Up at 5:50am, showered, dressed and doin' some journaling from the previous day by 6:30am. Man, for the life of me this shit gets tougher and tougher to do as the days unfold. Thoroughly baked on a bit of everything we've accumulated to this point. A routine that would be conisitent throughout the remainder of the stay. No wonder it gets tough.
While the wife gets ready I hop Tram 3 East and then 4 North to Rembrandtplein to swing by a friends' pad to see what happened with missing our reservations the previous night. Make it there about 8:15am and what a beautiful morning it is. Something about a nice bright morning sun reflecting off the Amstel. Anyhow, I touch base, we smoke more something I had along and confirm to meet at Bike City over by Westerkerk to rent bikes. Cool. Back to the apartment via the same route. Grab the wife back to Rembrandtplein and then Tram 14 to Westerkerk. What a morning!
Turns out that Tram 14 end up stopping for at the Royal Palace intersection for like 20min (i shit you not) while they switched tracks or something. We're late for our Bike Rental meet by an hour. Thankfully when we arrive our friends are sitting on a bench and not bothered in the least by our lateness. Just takin' in the beautiful morning. Something about Amsterdam brings out the best in people at times.
Bike City absolutely rocks for rentals. Friendly, helpful, efficient and reasonably priced. Nice bikes without the touristy logos too.We opted a few euros more for the 3-Speed, Hand Brake version with a little cushier seat, but not much. Ouch! No pain no gain though. Life is grande with a bike in Amsterdam people. Can't believe I waited so long to tackle the proposition. Having not been on a bike in at least 15 years it was an adjustment to get started, but you know what they say... It's like riding a bike. That said, if you see some tall, long haired, freaky dude comin' at ya on a bike. Look OUT! Pics to come soon. lol
We try and hit the Pancake Bakery around 10:45am or so and they're not open until Noon. We're starting to think the Pancake Bakery is not meant to be. Being up for some biking and also being a bit chilled from being underdressed (figure a 10 degree difference in temp on a bike) I suggest heading down to our place in De Pijp and hitting De Bakkerwinkel to follow. We make it down there by some higher powers' guidance in record time. It's amazing how fast you can traverse the streets on a bike. The wife is less than pleased with the pace I was setting as the lead, not to mention some of the turns and intersection crossings.
Everyone one wants pancakes and De Bakkerswinkel doesn't do them. Luckily, I remember this place right North of Rijksmuseum on Nieuwe Speigelstraat called Hansel & Gretel. Right across and East from The Noon CS. We head there and dig down into our (the wife & I) first Dutch Pancakes ever on the terrace over looking the canal and the Rijksmusuem. Apple and Bacon to be precise, thanks JerkyBoy. Bacon as in Canadian Bacon, aka Ham. Do It! The trick is to fold them up like a burrito and dig in. Much less hassle. Coffee wasn't bad but I've had better.
Now it's off to the meet at Pink Floyd to smoke out and bid some fond farwells. People arriving and people leaving from other Amsterdam Forums. It sucks to see people who have to leave, knowing that you'll be there soon enough.
Many people taking over the 3rd floor of the place in style. Another top notch place for bigger gatherings, although I'm not a huge fan of this place myself the view is nice and the couch comfortable if you're lucky enough to get a seat. There was an issue of some members of other Forums questioning whether or not hash will bubble when a lighter is held close to it. The myth was dispelled via some Crystal Clear and Golden Soles via your truely.
What was that about "If it don't bubble..."? Not all good hash HAS to bubble though. Some of the unpressed Ice-O-Lator was real tastey and didn't bubble much if any. Smoked some sweet Blueberry Unpressed Ice courtesy of a one of the guests. We are properly ripped in no time flat and havin' a blast. Some of you will know of this, imo, pathetic debate from Channels.nl this past April.
