Back in the Dam!

Friday 11 April 2008

Early start. Up at 05.30 – ugh! Really need to have lots more sleep but there was a plane to catch and the remainder of the packing to be done. Taxi was on time so left for the airport. Ryanair flight and we all know was fuckers they can be if you are not on time. Luggage was 11k overweight. Don’t ask me how. Its only 15k per person. Bastards wont let you combine the weight which was what I was counting on. Took out as much stuff we could and put it into Ray’s case. Was still 6k over. Luckily we could pay but it cost €60.00. We were charged €10.00 per kilo. There was nothing we could do but pay it. This all left no time at the airport. What a surprise! Will never happen that we get time to look around. Probably saves us a bundle in the end though. After food we went straight through to boarding. It was one of those great flights that you nod off before the flight takes off and you wake up as the wheels land on the runway. Feeling a lot livelier and a lot more excited than Ray at this point, he soon got tired of me constant jumping around the place. The bags came quickly enough. They wouldn’t want to be lost with the extra €60.00 on top of them. There is a bus that brings you from Charleoi Airport to Brussels train station. This airport has totally changed since the last time we were in it. They even have a bank machine this time. Amazing! Wasn’t working though. The first bus was full to the bus station so were in the airport waiting for an hour. Next time we will know to get off and go straight to the ticket booth rather than saunter through the airport and stopping to look at things. There was a little Belgian pattiserie with gorgeous hot chocolate and macaroons and the hour passed by quickly enough. The bus takes less than an hour to arrive as its destination which is dead handy. Got out tickets for Central Station, Amsterdam. The train ride takes about 3 hours. We got seats handy enough in Belgium but by the time we were arriving in Central Station the train was jammed. When we were getting our tickets for the train and Ray asked me to check some train times, there was a huge Eurorail map in front of me showing Europe and the rail destinations and got very excited about our travels next year. Managed to fall asleep on the train again so missed all the travel which was great. Poor Ray was exhausted. Once in Central Station there was no problem finding out where to go since this was my 10^th or 11^th time in the place. Got a cab and thought we knew where he was going but he brought us to the wrong hotel. He seemed just as confused as us and we eventually came upon the right one. Park Plaza Vondel, Koninginneweg 34-36. This was a great hotel, great location, very art deco room, would definitely recommend to stay in this place and would love to stay there again. We were staying in an executive room which Ray had won a competition for so we were delighted. Wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise. After a drink in our room we decided to head out and see what we could get up to. As we were leaving the hotel there was an internet nearby which I hopped on and did a quick surf until I came up a restaurant called Nomads. Rozengracht 133-1, 1016 lv Amsterdam. www.nomads.nl. Ray’s quick thinking guaranteed us a seat and booked a table for two. Nice one. It was two hours until our dinner reservation but decided to walk there so see some more of Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a great place to walk around as you never know what is around the next corner. No two buildings sitting beside each other are the same. There are the hooks on the front of the buildings where the hoise furniture to the top floors as the doorway and staircases are too narrow. When we left the hotel we came upon the Museumplein which funnily enough holds all the museums. The Voldenpark was surrounding us and promised ourselves a visit. We came upon a lively area which included the Hard Rock Café and remembered that was where we had a New Years Eve meal about three years previous to that with Audrey and Paul before we went out on the town. Walking through the area, Max Euweplein Centrum, we came upon a little square surrounded by shops and restaurants and in the middle of the square was a massive chess board which had been painted on. The pieces were bigger than a toddler but made of plastic so easy enough to move and there was a game in play. A young latin looking guy and an elderly man were having a game and their audience was made up of tourists and locals and a gorgeous smell of ganga in the air. We could have happily stayed there for ages to watch the game but wanted to get to our destination. We were armed with a small map as neither of us had been to the restaurant before and weren’t quite sure where it was. We knew to head to Dam Square and the easiest way is through the Leidseplin which was the next square we came to. There is always plenty of activity on Leidseplin square and has to be my favourite part of the Dam. The weather was nice and sunny and a gorgeous evening. We took the two hours to get to Rozengracht although you really could have done it in half an hour. When we got to the address we walked by the place twice as its up a small flight of stairs and you would easily miss it as there is no signs outside and its hidden behind a big wooden door. Didn’t know what to think walking up the stairs until we opened the door. Lights, music and atmosphere hit us straight away. There are no tables and chairs, its couches and beds. DJ in the corner playing jazz that turned into Arabian music during the night. Disco balls, lighting, reefers lighting and great looking food. We were brought over to a couch. Ray kicked off the shoes. Our table was brought over to us. A fold out little jobbie and on top was played a giant golden circular tray. Drinks were ordered and the menu was handed to us. The place is great and would highly recommend it. Based on the same principle as the Supperclub but not half as commercial. When talking to our waitress she said we were very lucky to get a table. Takes a few weeks to get a booking but someone had cancelled about 5 minutes before Ray rang. Jammy bastards! Its very cool lying on the couches, having a few drinks and munching the food. The food in Nomads is great. Fresh and tasty tapas. Every so often the lights would go off and belly dancers would come in and dance around. Massage therapists roam the building in search of customers but most just lie down, talk and laugh. We saw a club downstairs on the way in. Didn’t know what kind of music would be in it so asked our waitress. She was telling us that there was a private party on afterwards and that everyone in there would be going if we wanted to go. Turns out the party was in the Supperclub. What are the chances? Another point proven that if you know or talk to people in Amsterdam you will get very far. We were given a business card with something in Dutch written on the back, paid and left. Headed over to Café Au Dam to see Louie. Smallest pub in Amsterdam. Its tradition to have a drink on the first night with Louie . I spent many a night in that place and always had a good time. Tonight was no different. It was getting late and we wanted to head to the party but after Café Au Dam we headed to see Sam in Paradise Café. It amazes me how people remember you over here in coffee shops and bars as they must see hundreds of new faces each year but they always do. After staying there for a while and sampling Amsterdam delicacies we headed up to the Supperclub (which is just off Dam Square). One burly bouncer standing at the door was not going to let us in as there is always some kind of private party going on there but after handing him our invitation there was no problem. Downstairs used to be decorated like the milk bar in Clockwork Orange and I was a little sad to see the décor had changed. I loved it like before. Now there was 8 beds, 4 on each side, piled with cushions. The ceiling is covered with small 12 inch flat TV screens each showing the same black and white movie. The DJ and dance floor area are the same and so was the crowd. Treated ourselves to some champagne and while lying on the bed listening to choons and watching the people, it wasn’t a bad first night in the Dam.

