The Flying Pig News Amsterdam No.2
from May till October 2004 |
The First Amsterdam backpacker newspaper!
 Page 5 - Downtown Beach  |
| This newspaper gives a Pig’s view of Holland from people who know what it’s like to travel around the world. Issued by The Flying Pig Backpackers Hostels Amsterdam. |
D O W N T O W N H O S T E L
NON-STOP ACTION IN CITY CENTRE |
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Located in an 18th century building the Downtown hostel puts you right in the middle of
all the Amsterdam action. This former three-star hotel has been converted into a fabulous
backpackers hostel and is located in the heart of Amsterdam’s oldest district surrounded
by historical houses, shops, cosy bars and restaurants. You can find the Downtown hostel
at the Nieuwendijk which is only a 2 minutes walk from the Central Station and right in
the middle of one of the busiest shopping areas of Amsterdam. But Downtown is mainly
famous for its non-stop party vibe and friendly and outgoing atmosphere.
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PARTY VIBES
The atmosphere of the Downtown hostel is
relaxed and the hostel is always packed
with backpackers. The bar is rarely lacking
in company and conversation and the pillow-
covered stage is a great place to relax
and have a game of cards with new friends.
Luckily for those who can find the motivation,
the Downtown Pig is situated
within minutes of some of Amsterdam’s
most popular dance scenes.
For those wanting to stay in, not to worry,
for local DJs are invited twice a week to
spin beats on the turntable and on Saturday
there is an open turntable night.
POPULAR SPOTS NEARBY
Downtown is situated within minutes of
some of Amsterdam’s most popular spots
such as the Red Light District where the
girls behind glass and the world-famous
grass can be found at every corner. |
This hostel is situated close to cultural spots
with the Dam square, the Royal Palace,
Anne Frank house and much more within
walking distance. The outdoor market at the
Waterlooplein is a great place to spend a
sunny afternoon doing some bargain shopping.
For those wanting to get to know the
real Amsterdam atmosphere with a pint in
hand, the nearby Rembrandtplein is full of
outdoor cafes, pubs and clubs.
Like all our Flying Pig hostels, in addition to
things like a continental breakfast and free
lockers and luggage storage, the Downtown
also offers access to a full kitchen and free
internet service. In short, the Downtown Pig
hostel is perfect a location if you’re looking
for non-stop Amsterdam action with some
of the comforts of home. |
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The Downtown hostel can accommodate
up to 174 people. This hostel fills
up rather fast, so if you’re looking for
a room, please check our web site for
availability. |
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B E A C H H O S T E L
PARTIES, FUN AND SIGHT SEEING |
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The Flying Pig Beach Hostel is a crazy backpackers hostel in the beach resort of
Noordwijk, located only 30 kilometres from Amsterdam, just 15 kilometres from
Schiphol airport and only 50 metres from the sea. With its beach life, party
atmosphere and outdoor focus, The Beach attracts all sorts of backpackers wanting
to party, have fun on the beach and do a bit of sight seeing. |
The main area in the Beach hostel is ‘the Bar’ this is where it all happens.
The relaxed atmosphere created by our
crazy staff is ideal to make new friends.
You’re always welcome to join in for a
home cooked meal and with the music
we play, everything but mainstream,
parties are unavoidable. As a real
Flying Pig, we also have a nice ‘chill out’
deck with comfortable rugs and pillows
and a significant book collection for
everybody to read and swap.
BEACH LIFE
The main attraction besides the hostel
is of course the beach: the 13 km golden
sand beach has a lot to offer, you
can just sit on your bum and enjoy the
sunset or have a long stroll in the seabreeze.
But the beach is also perfect to
practise all kinds of sports, such as
swimming, beach volleyball, horseback
riding, boarding, wind surfing and
of course the latest trend ‘kite surfing’.
Kite surfing is the latest craze to hit the
beach. If you’re in for a bit of action,
the Flying Pig Beach hostel can offer
you an activity programme varying
from surfboard rental, private lessons,
to advanced courses providing a more
in-depth view of kite surfing.
Of course there’s also another way of
hitting the beach. Around Noordwijk
there are a lot of sand dunes, woodlands
and flower fields. Great to do some offthe-
road cycling. You can cycle from
Noordwijk up to Zandvoort and create
your own Paris-Dakar trip by bike. |
SIGHT SEEING
For those who want to see more than
just sand, Noordwijk is perfect to
explore the rest of the country from.
