theguest's Amsterdam Coffeeshop Blog

You CAN still smoke tobacco in coffeeshops!

2009-01-15T17:45:00.005Z

Just got back from the Dam and it is as people have been saying - you can still get away with smoking tobacco in your joints if that's how you like them.

I saw a lot of people adding tobacco but they did it discreetly.

Let's face it, this new law may be enforced in pubs or clubs - all one has to do is look for the tell-tale sign of smoke or a cigarette.

But looking at a joint, how do you know if it contains tobacco or not? Can you ask someone to destroy their joint and spill out the contents? Surely coffeeshop proprietors are not expected to do that?

So in every coffeeshop I visited I smoked tobacco, and only 3 or 4 of those actually had dedicated tobacco areas.

All in all a nice couple of nights away to forget about everything and just get wrecked on weed and hash.

Pretty much everything I smoked was good, unless you're buying from the bottom of the menu I think its hard to smoke anything crap in Amsterdam.

I tried the "Cheese" from Homegrown Fantasy for the first time. A few years back they were always sold out. I don't know why people make such a big deal out of "Cheese" and other weird names, it was nothing special and did not smell weird. In fact, it was not cured very well either!

New on my shit list is Route 66 coffeeshop on Warmoestraat. I used to frequent this place a lot, especially when Dora worked there as she did for several years. The owners themselves have always looked like a bunch of miserable bastards but the people they hire are generally pretty good.

Anyway they were closed last time I was in town and have now reopened with a new decor inside and most of the shop officially allowing tobacco smoking. I don't normally buy weed or hash there but you are now obliged to - fair enough. I score some Casablanca hash and it was very tasty indeed. I return a day later and say I bought some Casablanca. The bitch doesn't believe me. She tells me to produce the hash and I do and she says "it didn't come from here". I swore on my mother's life it came from there and the bitch still told me it didn't.

So I walked out. Never go to Route 66. Fuck them!

Otherwise I went to the same usual places: Hunters, Hill Street Blues, Sheeba, Siberie, Homegrown Fantasy, De Tweede Kamer, Barneys, etc.

All in all a good trip and more than 6 months since my last! Way too long! Gotta get out there soon again. Especially as hotel fares are really good, my hotel was half of what it is in summer, it was only 30 Euro a night! Not bad for a 2 star with TV and own toilet and shower, and basic breakfast.

Eindhoven Coffeeshops Are Goed!

2008-12-11T12:32:00.004Z

I just got back from Eindhoven's coffeeshops late last night and, what can I say, they are pretty good!

I took advantage of Ryanair's free flights deal (actually it cost me £8.02 due to credit card charges) to fly to Eindhoven for a day trip. At those prices (plus bus fares on both sides), it would be folly to pass up this opportunity! And another channelite, Sir Ian of Tokesville, was also able to join me for this trip!

The flight left London Stansted at 6.55 so I had to take 2 buses to get there and leave at 2am to be on the safe side!! An hour of winks were managed before leaving. A few more on the coach to the airport and during the flight itself. I was apprehensive about falling asleep in a coffeeshop.

Arrived just before 9am and quickly on the 401 bus (route map here) which runs direct to Eindhoven bus station (just north of the train station). Takes about 20 minutes and runs maybe 4 times an hour. Costs 3 Euros for those interested. Goes from airport at one end to bus station at the other so no need to keep eyes peeled.

We tried to head straight for the Pink coffeeshop and after getting lost (my map was not good enough) and eventually finding the road but not being able to see it, we learned from a local that it was closed, as were several other coffeeshops, due to having too much gear on the premises. I can only assume that it is completely closed because we saw not a single sign of where this place might once have been.

Wandered down a few minutes and we found the Grasshopper coffeeshop. I have no idea if it is related to its Amsterdam namesake but this place is far better. It might look a little sterile in the pic above but it was a great, social place (except the seats were hard wooden ones which I did not like). I ordered the most expensive hash on the menu for a massive €12 ;) Not sure but I think it was called Twizla. Smoked a couple of joints, saw the obligatory babe with small dog (man these Dutch women are so fine!!) and cute bartender, also chatted briefly and practiced my Dutch with a local "Nederlander" who even said to me "U sprekt heel goed Nederlands" which I was quite happy about.

After this we walked in a daze looking for more coffeeshops. According to my self-created map, there were several in the vicinity. One was Coffeeshop Begijntje, due to the lack of minor road names on my map and my forgetting to note the exact address, we walked across several roads trying to find it. Alas, no luck - I have checked this out just now and I know the street it is on and we never saw any place by that name. Apparently it looks more like a pub - in fact, most of the places on this road "Stratumseind" remind me of Leidseplein in Amsterdam and this could be the centre of nightlife on a Friday and Saturday night is my guess. But definitely no Begijntje.

Luckily, further down this street was another place Appotheker, De Bakkerij. We passed this up for now and carried on further down the same road to find Coffeeshop New Wave. By now it was about 12.30 and this place had the shutters down. We assume it must be another victim of closure.

Again, we were lucky that Euro-Garden was only a little further away. All this time, the area of Eindhoven that we have been walking through is a total mix. You won't see any of the old architecture that you see in Amsterdam (which is not even that old anyway, when you compare to other cities). Eindhoven is relatively new looking in comparison. A mix of shops, residential blocks and offices. Not exactly pretty but much nicer than what I had expected. I have heard people dissing Eindhoven before and expected some ancient industrial monolith with soot everywhere ;) In fact, I got the sense that this was more like the real Netherlands, and not at all bad either.

We found Euro-Garden which had an interesting modern look to it. 80% of the shop is enclosed in a glass wall (Ian calls it a "bubble"). Therefore, one can toke tobacco inside! I ordered the Super Silver Haze from the digital flatscreen menu from a cute ethnic chick (Surinaam?) and we toked away inside the smoking area. Most of the seats here were much better, I do like a good place to park my tush. Another obligatory dog, this one was definitely a puppy and it was going bezerk, cute dog though. Other customers in coffeeshops often want to stroke a dog and it ignores them but this one was begging for attention! In an example of how people can get different vibes from the same coffeeshop, I really liked this place: not too many people, comfortable place, airy, not too noisy (a little like the Siberie, if you like, minus the Siberie's hard seats) yet Ian did not rate it himself.

Next we decided to go back towards centrum and this is where we got really lost. The map we were using was my own, created on Google maps. Unfortunately, it barely features the irregular minor roads (of which there are a lot in Eindhoven!) so you could have to walk a fair distance to even know where you are. We started to get lost and I asked an old lady for directions. I practised my Dutch with the expectation that she would simply point the direction or break into English due to my obvious English accent (surely). "Waar is de kanaal?" I said. She replied in Dutch and I understood maybe 10% of it, heard a few words I half-recognised like "helemaal". Anyway, she pointed one way and off we went. Basically, I knew the road we were on and it went either north or south. We just needed the correct direction. Basically, we ended up going into some suburban residential area, this was clearly not the right direction!!

Ian asked a "punk" the right way and finally we were on our way closer to centrum. We took a quick left and we were back at Grasshopper, Ian's favourite place (a close 2nd for me). Many joints were consumed there, by Ian at least. I constructed a joint of system and I was totally fucking monged. I just sat there, eyes darting about slowly, trying to get over this extreme stoned experience so I could later have another joint. I wasn't going to have a whitey but another joint would surely have sent me there. And, to think, I had not even been using that much in my joints so far - maybe a third of a gram - first day intolerance I guess.

After this we had an hour to kill, we decided to check out Appotheker/De Bakkeri. Turned out to be a kicking place. Reminds me of Excalibur as there is a lot of rock playing and it looks very similar and "wooden" inside. A cool place that we would both recommend. I managed to pool the last of the weed and hash and smoke my last joint. Het was heel goed! Ik was zeker stoned!

Off we walked back to the bus station and the short journey back to the airport for the flight at 7.35pm. You'd think it would be an easy process to the gate (being a small airport) but they have a convoluted system where your gate is finally called and THEN you go through passport control and are kept in pens like cattle!

Anyway, all in all a pretty good trip. I did not feel tired at all and went to sleep at a normal time when I returned. Somehow, my eyes-closed-not-real-sleep trick worked! I would recommend anyone visit Eindhoven at least once to see something different to Amsterdam. Maybe not at regular prices, but at these cheap flights (Ryanair often do free or £10 flights-when they have a promotion on their main page, just keep searching flights until you get the ones with "Special Fare" flash next to the flight of your choice) then it is a no-brainer. If I lived near the airport on my side I would go regularly but the 2am start for me is just too much unfortunately. Anyway, don't knock Eindhoven till you've been there, it rules!

Cool joke video reminds me of an Amsterdam coffeeshop........

2008-12-07T17:01:00.003Z

Check out this video by hilarious French comedian, Rémi Gaillard. Reminds me of coffeeshops Double Reggae or Rasta Baby...

More of his videos here: www.nimportequi.com channel on Youtube.

First Amsterdam Joint Gets Me WASTED!

2008-11-20T12:44:00.002Z

I always know the danger of that first Amsterdam joint.

It's such a great feeling landing in Amsterdam - everything is so swift: no bags to collect, quickly through passport control, rarely any train delays and before you know it you're exiting Central Station and quickly dumping your bags at the hotel, ready to get that first joint.

But I always sense what is going to happen. I remember that I am soon going to be completely fucking wasted. It always happens. I never get this feeling at home. I know the weed is strong but I think it also has something to do with walking around a city being completely stoned.

At home, I am used to getting wasted inside a house or a flat and rarely venturing out. But being in Amsterdam forces me out of that comfort zone.

A few drags on some nice weed from a place like De Kuil (my new favourite starting coffeeshop) and I suddenly think to myself:

"holy crap I am totally wasted - and now I've got to somehow walk the streets like this for the next 3 days!"

Y'see, for me, getting wasted is a heavy impact. Perhaps I am easily stoned, I don't know. But it doesn't stop me from trying to break records and relentlessly smoke joint after joint. It's almost like I go to Amsterdam to test myself - to see how bloody stoned I can get and yet still act and appear normal to outsiders. Why do I put myself through this? I have no idea!

It's like when you roll up to a coffeeshop e.g. Hunters, one of my favourites. I will walk in and check out the menu. Find some nice weed or hash to buy and then get a Coke from the bar on the way back to my seat. I'll sit down and even though I am already stoned, I know what to expect.

Quickly roll up a nice spliff and then spark it up and inhale. Take a few more puffs. It only takes around 4 puffs and I rock back in my seat and look around. I see other people getting wasted too and looking relaxed. I suppose I look relaxed too but I am actually feeling totally wasted. Not just a heavy feeling but also a feeling that I must struggle with.

I feel sometimes like I am on the cusp of losing my mind! And getting wasted is a test of my mental discipline. Much like a vulcan in Star Trek who exercises mental discipline!

All in all, I like getting wasted. I hope to move to Amsterdam next year but there's no way I will get wasted every day. I truly believe that could be damaging for me. I mean, I've been wasted every evening here in the UK but smoking much stronger weed and wandering around coffeeshops....well perhaps I'd grow tolerant to it, who knows?

Visitors (yes you!) - how is Amsterdam now?

2008-11-10T10:46:00.002Z

Hey guys,

It's been nearly 6 months since I was in Amsterdam, and before the ban. I'd love to know how things are now.

Sadly, I don't think I'll be going again till early next year at the absolute earliest. I'd love to hear how things are going out there - what are the new weeds and hashes and has the smoking ban changed coffeeshops? For better or for worse?

I'd love to hear from you! :)

I wish I was in Amsterdam...

2008-09-29T23:53:00.003+01:00

Well it's been 3 months since I've been to Amsterdam, and I really want to be there right now :)

I'm even staying away from forums because it will just remind me.

Not sure when I am heading back. The money is a bit tight at the moment, as is my personal situation. I'm tempted to blow a few hundred quid on the credit card but I would feel a little irresponsible doing that in this supposed "financial crisis".

I even found my metal grinder in my "Amsterdam bag" yesterday and gave it a good sniff - man it smelled so good!

Hey I even found some hash the other day! It was stuck on a one pound coin! It took a lot of effort to scratch it off - I eventually got it off and gave it a smell, hoping that it was not dog shit...ah, the wonderful smell of hasj!

