Up at 5:30am, showered, dressed and chillin' on the couch by 6:15am. BTW, for those that questioned the funky carpet under the rolling table - it was a leather strand carpet - not at all comfortable and quit ugly). Rollin' up a huge, pure and quite lovely Dutch doob of G13 X Haze from the evening run to Katsu last night. Of course sampling scraps and tidbits of ALL along the way. The new glass bowl needs to be broke in anyhow. Tough job. Nothin' like killin' a bunch of birds with one BIG stone. What a nice UP way to start the day too. Really brings the crisp visuals of the morning sunrise into sharp focus. A bit cloudy but not too cool. As always in Amsterdam, if you don't like the weather wait a few...
Some of you may be wondering WTF is up with the early rise. Anyone who knows me, knows I can't stand to waste 2 seconds, much less a minute of my time in Amsterdam passed out in bed. In pre-planning a supposed "arrival" meet was planned for Central CS at 8am. Being the first time to Amsterdam for the wife, I figured she should have some space for the first day before bombarding her with all of my Amsterdam Amigos. Thus the amigos thought we were arriving a day later than we actually did. Did you follow that? I digress...
Tram 3 east to the Wibautstraat Metro and we're strolling up to Central CS right at 8am sharp. No one else is there yet so we snag the front window seats and commence to tokin' away with our morning cappacinos. Does the morning get much better than this? God I love Central CS. "XXX" isn't exactly an UP way to start the day but it sure kicks ya back into a nice mellow state to go with the flow. We are on vacation afterall. The G13 and a walk will bring us round sooner or later.
8:30am is here and no one shows. We agree to hold out another half hour and up comes our bud jjk4h from the Channels Forum, on a bike no less. We've met the last 2 years and now a 3rd, at Central, with doobs in hand. The first time I've beat him to the punch though. The final G13 X Haze doob is now "in session" and we're off into tales of god knows what. Good times is all I can recall with clarity. 20 minutes later, Mike & Nancy show up from HIP Forums and the party is officially started. The 5 of us are content as can be to be sharing our G13 X Haze, and by this point "XXX" doobs with Cheshire Grins all the way round. 5 people is perfect for hangin' at the front Window of Central CS. The place has never been about space, but rather that killer "hustle & bustle" Stationsplein vibe. Bikes whizzing by, dogs waiting for their owners to come outta the shops, street musicians, aaaahhhhh...
The post-meet plan is to kick these 24hour IAMsterdam passes into gear. As we begin discussion our buddy Mike states we've gotta, GOT to check out the Maritime Museum or Sheepvart Museum(affectionally referred to as the "Shit Fart" Museum by yours truely), lol.
We not too grudgingly accept our friends' advice and out the front of Central CS and a sharp right up Prins Hendrikkade for a leisurely and well stoned stroll. Our buddy Mike is a History major so we get the lowdown on the "Crying Tower", the old meeting house of the city planners and other attractions along the way. 15-20 minutes later we arrive but they don't open until 10am. The half hour wait is laid to waste by shooting some pics and being giddy over the fact we're in Amsterdam. We're soon the first in line and in.
The Amsterdam, the resurrected ship sitting in the harbour, is the first order of business and it is the highlight of the place for us. We must've been the first ones onboard in the am and had the place largely to ourselves for the first half hour. A great way to start the day and some pretty cool insight into how a ship from that era went about it's business. Glad to have fit it in. Recommended. Thanks Mike!
Got done with the ship tour and ventured into the Museum only to end up getting seperated from everyone. Nice to take in a musician playing some classical ditty's while we waited to see if the others showed. The others failed to show after a half hour so we agreed to bail for greener pastures. We're gonna hook up with these guys later for some fondue at Cafe Bern in Nieuwmarkt and drinks to follow at Excalibur in the RLD. At least that was the "plan".
We make our way on foot to the Pancake Bakery on Prinsengracht. About the time we hit Harlemerstraat the wife and I are gettin' into it due to hunger pains. Don't ya just love these types of arguements? Anyhow, we hash it out and I remember St. Michaels Shop next to Al's Plaice on Nieuwendijk for a couple freshly prepared Old Amsterdam sandwiches for 2.50 euro a pop. Nice way to solve the hunger issue as we enjoy them on the bench outside of The Doors on the Singel. Sun shinin' in our happy little stoned faces. After the meal we tried to find our bud Birdman's houseboat off of Brouwersgracht to no avail. Then off to Amnesia for a well-deserved buzz.
Having not been to Amnesia since last April/May I wasn't expecting the remodel job with the dealers counter moved from the back to the front. Not the end of the world by any means, but also not a good move imo due to traffic buildup in the front part of the shop. Seems a smaller space as well. This aside, Sissi was more than crodial and proceeded to take quality time in showing me the top wares of the day. Settled on something "sweet" for the wife in the form of "White Light", a nice White Widow X Bubblegum cross. And I asked for something well cured and top notch stoney. Sissi provided something not on the menu which was "Burmise Kush". Don't know if I got too many pics of this one but it was a nice heavy Indica. Not really "Kush" as I recall though. Seeing's how the Volcano was free I grind up a couple of bags of White Light to get us preped for the Tram ride to Hortus Botanicus. Preped we are. DAMN! There ain't nothin' like the high of gettin' vapoed up to the nines and trying to walk along those canals. Good to be home.
