After some advice for a first timer to amsterdam

Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Post the details here.
Tog
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After some advice for a first timer to amsterdam

Post by Tog »

Hey new member here and looking for some advice to aid me plan my first trip to amsterdam with a few friends.

To give you a bit of back ground im 27 and used to smoke weed quite heavily every night and in lunch breaks at work. I then kicked the weed and about a year later kicked tobacco after about 13 years of smoking :p

I have now after about two-three years returned to the way of the weed ;) but only occaisonally smoke it.
One of my companions joining me on the trip is a similiar smoker to me. Of the other two one doesnt smoke at all and the other used to smoke along time ago and plans to have some in amsterdam.

Now on to my questions, i have tried searching but i either make the search to specific and get no matches or too vague and have hundreds ha ha. So apologies if any of this has been previously heavily covered.

-Being a vague smoker now, when my friend and myself have a smoke we pretty much without fail end up in complete hysterics. Giggles are normal but we often cry with laughter. Is this acceptable in coffee shops or because we know we are prone to this would it be best to have a smoke and move on before it sets in? I dont wish to be one of the arrogant tourists that makes it just that little bit worse for other people who travel to amsterdam.

-Along the same lines as above we do wish to visit other areas too like the zoo etc. Is it frowned apon to have smoked before going to heavily public areas. Ultimately im looking at having a good time without offending anyone.

-Is there anything that is classed as normal here in the uk that would be very much of bad taste to do in amsterdam. (none of the people going are your stereotypical larger lout/yobs)

-Would people be kind enough to recommend which strains light smokers should be looking at please. I do wish to remember a little bit of my visit ;)

-Would i be correct in saying the best way from the airport to closer to the centre of amsterdam is by train or does it really depend on where you are staying?


Again sorry if these are heavily covered topics but am very greatful to anyone who takes the time to give me some advice :P
Last edited by Tog on Wed 8th Jul 2009 11:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.


keith-303
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Post by keith-303 »

I am in the same boat as you, except i have only knocked it on the head recently. my motivation is that if I stay off it I will reward myself with a trip to the dam every 6 months!

The last time I was there was a few years ago and we went to the heiniken museum with a serious dose of red eye, but no-one seemed to mind. either that or i was totally oblivious to the stares! As far as im aware, if you keep yourself to yourself and dont act too 'british tourist overseas' then you wont get too much hassle.

When are you going over?
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StonedSince67
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Post by StonedSince67 »

Tog wrote:Being a vague smoker now, when my friend and myself have a smoke we pretty much without fail end up in complete hysterics. Giggles are normal but we often cry with laughter.
it's ok to laugh and cry
Tog wrote:Along the same lines as above we do wish to visit other areas too like the zoo etc. Is it frowned apon to have smoked before going to heavily public areas. Ultimately im looking at having a good time without offending anyone.
it is not frowned upon to have smoked before going to heavily public areas, but it is frowned upon to smoke in heavily public areas or places where there are children
Tog wrote:Is there anything that is classed as normal here in the uk that would be very much of bad taste to do in amsterdam. (none of the people going are your stereotypical larger lout/yobs)
imo remember you are a guest of the country and be polite and respectful of others and you will be fine
Tog wrote:Would people be kind enough to recommend which strains light smokers should be looking at please. I do wish to remember a little bit of my visit
there are the old hippie weed varieties of thai or jamaican, you can also find african which is similar

of the modern varieties orange bud is a nice refreshing smoke of medium strength, try basjoe for a good example
Tog wrote:Would i be correct in saying the best way from the airport to closer to the centre of amsterdam is by train or does it really depend on where you are staying?
the train is cheap, frequent and does not take very long, that will take you to centraal station and you can catch a tram from there to your hotel, remember that you need to buy a ticket before boarding the train
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bennybacker
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Post by bennybacker »

You can tell you havn't been before and you have all the worries I had before I went.

I literally couldn't believe Amsterdam when I first visited it's no use trying to compare it to the UK as it's nothing like here.

It's so relaxed and all the things your worried about are no problem over thier honestly just chill and you will enjoy a lot more.

One thing I will say tho is treat the coffeeshops like a mate's house you know have respect take your hat off ect when you go in. But reagrds laughing they want you too that means your having a good time
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bennybacker
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Post by bennybacker »

Regarding weed the cannabis cup winner Super Lemon Haze from the Greenhouse was to die for last time I was thier
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liquidSwords
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Post by liquidSwords »

Just be respectful and you will have fun, i

Apart from what SS67 said, make sure not to feed the animals at the zoo with your purchases from coffeeshops, lol, and watch out for them bloody cyclists!!!!....
Excuse me while I light my Spliff.....
Tog
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Post by Tog »

Thank you for the replies.

Thank you StonedSince'67 for your detailed responses. Thank you for recommending basjoe for the orange bud.
Having read a couple of peoples reviews on that shop it looks like a good place for noob's to visit too so will probably make that my first stop.

Im looking at going early august but no definate dates set yet.

Is there a sticky thread for completely newby questions or am i better off just asking them.... :p

Thanks again for responses.
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StonedSince67
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Post by StonedSince67 »

Tog wrote:... or am i better off just asking them
yes just ask
Tog
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Post by Tog »

Are grinders readily available to purchase in coffee shops?

Because of the smoking ban now in force i understand you can use something else. A herbal mix i think? What is this actually called?
I would prefer to use this even tho there are smoking rooms to use tobacco in as i dont want the nicotine :p

Am i right in saying that pre rolled joints are usually made from the bottom scrapings or is this just a myth?

