The Judge's European Vacation

[The Judge]

My lifelong best friend took a job with KBR as a food service supervisor in Iraq and has been sequestered on a military base since October. Next Sunday morning I am meeting him in Amsterdam where we will spend three nights and then we will be off on a 10 day EuroRail adventure.

More details to come but the houseboat we are staying at in Amsterdam is pretty fucking sweet and docked on an island in the middle of the Amstel river.

At my age, this trip could be relatively "dangerous" but I am looking forward to it more than anything I have in a very long time. ... :00hour

A full trip report will be made to the degree that my lack of sobriety allows.

 

[Woodson]

Bring me back a couple brownies!!! :00hour Safe travels and take lots of pictures!

 

[The Judge]

Off to the airport, fellas. Many pics to come throughout the week. ...

 

[The Judge]

Well, I found out pretty quick that this was a trip that I should have made 15 years ago because I damn near killed myself in Amsterdam which is one hell of a city. Seriously, I had the time of my life but my buddy Dave who has been stationed in Iraq for the past five months was not easy to keep up with and I damn near drank myself to death.

Despite the severe hangovers, I really enjoyed this city and its people who are some of the nicest folks I have ever come across. The history and culture in Amsterdam is frankly, overwhelming and I just did my best to soak it all in. Here are a few pics and I will post more in a week or two when I get caught up on my sleep.

There are almost as many coffeeshops as there are bars and that is saying a lot. Weed and hash are openly smoked on the streets and the selection is huge with many businesses competing for your business. We stayed most of the time on Warmoesstradt which is a pedestrian only street that is lined with bars, restaurants, coffeeshops and sex shops.

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This pic is just one example of how ?soft? drugs are openly advertised.
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A view of the Red Light District

Typical canal street Shot

Not sure but I think this is city Hall.

Another ancient building on Dam Square

Random pic on one of the canal streets​

 

[ageecee]

it sure is easy to fall in that water if ur drunk

 

[kickserv]

My ex-girlfriend and I had "some fun" in Amsterdam, let us just say it involved something in the "red light district" and a female......we shall just leave it at that.

Memories.....damn:scared


Oh and sweet boat......wow:scared


And not sure if you went there or not, but hope ya checked out the sex museam, worth the admission.



Switching gears......did ya go to the Ann Frank house? I was moved when I went there, crazy what humans can do to other humans.:nono:


Have fun:tongue

 

[Jinxbreaker]

Great Pictures !! My buddy played pro ball over there and I still regrete not going to visit him. Have a Great time the rest of your trip

 

[The Judge]

Kickserv, we skipped the Anne Frank House in favor of some more day drinking. Did get a chance however, to do the "Heineken Experience" at the brewery which was a nice break away from the bars. Had to skip the Sex Museum too as drinking got in the way again.

 

[kickserv]

Ok gotcha..........Amsterdam does have lots to do, and I think it was pretty clear what you were doing:142smilie

And be careful there are some places near the "red light district" that you don't want to be at 3am......ok during the day, but can get pretty dicey in early am.


Wish I was back there, ummm but this time no ex-girlfriend:142smilie

 

[The Judge]

Yeah, I can say that Amsterdam is definately one of those places where I would not be taking a girlfriend. ....

BTW, I got back last night and fully expect to be in recovery mode for the next week or two. Did I mention that we did a little drinking during the trip? ... :00hour

 

[THE KOD]

Did get a chance however, to do the "Heineken Experience" at the brewery which was a nice break away from the bars.

..................................................................


that sounds like one of them oxymoron thingees

 

[yyz]

City Hall..........Royal Palace........what's the dif?

:shrug:



:mj07:




Nice pictures, though, and it sounds like you guys had a great time!

 

[gardenweasel]

very nice,judge...very nice...

 

[rawli007]

Cool pics! :00hour


What if madjackie's annual golf outing was near Amsterdam!? :scared :scared

:toast:

 

[redsfann]

Switching gears......did ya go to the Ann Frank house? I was moved when I went there, crazy what humans can do to other humans.:nono:

/QUOTE]

Agree totally about the Anne Frank house, Kick. I've been to Amsterdam 4 times and each time I made a point to visit there. 3 of the 4 times I was with different people and everyone was very moved by the visit.
Also agree about the sex museum--a must visit while in town if ya ask me...:lol:

Great pics, Judge.

I had heard the best time to do the Heineken brewery tour was the last one of the day as they allowed you to linger a bit longer in the tap room. I don't know about the other tours, but we were allowed to hang in the tap room long enough to be a bit wobbly on our way out.
Do they still donate the small entrance fee to charity?
The bartender allowed me and my buddies to come behind the bar and get our picture taken hoisting a glass with him....:toast:

 

[DR STRANGELOVE]

Been to amsterdam 3x now and always stop over there on my way home or to the uk as it is the connecting flight (city), great city, great culture, and great women

good times Judge!