We head South on Herengracht and take the obilgatory sharp left on Oude Leilestraat to see what's up at Grey Area. Too packed so we hit Puccinni acorss the straat. The phuckin' chick is on the phone for like 5min and can't be bothered to lift her head to acommodate. Nothin' left to do but the 180 shuffle out the front door. Albert Heijn or the Albert Cuyp has better chocolate for cheaper anyhow. Off to the Hortus via Tram 9.
The funniest thing happened on the way to the gardens. We were walking North along the canal that runs parallel to the Hortus when I looked over at a couple of Seagulls pearhced on some Sea Posts along the canal. I swear, this one Seagull looks straight at me, tilts his head to the side, back straight and totally BUSTS OUT laughing, only like a seagull can. Sounded exactly like a huge, loud belly laugh. Man, I'm still kickin' myself for not catchin' it on video. I bsuted out as well, F'n hilarious! Only in Amsterdam. Maybe the weed was helpin' but times were grande regardless.
If you haven't been to the Hortus Boatnicus, do yourself a favor and get there soon. Make sure it's a nice warm, sunny day though. Increrdible gardens and not so walking intensive as Kuekenhof. Another "video coming soon" topic. We spend a good hour or two here before heading over to the Pollinator Co. for some "original" Dutch Ice-O-Lator Hash. Another "must stop" place while in Amsterdam. Mila and her staff are absolute tops and you'll not regret a visit and perhaps sample some wares. The place is hoppin' pre-Queens and I only have time to shake the masters hand and exchange a few pleasentries in passing. The new dude helping me is a gem and unfortuantely I can't recall his name but we come away with a nice stash of sweetness to warrant our stop. Chocolate shroom bars and eggs call out but I must resist.
Stop by jjk4h's pad along the Amstel but no one is around so onto HEMA, the Flower Market and Albert Heijn for some supplies before heading home to get ready for the evening. Stopped by the Dampkring to see what was up. Asked for the usual what's sweet and what's the top stoney picks. Upon viewing and smelling several choices the 180 was in effect once again. C'est La Vie. I think Dampkring and Tweede Kamer have been let downs the last couple of trips outside of Super Tbisla. No offense, simply honest.
After a chill and refresh we catch the Tram 3 to the Wibautstraat Metro and we're at the Niewumarkt by 7:15pm. Grab a couple a table on the terrace at Cafe Bern and wait for our dinner companions. No show as of 7:30pm and our table is a bit late so we wait until 7:50 or so before grabbin' our table and explaining the deliema to our waitress. Cafe Bern rocks and we get a prime spot, per our reservation, regardlss of our missing members. If you like cheese Fondue. Do NOT miss this place. We shared the greatest pot of Fondue and basket of baugets. Great vibe, great service and absolutely fantastic food.
The night was laid out before us and the RLD beckoned. Do a quick check for anyone familiar round Niuewmarkt. South across to Barndesteeg and over across to OZ Achterburgwal for the wife's intro to the RLD. What an intro it is too, although a bit dead compared to last year. Strange to walk with the wife thru these same streets. Many windows were either busy or vacant. We stop by Excalibur for a few brews and of course a doob. Can't remember what the doob was, but likely Burmise Kush or the like. Great music as always. Service was decent considering there was a football game on. Construction along the canal sucks. Will the contruction in Amsterdam EVER be finished? Check out the long sleeve shirts for 20 euro, great buy!
Continue our tour South along OZ Achterburgwaal and up down the Voorburgwal with a stop at Old Church CS, where we had the upstairs to ourselves with some Marley playin'. Nice stop before hittin' the Greenhouse Centrum for some Bubblegum and C13. Both very nice but a bit wet. Let them sit out over night and awoke to much better results.
Trammed it down South to the apartment and called it a night. Damn that F'n Sandman anyhow, but I did get up at 5:30am now.
Amsterdam 2006 Pics
Day Two - Wednesday - April 26th, 2006
Nice read Lc 
Good to see another guy who likes to be up and about in the AM - don't waste a second baby!
The Hortus Botanicus is another favourite spot of mine.....shhh don't be telling everyone about that gem!
Last time we were there we were fortunate to see the large water lily flowering which only happens for 1 day every few years.
I have read a lot of your reports on Channels too Lc and I love the enthusiasm that comes accross....it always sounds like you enjoy your time there very, very much.
Good to see another guy who likes to be up and about in the AM - don't waste a second baby!
The Hortus Botanicus is another favourite spot of mine.....shhh don't be telling everyone about that gem!
Last time we were there we were fortunate to see the large water lily flowering which only happens for 1 day every few years.
I have read a lot of your reports on Channels too Lc and I love the enthusiasm that comes accross....it always sounds like you enjoy your time there very, very much.
-
Underground Activist
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Thu 18th Aug 2005 02:40 pm
- Location: In a heap in glasgow