Saturday 12 April 2008

Morning time in Amsterdam means pancakes. Our favourite pancake place is in Singel. Not too far from Rozengracht where we were last night actually. We decided to walk it again. The sun was lovely after the rain and cold of Ireland. We went through the small square again where two guys were playing the chess game and again they had an audience. Coming into the Leidseplein we spied a place called “The Pancake Shop”. Too hungry to go any further we tried it. The food was gorgeous complete with proffeiges (don’t know how to spell that, baby pancakes!). We had never been to the Oosterdock in Amsterdam and wanted to check out a place called Nemo. Apparently this place had a roof top café, bean bags, DJ’s, tapas. We were going to walk there and figured that we would be hungry by the time we got there. Best way to go…by canal. There is a hop on, hop off canal tour. Did it before but you would never get tired going around these canals. There is more here than in Venice. Met some Irish girls on the canal. Older ladies wondering around the coffee shops. I love talking to Amsterdam virgins. After a few hours wandering around the canals and street we came upon Nemo. Unfortunately it was closed. We had missed closing by 10 minutes. I didn’t read up on it properly. This is a museum of the future and the café on top is only open during the day. Was a bit disappointed as the thought of chilling to choons and tapas and drinking the night away sounded appealing. Taking a walk up to Central Station to get the tram to Rembrandtplein. As we were going by there is a massive library and couldn’t resist a look in. This place was amazing. Very futuristic looking. Each floor had something different. There was bean bags everywhere, people reading and some listening to music. Some people playing DVD’s, some playing computer games. Free internet access to we browsed for a while and found out next destination point. Up on the top floor there is an open roof café. The food was something you would find in Donnybrook Fair. Gorgeous. Ray got himself an amaretto late and cake, I was good and had a smoothie. The views from the top of the library are well good. You can see the entire city and all its little canals. After the library we got the tram to the Rembrandtplein area. We wanted to go and check out the Tuschinski Cinema. www.tuschinski.nl Its located on the Reguliersbreestraat which is not my favourite street in Amsterdam. An old cinema palace conveniently located between the Munt tower and the Rembrandtplein. Built by the immigrant from Poland Abraham Tuschinski, the cinema opened in 1921 and it remains till today with its Art Deco interior one of the most cherished buildings in Amsterdam. Tuschinski has been recently rebuild, a modern annex has been added, the cinema has been modernized, but the character of its old part has been preserved. The inside of the building was amazing but unfortunately the lighting on my camera is not the best so I didn’t get any pictures. We got balcony seats and other than one other couple were the only ones in the balcony. There is free beer and champagne with your ticket which always goes down nicely. Temptations to visit The Rokery were looming after the theatre but Ray wanted to check out the Melkweg instead. While there we decided to be bold and visited the Hard Rock for some food. I know, I know, carnal sin when abroad. We were reading about a bar made of ice when we were in there and decided to check it out. It was late but bars stay open late here. www.xtracold.com. There were rules to follow which is not usually the norm in the Dam but it was €12.00 entrance for half an hour. There is a normal bar where you can sit and enjoy some cocktails (which were really good). Then your number is called and you put on heavy capes and gloves and enter the Ice Bar. First drink is free. Ray ended up doing shots of Jagameisster (don’t know how to spell that either) with the bar man. Its kind of a cute place and I can see what they are trying to do but I don’t think I would go back there. It’s the kind of place that needs a gang of people who have had a few drinks on them (if you know what I mean!). We met another Irish couple there who didn’t really seem to be enjoying anything they were getting up to. They were finding the place very expensive and didn’t really know where to go. Its worth doing some research before going to places. Knackered after our day and pissed we hit the hotel. Ray was determined to have a smoke which involved him climbing out the hotel window. I came into the room to find Ray’s legs dangling out the window. Fits of laughter followed. Ray – always trying to keep the buzz going.