We've got our bikes now so we hang for a bit and agree to bail after a bit to do some long overdue exploring. First stop is the Historic Museums Gift Shop for the "Amsterdam On Rails" CD-ROM. If you haven't heard, it's a tram simulator that you can run on your computer. Fun and nostalgic. Worth the 10-15 euro indeed.
Next stop the Begijnhof. We finally find the entrance and are astounded at the beauty of this old courtyard. I nice little getaway whislt stoned to the nines. I'm not gonna give you a history lesson but we saw one of the few remaining original wooden houses. Saw some nice, big Rembrandt's on the way out as well. The Historic Museum actually has a nice little free section adjoining the entrance to the Beghijnhof and aanother small courtyard. Worth the short stroll.
Being as how we're down here in Spui I figure we gotta hit Vlemmicx's Frites on Handboogstraat. And to top off the best frites in town, a stop for an Ice Cream Cone at Australian Chocolates off Koningsplein. Goed stuff. Took our cones back to the benchs on the Spui and watched the afternoon go by. Grab the bikes and back to the apartment. Seem to remember a stop at Dampkring but nopt sure we bought anything.
It's about 6pm, we chill, down a brew and another doob and we're off to Leidseplein to meet up with our freinds for a dinner at Los Pilones sans reservations. We grab a table on the terrace and are cordially served a decent "mexican" meal. Not great by any means, but enjoyable. Who expects top notch Mexican Food in Amsterdam though? The obviously store bought chips and salsa pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the "authentic" fare. Not at all bad though. The waitress didn't speak much Enlgish so that part was authentic. lol
We head to Rookies and an after dinner drink and smokes. Meet up with some other more friends and grab a corner spot by in a cubby by the front window. If you're at Rookies anytuime soon check out the top shelf Moroc Hash, the name escapes me. Sweet stuff! Nice high and great taste, although a bit dry. Good for rollin' in doobs though. Grinder Freindly. Gotta say that my opinion of Rookies has officially been changed as of this trip. Great place. I never gave it enough of a chance before. Good tunes, great drinks, friendly staff and passable gear. Nice.
Head to The Waterhole and find yet more amigos and the night is officially outta hand. Music was good, firends were good and smoke was in effect. Doesn't get any better than this folks.
A nice, brisk 10 minute bike ride down to De Pijp and we're home by 1:30am. Now this is what it's ALL about.
Amsterdam 2006 Pics
Toke ON!
Day 3 - Thursday - April 27th, 2006
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lctricity
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Day 3 - Thursday - April 27th, 2006
Last edited by lctricity on Tue 16th May 2006 06:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It is indeed and I wish to re-affirm my you are the fucking man post right here right now.lctricity wrote:A nice, brisk 10 minute bike ride down to De Pijp and we're home by 1:30am. Now this is what it's ALL about.
Amsterdam 2006 Pics
I may be in front in posts but I am behind in respect. Lctricity God bless you man
hahahahaThe obviously store bought chips and salsa pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the "authentic" fare. Not at all bad though. The waitress didn't speak much Enlgish so that part was authentic. lol
sounds just like my experience in a "Tex-Mex" place down there.
Another great report about another great day.
Still waitin for the story of the ginormous cone.
Awesome report lctric - loved every minute of it!!! The part where you described the bike riding put one hell of a smile of my face; funny to think of how much smoke you purchased and still managed to bike most places (something I have yet the courage to do in my stoned state).
I love reading anyone's trip report or blog on Amsterdam and getting into to it as if I were walking the streets also; but as your reports were the reason for me ever writing one in the first place - I do especially look forward to every day you have to share with us, thanks again and here's to many more days in Amsterdam (hopefully we'll have the pleasure to share a smoke one year).
I love reading anyone's trip report or blog on Amsterdam and getting into to it as if I were walking the streets also; but as your reports were the reason for me ever writing one in the first place - I do especially look forward to every day you have to share with us, thanks again and here's to many more days in Amsterdam (hopefully we'll have the pleasure to share a smoke one year).
~ Is that a grinder in your pocket? ~