The Planet 9 Project

Amsterdam.  Gosh where to begin.

Upon arrival at the Schipol airport, you will be greeted by outstanding organization.  The airport is extremely well laid out, like a large U, and very well marked.  Consider yourself lucky if you have a layover here of a few hours.  Very easy to pass the time.  If you do hve a longer layover, 5 hours or more... GO TO THE CITY.  The trains run every ten minutes in both directions and it takes about 15-20min each way.  Look toward the bottom of this page for a few 'quick tour' ideas.

To the left of the exit gates at the airport, you will see the ticket counters.  I have had trouble using the automated machines because they wont recognize my bank cards, and I never have enough coin for the fare.  The ticket agents cost an extra 0.50euro, why I have no idea?  They really should allow bills to go into the machines.  You can draw money from the ABN bank machines in the airport, and I recommend have cash on hand when going to the city the first time.  There are plenty of ATMs (cash points for the Brits) throughout the city, but until you are settled and in tour mode, I would advise to be set for money before venturing to your first accomodation.  Be careful of exchanging other currencies at the airport, the rates are less than in the city.  I imagine more and more travelers are switching to using card to draw money as it is so much safer.  I stopped carrying travelers checks and spare cash five years ago.  Just a note: if your banks (yank banks mostly) charge daftly high rates for international ATM usage, plan accordingly, and take out larger sums.  Pay all your hotel/hostel nights at once and not day by day.  Know your budget to minimize these costs over the longer term of a trip.

Amsterdam Centraal station is a landmark itself.  Beautifully designed and is now undergoing some remodeling (as of 2008-?).  For anyone buying flag patches or stickers, there is a great place just outside of the central station, heading toward Dam, on the right next to the Victoria Hotel.  I forget the name, but there is a display of all the flags out front so it is hard to miss.  They have EVERYTHING, and I mean everything.  I got the flag of Guam.  I mean, Guam...? I did go there, and knew they had some flag, but never expected to find it in a shop like this.  They have everything.  If you are doing a big europe or world tour, here is a good place to get the flags of your trip.  The lady may even give you a discount for buying multiple items.

Now the layout of the city is as beautiful as it is confusing.  Remember, Amsterdam has been around since the early 1300s.  And some of that original infastructure is still there, mainly the street design of Centrum.  The city itself has so many directional signs, it is made for walking tours.  But in the first days of explorations, you will get lost, especially if your mind is 'a-wonderin'.  Learn your immediate surroundings near to your accomodations.  If you do stay at one of the many hostels in the close Centrum to the station, you may never wander far at all, though I am sure some days it may feel like a hundred miles.  Two hostels in particular that I would like to recommend are:

Durty Nully's

Hostel Meeting Point

Durty Nully's is a little more pricy, but classier.  HMP is great for the budget traveler.  Both are safe with adequite storage (HMP uses oil drums) and both have good breakfast.  DN used to have a pool table in the pub, which was a great place to meet people from everywhere.  Since it is a pub, it is frequented by many of the city's denizens as well as travelers.  I have had some of my most memorable evenings there.

My #1 recommendation for sightseeing in this local area is the Old Church Square, Oudekerk plein.  If you are staying in this local area of Centrum, you WILL hear the bells of Oudekerk, and you will guide yourself by the ever watchful eyes of the clock on the tall steeple.  It is a beautiful church, oldest in the city, and the square is historic.  A great place to chill in the warmer months outside is at the Old Church Coffeeshop.  They serve a nice variety of coffee, and have a communal large table out front where one can sit and relax with a cuppa, and talk to anyone else there if you wish.  Facing the church from the shop, to the right, past the outdoor 'Urinoir', across a canal is one of the better pubs or 'cafe' in this area.  Cafe Plizench, is nestled directly on a corner.  It is a great place to spend an hour or two some afternoon, and even in the winter, it is comfy and warm and welcoming inside.

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