Sunday 13 April 2008

Our last day in Amsterdam – short but very sweet. Bags packed and left in the hotel we made our way through the Museumplein. I had been to the museums before but Ray wanted to check some out. The queue’s were so long that it wouldn’t have been worth our morning. We only had two hours before we had to catch our boat. We stopped at a café to have some breakfast. It was Dutch with a very French feel to it and so ordered some French toast. This morning we nearly got killed. Didn’t look the right way crossing the road and a big white van missed us by inches, literally inches. Big fright! In the Museumplein there is a big museum called House of Bols. www.dutchamsterdam.nl/140-house-of-bols . Purely for lovers of juniper and cocktails we decided to head in. €120.00 entrance fee each and you get a free cocktail of your choice at the end, which you make up yourself. Nice one! It went through the history of Bols. It had taste tests and smell tests which were interesting. In the middle of the museum was a giant round leather couch. Dance music pumping and lighting going with big screens showing a fashion show. Bizarre but very kewl. After jumping around the place you come to a computer and make up your own cocktail which you bring to the bar and the bartender makes it for you. I spied a “Bols booth” which we went into. You got to make your own movie of you spinning bottles in the air (using plastic skittles) which you could email to yourself. A little buzzed on our cocktails we made 3 videos and left the museum happy and laughing. Definitely a place to bring Audrey. We made our way back to the Park Plaza Vondel and got a taxi to the boat.   Went with Royal Carribean and I can honestly say I dont think I would go with anyone else now as they are just amazing.  After check in and some confusion we got on the boat.  First thing to do was sort out dinner.  We wanted a table just for the two of us.  When we went to the restaurant there was more confusion and we didnt know what was going on.  Turns out we were upgraded to a massive room at the top of the ship with a huge balcony.  The holiday, which was brilliant to start with, had just got a whole lot better.  We ran up to where our room was and it was gorgeous.  My folks had ordered us some champagne for Ray's birthday which was waiting for us.  We said we would get off the boat, float around the Dam some more and get back on but when your on the boat, that never happens.  There is soooo much to do.  Ray booked himself and myself a massage, had some food in the Windjammer.  Spent the rest of the day chilling, unpacking, wandering the boat.  Dinner was at 18.30.  The food is always gorgeous.  Got to meet our waiters.  One drink I love is called the Royal Carribean and I was looking forward to it and turns out they took it off the menu.  Nothing else compared to it so drank mojito's instead.   Hit the Casino after dinner where we spent the rest of the night, shouting, throwing dice, playing cards, slots and having a few drinks.