Amsterdam, the Netherlands

I reached Amsterdam in the evening, amazed at the crowd of people at the train station. There were groups of backpackers sleeping on the train station. First thing on my list, is to find the schedule from Amsterdam to Brussels, Belgium. I walked till an information point. There were 2 staff, a man and a woman. There was absolutely no queue for the woman. Hence, I went straight to her and ask. She rested her heavy head on her hand, and didnt even tilt her head up to look at me. She just nodded her head, with her head rested on her hand, at every question that I asked her. I was really really pissed, so I decided to queue up for the male staff. Its absolutely horrible to see work ethics like this, especially in the service industry.

Next, to cut cost, I was contemplating to sleep in the train station. However, I chatted with 2 Dutch blacks at the cafe and was sternly warned by them that past past midnight, the people in Amsterdam would be horribly drunk, violent, and high on marijuana. I decided it would not be wise. So I walked out of the station towards Amsterdam centre, looking for some cheap hostel.

The first impression of Amsterdam was really really good. It was lively, bursting with energy, a really happening atmosphere, locals and tourists. After checking out 2 youth hostels, I made up my mind. For 18 euro, it was rather cheap. Both hostels that I checked out had China Chinese receptionist. Realising that they are from China, I switched from speaking in English, to Mandarin. Language plays such an important role. They gave me a huge smile the moment I switched from English to Mandarin, and were more friendly and helpful towards me.

Now, Im ready for some Amsterdam action. A city so reknowned for its red-light district and legalised marijuana. But Amsterdam is more than just an X-rated theme park for pleasure hunters. Amsterdam also has really really pretty 17th century architecture and water ways. Every part of Amsterdam looks totally different. At its canal grid, you will be forgiven if you think that you're in venice. At its red-light district, you think you're in Thailand. But one thing stays the same. The atmosphere in Amsterdam is full of life, everywhere.

The train station is a fine 17th century architecture example. I was really impressed with its architecture.

A good-looking cathedral beside the train station.

Amsterdam's pretty waters greeted me just 20 metres outside the train station. It looks like Im not the only one that likes Amsterdam's waters. There are many touristy sightseeing boats in demand.

Despite Amsterdam's notorious reputation, one of the first things I saw, was this hotel trying to evangelise to this city. Well, good luck.

Walking towards the city center. The streets are lively, the people happening. Even the Chinese woman that walk past me smiles to me. Well, this city is special.


Showing off his moves and hopefull getting some generous donors. He was good.


I checked in at a hostel above this stall. Dutch fries are really famous.

The sex museum was just 10 metres away from my hoste. Few hours later, I saw an Erotic Museum. Only Amsterdam, has such stuff. The only other place in Europe I saw with a similar museum was in Prague, Czech Republic, which has a sex-toy museum.

The vodka museum was also 10 metres away from my hostel, in another direction. Sex and alcohol. They are proud of their reputation enough to create museums to honor them.

And there was a Casino 15 metres away.


I visited a shopping mall.

All soccer lovers cannot forget, the once-upon-a-time greatest team in Europe - Ajax Amsterdam. With the fall of the team's greatness, so does the price of the jersey.

Sexy Amsterdam underwears selling as soveniours. Something you would expect from this city.

I explore outside my very happening street. And checked out more of Amsterdam's architecture and waterways, while waiting for the night to come. Despite its notorious reputation, the people along the streets are really helpful and nice in giving me directions.

Its a wonderful thing. Enjoying a meal with a companion on a boat.


And because Amsterdam's canal and boat houses is so popular, many local have taken it a step further, by turning their boathouse into a tourist attraction. "See a houseboat inside". It doesnt seem too popular though.

This is the Anne Frank Huis. (Anne Frank House). Inside this building, Anne wrote her famous diaries, contexted with a good mix of optimism and silent despair. The building preserved Anne's bedroom, oozing with melancholy. No photos allowed inside.


One of the shops trying to get people's attention. Sex really does sell, especially in Amsterdam.


Not forgetting the Van Gogh Museum.

I checked out some clubs. Some of the clubs have new ways of making money. They create tours themselves. These tours will bring you around a few clubs from 10pm to 4am, and you get a free beer at every club.


This is the most famous club in Amsterdam. Jimmy Woo. Its the most exclusive club. No Tom, Dick, Harry can enter. Not even the beautiful and sexy Jane or Mary. Everyone that enters this club has to be exclusively invited on that day. I chatted with a receptionist from a neighbouring Indian restaurant and he confirmed it, with a bitter grin. Perhaps he had been trying in vain to get in for a long time.

Next, I checked out this area in Amsterdam, full of restaurants.

You know a city is very touristy when it even created a menu for tourist.

By far the most popular restaurant I saw in Amsterdam, is actually this Chinese restaurant.

The most exclusive club is Jimmy Woo, opened by a Chinese. The most popular restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. Seems like the Chinese are doing really well in Amsterdam.


Finally, at around 10pm, the sun sets and night falls.

Where to now? The red-light-district of course. On my way there, I asked a Dutch to reconfirm the direction. He replied "Enjoy your window shopping experience." I was kinda amused and tickled by his reply. Well, window shopping for prostitutes - would you?


They hate people taking pictures of them. You risk having them shouting vulgarities at you, and may even get your camera smashed from the really pissed off ones. Once, a crowd gathered to oogle at this prostitute. She keep rubbing her boobs and smacking her ass at them. I tried to sneak a photo of her. Even with the crowd taking her attention, she noticed me, and hid behind before I could snap. She reappeared, pointed middle finger at me and yelled tons of vulgarities. I ran away. To another shop, I decided to try from a distance, and used a lousy zoom. Even then, they somehow possess some kind of sixth sense that tells them someone is taking pictures of them from far. This one successfully hid behind a few times, and this was the best I managed.
Walking along the red-light-districts, some of them "Ni Hao" me, which was really gross. There were really young ones which I would guess to be below 18, and I saw a really one exfoliating skin one as well. I guess prostitution could be a live-long trade. With people getting more and more mentally needy and sick, even old prostitutes could survive in this trade.

Ironically, there is a Chinese temple beside the red-light-district.
Well, I was glad to get out of the window shopping area, knowing also that it is unwise for me, being alone, to stay for too long. Near this chinese temple, I began searching for food. I walked into this Chinese restaurant, willing to spend some on a good chinese meal. Unfortunately, they just closed. The ladyboss chatted with me. I remarked that the red-light-district experience surprised me at first and she replied in Mandarin "young man, you need to get used to women seducing you." Well.

I got out of the area and went in search of somemore food. I saw another Chinese restaurant which the ladyboss recommended. That restaurant opens past midnight and crowds patronise it. Standing at its door, I looked at the menu. It averages around 10euros for a plate of wanton noodle. I could get it for 10 times less in Singapore, and probably taste way better in Singapore. There's no need for me to pay that much extra for my own local meal being branded as exotic. I decided to walk back to my hostel and catch some famous Dutch fries along the way.

For 4 euro dollar, this is the smallest. But its huge! I had to pay for chilli, tomato and mayo, separately. Nevertheless, they were great fries and the sauces was awesome!

Here, I chatted with the seller, which is an Egyptian. He moved here 5 years ago, and hated Amsterdam like crazy. Amsterdam is a great city to visit. One of a kind. But I share the same sentiments as the Egyptian man. Living in this crazy city would probably not be so ideal.

I am-sterdam-ed. What about you?