I didn't toke it though - it was so minscule and probably soap bar shite.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get out to the Dam maybe in end October, early December - fingers crossed - but I must avoid Cup week, Amsterdam has too many visitors as it is and it will be so much worse then.

ttfn

Back From The Dam Again!

2008-06-13T12:15:00.005+01:00

So I just returned again. What a great trip, as usual, with spectular effects too!

I tried a mixture of weed and hash this time. As you know, tobacco will be banned in coffeeshops from 1st July. Although you should still be able to smoke tobacco in front of coffeeshops if they have seating.

I had lots of weed and hash, too much to remember, it was nearly all good stuff, here's some of what I can remember:

- Parvatti Cream from De Kuil
- Buddha's Sister from The Coin (very well cured)
- Caramello from The Coin
- Royal Cream from Old Church (really thin and flexible this time!)
- dammit no Chocolope at Grey Area!!!
- Hawaiin Snow from GreenHouse
- Arjen Haze #1 from GreenHouse
- some shit manala from Greenhouse Effect
- Stella Blue from Anyday

Sadly, Route 66 coffeeshop appears closed down now which is a shame although I've been spending less time there in recent years. There used to be a really nice chick running the place called Dora but she left to Den Haag about 2 years ago and, the place has just never been the same since.

I did the usual and hung around and smoked that place out. One bad thing was the heat on Day 1. It felt great but damn, I got sweaty bollocks and it made it very hard to walk!

Tried the vaporizer and had a joint at Anyday with the Stella Blue. Great stuff and met a cool guy running the place, I think "Gregor" from Germany, with amazing fluent Dutch. Somehow he can study AND toke! wow!

Man, I have to somehow live there. I have a plan to be there within a year, it depends on a lot of hard work that I will be doing in these next 12 months but, after that, it is Amsterdam all the way!

My last joints were to spend from 11am to 5pm in Amsterdam before flying out. With no chance for resting in the hotel for a break, it was to be a smoking marathon with no breaks! I've always got through it OK with no problems before but for some reason, it was a real struggle this year!

I was fine until I smoked some hash at Hunters, I forget where I bought the hash from, I think it was some stuff I got from Siberie.

Anyway, I finished this off and realised I was ahead of schedule, I could still have another toke elsewhere. So across the road I went to Greenhouse Effect! I think it had been a while since I took a real good walk and got some fresh air.

Anyway, I felt fine and I scored some Indian Malana hash. Although it was a more expensive one at 12 Euro, in retrospect, I think it had that charred odor to it that a lot of this type of black hash has - should've stuck to Maroc.

Anyway, I made the joint and now I realised I was stoned off this planet. Woah! Everything looked different through my eyes. Not hallucinations or visuals but just damn strange. My eyes darted from spot to spot and I thought - how the hell do I get to the airport in this state! I was really mashed!

I only managed about 4 tokes of the spliff. A bit of a shame that I could not finish off that last Amsterdam joint but, heck, I had not been that wasted ever in a long time!

Even when I hit the airport, I still felt blasted. I reckon that last spliff at Hunters kept me wasted for about 2 hours! And I don't mean stoned, I mean WASTED!!

Now I just need to get back home to Amsterdam......

Where Is The Cured Weed?

2008-05-28T20:51:00.005+01:00

Hey sorry for not writing for ages. My mate at tokepure.com asked where I was - it's been 6 months since I wrote on here - wow!

I went to Amsterdam about 3 weeks ago and it was pretty good. Although I have been used to flying solo and hooking up with big stoners and my old buddy just couldn't keep up! Most of the time he smoked half as much as normal and fell asleep the rest.

So I'm gonna head over again pretty soon, before the smoking ban kicks in on 1 July. Who knows what will happen then?

- will there be new strains of low potency weed for existing tobacco mix smokers?
- will consumption of hash drop because people don't want to mix the flavour with weed?
- will weed be cured properly now? (see below)
- will coffeeshop staff actually accuse people of smoking tobacco and tell them to stop (how do you know if a spliff has tobacco - you could guess wrong if you rely on your nose and the general direction of fumes)

Yes, that's right, from 1st July there will be Eu tobacco ban throughout the Netherlands meaning no more tobacco in coffeeshops.

Anyway, it makes me think. How about the weed in Amsterdam? When I went last, a lot of it was not cured properly, almost the majority. Not only was it ungrindable but it needed the tobacco to burn.

If I am going to toke pure soon then only the good cured weed will do. Not the rushed to market stuff that is so common in Amsterdam. I'll have to finger my buds before I buy them from now on ;)

Top 3 List of Stoned Girls - Marijuana/Cannabis Smoking Chicks

2007-12-22T18:19:00.000Z

There are plenty of guys who smoke the herb and the hash, but surprisingly few chicks who do or openly admit it. This is very sad in my opinion, I encourage all girls to try the smoke, especially in Amsterdam.

So, I decided to find some pics on the internet to remind us that women do smoke cannabis and enjoy it too. Do you agree with my ranking, if not - please leave a comment :)

3rd place

This first pic is cool, we have a pretty chick blowing out some bong smoke, quite a plume I might add, she looks pretty baked, haha!

But just look at her friend...wtf! Looks like she is totally stoned and out for the count.

Actually, this pic reminds me of me and my stoner friend. I always go on smoking till the early hours whereas he falls asleep in no time, including while bogarding the joint!!

This pic is from site, Way Too Many, you can find more excellent stoner girl pics there.

2nd place

I saw this lovely girl, Inge, on wiet.nl forums. There she is actually a moderator, a wiet.nl Special Stoner would you believe it!

Guess what "war on drugs" fools, normal women smoke dope. I recommend taking a look around wiet.nl, it's all in Dutch but even a web translator does the job and it helps with learning Dutch.

Winner

This is Jodie Emery, who is married to Marc Emery, Prince of Pot. If we ignore the political message on the pic and try to ignore Jodie's pretty face and beautiful body (I know, it's tough - like trying to resist a wonderful Rif Valley hash!) then you should know that she is also editor of Cannabis Culture magazine, as well as devoted wife to the Prince of Pot himself.

What a lucky guy!

You can find out more about Marc and Jodie's battle against extradition, including full documentary by CBC at her myspace page.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with my choices of even have any pics of your own to share? Please send them to my email address as shown top right of the page or leave some nice comments and links below.

Netherlands PM Wants To Ban Weed And Hasj?

2007-12-18T20:23:00.000Z

Dutch PM, Jan Peter Balkenende, wants to ban coffeeshops. This is the underlying theme I got from a recent Dutch news item which seems not to have hit the international English language press. Well, theguest brings you an exclusive courtesy of his effort to translate from Dutch to English with the help of Google Translate!

Prime Minister Seeks Alternative Drugs Policy
Premier moet streven naar ander drugsverdrag

MAASTRICHT / BRUSSELS - Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende will meet with other countries in order to agree new international drugs treaties. The existing treaty dating from the 60s has been hindered thus far by The Netherlands, where soft drugs are allowed.

Premier Jan Peter Balkenende moet het met andere landen zien eens te worden over nieuwe internationale drugsverdragen. De verdragen uit de jaren zestig belemmeren Nederland om het softdrugsbeleid in eigen land verder te versoepelen.

Supporters include former Prime Minister Dries van Agt, former Health Minister Els Borst and mayor Gerd Leers of Maastricht.

Die oproep doet een aantal (oud-) politici aan premier Balkenende. Onder de ondertekenaars van de brief zijn oud-premier Dries van Agt, oud-minister van Volksgezondheid Els Borst en burgemeester Gerd Leers van Maastricht.

They found the current cannabis policy to be no longer credible and effective. In addition to the user of cannabis, the production of it and supply of it to coffeeshops was also tolerated by Dutch governments, despite contravening international treaties.

Zij vinden het huidige cannabisbeleid niet meer geloofwaardig en effectief. Pleidooien om naast het gebruik van cannabis ook de productie en de bevoorrading van coffeeshops te gedogen, werden door Nederlandse regeringen altijd afgewezen met een beroep op internationale verdragen.

Therefore, it is high time (hehe, high time, lol!) that treaties should adapt, according to the reasoning of the signatories of the letter to Prime Minister Balkenende.

Dus is het hoog tijd die verdragen dan maar eens aan te passen, aldus de redenering van de ondertekenaars van de brief aan Balkenende.

Among them are mayors Riid Vreeman (Tilburg) and Thom de Graaf (Nijmegen), MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg (GroenLinks), and the korpschefs (anyone know what a korpschef is??) from the regions of Limburg South and Central and West Brabant.

Onder hen bevinden zich ook de burgemeesters Ruud Vreeman (Tilburg) en Thom de Graaf (Nijmegen), Europarlementariër Kathalijne Buitenweg (GroenLinks) en de korpschefs uit de regio’s Limburg-Zuid en Midden- en West-Brabant.

In 2008, the United Nations will hold a conference on drugs policy. "In 1998, UN countries spoke of the world in 2008 as being drug free". The repressive approach has completely failed. It is clear that we, in 2008, must choose a new approach," says MEP Buitenweg.

In 2008 houden de Verenigde Naties een conferentie over het drugsbeleid. „In 1998 spraken de landen in VN-verband af dat de wereld in 2008 drugsvrij moet zijn. De repressieve aanpak heeft volledig gefaald. Het is duidelijk dat we in 2008 voor een nieuwe aanpak moeten kiezen”, aldus Europarlementariër Buitenweg.

Well, I hope you liked my translation, I am sure it is full of errors so please point them out, but you should get the general gist.

Anyway, what do you think this holds for the future?

Will we see the Dutch tow the line and succumb to UN pressure on the "War On Drugs"? I sure hope not. I know that the guys on Wiet.nl are worried. What do you think? Please leave some comments! Thanks

Chocolope Should Have Won The Cup

2007-12-06T21:32:00.000Z

...according to several seasoned observers.

So I'm just back from the Dam. Yes I am a lucky sod no doubt. Not really lucky, more like broke!

I really must move to Amsterdam. Paniked is an inspiration, he planned his move there and made it - now he has the finest selection of weed to sample to his heart's content.

Ah, the Chocolope. I tried to score some on Saturday and Grey Area had a huge line and I was sadly disappointed. Luckily they had some the next day and I decided to buy 15 Euros worth of this tasty bud.

First of all the smell, as someone described to me it truly is unique and so fruity. It reminded me of when I first bought Stella Blue, I thought that they should make a perfume out of this, and the same is true for Chocolope. The high was pretty good as well although I was already pretty stoned.

I do find it strange that often good smelling weed scores highly. I can't help but feel that a weed is being rated for its smell and taste rather than the "high" that it delivers. Personally, I think that a weed that gives a good high but has an average smell and taste, is superior to the reverse.

Anyway, some info on Chocolope, its seeds are by DNA Genetics and is also known as D-Line.

It is a 100% sativa and is a cross between O.G. Chocolate Thai X Cannalopehaze.

As usual, the bud from Grey Area was nicely cured and dry - there's nothing worse than bud that jams up yer grinder!

Overall I give this weed a 7.5 out of 10. It was real tasty but not the best I had this trip. Stay tuned as I share with you what other smokables I tasted.

Cannabis Cup Winners 2007 - Final Winners

2007-11-26T23:02:00.000Z

So finally after much speculation and wondering about what else won apart from the main cup (I'm especially interested in the import hash cup), we now have the full listings, as listed on High Times' official site:

from: 20TH CANNABIS CUP :: NOV 18-22 2007 :: AMSTERDAM

Cannabis Cup:
1) G-13 Haze - Barney's
2) Chocolope - Grey Area
3) Super Silver Haze - Greenhouse United

Indica Cup:
1) Top Dog - Amnesia Seeds
2) Crimea Blue - Barney's Farm
3) Reserva Privada #18 - Reserva Privada

Sativa Cup:
1) Kia Kush- Apothecary
2) Tasman Haze - Kiwi Seeds
3) The Purps - BC Bud Depot

Neder Hash:
1) Violator Ice-o-lator - Barney's
2) Bubble Mania - Greenhouse United
3) Grey Crystals - Grey Area

Import Hash:
1) Triple X - Barney's
2) King Hassan Supreme - Greenhouse United
3) Rifman's Habibi - De Dampkring

Product Cup:
1) Barney's Gift Bag - Barney's
2) Vapezilla Vaporizer - Wicked Roots
3) Vapostar Vaporizer - Vapostar

Best Booth:
1) Barney Farm
2) DNA Seeds
3) Greenhouse Seeds

From everything I have heard, this is pretty much the most commercial cup there has ever been with Greenhouse and Barneys raising their game to another level.