Im sure i will think of more:p
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TwoCanucks
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Post by TwoCanucks »

Tog wrote:Are grinders readily available to purchase in coffee shops?

Because of the smoking ban now in force i understand you can use something else. A herbal mix i think? What is this actually called?
I would prefer to use this even tho there are smoking rooms to use tobacco in as i dont want the nicotine :p

Am i right in saying that pre rolled joints are usually made from the bottom scrapings or is this just a myth?

Im sure i will think of more:p
You can grab a 5e grinder just about anywhere at souvineir shops, and almost any coffee shop will have some free ones to use.

I buy 1 to grind back at the pad.

Enjoy!
Amsterdam dreaming.............
Ingwey Gooblebogger
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Post by Ingwey Gooblebogger »

Tog,

As the other have said, common sense and courtesy work, no matter what country you visit.

As for the smoke, again common sense dictates. Start off slowly. Roll small joints and only take a few tokes. Then wait 15 minutes. If not at desired level, then repeat until you are having fun.

IMO, if you only smoke in places where is it kosher, then you should have no problems.

Have fun!
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puffpuffgive
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Post by puffpuffgive »

prerolls vary wildly in quality. If you can roll, you probably should.
ik hou van amsterdam
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skilth/karlos
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Re: After some advice for a first timer to amsterdam

Post by skilth/karlos »

Tog wrote:Hey new member here and looking for some advice to aid me plan my first trip to amsterdam with a few friends.

To give you a bit of back ground im 27 and used to smoke weed quite heavily every night and in lunch breaks at work. I then kicked the weed and about a year later kicked tobacco after about 13 years of smoking :p

I have now after about two-three years returned to the way of the weed ;) but only occaisonally smoke it.
One of my companions joining me on the trip is a similiar smoker to me. Of the other two one doesnt smoke at all and the other used to smoke along time ago and plans to have some in amsterdam.

Now on to my questions, i have tried searching but i either make the search to specific and get no matches or too vague and have hundreds ha ha. So apologies if any of this has been previously heavily covered.

-Being a vague smoker now, when my friend and myself have a smoke we pretty much without fail end up in complete hysterics. Giggles are normal but we often cry with laughter. Is this acceptable in coffee shops or because we know we are prone to this would it be best to have a smoke and move on before it sets in? I dont wish to be one of the arrogant tourists that makes it just that little bit worse for other people who travel to amsterdam.

-Along the same lines as above we do wish to visit other areas too like the zoo etc. Is it frowned apon to have smoked before going to heavily public areas. Ultimately im looking at having a good time without offending anyone.

-Is there anything that is classed as normal here in the uk that would be very much of bad taste to do in amsterdam. (none of the people going are your stereotypical larger lout/yobs)

-Would people be kind enough to recommend which strains light smokers should be looking at please. I do wish to remember a little bit of my visit ;)

-Would i be correct in saying the best way from the airport to closer to the centre of amsterdam is by train or does it really depend on where you are staying?

Again sorry if these are heavily covered topics but am very greatful to anyone who takes the time to give me some advice :P
- I was 20 when I first went to Amsterdam and I only smoke weed back here in the UK mabe once or twice a month. I went with 4 other lads who were the same age, of which 3 of them had never smoked weed before in their life. When we arrived we litteraly chucked our baggage in the hostle and went for a well deserved J. The lads all purchased a gram of super silver haze which i must say completely fcuked them up, I on the other hand decided to start on the old Temple Balls (hash) and enjoyed a very nice high :P We were wandering the Red Light District and Dam square giggling like little school boys (Good Times). Looking back perhaps people may have stared and laughed at us but ultimatly i think people just thought we were tourists having a good time.

- Whilst in Amsterdam for the week I cant emphasise enough that people should go and visit the museums!! We went to the porn museum, madam tusaudes, the dungeon, Ann Franks and a few others, of which i was completely high the whole time. Going to the dungeon completly baked is a MUST!! such a laugh, but be respectfull as there are children and families etc.

- When it comes to finding out what buds will put you on your ass or give you a nice happy high id suggest just taking 5-10mins to talk to the bud tender for his opinion. He will recomend somthing and who knows may give you a good deal. Throughout the day mabe keep to some light strains and then in the evening go for a chair locker!! :)

- When you land in Schipol airport and have collected your bags you will notice escalators going into the basement of the airport, The trains are very self explanitory and i would suggest using them to get back and forth. If i remember correctly it was around 3.50euros each way.

If there is anything else you wish to know, please feel free to just ask man :) I cant wait to go back in September :P Roll on
Im as bored as a midget in a theame park!
Tog
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Post by Tog »

Thanks soo much for the awesome advice people. The more information i have the more i feel confident about the whole thing.

I have read many times that the best people to speak to about the products are the bud tenders themselves as they know their product best.

What is the mix called that is used instead of tabacco?

I have to say skilth/karlos that "chair locker" is a superb saying!!! :) and what is The Dungeon that you reffered to?

Still a bit paranoid about the laughter thing tho. I really cant stress enough that we do often end up having to go to different rooms to calm down. :p
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StonedSince67
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Post by StonedSince67 »

Tog wrote:Still a bit paranoid about the laughter thing tho. I really cant stress enough that we do often end up having to go to different rooms to calm down.
i suggest you go to vondelpark, it's big enough for quite a few laughing stoners
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