"I'm in love with the Dam" a Amsterdam Travel Page by ellaallison

Walking out of central station for the first time was an amazing experience for me. There was such a buzz in the air I just knew I was going to love it here. Lots of people, every nationality. Lots of bikes, trams, boats, hotels, coffee shops, church bells ringing and that’s right outside the train station. There was so much to look at I felt like my head was on a swivel.

I've since been another 8 or 9 times and each time I arrive I always take a moment to pause outside Central Station just to soak it all in. Not too long a pause though as the coffee shops beckon.

As my flight arrives early morning the coffee shops opening at 9am are a godsend as most hotels won’t check you in till at least 11am but they will let you leave your suitcase, so at least you don’t have to lug that around. I have never had a bummy hotel, they have all been great. I have stayed in 'The Jolly Carlton' 'The Luxor' 'GT hotel Inntel' 'the Lacanna'. My favourite is the Inntel and that’s the one stay at most. One tip though, its a lot cheaper to book hotel at last minute, as opposed to the airlines being the opposite- they are cheaper to book in advance.

The most important thing for you to worry about while in Amsterdam is the traffic, it can be quite confusing while walking across the road, it changes between cycle lanes, tram lines and roads. So if the bike doesn’t get you there's always the tram, failing that it’s the car, van or taxi... then there’s the other side to cope with. BE VERY CAREFULL

Also watch out for the 'tourist spotters'. They will usually target you as you haul out the map, approaching you and smiling helpfully they ask where you want to go? Then after they tell you... they demand Euros of you for their trouble. Well do what I do just shout at them to "GET LOST"! Or whatever phrase you fancy.
Do the same with the dirty 'crack heads' they whisper their wares in your ear as you pass and sometimes they follow you whispering "wanna buy crack" etc..

Being a lone traveller on most of my trips, this at first frightened me but they always scarper on to their next victim if you tell them to 'beat it' or 'Nash' :)
You can tell most of them by the lack of laces in their trainers because they are frequently picked up and locked in police cells where they get their laces taken off them in-case they hang themselves.
They mostly frequent around the red-light area so its best visiting this part with friends or during the day if a female alone.
A few times I stayed in 'Zeedijk' and every time I went out my front door I was approached or followed but I soon learned that they leave you alone if you shout at them, though two seconds down the road there’s another gang to contend with and on this goes.
Fortunately out with this area this doesn’t happen, at least it hasn’t with me.

I really hope I haven’t put anyone off this city as it is a truly fabulous place to visit, whether you want to while your time away in coffee shops, bars, explore Holland, visit museums, take canal rides, hire a bike, go shopping or do all of the above you WILL enjoy your trip to Amsterdam and you will want to return soon.
My next trips booked for end of October 2004. Can’t wait!!

Don’t Miss... Chilling upstairs @ the window seat in 'The Blues Brothers coffee shop'
Don't Miss... chilling upstairs in 'Betty Boops'
Don’t Miss... Anne Frank house
Don’t Miss... A canal cruise
Don’t Miss... The shops along Nieuwendijk
Don’t Miss... The Lacanna in Nieuwendijk
Don’t Miss... A Tram ride
Don’t Miss... Booking a cycle tour. (Mike’s tours do a country and/or town cycle tour)
Don’t Miss... A Walk in Vondelpark
Don’t Miss... Home, because you'll be a long time back.