But I have also heard that the Chocolope from Grey Area really is the best stuff! So, I look forward to scoring some of that soon!

Interesting to see a Rifman hash get 3rd place too - I love Rifman hash as I know many other hasj cannaseurs do - mmm...also on my to do list!

So, have you smoked any of these? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment!

PS what is up with awarding the gift bag as the best product? This is hardly something that a smoker can pick up and use - this is simply something that was only there for the cup. Ridiculous that they voted for it if you ask me, it has not done anything for the credibility of the cup.

Oh yeah, here's a cool video of Tommy Chong at the Cup!

Cannabis Cup Winner In Question?

2007-11-25T15:38:00.000Z

Edit: click here for Full List of CANNABIS CUP WINNERS 2007

Remember the "hanging chad" scandal in the American voting?

Well, equally there is something strange about the result of the Cannabis Cup.

Check out this info I got from naplesflorida on smokersguide forum.

FYI: Today I was told the the final vote on the computer that High Times was using to tally the voting was only showing a 1 vote difference between fist place Barneys and second place DNA. and yes, they closed the judging early so everyone did not get to vote was turned away and got a tee shirt instead. This is from a very good source. plus on Friday people were still people going to the expo due to a printing error on the schedule. WEED wise: Personally I enjoyed the Chocolope when it came to judging the smoke in the contest and the Smoke that Milehigh grew was far better then anything you buy in a shop. As for the best smoke I had so far was Cheese from the out side of town not bought in a shop, some Moroccan Water Hash, and some nice Turkish Hash I that I got a photo shoot I took of some big ass plants. OK got to run but that is it for now. Here for another 10 to 12 days. be in touch later..

It will be interesting to see how this all pans out?

Cannabis Cup Winners 2007

2007-11-24T10:58:00.000Z

SUPER EDIT: click here for FULL LIST OF WINNERS, Cannabis Cup 2007

Edit, LATEST UPDATE: I got sick and tired of all the bullsh1t rumours on the internet. First of all sites claiming that Barneys has won with Arjen's Ultra Haze??? Surely Arjen, owner of Greenhouse, would not submit a weed to a competitor coffeeshop???

Then I heard that Grey Area won with Chocolope.

Then I heard this result from a local Amsterdam source:

1st Place: Barney's - G13 Haze
2nd Place: Grey Area - Chocolope
3rd Place: Greenhouse - Super Silver Haze

I then rang Barneys and ask them if they had won the cup! Yes I called them, why not, it barely cost me 5 pence. The dude on the phone said "yes!". I asked him if it was G13 Haze. He said "I'm not allowed to tell you that information".

Strange, maybe it is one of those cannabis laws that does not allow "advertising" means he could not tell me over the phone.

So, I'm going to assume that the above is true. Although I'm now hearing that Barney's may still have won with the Arjen Ultra Haze, and the G13 of theirs won the Indica Cup. Who knows??!!

Please if you know anything about the cup winners, leave a comment here. Thanks!

Although the Cannabis Cup winners were announced last night, we are still waiting on confirmation of the winners.

All I know is that Barney's apparently won most of the cups. This always seems to happen and they invest more (money) in it than anyone else. Little wonder then that many disregard the cup and see it as a purely commercial event.

That said, Barney's wares are pretty good though pricey, and their shops are not all that, except for the one near Rembrandtplein which I like a lot and hardly gets any visitors.

From what I have heard (though I have confliction information), apparently the winner was.....

~~Chocolope of Grey Area~~

G13 Haze of Barneys

I hope this is true as many are sick of Barneys and Greenhouse dominating. Though it is interesting to hear about Super Silver Haze of Greenhouse doing very well.

Whatever, its sure to be a close battle between Arjen of Greenhouse, Barney's and DNA Genetics (supplying mainly to Grey Area if I'm not mistaken).

Personally, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for any of the other shops that might have won something.

Bruce Lee Died From Cannabis?

2007-10-28T19:48:00.000Z

Hi all,

I know this is a blog mainly about Amsterdam coffeeshops but it is also interesting to discuss anything cannabis related.

I watched Dragon The Bruce Lee Story recently (great film btw) and looked into his story.

His death is shrouded in mystery and I even found someone on Youtube spouting that he died from cannabis! At least this theory was backed off from, though some still spout this crap:

Dr. Langford who treated Lee for his first collapse stated after his death that, "There's not a question in my mind that cannabis should have been named as the presumptive cause of death."^[69] He also believed that, "Equagesic was not at all involved in Bruce's first collapse."^[70] Professor R.D. Teare, who had overseen over 100,000 autopsies, was the top expert assigned to the Lee case. Dr. Teare declared that the presence of cannabis was mere coincidence, and added that it would be "irresponsible and irrational" to say that it might have triggered Lee's death. His conclusion was that the death was caused by an acute cerebral edema due to a reaction to compounds present in the prescription pain killing drug Equagesic. ^[71] Dr. Peter Wu's preliminary opinion was that the cause of death could have been a reaction to cannabis and Equagesic. Dr. Wu would later back off from this position however:
"Professor Teare was a forensic scientist recommended by Scotland Yard; he was brought in as an expert on cannabis and we can't contradict his testimony. The dosage of cannabis is neither precise nor predictable, but I've never known of anyone dying simply from taking it."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee#Death_by_.22misadventure.22

I mean, get real! Noone ever died from cannabis, I can't believe this cr@p is still peddled.

Even this morning on TV a religious nut was talking about how evil and dangerous cannabis was - puhlease!

My advice, go to Amsterdam and visit a coffeeshop - see how these are ordinary people and look nothing like criminals at all.

paniked's Weekly Weed Report

2007-10-20T22:52:00.000+01:00

If you are a cannaseur, then I can highly recommend paniked's Weekly Weed Report.

paniked is a regular on ignatzmice, a fellow Amsterdam site. He is a resident of Amsterdam originally from USA who loves his weed (he rarely reports on hash).

In fact, I know of noone who reports as well as he does on the latest in Amsterdam weed.

Bushdoc over at Smokers Guide is more famous, but paniked's reports are the best.

Before you click the link below to find out more, be aware that ignatzmice is a site for those who like the red light district of Amsterdam so may not be worksafe.

paniked's Weekly Weed Report

Amsterdam Bans Magic Mushrooms!

2007-10-17T20:08:00.000+01:00

I know that many of you also like to indulge in that other legal drug in Amsterdam that is mushrooms! Well I have some bad news for you unfortunately.

Amsterdam's government on Friday decided to ban mushrooms.

A ministry spokesman, Wim van der Weegen, announced that the ban will take effect within 6 months and will not require any sort of parliamentary approval.

Whilst most of the media reported this story on Friday, those with their ears close to the ground (including me!) had expected an announcement for some time.

What really started this story was when a French girl a few months ago decided to toss herself off a bridge and fell to her death to a motorway. Silly girl!

For a start, she did the mushrooms and ventured off on her own. Only an idiot would take psychedelics on their own. Maybe the shop didn't warn her but she should have known better that drugs are not like candy.

There were a few other incidents as well, all involving tourists, but I think the French girl was the hair that broke the camel's back and started this campaign to control mushrooms.

I say control, because initially it looked as if the government wanted to bring in a 3 day cooling off period i.e. you express an interest in buying mushrooms and you get 3 days to mull it over before you come to collect them.

Many people including myself scoffed at this and it would also prevent many European weekend tourists from buying any.

So when the news came that they were to be banned, this came as a complete surprise!

This is a stupid idea in my opinion and only gives the pesky street dealers another poor quality, adulterated and dangerous product to peddle.

If you're planning a trip to Amsterdam soon then you can still get the mushrooms, probably for the rest of the year then that will be it :(

Luckily, the beautiful weed has not been touched so we are safe...for now.

Picture credit
Image: "Magic mushroom!" by jocelyn.aubert
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jocelynaubert/1524073479/)
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Back from Amsterdam!

2007-10-07T18:11:00.001+01:00

Yes I'm back. Or rather, no!!!!

I wish I was back there now.

I've just been to Amsterdam for a couple of nights. Same place as usual but I never tire of it, not one iota.

Damn I need to live out there. What better feeling that being able to walk into an establishment and legally buy some weed and smoke it!

As usual I have no pics and can hardly remember anything that I smoked!

But I will say that my weed of the trip was......

Mango Madness from Hunter Bar!

Map of Amsterdam Smoker Friendly Bars, Clubs & Other Venues

2007-09-28T20:12:00.000+01:00

Hey all!

You may remember that I was collecting a list of smoker friendly places in Amsterdam where one can smoke one's own joints typically while sipping a beer or imbibing some other alcoholic beverage (alcohol was recently banned from coffeeshops).

View Larger Map

You can click on each "smoking fire" icon in the map to get the name of the place. Also you can click the link "View Larger Map" if you want to go to Google Maps proper and have full navigation abilities such as using the scroller on your mouse to zoom in and out.

If there are any errors then please let me know by leaving a comment below. Also any suggestions are welcome.

I hope you find this a useful map! Please leave your feedback in the comments form! Thanks!

Amsterdam - Here I Come!

2007-09-18T20:01:00.000+01:00

I mentioned last post that there was to be no Amsterdam trip this summer but I'm now booked in to go again very soon!

I'm going to look for a permanent job instead so I may as well take my vacation as originally planned.

Only a couple of days though, but they should be action packed.

This trip I want to really try a lot of indicas, I think they are vastly underrated. Ever go through a period where the gear seems to offering a weaker experience with every extra joint? Hopefully the "stoney" indicas will prevent that - I never fall asleep from smoking too many joints so this should do the trick.

Here is my new shopping list (strain - coffeeshop):

MK Ultra - The Coin
Reclining Buddha - Tweede Kamer/Dampkring
Grey Haze - Grey Area
Annanuki - Grey Area
Nepal - Abraxas
Warm Ears - Global Chillage
G13 x Big Buddha's Cheese - Grey Area
Big Buddha's Cheese - Hunter's
Bubble Kush - Hunter's

By the way, if you are a weed connaisseur then I highly recommend you check out the ignatz weekly weed report by paniked.

It's the best running weed review commentary bar none, unless someone wants to correct me, I'd love to hear about it.

No Visit To Amsterdam This Summer

2007-08-15T21:06:00.000+01:00

Alas no visit this summer!

For personal reasons, I need to save some cash so no visit right now.

I would like to go before the turn of the year though, but I'm not sure where I'm gonna find the time.

Y'see, I want to change job soon and go freelance, but it might be quite hard to get days off. I guess a long weekend trip is in order - and I'll only have to take a day off. I think this is totally doable and will minimise my spends anyway.

Still it hasn't stopped me getting through about eighteen 20-bags recently! I developed a really nasty cough which luckily went away as soon as I stopped toking!

Need Amsterdam Joints Now!

2007-07-09T17:54:00.000+01:00

I know that it has only been April since I was last in paradise, but I long to go again quite soon.

By the way, sorry that it has been awhile since I last posted - I've moved house recently and, this being the UK, it has taken quite a while to get reconnected again.

Usually after returning from Amsterdam, I will exhaust my gear supply that is left, which never seems to give as strong a high as the Amsterdam stuff! I don't think it is necessarilly the THC content, but it could also be the environment that I'm in - getting wasted at home just isn't the same as getting stoned in a coffeeshop in Amsterdam.

But after this, the best way to deal with a new homesickness for a home away from home, is to get back to normal life asap and put Amsterdam right the the back of your mind. If you don't, then being away from Amsterdam will only get worse!

But recently, my brother just returned from Amsterdam, and my boss is going at the end of the week! grrr! So I've been looking online and trying to book a trip real soon! Only problem is that summer seems to be very busy (I've only been in summer the one time before) and I need to book at least a month in advance if my plan is to go ahead.

My plan, that is, is to stay at Flying Pig Downtown, I hear it is a pretty cool place and they even encourage smoking in the chill out area/bar! I've heard that many solo travellers have hooked up with others there. I did once stay at the Stayokay hostel but that is a Dutch National Youth Hostel affiliated place so was full of "normal" people and very few stoners. Plus there was nowhere inside to toke!

So, I'm gonna book the flights, hostel and holiday time off work very soon and hopefully I can be there in about 6 weeks!

