. Hopping into the shower, I prayed that when I came out the rain would stop. See any other time, the rain would not be an Issue. After all, I am from a very wet country. Rain is part of my life. I should be used to it. But today is different, today is the day in which I get over my fear of cycling in Amsterdam, today is Ganjatour day
Luckily ( or fatefully ) the rains stopped while I was drying my locks, happy days
. I decided to treat myself to a barneys breakie, Apple, raisin and cinnamon pancakes and a few cups of tea were hungrily scoffed before making my way back to the Hotel to meet my Ganja-guide.
Half past 10am, on the dot, I met my guide out the front of the hotel. After a quick greeting, we were off to rent me a bike. My guide was very reassuring, telling me not to be worried, biking in Amsterdam is a great experience. Although he rides a motorized bike on a daily basis, he had left that at home, and opted for pedal power for the day. How cool, dudes willing to do manual labour, in an attempt to make me feel more comfortable. That’s a good start, I appreciate things like that.
We rented a bike from Fredricks bike rentals on the Breuwersgracht. €8 for 5 hours or so. They take an impression of your credit/debit card incase you decide not to return the bike. Friendly people working there. Once you have paid, you are given a receipt, and are sent round the corner to the Bike store bit to collect your wheels. I was given a chariot, lol. It was brown ( matched my top, trainers and hat,
) Typical Dutch bike , came equipped with the standard back wheel lock and a meaty chain type padlock( which I never used once 
), which the dude insisted on showing me how to use. While I was standing watching the guy turn a key, , My guide pointed out that the dude who was exiting a big Porsche 4x4 right next to us was Barney’s Founder Derry. Pointing out Prominent people in the Dutch cannabis scene would become a regular thing on our trip. My guide is quite obviously a knowledgeable chap 
Now, having got my wheels, we set off. I was given a brief lesson on what to do, and what not to do, before we set off for a coffee and a spliff at the GreenPlace. If I can remember the route, we headed onto Haarlemerstraat, left at the corner where the Herring stand is. Right, onto the main road which runs in front of Centraal Staition , into the small street which runs right down to Niewmarket square.
Then the fun began. I’ll be damned if I can get the rear wheel lock to, er, lock
. Eventually, I got it locked, and we went in. I got some sour diesel once more and a coke. When I returned to our window seat, my guide had his tub on the table, complete with one of the fattest nuggs of L.A. Confidential ive ever seen. We consumed a spliff each, passing back and forth, while having some very informative chats about Cannabis Culture in the Netherlands. Also, about how coffeeshops operate. Things like the backdoor problem and the Tax-fucking that owners have to put up with. Intriguing stuff. Drinks consumed, doobies nailed, we were off again.
Now I had to try and Cycle stoned to the bone
. This was the part I was dreading most. But as quick as the apprehension appeared, it subsided twice as fast. As soon as we got moving again, I was fine, over taking all the slowcoaches like it aint no thing . The breeze on my stoned mug was a great feeling. Our next destination was the free ferry at the back of Centraal Station. I have never, in 15 previous trips to Amsterdam, set foot out this side of the station. Shame on me. After waiting for a couple of minutes we were on our ferry. There is four jetties and one for the Hydrofoil to Ijmuiden ( sp). Thankfully I had my guide, who knew which one we had to get on. From one side to the other is like, 3 or 4 mins max. You ride onto one side, and ride off on the other.
On the other side, The thing that I noticed straight away, was that there was less hustle, for instance my guide and I were able to ride Side by Side and chat to each other without getting in peoples way. Less cars too. After a glorious 5 or so minute ride, we pulled up outside here
Het Filaal coffeeshop. Upon entering this shop, you are greeted with the counter in front of you, and a door to the right. If you are just picking up herb, then you get served at the counter. If you want to stay for a smoke, you get buzzed into the coffeeshop proper, and get served at the counter inside. There is a fingerprint entry System for locals, but my guide knew the owner, and we were in without any trouble
.The weed was very cheap, €7 a gram or less I think. One type of Polm for €6 a gram. I asked to have a wee peak at the Chocoloupe. The tub had some very pretty nugs, and a big ass tree -bud! I got a gram of that, and a gram of the polm for €7 and €6 respectively.
The shop itself is like a bar, with wooden fittings and some barstools. There were two dartboards if memory serves. Quite big inside. Out the back of the shop there is a beautiful terrace with maybe 8 tables and lots of seats. Hidden in the bushes at the bottom of the terrace is a statue of Liberty.
The Chocoloupe delivered a delightfully sativa buzz. The polm was smooth when smoked through my guides pipe. Very nice flavour for the €6 price tag. We sat here in full sunlight smoking and chatting for an hour or so. Such a nice peaceful spot to chill.
Upon leaving Het Filaal, our timing could not have been better, we rode straight on to our waiting ferry and were on our way back in one smooth motion.
