ever trip was solo, but I had some mates living out there at the time which made it easier as I wasnt all alone if something went wrong, and I had people to go for beers with. I'd suggest staying at the Flying Pig Uptown, as its cheap and cheerful and you'll meet loads of people. smoker friendly, but I've not been since the tobacco ban so I don't know if anythings changed

I find the advantages of being alone are great, coz if I want to go to any shop/cafe/restaurant I go for it, no persuading people that its only 10 mins walk etc...

Kaiser Saucy · Post by **Kaiser Saucy** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 05:38 pm

Cheers people...the pig uptown is cheaper than downtown, but then it does look a bit of a trek into centrum where most of my favourite shops are, anyone know how long it takes to get from say, dam sqaure to vondelpark?

The pig looks like a pretty good social place although you cant smoke inside at all now, apparently you have to go out onto their patio's, staff say they have seating, covers and heaters though.

Im def heading to Basjoe's on my 1st morning, i've heard excellent things about it from this place & friends of mine. Nes Cafe will have to be checked out...how much are the beers & are they proper pints?

A trip in Vondelpark will be lined up for day 2 i think, fingers crossed the weather behaves itself.

Amsterdam.....here i come

Kermit · Post by **Kermit** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 05:42 pm

^^Tram 10mins^^

Ash333 · Post by **Ash333** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 06:54 pm

get a bike. will cost around 10 euros per day. everywhere is 5 mins

Kaiser Saucy · Post by **Kaiser Saucy** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 07:23 pm

I think a bike would be more hinderance than help as the day went on + it would just be cheaper to pay extra and stay at downtown rather than stick 50 euro on top of uptowns prices for the loan of a bike....the old boneshakers the Dutch use, they have a cheek charging 10 euro anyway. cheers for the suggestion though.

Trams are ok now and then, but i think you miss a lot zipping round the city on those things, there are all sorts of interesting little places you can find by wandering around.

coffee shops, late bars, etc all seem so much thinner on the ground out there. And if the tram is 10mins, i guess that could translate as 30-40min walk which would be a real drag if i just needed to pop back to the hostel for something. All in all, downtown is starting to look the best option.

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 07:50 pm

Bikes are great outside the centrum, they can be a hassle inside. I'd get a strippenkaart and use the tram when you need to zip around. Walking is a good way to explore. Cycling around Vondelpark is pretty fun and you can explore other areas of the city, ie de Pijp.

OneForTheRoad · Post by **OneForTheRoad** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 08:01 pm

If your going solo, no one will ever know if you've any purchased services from one the ladies in the RLD.

NirvanaEJ · Post by **NirvanaEJ** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 08:13 pm

i stayed at the FP downtown, good place especially if you are alone, they serve a light breakfast and have a bar

Kaiser Saucy · Post by **Kaiser Saucy** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 10:33 pm

Onefortheroad - lol, i like window shopping but as for going and paying for it....i think i'll skip it

Nirvana - yeah i've seen some good reports, i've not discounted uptown yet though, one downside to the one near centraal is all the shady characters you see hanging round in gangs there, also it's about as far away from Basjoe's and dolphins as uptown is from picasso & the former Floyds.

Im probably gonna stay a bit nervy about it until i get there, drop my luggage off & get to a coffee shop - once i sit down with a drink and have a couple of tokes on some nice sativa....i think i'll settle down then

luthier · Post by **luthier** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 10:44 pm

Awesome, glad you took the plunge. I'll be back from London around the 10th or 11th and if you're at uptown i'll see ya there. Not long of a wait now.

BigRigRob · Post by **BigRigRob** » Tue 16th Sep 2008 11:25 pm

Have a great time & may the force be with you!