Have any of you guys been to Amsterdam recently for a toker's holiday? Care to leave a comment and share your experience with us?

Back from the Dam!

2007-04-29T13:18:00.000+01:00

I was lucky again to spend three days in paradise. As some of you may know, I don't visit Amsterdam for 5 days or longer at a time anymore. This way, I can go more often during the year.

Living only an hour away by plane (trip still takes a good 4 or 5 hours door to door though), whilst it is worth minimising the flight cost, it is the hotels and daily spend which figure more highly, hence a shorter trip costs less. I figure I can visit every 3 months or so at this rate.

Anyway, much hash was toked on this trip, especially hash, what with being in the company of Viking and Purplhaze, both hash specialists and not liking weed.

There were a variety of smokes consumed. I found the Caramella Cream again at Barney's At €19 per gram it is a hefty price and usually a hefty smoke to boot. But this time, it just didn't do anything for me. Perhaps a bad batch but I am a bit loathe to try again at that price when there are so many other wonderful hashes.

This time, we rented bikes. I had done this on an earlier trip, and rode around as far as I could without getting completely lost, before returning the bike in the early afternoon so that I could get stoned i.e. not riding stoned.

This time, I was convinced by good friends, especially Lasthamlet, to try again. A big doobie of Super Silver Haze may have had some effect as I wobbled on a rent-a-bike, but once I was on my way...it was easier than walking!!

This allowed us to get out to Greenhouse Tolstraat in a matter of a few minutes. I had not visited since maybe 1998 and it was a lot different now. The large bar that used to be along the left hand side of the place is gone, replaced by a smaller one up front. And the seating area up front is obviously now gone as a result.

King Hassan Extreme and King Hassan Polm were bought here, probably both the best smokes of the entire trip, hash wise. Very strong and yet smooth indeed.

Being in the company of friends, I did not visit some of my regular haunts, however upon parking my bike out west on my last night, I happened to bump into Anyday. Ah....only the Stella Blue would do. Some beautiful stuff that I always stop for. This time, it was a great batch, I was reminded of how great this weed was - indeed I found new flavours and new experiences. Smoking this weed is similar to smoking a vapo bag - the beautiful after taste of the weed dominates, and it is a nice high buzz as well! Check out a lovely pic of a bud I took (click it to see a bigger pic).

Some London Buds Photographed By Me

2007-04-15T18:02:00.000+01:00

I love Amsterdam buds, they are amongst the best and I especially love the hash.

But weed in England is pretty good too, in general. I've been fortunate enough to smoke some nice stuff lately.

It has a very nice odor - not overly citrus but still very strong. You have to double pack this stuff, coz it smells so much!

You may have heard about weed laced with crushed glass in the UK. I am 90% sure that this weed does not have glass in it for the following reasons:

This was not bought off the street where adulterants will be more common
I have run this weed between my teeth and it does not taste gritty
I have rubbed the weed and the mix that comes off, I have rubbed it into my palm and my thumb. There are no abrasive qualities, it just almost dissolves like trichomes would
Look at the pics and you will see hairs and trichomes, no glass

Of course I could be mistaken, feel free to point out what you can see!

I hope you like the pics by the way. I used my Canon digital camera A70. Quite old by today's standards but it gets 3.2 MP which is still OK.

It took me a number of shots to get it right. In the end, this is my best shot and I used automatic settings (aperture, shutter speed etc.) at a distance of about 5cm from the subject, with no zoom and no flash. I used the two second self timer as advised by some Channelite friends.

As you may know, green colours come out quite vivid with digital cameras and the weed looks more a sandy or dusty green colour in reality. Maybe this has something to do with white balancing, I never tried that before.

Please let me know your comments and try not to drool on this huge nug I took from a "20-bag"!

Thanks for looking

The Bud in all its glory

Great Closeup of the Bud

Smoker Friendly Bars in Amsterdam

2007-04-11T20:34:00.000+01:00

As you may have heard, the government wanted to seperate weed and alcohol (most people know that mixing the two is a mistake, but I never heard of it being a big problem), so many places have had to give up one or the other. Unfortuantely, because those coffeeshops that used to serve alcohol used to be allowed to open late and no longer can if they give up the booze, it means less places to smoke out late. Or does it....

Luckily, there are some bars that are smoker friendly (take that government!) and I hope to compile a running list, edited as we go along. What I have compiled so far is based on my own knowledge and a couple of other sources.

I welcome your comments so we can keep this up to date as a list of smoker friendly bars!

Cocos (in the back of the restaurant section at least - I need to get clarification of this), Rembrandtplein
Hunters Vodka Bar (twinned with Hunters Coffeeshop over the road-score your gear there)
Stones Cafe, Warmoestraat
Sports Bar, Leidseplein (needs verifying, is there more than one in Leidseplein?)
Sky Sports Cafe, Leidseplein
Rock and Roll Bar
Excalibur
Red Light Bar
Getto, Warmoestraat
~~Tara Irish Pub (downstairs)~~ - apparently they don't let you smoke, at least openly, removing from the list.
Ziggy's
Cafe of the Minds, Spuistraat
Lost in Amsterdam, Nieuwendijk

If you know of any other bars where you have smoked, please leave a comment and I will add to the main list. Thanks!

Edited 15 Apr 07

Where Does Amsterdam Hash Come From?

2007-04-07T08:51:00.000+01:00

Amsterdam hash...I could dream about it all day long...

I used to be a smoker who would toke on only strictly weed in Amsterdam. Being what I was used to back home (apart from "block" a.k.a. "soapbar" - although you could hardly call this gear or hash), I was amazed back in 1996/7 when I smoked Amsterdam weed for the first time. That 1st joint of White Widow almost knocked me off my barstool a la Dannymac.

For years, I passed on the hash - too harsh, no thanks.

What a fool I was, for if you choose the right hash, it is actually very smooth on the palate and the throat and not harsh at all.

Now, I love hash, perhaps converted by PurpleHaze and viking, I have come to appreciate the many different appearances, aromas, flavours and highs that Amsterdam hash can afford.

But where does it come from? I have heard of folk rubbing leaves between their hands to extract hash oils - could this be true?

I found a great website, 420hash.com, which lists and descibes in great detail all the different types of hash available. Look at all these juicy hashes!

I might add, it doesn't list Nederhash, which is hash made from weed grown in the Netherlands.

If you want to see some great pictures of hash, check out Nol's site here - Hemp City Hash Images

Worldwide Weed - England to Amsterdam

2007-04-01T22:59:00.000+01:00

I recently had some weed here in England, luckily it was not sprayed with glass to make it look more cystalline, as I hear is quite common now.

I can't wait to go to Amsterdam though - should be making it shortly. Smoking weed in Amsterdam is so much different from smoking at home. I heard many people talk about how their weed is better at home...sure, it might be, but Amsterdam coffeeshops have so much more to offer.

Here is just a selection:

You can buy and smoke weed legally in Amsterdam
No glass spraying techniques in Amsterdam
More variety in Amsterdam
Weed is plentiful - no more scraping the tin to get the shake for your last joint from your smokables box!

How many more reasons can you think of?

Have You Tried The Latest Weed?

2007-02-18T17:32:00.000Z

Smokersreviews.com is still work in progress. I have a lot to do at home, and hoping to outsource/delegate some tasks so that I can finish uploading my reviews. In the meantime, if you have any pictures and reviews of smokables, feel free to upload them!

As for the latest smokables, I would be interested to hear from anyone who has tried the following. Please leave a comment if you have!

G13 Haze
Blue Cheese
Mako Haze
Fruity Thai
Rifman's Noor

Return from Amsterdam's Coffeeshops, again!

2007-01-13T00:12:00.000Z

Hi guys,

Lucky me, I just returned from Amsterdam again, having been there in November as well.

Was only for a couple of days this time but boy, do I wish I was back.

Makes me want to live there even more than ever! Dammit!

Well, I had some nice gear such as Martian Mean Green, G13 Haze etc as well as some classics like Stella Blue and Royal Cream.

I'll write more soon with trip reports and weed reviews!

--------------------
Visit Amsterdam Review for Amsterdam info and a FREE SMOKER FRIENDLY HOTEL GUIDE!

Stoners in Amsterdam on Video!

2007-01-02T02:54:00.000Z

Check out this cool video I found whilst surfing Google video.

Bunch of English lads go to Amsterdam and get wasted and smoke a lot of joints, go tripping on mushrooms.

They even construct a monster joint but for some reason it is jetisoned to the crack dealers? Perhaps it was constructed from some poor gear like the purple haze I once bought from Bulldog or this shitty Durban weed I bought from Rokerij.

Update: Sam says that only the roach was aborted - they smoker the entire reefer!

PS I note that they are fans of Chocomel! Woo-hoo! I salute you!

Anyway, enjoy!

Arjan's Haze #2 Review

2006-12-23T20:28:00.000Z

Hey!

How are you tokers doing?

I've started to upload some reviews to my Smokers Reviews site, based on what I smoked on the last trip.

First up, is Arjan's Haze #2 from Greenhouse Centrum, a bio Laos cross and very uplifting sativa.

Click on the image below to find out what I thought of it...

50 Joints Later!

2006-11-23T23:28:00.000Z

So I'm back from Amsterdam and 50 joints later my lungs have taken quite a hit!

I must have had a chest infection or something, because after 3 days my lungs hurt and were congested, I've never had this problem before, I had to abstain from hash for a day I was so ill, lol ;-)

So I'll soon be posting my reviews on my sister site smokersreviews.com, there were so many lovely types of weed and hash to sample.

Those who say that the gear is getting worse in Amsterdam? Rubbish! I never noticed this. These are the same people who try to score deals on extra grams and often buy cheap stuff - personally I always go for the top end of the menu, and rarely pay less than €10 per gram.

Anyway, keep your eyes peeled early next week, the reviews will slowly appear!

Until then, take care and keep toking!

theguest

Check Out These Amsterdam Tokers!

2006-10-08T11:03:00.000+01:00

Check out these Amsterdam tokers!

Group of fellow English lads who like to toke (if it ain't drink, its weed/hash) go to amsterdam and smoke the town out.

I can recognise some nice spliffs (with tobacco) and some coffeeshops. Though there is a place that is covered in grafitti from head to toe next to a canal - which coffeeshop is this? Can someone please identify :-)

I must also say, some great handrolling techniques as well! Also, some sneak pics in the red light district!

The music (R 'n B is my guess) is something I don't listen to much at home, but enjoy while in coffeeshops - I particularly recall that High Times Coffeeshop often play such music. In fact, I usually notice such stoner (head moving to the beat) music when I am totally shitfaced or when I am melancoly and soon to leaver Amsterdam.

Great video guys, really evokes memories! You guys sure enjoy your weed and hash, I salute you!

Tried Hash Plant Weed?

2006-09-30T19:17:00.000+01:00

Have you ever tried hash plant weed in Amsterdam?

Every time I have seen it on the menu, I've always ignored it - it's one of those names that means nothing to me - in fact I don't recall any recent Cup winners by that name but I could be wrong.

For years I have thought it is simply "yet another meaningless name".

Yet I am now led to believe that it is a variety of grass intended to be made into hash (maybe from Afghanistan or India) but that never was.

It is therefore supposed to be a pretty different type of smoke.

Can anyone recommend any good coffeeshops to try this stuff?

Thanks!

Picture credit: http://shop.grasscity.com/shop/grasscity/seedsss2315.html

Weed Drought, He-man and Liono Smoking and the next BIG thing!

2006-09-21T22:01:00.000+01:00

Wow, this will be quite a post.... :-)

First of all, the weed drought in the UK - have you heard of it?

I was on channels the other day and learned of many people running out of weed/hash sources here in the UK. Hmm...perhaps some people getting carried away I thought, but no, even my own extremely irregular dealer reports the same - no weed!

How can this be so? Some people have said it may be due to a hot summer and several indoor crops failing due to not controlling the heat - could be conjecture, could be true - who knows? I wonder if it has affected the Amsterdam prices at all - perhaps one of you can leave a comment and let us know?

Secondly, let me add that the new BIG release I am planning, it is definitely going to go ahead soon. I still can't reveal much about it for fear of having my idea ripped off by the competition but, suffic to say, you guys will love it. That's all I can say for now but I'll be putting a lot of work in this weekend and "it" will surely follow soon! Stay tuned!

Finally, check out this cool vid below - it is hilarious. Can you imagine He-man and Liono smoking some good weed!! Even my own stoned dreams cannot match this!