Noordwijk is very centrally located
and situated at the coast in between
Amsterdam and The Hague and is also
close to cities like Haarlem, Leiden and
Rotterdam. To catch up the latest
trends in architecture and art you can
visit Rotterdam, better known as
worlds’ biggest harbour
at only 50 minutes driving.
Even closer by is
Amsterdam of course
with its numerous interesting
sights. And if you
want to find out more
about the history of the
Netherlands then The
Hague and Leiden are a must. Both
cities are very old and their history
brings you back to the 17th century.
Strolling along the beach, cycling
through the sand dunes, sight seeing
in the area or party at the Beach bar.
This is just a selection of what The
Flying Pig Beach Hostel and Noordwijk
have to offer. The Beach hostel is a perfect spot if you want to
be close to the city but still like to hit
the beach to experience the latest
sport crazes and to get some sun tan.
In short, the Flying Pig Beach Hostel
can give you a good price, nice clean
rooms and lots of activities. So come
over to Noordwijk and bring your
swimming gear, sneakers and sun
lotion with you!
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If you want to book a bed in
the Beach hostel, please
check our web site
www.flyingpig.nl or contact
Jos at +31 (0)71 362 25 33 or
via e-mail jos@flyingpig.nl
for prices and availability.
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Jos & the Beach Piggies are looking
forward to see you at the Beach! |
QUIZ: HOW DID THE FLYING PIG GET ITS NAME ? |
1 The first story that goes round tells
about Ronald & Willem sipping at their
beers on the porch in New Zealand.
They were just celebrating their newly
appointed manager positions at a
hostel. Having a good time they were
starting to get really pissed and by the
end of the evening, when both had
been silent for a while, staring into the
darkness, Willem said “You know
what, I really wouldn’t be surprised to
see a Pig fly”.
The next day they recalled the remark
and realized the brilliance of it. They
decided to change the old name of the
hostel and the first Flying Pig was born. |
2 The second story states that when Ronald
and Willem first spotted the hostel in New
Zealand and told their friends that they
would turn the place into a flourishing
backpacker meeting place, they just laughed
at them and said: ”Yeah right guys
and pigs can fly”. But with Boswell on
their side, they knew the hostel would be
a success so Ronald and Willem decided
to change the name of the hostel into the
Flying Pig to show their friends that they
were wrong! |
3 The third story also shows Ronald & Willem
sipping at their beers on the porch in
New Zealand. And again they were pissed
by the end of the evening. But this
time the name Flying Pig is said to be a
tribute to their idol, the English cartoon
Peter “the Flying Pig”! The alcohol flowed,
childhood nostalgia appeared et
voilà a hostel name was born.
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Do you think to know the truth about the
Flying Pig origin? In that case, hand in your answer at one of the Flying Pig
receptions while you’re there.
Your answer could win you
free accommodation, one of our
Pig T-shirts or a key-cord!
The winners will be drawn at the end
of August 2004 and their names will be
indicated in the next edition.
Name …………………………
Right Answer …………………
E-mail …………………………
Address …………………………
………………………………………
………………………………………
Country …………………………
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The Flying Pig News will be published twice a year by The Flying Pig Backpackers Hostels Amsterdam >> First issue - Number 2 >> From May till October 2004 >>
Circulation ±50.000 >> Advertising Flying Pig Headoffice +31 (0)20 428 49 34 >> Graphic design and lay out AzimDezign&Communication, Haastrecht >> Writers
Marike Knaapen, Esther de Waard, LindaPeperkoorn and backpackers >> Photography Joyce van Tienen, Marike Knaapen, Renske Douwes Dekker, Jos Groenendijk, Karin Selter, Branding Beach Club, Lowlands Travel >> Printed by Drukkerij Verhagen bv
Great ideas, travelstories, Amsterdam experience, travel photo’s etc. All interesting material for this backpacker newspaper e-mail to: pignews@flyingpig.nl
Hostel reservation and information: www.flyingpig.nl >> info@flyingpig.nl >> tel. +31 (0)20 428 49 34 >> fax +31 (0)20 421 08 02
Things can only be copied from this newspaper after having received a written confirmation of the Flying Pig editors. This version of the Flying Pig News Amsterdam is strictly informative and no rights can be derived from the content of the articles.
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