After docking early in Ijumaiden (forgive the spelling) we boarded a bus which took us to the centre of Amsterdam.
The currency of Amsterdam is the Guilder. When I visited Amsterdam in 1998 10 Guilders was worth about £3.50
Transport in Amsterdam is very efficient so you shouldn't have any problems traveling around the city. Trams and buses are avialable regularly from the bus/tram stop dotted around the city. Residents of Amsterdam choose the bike as their mode of transport, and belive me theres plenty of them. Bicycle hire is also availble for about 40 Guilders.
Most people in Amsterdam speak english, so you can leave the pocket translator behind (unless you want to speak with other tourists of course). There are a great mixture of people in Amsterdam, some good some bad - As with everywhere I suppose, but Amsterdam had it's fair share of bad people. When walking crowded streets, ensure all belongings ie. wallets & purses are carried in a safe place. Pickpockets are widespread, and they are good at it too. Stick to the main streets especially at night. Back alleys often pose a threat with drug dealers waiting for a vunerable victim to make a purchase. The drug pushers tend to stand on the canal bridges mostly. They usually ask if you speak English - Just say "Nooo wii poo lee ch do" by saying this they will think you are from china and will leave you alone ;-)
There are many places to visit in Amsterdam including the Wax Works, Red Light District and Heineken Brewery. There also seems to be quite a lot of tortune museams, which are quite informative (in a way) but pricey. Although Amsterdam is famous for it's Red Light District, if you are in a small group or alone, and you don't intend to enter a brothel, just stay clear. I was menaced by pimps for a good half an hour and I was "Just Browsing" ;-)
The restaraunts are great, and serve a variety of continental food. Beer is exceptionally nice, especially the Heiniken which is of a higher alchohol volume in Amsterdam. McDonalds is widespread including McDonalds Express (same as McDonalds but with less seats)
The coffee shops in Amsterdam serve food, beer and cannabis in a variety of forms. The customer may consume the cannabis in a pre-rolled joint, a cake, a pancake (space pancake) or in the meal - to name a few. Cannabis may also be purchased from the counter in small labelled bags. Strengths vary according to prices. The large menus inform the customer of the cannabis strengths and effects. Some shops offer a wide variety of legal drugs such as magic mushrooms and Smart XXX pills (don't ask!). Just remember that the stuff isn't legal over here, and if you walk through customs looking stoned, they will tear the soles from your shoes looking for the stuff.
Avoid small dark, grotty looking coffee shops. One shop in particular offers you a free sample of the "house bong". Once the customer inhales this thing and becomes stoned, the shop owners tend to be a bit too pursuasive to buy more - to say the least. Visit the coffe shops on the main streets such as "Kadinsky's" which is said to be the best in Amsterdam.
Sometimes it is best just to stay outside and watch the street entertainers although it does become VERY cold at winter.
The city has many hotels, all of a different rating. The best hotel in the city has to be the Victoria Hotel. I'm unsure of the prices but I have been told that is reasonable.
Overall Amsterdam is a very nice city spoiled by the drug dealers and pickpockets.
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I visit Amsterdam every other month. Absolutely love the place. You do have to be a little street wise though.
tom_knowles 20.06.2001 21:36
They prob left you alone as they thought that you were a triad...either that or Pingu...from what you put!!!
Anyhow...i went last year (like the rest of the world) and myself and a friend were both pickpocketed (at different times). It was a right bastard cos they nicked my phone...wallet with all my bank cards in, cash, driving licence, nat insurance card...you name it and the sods got it. If i had been in Amsterdam on my own and friends were not able to lend me money...i would have been buggered. It took months for the insurance to come through as well.#
Enough of my moaning...well informed op. Tom.
tekk 20.06.2001 21:31
My wife went to Amsterdam last year and yep... she got her wallet stolen from her jeans pocket... Although that can't have put her off too much as we're going again in a few months time! :) Dave
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