As always, would love to hear from you, so please leave comments.

Later

theguest

Help me - wiet and hasj - I need Amsterdam!

2006-09-13T23:26:00.000+01:00

Sigh, it has been so long. Since April not been to the land of the free (Amsterdam, of course! What were you thinking!).

Please, those of you who have been since then, please leave some comments telling me the best weed and hash - has much changed?

Also, I have a small project that I will be embarking on soon......much more to be revealed later......but believe me, it will be BIG! :-)

Why I love to score in Amsterdam

2006-07-10T23:20:00.000+01:00

There is nothing like a legal score - going to Amsterdam and purchasing some of the world's finest at not an unreasonable price, of all varieties be they weed or hash.

It beats the situation at home - at the moment I rendezvous to pick up and often go on a wild goose chase over the city, the dealer delaying me and delaying me (probably trying to maximise his returns by selling to as many as possible), it can take several hours for a score.

Even if I buy in bulk, I'll destroy the stash easily inside a week!

All that hassle (though the weed is good) and for what? A week of procrastination and getting high. Sure, I love it - but no adult in the modern world can be permanently stoned and hold up a job and realise their ambitions. Maybe some can, but I'm not one of them.

Amsterdam is the place to go, to be away from it all at home: the family domestics, the law, the do-gooders etc.

Amsterdam is where I can be and smoke in freedom....aaahhh....I'm imagining it right now :)

So, here's a thought - shall I give up weed until my next trip (which is surely before the end of 2006)? What do you think?

Long time no write....joint rolling techniques

2006-06-18T15:10:00.000+01:00

Well long time no write......Amsterdam has been out of my mind a little lately.

This usually happens when one returns from the promised land.

Better to forget about it for six months than to dream about it each day - that is reserved for the two weeks prior to a trip!

I've still been smoking weed back home, but it just doesn't compare to doing it in Amsterdam, and I'm not even comparing the quality of the gear either.

Besides, , I need to lay off the weed for a few weeks and give my lungs a chance to recover.

One thing I have learned recently is that joint rolling techniques constantly evolve and improve with practice and age. Even just the other day I learned a new trick or two.

Real simple things such as snap the filter off the end of a cigarette and roll to release the tobacco from that side as well as the other side. Makes life much easier.

So, do you have any tips or stories from Amsterdam to share? I'll even publish them here with credit if you want - just email me at theguest.channels @ gmail dot com

Later....

Trip Report - April '06 - Day 1

2006-04-29T20:58:00.000+01:00

Hey guys!

theguest is back from Amsterdam!

I smoked a helluva lot of weed and hash there.

Really tested my limits.

A few times I thought I would whitey or pass out.

I never felt it, I just thought that so much THC would surely beat me!

But it didn't, I took it well!

I have videos of my different spliffs and reviews of weed and hash, stay tuned as I try to figure out a way of decoding the videos off my phone so you can check 'em out.

**********************
Hey all,

Back from the Dam for a few days now. Here's what happened on Day 1:

Get up at a reasonable time to head for Heathrow. London City Airport is only 5 minutes from where I live but I saved about 70 Euro by travelling to Heathrow. 2 hours there and back, in retrospect I would fly from nearby next time, if only for the flight back.

Anyway, Heathrow T4 was different to how I remember it. Pretty uneventful, just trying to get my cash limit raised with my bank which was successful. I also saw Rebecca Loos, the girl who had an affair with David Beckham. I think I was the only one who clocked her. She is quite slim, almost too slim, nonetheless I wouldn't say no.

Get on the plane and lo and behold, she was on my flight in business class. Hiding behind those big shades that celebs wear these days.

Got a row of three seats all to myself. Tried to be friendly with two Aussie girls across the aisle but no joy. I could swear I saw them in the RLD later (browsing) but I could be mistaken.

Nice landing and I'm out in a jiffy and on a train. My hotel is near Warmoestraat. A great hotel and the cheapest
single ensuite in the centrum area in my opinion.

Viking et al were in Haarlem so I decided to hang around AMS until they arrived back.

Needed a clipper lighter and some smoking eco skins (I had already packed my rolling mat). I got the skins at Baba headshop, my usual first visit, then the lighter off Damrak. The only lighter that they had that I didn't have already was covered in marijuana leaf paraphernalia! Still, it was a good lighter so I bought it off the cute shopkeeper girl. I smiled at her and she returned the smile, real cute girl.

Also, got some Marlboro Lights ciggies from a Damrak store. I was all set for smoking...where to first?

De Kuil was just nearby, I knew it was up a small alley from Damrak, one of two. I always choose the wrong one. I think I figured out a way of identifying the right one during this trip. Its the alley directly opposite the alley that takes you into Warmoestraat.

Anyway got there and scored me some nice hash I think. I forget what it was, but I did journal most new gear that I bought on my video camera on my mobile/cellphone (Edit-I just checked, it was Parvati Cream). So hopefully I can remember later. The dealer was cool, the tall Dutch guy at De Kuil. Whenever I buy gear, he always closes with: "Enjoy!". Mais bien sur, but of course I will, thanks a lot man!

It was a nice toke, the cute little barmaid was there and only a few other people. It was 420 at 420 on the 19th! Unlike most first spliffs in Amsterdam though, I was not completely trollied and this took me a little by surprise. It was time to hit other coffeeshops.

I dragged my ass off the stool and walked down Damrak towards Greenhouse Centrum. Here I scored some Hawaiin Snow and something else good, Arjen's Haze. I had a joint at the bar and striked up conversation with the barmaid, an English chick. Thing is, she wasn't very interested. Her mate looked quite fit too!

Suitably rocked after this next spliff I wandered up to Old Church. I had some Royal Cream. Man, that beautiful smell of Royal Cream came back to me, mmm it is such nice hash to smoke. When it crumbles it actually resembles faeces, I think this is a sign of good hash! I was quite impressed with my purchases for once. Usually I buy some good and some sh1t gear, but this time I was doing very well.

I forget what happened next, where I went etc. but then I caught up with Viking and Blueberry at La Tertulia I think, via a tram ride to an area unknown to me.

Had a quick spliff there and also met OHD and Otis on the way, purely by chance - Channelites bumping into each other in Amsterdam all the time, always seems like someone high up is playing games!

Then met Bear and briefly stopped by his place, very nice for him to invite me in. There is some kind of bike park garage underneath his place, I had never seen such a thing before!

Me and Viking hit Dolphins later that night, I seem to remember that OHD and Otis turned up there too and we smoked it up. I tried that Arjen's Haze, very nice. It was nice to be back in Amsterdam.

Then I walked late at night back to Warmoestraat and surrounding streets to my hotel, I forget if I went to another coffeeshop but I definitely ended the night with some kind of grass joint, trying not to burn the curtains.

All in all, a pretty good first day in Amsterdam!
**********************

What do you think? Do you have any comments on the weed and hash I toked? Or maybe wondering what else was toked?

I look forward to hearing from you guys.

Weed and Hash "To Do" List!

2006-04-08T17:20:00.000+01:00

So, that time of year draws soon again, when I will be venturing to the promised land i.e. Amsterdam, and trying lots of new weed and hash. Mmmm....

Actually, I had not smoked here for a while, but recently smoked a lot. So much so, that my lungs were in the worst state they had ever been. Coughing fits, loogies etc. Stopping for a couple weeks has cleared that up - but soon Amsterdam will put these lungs to the test once more....

Last time I went, I tried some Ice-Solator Smoking Bull but it really didn't do much for me. I'm determined to try it again and see how it goes - it is supposed to be a nice purchase.

The Rookies Orange Bud is supposed to be very concentrated high number of crystals. BushDoctor recommends it on Smokers Guide so I will give that a sample.

Willie Nelson from Barney's I hear is good but difficult to obtain...it was the 2005 Cup Winner by a landslide vote.

Also at Barney's the hash cup winner, Caramella Cream, I must try some of that.

Rifman products I always like - I have my eyes on De Dampkring's Rifman Malika - heck I'll probably head over to twin coffeeshop De Tweede Kamer to purchase and smoke this, I prefer this place.

King Hassan from Greenhouse got 3rd in the cup. Now that is interesting - many years ago on my first trip to Amsterdam, we had some King Hassan Elite, which knocked one of my buddies out, and sent the other out on a solo mission walking home from Greenhouse Tolstraat! Somehow he found is way back to the hotel! I think I'm gonna make that trip out to Greenhouse Tolstraat again, it will be well worth it. I'll take a strippenkart though, just in case!

Maybe you can recommend me some others to try?

theguest

If you're going to Amsterdam.....

2006-03-07T22:10:00.000Z

Channelites off to Amsterdam...

If you're going to Amsterdam.....be sure to smoke at least 100 spliffs....

OK, my rendition of Scott McKenzie's 60s original is not very good, but I hope you see my point. (Incidentally, please leave a comment and if there is demand for it, I will compose and sing such a version, but only at your request!).

April is drawing near and this blog is nearly a year old. That means that the Channelite's 11th Anniversary is coming up. Wow, Amsterdam in only a month.

I am used to having an agonising wait before going to Amsterdam, but the last few months have really flown by. Work has been tough...very tough but I'm a survivor and I'm still going strong.

End of April is Channels Anniversary - keep posted for smoking tales from the weed and hash capital of the world!

Woody Harrelson in Amsterdam? Have you seen him?

2006-03-05T14:47:00.000Z

Grass, the documentary

I was reading this interview with Woody Harrelson in Press Gazette.

In case you are not familiar with Woody, his claim to fame came when he starred for many years in the hit US comedy, Cheers, playing his namesake, a dopey but funny bartender.

He is well known as a marijuana legalisation advocate and does not hide this fact in interviews or on television.

Currently in London to act in theatre shows, his interview is quite revealing - I found this quote:

I have a smoke in a similar way most people have a drink, just as a way to relax after a hard day and that's it...The only time I might go a bit crazy is if I visit a place like Amsterdam.

Hehe, now has he been to Amsterdam I wonder? In fact, I'd be eager to here from your experiences in Amsterdam and whether you have met any celebrities. It would be interesting to compile a list of celebrity tokers in Amsterdam. Only a few are alikely venture that far methinks. And no, Brad Pitt and George Clooney taking over De Dampkring to NOT smoke a spliff does not count!

I know that Britney ventured into the Bulldog and Charlie Sheen apparently shagged a load of hoes in Amsterdam though I know not whether he smoked any weed, but who are the others? Let's "out" the celebrity tokers!

I have a dream...of Amsterdam Coffeeshops

2006-02-18T18:35:00.000Z

I have a dream...actually to be correct, I had a dream last night about toking in Amsterdam.

I seem to have these dreams about once every few months. Perhaps it's a sign of withdrawal, a sign that I need to return to the promised land.

I have not been "home" for a few months now. The Channels trip is in April, but I have a feeling that I will be there even sooner! And once again I will be trawling the coffeeshops and toking some of the strains, such as Arjan Ultra 2 Haze Hash from Greenhouse, and Grey Area Crystal hash.

Have you been there recently and can share some info with us? Maybe you can recommend a strain, because I think I will be there within a month or two.

Till then, I will continue to dream.........

Amsterdam
Hash
Weed
Coffeeshop

Caramella Cream - Hash Cup Winner

2005-12-19T23:02:00.000Z

Hash Cup Winner 2005

Caramella Cream won this year's Hash Cup at the annual High Times Cannabis Cup 2005.

BushDoc of smokersguide.com, wrote a review of this product before the cup winners were announced.

He described it as a strong but calming smoke. Well, he seems to have got it just right, this turned out to be the winner of the hash cup!

It's interesting to note Barney's success - they often do well in the weed stakes but a lot of people profess that Barney's gear is shite and that the cup is not a true reflection of what is good and what is not. They point out that many of those who attend the cup as judges hardly ever visit Amsterdam, and that those true connaisseurs who visit several times a year to chill out in the coffeeshops, rarely wish to be judges in the Cup. Controversial to say the least!

Here is the final tally of votes for the hash cup. The one I definitely intend to sample is the 2nd place Rifman Malika. Rifman products always get my vote!

