Amsterdam – Netherlands review

[for English version scroll down below pictures]

Hai sa revin la treburi serioase , Amsterdam capitala Olandei , un adevarat reper pe harta distractiei in Europa , o metropola invadata de turisti tot anul. Acest oras are ceva de oferit pentru toti , fie ca mergi acolo pentru arhitectura veche si bine pastrata a orasului sau pentru peisajele oferite de numeroasele canale ce strabat orasul , fie ca mergi pentru viata de noapte foarta variata , sau poate esti fan al drogurilor usoare tolerate de autoritati , poate ca vrei sa vezi unul din multele muzee celebre sau ciudate ( gen Sex Museum sau Madame Tussauds ) sau o vizita la faimosul cartier cu felinare rosii. Trebuie sa stiti ca in supermarketurile din oras trebuie sa ai grija ce iei ca aproape toate produsele au si variante cu diverse droguri inauntru , astfel am avut placerea de a bea bere cu Cannabis , gustat ciocolata , acadele , prajiturele , negrese , mestecat orbit , baut redbull toate cu Cannabis sau variatiuni in componenta.

Am ramas uimit cand bodyguardu la intrare intr-un cofeeshop nu ne-a lasat sa intram cu tigari normale aprinse , si nu era deloc gluma , in puburi se fumeaza doar tigari de alea bune , consumul de tutun e total interzis in spatii publice , desi  e cam penibil sa te scoli de la masa in bar , iti iei geaca pe tine si stai in fata barului in frig cu alti straini , doar ca sa te intorci inauntru dupa 5 minute , adica chiar nu cred ca fumatorii merita sa indure asta.

Orasul in sine este foarte frumos , dupa cum am spus mai sus arhitectura veche combinata cu numeroasele canale incanta ochiul. Desi este plin de turisti , utilajele primariei asigura constant curatenia , iar politia prezenta in masini si numeroase biciclete mentin delicata balanta dintre distractie fara limite si civilizatie.

Am vizitat si faimosul cartier cu lumini rosii , trebuie sa recunosc ca am ramas oarecum dezamagit , a deviat cam mult de la scopul original spre o atractie turistica  , astfel vezi familii intregi cu copii plimbanduse prin fata vitrinilor si bineinteles chinezoi care fac o gramada de poze , in ciuda semnelor care interzic fotografiatul pe acele strazi. Pentru curiosi va zic ca tariful e 50 de EUR numarul , dar nu te intinzi ca dupa vreo 20 de minute daca nu termini te da afara. Asa comparativ in Bremerhaven desi cartierul rosu era mai mic (cam toate orasele din Baltica au un asemenea cartier) , mergeau numai oameni pusi pe treaba si era si ceva mai ieftin (30 Eur). Alte chestii interesante in red light district in Amsterdam erau teatrele cu showuri de gen live porn , erotic , sau “Pay , Watch and get involved”.

In schimb distractia costa aici , adica vreo 100-150 de Eur se duc intr-o seara destul de lejer. E cam 6 eur gramul de iarba , jointul prepreparat vreo 4-5 , berea costa intre 5-10 Eur ceva decent in pub , o haleala decenta te duce usor in 15 EUR (mult mai mult daca mananci la restaurant). Intrarea pe la un club sau muzeu intre 5 si 20 de EUR , o cursa cu taxiul in functie de distanta 20-30  EUR. O calatorie de metrou 1 Eur si ceva…. asa ca grija mare la buget , dar MERITA 🙂

Vezi alte calatorii / other trips : Brasov 02.2014 , Istanbul 01.2014 , Cluj Napoca 08.2013 , Sibiu 07.2013 ,  San Pedro , Bucharest 2013 , Varna 2012 , Los Angeles 2012 , Budapest & Viena , Salerno , Cluj Napoca 2012 , Firenze , Brasov 02.2012 , Amsterdam , Antofagasta , Valencia , Lima , Bremen , Istanbul 2009 , Valletta , San Juan , Barcelona , Singapore 2010 , Los Angeles 2010 , Transilvania road trip , La Spezia , Bosphor by ship , Sydney , Melborune , Auckland ,  San Francisco ,  Tauranga

Alternative tourism: Georgia , Burning gate of Turkmenistan , North Korea , Chernobyl   , Nouadhibou graveyard

In cealalta jumatate / How the other half lives : Guayaquil  , Lagos

 

Let’s get back to serious things, the Dutch capital – Amsterdam, a landmark on the fun map fun of Europe, a metropolis overrun with tourists all year round. This city has something for everyone, whether you go there for old and well preserved architecture of the city or landscapes offered by numerous canals passing through the city or go for the great nightlife , or maybe you’re a fan of soft drugs tolerated by the authorities , maybe want to see one of the many famous museums or odd (like Sex Museum or Madame Tussauds) or visit the famous red light district.Be aware that in the supermarkets in the city  almost all products may have  various drugs in them, so I was happy to drink beer with Cannabis, tasted chocolate, candy, cookies, brownies, orbit gum, drinking RedBull all with Cannabis or variations in composition.

I was amazed when the bodyguard at the entrance of  a cofeeshop refused us entry entry because we wore smoking normal cigarettes, and there was no joke, in pubs you can smoke only weed cigarettes  , tobacco is totally banned in public spaces, although is a little awkward to get up from the table in the bar, you take your jacket and sit in front of the bar in the cold with other foreigners, just to go back inside after five minutes, I  do not think smokers deserve to endure it.

The city itself is very nice, as I said above old architecture combined with many canals please the eye. Although full of tourists, the city is very clean , beeing constantly cleaned by the city workers and police presence in cars and many bicycles maintains the delicate balance between fun without limits and civilization.

We visited the famous red light district, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed, deviated too much from the original purpose and became a tourist attraction, so see entire families with children walking in front of semi naked gilrs  and of course Chinese that take  a lot of photos despite signs prohibiting photography on those streets. For the curious guys I tell you the price is EUR 50 for one shot, but do not stretch the time because  after about 20 minutes they will kick you out if you don’t finish.  Other interesting stuff in the red light district in Amsterdam were the theaters with  shows like live porn, erotic, or “Pay, Watch and Get involved.”

But the  entertainment costs here, you can easily spend 100-150 euros a night. It’s about 6 eur per gram of weed, one  joint about 4-5, beer costs between EUR 5 and 10 a decent pub, a decent food 15 EUR go easily (much more if you eat at the restaurant). Entry to a club or museum between EUR 5 and 20, a taxi ride 20-30 EUR depending on distance. A subway ride is  1 Eur and something …. so take care with the budget, but it’s worth it. 🙂

see my other city reviews : Antofagasta , Valencia , Lima ,  Bremen ,  Istanbul , Barcelona , San juan , Singapore , Auckland , Melbourne , Sydney , San Francisco , Los Angeles , Tauranga , La Spezia , Cluj Napoca – Sibiu , Valletta