The Flying Pig Hostels Amsterdam Pig Multmedia

The Dutch Tripple W:
Weed, wheels & windmills

-Page 1-

So, you’ve finally made it to Amsterdam. City of canals, van Gogh, Anne Frank, red lights and of course marijuana. You’re going to go and see all of these sights you say to yourself… then somehow you end up in a coffee shop -to have that Dutch coffee of course-where you find out it’s true what they say; buying and smoking pot/stuff/marijuana is allowed in Holland.

So you smoke one - or two, three… - before you go for a walk in this beautiful city, where no doubt you’ll get completely lost to wonder around for hours. You end up in the red light district and again the stories are true: There are numerous -almost- naked women behind windows waiting for their customers. You gaze around in amazement and can barely avoid being hit by a bike…
WELCOME TO AMSTERDAM!

Alternative information
Come and experience the above for yourself but when you do, don’t leave it at that because Holland has so much more to offer! This issue of the Flying Pig paper is full of great and alternative information that will put the cherry on your ‘Amsterdamexperience’ cream.


Weed & wheels
Try to visit the van Gogh museum, get stoned, go out, walk around in the red light district and drink a Dutch beer on the vibrant Leidsesquare. But then, after all that, one of the things you should do is rent a bike to explore the close surroundings of Amsterdam.

You’ll be amazed to find a completely different scenery just 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam. Far away from the hassles of the city and so close to the famous Dutch cows. You’ve just discovered the other side to Holland. Out here everything is green and flat, completely flat. No mountains -we do have one mountain in Holland, but it barely made the minimum height for being one-, no real hills, not even a single bump in the landscape. The only obstacles on the horizon are our dykes -no not the lesbian kind- a high construction next to lakes and rivers to keep the Netherlands from flooding -because three quarters of Holland is below sea level!- So what else is there to see?

Windmills
First of all the Dutch scenery offers amazing skies with astonishing white clouds; the real Dutch mountains. Many famous Dutch painters have captured the beauty of these sky’s time and time again. The country side’s flatness makes the sky seem endless. Just sit down -maybe have a little smoke- and get lost in the clouds. Keep your camera ready to snapshot the picturesque windmills and the characteristic small Dutch houses from two, three hundred years ago. Gaze around and you’ll find yourself smiling about how tiny everything is. There are so many small churches, small boats, etc. Holland seems to be made for dwarfs. Funny enough everything in this country is tiny except for the people. The Dutch are actually said to be the tallest people in the world! If you still have time left make sure you visit Abcoude. While cycling around these parts you will spot an authentic Dutch windmill and a huge historical villa where the rich Amsterdam traders used to have their countryhouse. When exhausted and hungry from your bike-tour there’s plenty of fresh milk for sale at the Dutch farms in the area. Milk, straight from the cow into your cup -which is said to be so fresh it’s still warm! Food wise John Travolta- in the car scene in Pulp Fiction- is right: The Dutch completely drown their fries in mayonnaise. Try it and you’ll want it no other way! In the small villages you could actually see clogs still being worn or come across someone who does not speak any English. To say Goeiedag [gooiudog] -Goodday- to your fellow road users is a polite and appreciated custom in these parts. The Dutch countryside feels and looks completely different even though Amsterdam is so close by. In short; get your butt out of that coffee shop, rent yourself a good bike and find out for yourself the natural grass can be just as green in the beautiful, country side of the Netherlands. Of course this is just one of the many other things you can do in and around the city. Just read on and we’ll tell you all about them.

ALL PACKED UP and no place to stay yet?

Are you ready for your Amsterdam adventure and looking for a great place to stay? Don’t worry. Whether you’re looking for greener grass, red lights, to learn more about the Dutch past or to ride genuine Dutch bikes, to go crazy in rocking clubs, or to drink a famous Dutch ‘pils’ (pint) in one of our pubs; The 3 Flying Pig hostels have got the perfect spot for you! They each have a specific personality mixed with the famous friendly & relaxed atmosphere dipped in the ‘one price covers all’ philosophy that attracts travellers from all over the world. Still often travelling themselves Ronald & Willem, the owners, understand like no other the meaning of ‘backpacking on a tight budget’. Thus they decided to provide for cheap priced accommodation, which covers all your basic needs. All our hostels provide:

Free quality Continental breakfast - A buffet with a choice of croissants, all kinds of bread, eggs, cornflakes and several toppings, milk, cordial and cappuccino, hot chocolate or tea. Free linen and blanket - All the beds are being made for new guests. Free use of a self-contained kitchen - There’s a fully equipped kitchen located in the basement of the hostel. Shower & toilet in most of the rooms Dorms & private rooms - You can choose to share a room with fellow travellers in various sized dorms. For somewhat more privacy, book one of our cozy private rooms to stay in. Almost all the privates are equipped with a little fridge and a television. Single & Queen size beds - Book a single in one of our bunk beds in shared dorms varying from small to large sizes. For a tighter budget, good friends, couples or new lovers we have Queen-sized beds available: You share the bed and you share the price! These are large beds that sleep 2 people, located in various sized dorm rooms. Note: a Queen-sized bed is not to be confused with a double-room. The first is an actual bed for 2 in a dorm and the other a private room for 2 people. A laid back atmosphere - Basically what it comes down to is: No worries, just enjoy your stay and have fun! Open 24 hrs with night security; No curfews/no lockout Free lockers in the rooms - Every guest will have access to an individual locker in the dorms. Free use of reception safe for small valuables - Such as money belts, passports or tickets. Lively hostel bars with theme / DJ or beach party nights - See pg. 9 for more info. Hostel bars with the cheapest beer in town! Free internet, E-mail & free Skype phone services - In the hostels there are various computers available for our guests with free internet and Skype facilities. This will enable you to make free calls to other Skype users or to call to landlines and mobile phones for very low rates. Next to this the hostel provides a wireless internet connection for laptop users. -More info on pg. 8 of this paper in the high-tech facilities box. Free movies to watch - Just ask the staff for the movie collection and make your choice! Friendly service from our receptionists -In case of any troubles or questions during your stay just come to reception and we’ll do all we can to help you out! Credit cards are accepted - (Internet) reservations can only be made by Visa or MasterCard. At reception you can pay by cash / credit / debit or bankcard. Free luggage storage - You can leave your bags in the luggage room while you say your goodbyes to Amsterdam. There is a shuttle bus service between Amsterdam & the Beach - See page 9 for more info. Free phones to call all EFH (Europe’s Famous Hostels) members - If you’d like to stay in one of the other Famous Hostels, located all through Europe, you can make your reservation without any phone costs. Sale of several tickets at reception - Such as van Gogh museum entry tickets and Mac Bike all-day tickets. Sale of Pig merchandise at reception - Take home one of the Pig mementos such as a T-shirt, key ring, lighter or frisbee for yourself or your friends. Free roller-skates for rent at the Flying Pig Uptown.

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