Barney's, Caramella Cream (166)
De Dampkring, Rifman Malika (152)
Green House, King Hassan (119)

Rockerij, Royal Cream Gold (72)
Chocolata, Turkish Delight (26)
Amnesia, Caramella (24)
El Guapo, Damond (22)
Bush Doctor, Arabic Candy (19)
Bluebird, Kashmir Ice (17)
Dolphins, Royal Dolphin (14)
Kingston, Super Crystal (8)
Sensi Museum Cafe, Sensi Nougat (3)

The Travels of SDShadow

2005-12-17T20:15:00.000Z

So, I was over at Technorati and did a search for Amsterdam blogs and, lo and behold, up pops a blog by sdshadow, fellow Channelite!

He talks about many trips including back in April for the Channelites 10th Anniversary.

Read about his purchases of many types of wiet and hasj including:

XXX

Juicy Fruit

Cantaloupe Haze

Northern Lights Special

Honey Maroc

Citral

Sour Diesel

Blueberry

Bubblegum

Freeworld Special

Blue Cheese

Sneek

Parvati Cream

Click here to read sdshadow's blog.

How to buy weed in an Amsterdam coffeeshop

2005-12-10T13:24:00.000Z

Anyday's coffeeshop menu (pic courtesy of lctricity)

Some, if not many, of my readers will not need to read this, but there are others yet to visit Amsterdam who are worried that they do not know the protocol for what is an illegal activity back home.

So here is a small checklist for "How to buy weed in an Amsterdam coffeeshop".

Look out for a shop fronted with the words "coffeeshop", not "cafe". A quick look at the clientele should tell you whether this place is for stoners or for bookworms

Walk inside. If with friends, look for a place to sit and order some drinks from the bar.

Ask the bartender for "the menu". Often you will be directed to the budtender's bar

Ask the budtender for "the menu". You will be given a beautiful menu showing prices of weed, hash and other smokables

Usually prices are quoted for 1 gram and 2 gram, sometimes more, sometimes you are shown the weight you get for spending 10 Euros.

You are new to Amsterdam - the weed is very strong, I recommend you buy only a gram for your first sample. You can buy larger amounts of your favourite later in the trip.

Ask the budtender that you want a gram of something light, or something good for someone just arrived. Anything with Haze or Sativa in its name would do you very well.

Take your bud and pay for it in return

Take some complimentary skins or papers from the budtender's bar. You can also take some of those "tips", the pieces of cardboard which make a roach

Return to your seat and roll up a fat one with your bud

Spark it up and enjoy!! Welkom op Amsterdam!!

Cannabis Cup is for Schmucks!

2005-12-06T23:52:00.000Z

Maybe that's an overboard statement, but I truly do believe that the Cannabis Cup has lost much of its credibility and value.

Once upon a time, the Cup used to be looked upon as a hallmark of quality, and indicator of a nice stoney high. Selection of buds and hash was easier, you knew what you were getting. At least this is what I am led to believe.

To tell the truth, in my approximately twenty visits to Amsterdam over ten years, I have never known Cannabis Cup recommendations to be particularly good. Some good, most not.

Let's dissect the process and premise of The Cannabis Cup.

Judge's Pass - worth it or not?

First of all, the judge's pass is around 200 Euro (slight discount for advance entry) but what does it get you for this money? It allows you to smoke some samples, but by no means all. So don't think of it as a cheap way of buying weed and hash because it isn't. I suppose it's worth something in terms of ego inflation but I find it hard to put a price on that. It does allow you exclusive access to the Opening Ceremonies, the Awards Show and the Judges Lounge - I have yet to hear rave reviews about these events.

All in all, I would say - waste of money!

So-called winning strains?

Have you ever smoked a supposed "Cup winning strain" and thought "eh? wtf? how can this be a winner?" - I know I have!

Let's look at the champions of the last five years (not including the Cup just gone, 2005).

They are Amnesia Haze (Barney's), Hawaiian Snow (Greenhouse), Morning Glory (Barney's), Sweet Tooth (Barney's) and Blueberry (The Noon).

Now I don't know about you, but I have heard very mixed reviews about Amnesia Haze, indeed I understand that Mekong Haze, also from Barney's, is superior.

Hawaiian Snow I have tried. Sure it has a heck of a high THC rating but apart from that, is nothing special. I would not say that it gave the best high of the year or even close to it.

Blueberry from The Noon I would agree with. I have no arguments there. I did not taste it in 2000 but I know plenty have raved about it.

What about the legendary Stella Blue from Anyday? This was sampled in 2002 but didn't win anything? How can this be? It was considered by many to be the best bud of the year! There are countless other examples of great weed and hash entered into the cup but overlooked by the E-list celebrities.

I'm not saying that the winners are rubbish. But there are some glaring omissions and the occasional strange winner.

Best Coffeeshops in Amsterdam?

Also, look at the Coffeeshop Cup and you see Barney's and Greenhouse Tolstraat consistently up there.

Barney's is a nice place, but it is nowhere near top. I certainly don't think of it as a particularly nice place to chill - it has better than average gear and OK food - the fried breakfast is not that great, the prices are lousy and and the service can offend - it just happens to be the only place to get a big fry up with your spliff. I would never call it a relaxing place which any great coffeeshop must surely be.

Greenhouse Tolstraat is a very nice place...but how many of you would prefer to hang out at Greenhouse Tolstraat rather than a more cozy, warm and friendlier place? I have never heard anyone mention Greenhouse Tolstraat as their favourite coffeeshop so how does it do consistently well in the awards?

Surely quality gear is not enough to win the Coffeeshop Award?

Cup for Schmucks or for Tokers?

I know that the Cup is a democratic system and that individual's tastes will always vary. Still, I find it difficult to understand how some hundreds of judges have voted for some of the winners. Not all coffeeshops enter and it has even been accused in the past of bias towards advertisers in High Times - remember that the Cup is a commercial event, also it obviously has a bias towards Americans due to the timing, and not Europeans or other worldly counterpart tokers. Perhaps this geographical bias has no overall effect?

So tell me, do you believe in The Cup? Do you take its findings with a pinch of salt? Or do you believe it to be the holy green grail? Post a comment as I'm interested to know your thoughts.

Happy Smoking!
theguest

George Bush spotted in Pink Floyd (Umma Gumma) coffeeshop!

2005-12-04T20:18:00.000Z

GW smokin' it up!

I bribed Condoleeza and managed to get an exclusive pic of GW smokin' it up in Pink Floyd coffeeshop! Look at that smile on his face, he is obviously smoking something good!

I knew he had previous conviction for DUI and admitted to cocaine in his past, but it now seems that he has seen the light!

My source tells me that the real reason for his recent door incident in China is precisely because he had been toking too much Umma-Gumma hash! Seems he went overboard on their 5-gram deal!

Original photo obtained without permission from Larissa at The Most Complete Pink Floyd Page. Larissa, if you are reading this, please drop a line at theguest.channels @ gmail dot com.

Central Coffeeshop

2005-12-04T12:55:00.000Z

Central Coffeeshop, out in front

I hit this place up on my most recent visit, in November 2005.

Many times I had heard of this place - it has a title of being the closest coffeeshop to Central Station and therefore a popular first stop for fellow drug tourists!

Not only that but apparently good deals are to be had there.

After over ten trips to Amsterdam, I had to find this place for myself.

In a stoned stupor, I made an impulse decision to find Central Coffeeshop. I had no idea where it was, only that it was the closest coffeeshop to the station. But where could it be? Surely I would have run into it by now....

Damrak stretches in front of the station and I know that area like the back of my hand.

Surely it couldn't be out west near Barney's and Picasso's - being the closest to the station I should have hit it well before those coffeeshops.

So it must be east somewhere, maybe north of Warmoestraat or Zeedijk.

I walked up the Damrak and cut a right. I saw the road meandering to the left and back towards the east side of the station - aha, it must be somewhere close.

Lo and behold, not far after, I found Central Coffeeshop. It overlooks the quieter side of the station, where buses and trams arrive.

It's not a huge coffeeshop but I reckon you could cram about twenty people in there. Bigger than De Tweede Kamer but smaller than Greenhouse Centrum.

I thought I would buy some of their selection, I think I bought some Blueberry or Orange Bud or something similar. They have very good deals, although already prepackaged.

I forget whether I smoked it there and then, or rolled up some of my hash, but I quickly skinned one up and sparked it into life.

Central Coffeeshop is much of a buy and fly place. I saw some local Dutch youngsters picking up some smokables, then boarding a scooter - rider and pillion - and riding off. Many of those staying were only doing so for a quick toke and fly - hence sharing tables is common practice. Indeed, you will see many a person check their passports and the like before hitting the station.

I was going to strike up conversation with the gentlemen at my table but just as I sparked up he left.

I must say that this place had a very good vibe to it. It is too much of a transit zone to chill for a long period and have good debate or conversation with someone else.

But for a chilling zone for yourself to contemplate life and Amsterdam, it is a great place.

I do recall sitting at the table on a barstool, elbows on table, gazing out the window into the glare of the sheet white overcast sky, watching the station traffic and the people come and go. Thinking, yeah! This is the place to be. Here I am in Amsterdam smoking a big joint and enjoying myself.

You should definitely check out Central Coffeeshop!

Mmm...Febo!

2005-11-28T23:39:00.000Z

Click pic for larger view

Strangely enough, I don't often get the munchies whilst in Amsterdam.

In fact, on my most recent trip, I went a whole day barely eating just breakfast and only started to get hungry much later.

Unlike many stoners I don't get munchies when stoned - I prefer to consume soft drinks and not eat too much bulk.

At about midnight one night I suddenly needed food. If you look at my last post you can see how close Febo was to the hotel!

I dodged the dealers on the bridge (this is the heart of the red light district after all) and made a beeline for Febo.

I grabbed some kind of krocket (no longer 50 cents, 60 I think!) and some kind of burger....was it a grillburger? Or maybe something else.

I also got a vanilla milkshake. After seeing a recommendation on Channels, I had several of these during my stay - I must say that they are really good and not to be missed!

Some delightful Febo, a spliff of Smoking Bull Ice-O-Later, washed down with vanilla milkshake.

Life doesn't get much better!

Casablanca from Siberie

2005-11-20T13:01:00.000Z

One notable smoke from my most recent trip was Casablanca from Siberie.

I have had this before and had it again - unfortunately I have no pictures for you on this occasion.

It is a light hash that I bought a gram of and received in a small cube.

When you heat it it has a very nice smell to it.

It crumbles very easily but does not stick like superglue to your fingers like ice hash and other hash varieties can.

In fact, it crumbles very nicely indeed into nice sized chunks.

Casablanca actually resembles a piece of shit when you heat and crumble it and break it apart. I know that sounds nasty but I believe a hallmark of a good hash is that it resembles shit in look (not taste or smell!) when under heat and crumbling.

And it sure smoked good too! Very nice high!

Back to Reality

2005-11-13T15:22:00.000Z

View from my hotel room

Well, I'm back to reality - arrived late yesterday. It all seems rather strange now - as I battle back to cold turkey status with no weed, in a strange land that is not paradise, it does occur why we must work 50 weeks a year to get a mere 2 weeks in paradise...what a dream it would be to live there indeed.

I had a great fun-packed four nights - visited a fair number of coffeeshops, and smoked around 50 joints or around 25 grams of smokables.

On my last day, yesterday, Saturday, I started the day at Picasso's and rolled the worst joint of my trip - a hash joint that I rolled too tight. I ditched it and bought some primero hash, then rolled another one. Met a couple of Americans, plus a group of Picasso regulars that include an Englishman, American and a Dutch/Austrian!

Had a blast and some good chat, but then I had to be off to Siberie...despite other offers, I had to check out Siberie again.

Siberie was it's usual daytime atmosphere - not crowded, music very easy going and chill. A real peaceful place to chill - I could even chill there a whole day easily.

Shared a table with an old lady (I hope her lungs are in a good state!) and right opposite from one of the most beautiful girl's in Amsterdam. Soft brown hair, beautiful facial features, a real bookworm buried in her writing and her laptop. She would even hold in her tokes for nearly ten seconds. Not recommended for long term health, but nevertheless she was quite a toker!

I bought me some nice hash (forget again) and set off in direction of De Kuil.

I did not buy any weed or hash here (then again, maybe I did???) but chilled for a while. Even the popular places have seats available in the off-season during the day - I knew that in the evening, it would be much like last night, Friday night, almost impossible to grab a seat anywhere.

I had me a mere two hours remaining till flying out time. First stop was Route 66 once more. I bought something here - I forget what it was, but I got me a nice deal and the guy went into the back to get the hash.