Our next destination would be the Pollinator store, but not before one of the coolest parts of the trip. I was just following my guide, before I realised where we were. We were making our way through a maze of little bridges and paths which bring you out at the NERO. Awesome views every direction you looked. It was so much fun, at one point, I thought we were going to end up at a dead end when BOOM! We were back out in Amsterdam proper, outside the Pollinator shop. ( Since then, I have looked to see If I can plot our route, but I’ll be damned if I know where we went
)The pollinator shop was way cool, they have a tumbler in there which is so big, I just couldn’t fathom the quantities required to fill it. Scary shit
Unfortunately, the legend that is Mila, wasn’t there. But the dude that was , was friendly. He made my guide and I a tea/coffee while we toked up a few spliffs. And checked out our Stashes on the Microscope. Good fun. They also have a big display on a wall, covered in samples of Iceolator. ( My guide pointed out two which belonged to him, how cools that ?)
It’s, again, a very interesting place. A place I would never have thought of looking for. But one I am glad I paid a visit too.
Back on the ol’ chariot, and we were again, on the move. Cycling around De Pijp is much cooler than cycling in the Centrum. Coffeeshop Carmona was pointed out to me, Im gonna go there next trip so that was handy. Suddenly, we were in a street which was very peaceful, lots of green on each side of the road. Suddenly, my guide stopped, I stopped to and looked around. Then I saw it, we were right outside YOYO coffeeshop,
. Such a nondescript place, hidden behind a jungle of plants. I love it. Entering the Shop, I saw all the art which had appeared in Lems pictures from 420. The place is bright, clean, open and welcoming. The lady who served us was friendly and kind. I bought the Haze, and while still perusing the menu, one of the few customers in the shop shouted out something in Dutch, which my guide translated as “ that local is recommending that you try the Dame Blanche", so that was my second purchase. Ironicly, this was the last Dame Blanche bag in the shop, so maybe the Local regretted the recommendation, .We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed the peace. My guide had brought with him, his very own 14 week sativa , This shit was nice, really nice. Kinda fucked up any chance I had of enjoying the haze I bought, but I appreciated the smoke a lot.
It was suggested we go and grab something to eat, so back on the bikes and my guide led me to one of his local shops to get a tasty chicken Sandwich and some fruit juice. We sat on a bench outside the shop, munching and chilling. At this point, my guide pointed out one of his friends, the owner of the Katsu Coffeeshop. The guy ( I forget his name) invited us for a smoke-out at Katsu after he had been to pick up some clones. How cool is that
All munched up, my guide offered to show me where Papillion was. We rode for what felt like 1 minute, then we were there. It must have been close, ether that, or I was still very high from that 14week sativa
. Papillion is in a great little area, Black outside with bright blue, neon sign. Upon entering the shop, the counter is on the Left and the big, comfy looking smoking room on the right. I recall reading that this shop is known for its hash, so I take a look at the ZeroZero hash. Lovely lightblond maroc. Pungent, floral and fudge-like in consistency. €9 a gram I believe. From there, we set off to get blazed at the Katsu.
Once we got to the Katsu, my guide grabbed our drinks, and I posted up at the Verdamper. Determined to try this piece of kit. I told my guide as much so he showed me how it works. He packed the chamber with his L.A.Con, and put the heating element on the top.
A quick few puffs on the whip, and it was passed to me. I sucked, and sucked, and sucked, then passed it back. My guide done the same then returned the whip. I repeated the process. Suddenly my guide started laughing
. Turns out I had been doing the same as him, despite the fact he smokes them all the time, and I don’t. He found this very funny, as the full weight of the L.A.Con hit me. I was fucked. Literally fucked. What’s worse, is the realisation that its now almost half past 4 PM, none of us realised the time since we had been having a great time. So now I had to ride from the Katsu all the way back up to Fredericks. At least I had my guide to keep me right. So we set off, bombing along canal sides, jumping red lights and swerving round the slowcoaches. Them cobbles are gruesome on the arse when you start cycling fast
. We got to Fredericks in minutes, it really is amazing how fast you can get around Amsterdam on a bike
There was no extra charge for going over my time, just a smile and a “ no problem “ from the dude in Fredericks.
I bid my Ganjatour Guide goodbye till next time, and thanked him for showing me a whole new side to Amsterdam I had never seen.
When I first thought about booking a Ganjatour, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it, simply because I have been to Amsterdam so many times, I didn’t think it would be worthwhile. How wrong I was
I have been given a whole new motivation for future trips. I now feel that If I don’t rent a bike next trip, I wont enjoy myself as much.
Also, if like me, you find yourself popping between the same 5 or 6 shops all the time, or eating at the same places. Maybe you get home, upload your pictures and notice they are all similar to the last trips pictures. Maybe, you are so unmotivated, you don’t know how to get out of the centrum. Then without a doubt, a Ganjatour could just be the answer.
