And so, today will mark the last day in Europe. One doesn’t leave Amsterdam without strolling around the Red Light District. Amsterdam is known to have an open culture, thus it’s perfectly normal to have a lot of sex shops, windows with prostitutes promoting their business and streets wreaking the smell of weed. And don’t keep your hopes too high. It’s said that the Dutch government is reducing on the red light district and coffeeshop businesses. There aren’t many prostitutes windows and coffeeshops as compared to the past. And smoking weed for tourists is up to one’s discretion.
A thing that’s unique about Amsterdam or Netherlands I should say, is that many locals commute by bicycle. They even have bicycle lanes. And mind you, they have the up most priority in those lanes. So don’t expect them to stop and wait for you to cross! And try this. If you go around Amsterdam, you will notice houses or buildings having hooks on top. Not for escaping during a fire, but these hooks are for hoisting large furniture up as the staircases in the houses are very narrow and steep.
Amsterdam is the most populous city in Netherlands. There will surely be crowds all around. And not forgetting, tourists all around. Don’t be alarmed if you see many sex shops or any shops related to sex. It’s perfectly normal here. I once entered a souvenir shop and saw this lollipop exactly shaped like a female’s vagina and penis shaped key chains. And you might come across with lollipops or sweets that have “Cannabis” or “Marijuana” labelled on them. Well, NOT ALL have the cannabis content and not all will make you fly. Just look our for “FREE OF THC” and you will be fine. THC is the chemical compound that gives the effects. Buying them and bringing them back to your own country is up to your discretion, though not recommended!
Okay, so let’s begin. We started walking along the Red Light District and end up somewhere near the Grand Palace.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT take any photos of the red light district, especially the girls. Just respect them as a human beings and note the fact they are doing these for money to support their family/school/life. Nobody likes to be in that limelight of shame.
And in case your wondering, coffeeshops in Amsterdam aren’t those typical coffeshops where you can order hot coffee and toast for your morning breakfast. Coffeeshops sell joints and weed where you can smoke legally but under a certain amount. Hash cakes and cookies are also sold.
Example of a coffeeshop
Shop selling soft drugs
An example of a prostitute window. Note the red lamp above
Red Light District alleyway
The Red Light District wasn’t that “active” as I was there in the evening. You can see the full scale of operations in the night. Do note that when a prostitute is available, the red lamp will light up.
Now besides the bicycle, people can also commute around Amsterdam by boats. Cruising on the canals will be a great Amsterdam experience.
Just another sex shop
And so, after walking around, we ended up at the Chinatown area and thus reaching the Grand Palace area. Note the bicycles!
Chinatown
Grand Palace
Madame Tussads
Madame Tussads
Grand Palace
So that’s all folks. That’s the end of my Europe journey. Overall, it’s been a great 10 Days but still a very short 10 days. I wish I could do more, but that’s what you get when your on a tour package. Amsterdam is also great seen at night due to the lighting along the streets and canals which are simply beautiful.
Budget for Amsterdam should be the same for in Paris except that hotels in Amsterdam city center will cost in the EUR 120- 200 range per night. Food wise it’s about roughly the same for in Paris. Tap water here is also drinkable. Bringing weed and those marijuana related stuffs back to your home country is at your own risk. Obviously, do not do something foolish that will ruin your vacation.
Thanks for reading all my travel posts. I hope I do give some helpful advice along the way. Stay tuned for more travels!
Redd Wanderlust 