Music here is a bit more intense than other places, but again a nice vibe. No cat this time but the cute waitresses remain.

With only one hour left, I went to the one and only place and hoped there would be a seat free: The Old Church.

Hey, where else! I skinned up the rest of the hash I had left, grabbed a drink and took a seat upstairs. I smoked that joint and those feelings of being in Amsterdam returned.

In my opinion, the first joint of Amsterdam rocks the system, everything looks so new despite previous visits, you are still trying to take everything in.

With the last joint, the reverse happens - you truly are at one with Amsterdam, you know that you will shortly be saying goodbye to an old friend, and nearly shed a tear or two. You wonder why life has to be any other way and you can't wait to be back again. You wonder why it takes until the last joint of the holiday to truly appreciate Amsterdam, how cruel that is.

Taking a break at Route 66

2005-11-10T20:04:00.000Z

Well yesterday I got well stoned, so many coffeeshops, and a hole in my wallet, yikes!!

This morning, the weather cancelled my plans for a bike ride - anyway I wanted to get stoned and was to meet up with Purplehaze.

We smoked it up big time, taking in many coffeeshops including Amnesia, Rusland, Route 66, De Kuil and Pink Floyd and the new Barnies.

A very good time was had and many hash joints smoked. Viking we were thinking of you while smoking those joints - looking forward to April when many Channelites will meet again.

The smoking adventures continue...

Hi - On way to Amnesia!

2005-11-10T09:19:00.000Z

Hi guys, went to a lot of coffeeshops yesterday, spent a lot of cash, got really stoned.

Just gotta fly, on my way to meet purplehaze at Amnesia!

--
-------------------------------------
Check out my blog!
http://nederwiet.blogspot.com

Smoke it was

2005-11-09T10:57:00.000Z

Yeah so the rain decided for me - I made it to Abraxas and smoking some nice Hawaiin Haze!

1st Day Back in Amsterdam

2005-11-09T09:46:00.000Z

Nearly lost the ice hash!

Hey guys!

I'm back in AMS. Actually it's now my second day, but after just having breakfast and no oint yet, I better make use of this non-stoned time to write this - otherwise I won't get it done!

Arrived yesterday at Schipol via an entrance I have never seen before (new terminal?), saw a rat on the concourse, on the train and checked into the hotel.

First place was Baba's - never had a seat there before. Got a nice seat - this is a good week for visiting, crowds delayed till Cup Week - and smoked some kind of hash, forget the name, second on the menu.

As usual with my first spliff, I was rocked and couldn't move - the lack of sleep and tiredness from travel (flight only 35 minutes!!) hitting me big time!

Stumbled through the red light district and onto Greenhouse Centrum. Got some nice Kali Mist. By now I was like a slumped heap, could barely lift my limbs, despite being a Sativa, must have been my tiredness.

Went back to the hotel and back out much later - first to the Old Church (hey, where else!) where I scored some favourite - Royal Cream...mmm tasty hash.

Then onto smoking bull - I remembered some recommendations to purchase some of their ice-o-later-hash. Scored a gram of orange bud (mmm..sweet but only briefly) and a gram of ice-o-later.

Smoked the orange bud and kept the ice-o-later for the hotel.

Got back to hotel approx midnight, opened the big old window - I have a fantastic view, right across from Febo it's fantastic - I can see and hear the drunk and the dodgy dudes in the Red Light District doing deals and having fights. Ah, Amsterdam, there's only one place to be!

Looked in vain for my ice-o-later hash. F**K! Where did I put it! P1ssed off that I had left it in the coffeeshop.

Despite looking everywhere last night, I checked another jacket pocket this morning and lo and behold, found my ice-o-later hash!

Now, I'm in a dilemma - I meant to hire a bike for one day to take some pictures, but the weather is real lousy here. Do I do it now even thought its already raining or do I smoke that hash asap!!.....Help me in my dilemma! ;-)

Recon from Grey Area

2005-11-03T23:58:00.000Z

There are reports from someone over at Ignatzmice about a new weed, being sold at Grey Area, called "Recon".

Price is reported at 42.50 Euro for the 5 gram deal, described as "A nice snowy green bud interlaced with dark orange hairs and covered in little potent crystals".

Mmm, sounds tasty, I can't wait to try it myself!

The John Sinclair Show

2005-10-16T18:47:00.000+01:00

Someone brought to my attention a podcast of a series of interviews held in coffeeshops!

His latest show was held at coffeeshop Rock-it. I must say, I've never heard of this coffeeshop, let alone visited it. Perhaps one to put on my "To Do" list for the upcoming adventure.

Check out The John Sinclair Show, LIVE from Amsterdam!

Upcoming Trip to the Promised Land

2005-10-14T21:34:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Well that time of year has come once again where I'll soon be headed to Amsterdam. It's a solo trip and it looks like there won't be many, if any, Channelites in town whilst I'm there.

Not to worry as I'll have a blast anyway. This time I hope not to be too lazy and I will make some regular reports whilst out there.

For the first day I am there I actually have some "business" to do so I won't be too stoned, and it'll be the first time that I'll have riden a bike! Well, I'll have a couple of tokes, but nothing too much that'll have me under a tram!

I'm especially looking forward to trying some of the Smoking Bull ice-o-later hash, and luckily my hotel is not too far from there so if I start to tumble, I can aim for my room and hopefully make it!

T-minus 3 weeks approx.....

Barney's Breakfast Bar

2005-08-20T13:18:00.000+01:00

Hey!

Long time no see guys! Sorry I have been away for a while.

Work has been hard, lots of long hours (for what??!), although I did fit in a trip to Amsterdam again, on a stag do with my mates.

Amongst other coffeeshops, we went to Barney's, where unfortunately I did not have a great experience. The world of smoking is not always up and high in the clouds, I am afraid.

Here's a short post about my experience there recently (cross-posted at Channels).

***************************************************
I still haven't gotten around to posting my full trip report last (I lack the attention span), but here's something interesting about Barney's.

I usually love the place. I know many here don't but I think it's got great weed and I like the owner Derry and others there, very friendly.

This last trip we went to the new part of Barney's. Either next door or just further up.

We went for breakfast, and the waitresses were having a really hard time juggling everything. Tough job, I hope they are paid enough.

We take up three tables. There are three taxis coming. She asks us to all move to one table. I explain the taxis situation (by the way, I am not stoned yet) but we agree. Then the rest of the guys turn up, a few of them go nextdoor for weed. We take up the 3 tables again and I explain to the waitress that they are next door. Eventually she accepts this and lets us sit at the three tables. Guess what - 2 minutes later the guys come back, the tables are full and we are ready to spend out hard earned Euros - we may be their biggest spend of the day.

My table is slightly away from the others, on the other side of the aisle, up against the window. The guys are getting stoned and the waitress takes orders. I think its just for drinks. Stoned as they are, the guys don't really have much awareness (I am acting like the father figure at this stage, making sure the kids are OK), and I ask after 5 minutes - hey, did you order food already?? (I thought we were going to wait for one more person to return from next door) They go, yeah!

I'm a bit pissed off with them but hey who cares. So I go to the waitress at the counter and say she missed us out and I would like to order something for my friend and something for me.

This is the craziest thing now - she says that I have already ordered!!! I'm like wtf! She says that if I order now and there is too much, we will pay for any extra food. I tell her categorically that she never took my order (she still believes that she did!) and that if they screw up the order, we are not paying for anything extra. Her other waitress friend (our waitress was the fit but moody chick with the dreadlocks) says the same to me, that we will pay for any mistakes of ours. I continue to insist that they have not taken my order and I won't be paying for any of their mistakes.

Deadlock between us.

Anyway the food arrives fine - and as things go, they actually forgot a completely different order for a friend of mine.

I know that they are busy, but they should be able to get things write if they are writing things down.

But most of all, I was pissed off with their service, really pissed off at their accusations and insistence that I was in the wrong. I like Barneys and their weed but I am going to boycott them for a while. I can do without their nice sativas and go to Siberie, Picassos or Pink Flloyd instead.

Well, I thought I had to make this public service announcement ;-)
***************************************************

Party at Nol's!

2005-05-11T20:53:00.000+01:00

Channelites Smoking That Town Out!

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't posted for so long. I bought some weed just over a week ago - it made me really lazy - I did not get anything done during that period, including this blog!

So watch out - here's a lesson for any youngsters out there: Weed is good, but a severe side effect is that it makes you want to be lazy. Don't smoke too much while in school, make sure you finish school. Your education will help you forever, a joint lasts only ten minutes, lol!

Anyway, enough of the lesson!

My kind friend, Seouleast, sent me some pics of our time in Haarlem. Haarlem is a small town not far from Amsterdam, which also has many coffeeshops.

We went to many coffeeshops whilst we were there. I can't even remember the names of all of them. I'm pretty sure that we went to a place called Key West where I bought some weed called "Mist". It was pretty good, you get great value deals in Haarlem too, lower prices than Amsterdam.

We went to another place I can't remember, but the highlight of the trip was going to the Willi Wortel coffeeshops, namely Sativa, Sinsemilla and Indica. They were all great, and I will touch on them in my future trip reports which will be on this blog soon.

Anyway, the best place was Sinsemilla, where we met Nol, the great man himself. I was so stoned, especially off a pipe that we were hitting.

Check out these pics below:

Seouleast and Nol by the pooltable - I think Seouleast lost but I can't remember, the memory is so hazy! Probably something to do with the hash I was smoking!

Channelites partying at Willi Wortel's Sinsemilla. TrekknHil, Viking, Weldon, Delta9 and many others whom names I cannot remember unfortunately! If you look closely, you can see me passing a joint to Viking!

Hope you enjoyed the post - look out for my continuing trip reports!

theguest Trip Report - Channels 10 Year Anniversary - Day 1

2005-05-02T17:13:00.001+01:00

Hey everyone, sorry I did not post during my stay in Amsterdam. What can I say, I was too stoned! Here is the first of many trip reports to follow. Also posted on the Channels website.
--------------------------
Well I'm back now, and it's time to relive those memories and keep me sane till the next time.

When I booked my flight way back around the new year, I had a very convenient train stop between myself and the airport. Also, having moved in February, I knew an early morning was in store for me, and I am not an early bird type of person!

4.45 I woke bolt upright, time to go to paradise! Whilst excited, I tend to have apprehensions before flying as usual, so hoped they would disappear soon. After checking everything was switched off and all was packed, I took my two trains en route to Luton airport, a relatively uneventful ride.

Checked in without a hitch. The weather is typical England - complete white cloud cover..
The airport was really busy, I had never seen it like this before. Then the damn plane was delayed an hour at first, then more. Argh! These bastards, eating into my Amsterdam time! I thought this might happen, that's why I allowed adequate time for my first meet up.

Suddenly, the plane was available.

Whilst waiting to board, like cattle in lanes (Easyjet are cheap, so I can't complain!) I caught the eye of an English girl. She looked the typical English girl, with the mousy brown natural hair and pale skin. Pretty, in my opinion. She actually sat next to me on the plane, I don't think it was intentional on her part though. Stupid me, I should've said hello at least (I've been single for a couple of months now, and whilst enjoying singledom, I am on the lookout), oh well. I noticed that she already had some Euros with her, and I did wonder what a girl of similar age to myself was doing flying solo midweek to Amsterdam? Surely she was not like all the other non-business solo flyers looking for weed, hash and/or window ladies ;-) ?? Well, there was more to her as you will see.

After takeoff, you are horizontal for what seems like barely ten or twenty minutes before "bing" the alert sounds and the pilot announces to buckle-up for the landing approach. I don't even bother taking off my seatbelt these days. I know....we are so lucky. At the moment of first writing this trip report, I'm on a 200 mile 5 hour coach journey - it would take me less time and more comfort going to AMS!

I look out the window to find the dunes. These dunes, that I always look out for, sea lapping at their edges, the sure sign that you are in the Netherlands, are there and look beautiful beneath the great blue sky. I've come from 100% cloud to zero % cloud! Remarkable because the weather in London and Amsterdam is usually pretty similar. I've never been here this close to summer and the weather is awesome! Then, suddenly into view are row after row of tulip fields in full bloom. Rainbow of colours everywhere! I have never seens such a sight before. Now, all apprehensions are gone and the excitement is there.

With just carry-on, I am swiftly through customs (I say swiftly but I could swear that Dutch immigration officers, instead of the usual disinterest everywhere else in the world, always look me stern in the eye to size me up!!). Usual non-stop through customs, and straight to the ATM to get my Euros. Off to the ticket counter to get my 15 strippenkaart and my ticket to Schipol. The ticket is fine although I notice that they now charge a 50 cent counter service fee. Next time I'll use my ATM card in the machine, it's simple enough. Also, no more strippenkaart, I was instructed to buy them at Central Station.

On the train, and those usual first day thoughts, what a beautiful day (Amsterdam has always been beautiful to me on my first day), can't wait for the station and Damrak to roll into view. I go past the usual places, those weird things that look like chopped down tree bases (??). We stop at Sloterdijk. I know only one more stop to go. I do my best impression of the Dutch voiceover saying "Am-ster-dam-Slow-ter-dike". I notice that the girl that I had seen at the airport, gets off here - I wonder what it is that she is doing in Amsterdam. Maybe she will read this and let me know!

I arrive at the station and try to buy my strippenkaart from the counter, but am told that they don't sell them and to try the bookstore directly behind. Success at last! (I now know where the VVV is by the way)

Wander out of the station to the glorious sights and sounds of first day in Amsterdam. Looking at the people going in the opposite direction with their suitcases, I dread the thought of when I too must leave this wonderful place. I quickly put that thought to the back of my mind and find myself one of three trams that go to my hotel, the Kap.

I check in at the hotel. Pleasant gentlemen - the usual Dutch "matter-of-fact" and rarely over the top courtesy. I have one of the two only single rooms here, and chose this place based on the Channels reviews and ratings. So far so good, the place is very nice. Room is small, and although the window doesn't open completely, there is a balcony outside for smoking! Actually, that's kind of ironic, because it is a New York style fire escape, to escape from the smoke, not create it! Drop your lighter and it goes through the holes in the grid floor and lost!

Walked up the road to get some smoke supplies and hit a coffeeshop. I do not know this area well, but suddenly realise that I have walked on this, the Vizjelstraat, many times before. I love it when your brain clicks and a map makes sense in your head.

As I'm in the area, having bought my supplies, its time to drop by the Dolphins. I first came here one year ago, barely a few days after they lost their license, so have never had the chance before to sample their wares, though I loved the place and its atmosphere. I bought 1.5g of White Dolphin for 10 Euro, plus a Coke. Using my trusty rolling mat I skinned up a nice coned spliff and sparked it into life. The bartender and his buddy were pretty cool, but I did not chat much, what with savouring my first spliff of the trip. Mmm..it sure was tasty. I finished the joint and felt that first Amsterdam spliff stone coming on (had not smoked regularly for months prior). Woah! had to get some air quickly!

I decided to wander up Leidsestraat then head up to Siberie, where I had a 5 o clock smoking appointment with LastHamlet. It was a beautiful day, and all the gorgeous Dutch girls were showing their asses off on their bike seats. When I got to the vicinity of Siberie, I started to walk in circles. My first time to Siberie had been after a second joint of a holiday, I had been fortunate that a nice Irish couple had shown me the way, since then I have always "followed the leader" to get there. I always thought that it was one street off near to Barney's and Picassos. Well, I ended up walking in circles maybe 3 times, and for at least 15-20 minutes! I should add that during the first 30 minutes since leaving Dolphins, my stone grew ever more, I was so wasted, then upon my wandering in circles trying to find Siberie, each of my limbs became three times as heavy, I was struggling to walk and I thought that I might collapse there and then!!

Luckily, I eventually found Siberie and swiftly bought a Coke and a gram (I think) of Casablanca, a type of hash. Originally, my plan had been to try the Siberie Tiger weed, but since I was bolloxed already, I decided to opt for some hash which would hopefully have me plateau at a nice level for the next half hour at least.

There was a 50-60 something year old guy at the pinball machine (Dr Who table I believe), playing a lot and feeding in those coins, and cursing at the machine! I had seen this chap before, in fact most times I had visited Siberie. He finished his game and we got talking. A Dutch fellow living in Amsterdam. We had a conversation about many interesting things. My memories are very sketchy but I do remember having very intelligent conversation with him.

Just then, LastHamlet walks in. I recognise him from his avatar and pictures on DannyMac's site (I wonder if he recognised me or knew what to look for?? I did not ask). With a warm genuine smile and handshake, he offers me a drink and goes to the bar to get some drinks and gear. LastHamlet returns to the table and we exchange a few gifts. I had never met LastHamlet before but what a treat, the guy is one of the nicest fellas around. I was kind of amazed by how positive a person he was, he really seems to have plenty of "joie de vivre" (I don't know if this is a phrase used much in the US, but here is a definition: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=joie%20de%20vivre). We talked and again I forget what about, but it was good conversation.

About this time, I got a text message from Viking to say that he and Purplehaze should be there soon. In the meantime, I had a couple of toots on a huge "hooter" joint fashioned by LastHamlet. This thing was thicker than a cigar!! Incredible! And it had a good roach filter too. Pure weed of Siberie Tiger (I think, could be wrong). I took a couple of toots and it tasted very nice indeed, both on the pull and the aftertaste. Mmmm....

Viking and Purplehaze then turned up. It was good to see those monster tokers again, they are really good guys, and great company. I'm sure that we had a couple more joints then. It turned out that the Dutch guy is called Dirk, and he is indeed a regular local at Siberie. I am sure that we had a couple of joints, then we set off for Rookies for the Vermeer's White Widow Handover.

We walked up and the place was already packed with Channelites taking the tables nearest the window. So many people were there - I have to admit to being mentally overloaded briefly. It's easy to make natural introductions, one or two at a time, over the course of an evening, but so many Channelites at the same time - wow! I saw and met DannyMac and wife, TrekknHill, Blueberry, Wolfdangler (and noticed some chemistry between those two too!), SeoulEast, BOhannon, OHD, FlybyNite, Damoften, Jerkypete I think was there and many, many others. Many names I cannot forget but I never forget a face. Vermeer turned up and with a swift non-nod, wink-wink and a handshake (reminding me of scoring gear everywhere _except_ Amsterdam), distributed his goodies. Wow! And he is a real cool guy too, very positive uplifting person.

After that I think we went to Dolphins (at least that is what my notes tell me) where I bought some kind of polm hash - I'm sure it was pretty good.

The memory is really sketchy here, but eventually, I wandered home, getting lost again but eventually finding Weteringshans, and then my hotel. On the way back, Purplehaze, Viking and I bought the obligatory Vingummis and other stoner munchies. I had a joint of something for a nightcap, blowing the smoke out of the window, ate some muchies, then hit the sack.

Tomorrow would be quite a day, with Vapo Bag Party at Amnesia but before that, we had a mission to crawl De Pijp area.

T-minus 3 days!

2005-04-18T22:54:00.000+01:00

Slightly off-topic but check out this Afghan Hash!

It's been a long time since I last wrote, my apologies for that. I have been quite busy in the run up to this trip, but soon it will be upon me and I can't wait for it!

I have been waiting for this one for over 6 months in anticipation, and soon Amsterdam shall be upon me and I will smoke some of natures finest smokables! Ahhhh!

Wish me luck on this venture, I will keep you all updated periodically from Amsterdam!

Coffeeshop Cams

2005-04-05T19:27:00.000+01:00

Well...only just over a couple of weeks to go, and I'll me smoking me some fat spliffs in paradise...I just cannot wait. For those of you who cannot join me I'll smoke one..., no several(!) in your honor.

But if you can't join me in person, you can still check out coffeeshops LIVE on the internet.

So for all you anti-dope mongers out there, you can see that a coffeeshop is a normal, relaxed, happy type of place - you won't see any fights breaking out here.

Check 'em out:

Click Here for Dopedeal Camera Sinsemilla! from the Willie Wortel's Sinsemilla Cannabisshop.

Click Here for de Supermarkt webcam, of Coffeeshop de Supermarkt.

Click Here for the Siberië webcam, of Siberië Coffeeshop.

Click Here for de Republiek webcam, of Coffeeshop de Republiek.

Hope you enjoyed watching. Let me know what you think and leave a comment here. By the way, if you have any questions about coffeeshops or would like me to write about any aspect of coffeeshops, then just ask here as well!

theguest

Wiet and Hasj Shopping List

2005-03-30T21:26:00.000+01:00

The above is a fine example of MKUltra, a super tasty weed, photo taken by BushDoctor of www.smokersguide.com. I recommend you check out his site.

In anticipation of my coming trip to Amsterdam, I've been assembling a nice little shopping list - I really don't want to miss any great smokes!

With the help of my fellow Channelites and their recommendations (others' too!) I have put together the below list.

Click on some of the links to see BushDoctor's reviews of the smokables (The ***'s are my MUST BUYS!)

I'm sure you'll agree with me that it all looks very tasty indeed!

Abraxas - Juicy Fruit - 1.2g for €10 (€8.3/g)
Amnesia - MKUltra - €11/g ***
Barney's - Sweet Tooth - €9/g
Bushdocter - Reclining Buddah - 2g for €15.50 (€7.75/g)
Central Coffeeshop - XXX - 2.4g for €12.50 (€5.2/g)
Dampkring/Tweede Kamer - Seherezade - €11.50/g
De Kuil - Blueberry - €7/g OR 420 Haze - €10/g ***
Greenhouse - Arjan's Haze #2 - €8.80/g ***
Grey Area - Grey Haze - (price??) OR Golden Soles - (€12.50/g)
Hunters Bar - Orange Bud - €6/g
Kadinsky - Trans Himalaya - €10.45/g
Katsu - NYC Diesel - €10/g ***
Nes Cafe - Matanuska Mist - €8/g
Picassos - Poison - €7.50/g
Pink Floyd - Umma Gumma (€6-7/g) OR 7 seconds (€8-9/g)
Route 66 - Red Leb - 2g for €12 (€6/g) - I love this stuff
Siberie - Siberian Tiger - €6.40/g (I have this on high recommendation) ***
WW Sativa - White Widow - €6.50/g

As ever, your comments are welcomed. I'm especially interested if any of you have smoked the above!

Smoker's Eye View

2005-03-28T10:49:00.000+01:00

For those of you who have never been to Amsterdam, I thought I would give you a taste of the experience (well, unfortunately I cannot literally give you a taste of those great herbs and hasj smoke) from the smoker's point of view.

Click here or the picture above, for a short video (525kb) taken covertly in De Dampkring. Some of you may notice also that this was the coffeeshop featured in Ocean's 12.

All coffeeshops are different, but you could argue this is a typical place - cool music, low lights - a good chillin' atmosphere. That and the gear they sell here make it quite a favourite amongst connaisseurs.

Coffeeshop Central

2005-03-27T22:08:00.000+01:00

Y'know, I have heard many great things about this coffeeshop.

Despite having been to Amsterdam over ten times (in fact I have lost count) this is one coffeeshop that is on my must visit list.

Apparently, it's a great coffeeshop to hang in, and their deals are good.

I have known for some time that it is also a favourite because it is the closest coffeeshop to the station, and many people will stop off there first thing upon arrival. Lol! I have to be sober when I check into my hotel, although many people obviously beg to differ, hehe.

Well, see for yourself. Here is a link to a review page of Coffeeshop Central on the Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory website.

Amazing Hash

2005-03-27T18:03:00.000+01:00

Boner of Channels posted these links to some of the hash at Willi Wortel's. I just had to blog this and show you, it makes me drool so much.

The First Link shows some amazing hash close-ups. I am making my shopping list at the moment, for I shall be there soon.

The Second Link shows the menu at Willi Wortel's which is interesting in itself.

Budtender's Buds

2005-03-27T12:43:00.000+01:00

Well, I thought I would give you a preview of my trip to Amsterdam.

Check out these buds that the budtender is serving at one of the Willi Wortel coffeeshops in Haarlem, Netherlands.

Mmm, they look tasty, don't they!

First Blog Post

2005-03-27T12:12:00.000+01:00

Well, this is the first post of mine in a blog, ever.

I'm not sure why it has taken so long for me to have a blog, they have been going for some time now and I am usually up-to-date on Internet happenings, so to speak.

Anyway, the girlfriend is gone, the weather is getting better, and on April 21st I will be flying to Amsterdam. I can't wait!

Stay tuned for my travels around Amsterdam.

If you are interested in any photos from my previous trips, then let me know.

theguest