Back to the Capital- (13/04)

It was only fair to give Amsterdam another whirl for my last weekend in NL. I and my 2 closest friends here even booked a hostel for Saturday night to make sure we didn’t miss out on anything in order to get back for the last train! We spent the Saturday walking around in the lovely weather (just as I did on my first visit to Amsterdam!), having a look at the street performers of Dam Square and relaxing. We’d also booked ourselves an hour long canal boat tour of Amsterdam which was awesome. Unlike last time I wasn’t in control of steering the thing so I could really soak up the canal atmosphere from the outside seating area. We even managed to catch an odd word or two from the boat’s automated guide which was unfortunately only playing inside!

The evening was spent at a number of clubs and bars in Amsterdam’s Leidesplein (a square I’d already been to before and loved!) because it was where our hostel was located. Very convenient! It seemed like so long ago that I was chilling in Amsterdam with my sister and friend. Back then I was thinking about coming to Ypenburg to start with the host family I’d just been invited to join. 7 months later and there I was again but this time thinking about coming home to start afresh in the UK...

Amsterdam By Night...

With only a couple of nights and a lot of choice we decided to go with the ones suggested by locals or those that had visited them. If you’re ever in Amsterdam then give these some consideration...

Studio 80- With an emphasis on electric music this club was full of young trendy people and what looked like aspiring musicians or DJs, a kind of creative nesting ground. The two rooms, one with a podium area and the other a stage, were both pretty packed out by 1:30 and it was hard to see past the masses especially under the dramatic strobe lighting. Opening from 11-3:30 it was an energy-consumer on our first night.        

AIR- Apparently referred to as the wannabee Studio 80 this club was larger and certainly more modern. The music became more and more like a single techno beat as the night progressed and a strange automated card system was in place which was used to order drinks and use the cloakroom. A little bit more expensive but it did close later! At 5, we were proud to have made it.    

Trouw- Outside of Rembrandtplein but nearer to the university this club, once more specialising in techno music, didn’t have the grandeur of AIR but rather an underground feel. Reminiscent of a club called Tresor in Berlin, the building was formerly a newspaper printing facility. Certainly full of Amsterdammers this club was probably my favourite, the local-presence also created a more laid back atmosphere.

Coco’s Outback- For our last night we thought we’d better just go to a bar, this was the one we were recommended. If you couldn’t tell by the name it’s Australian and being Australian it was furnished almost entirely in wood, full with TV screens showing all manner of sports and offering cocktails and drinks at reasonable prices. A cosy way to end a cosy couple of days with my girls.    

Wassenaar by Night (24/08)

Thought I’d give the nightlife in Wassenaar a chance on Friday but I wasn’t harbouring much hope. I knew that it was not going to be as large or commercialised as was Noordwijk since there wasn’t an event on as such. I also knew that Wassenaar itself boasts only 2 potential venues. Actually make that 1. It is well known locally that one is just for the school kids. So I knew I didn’t really have a choice of clubs! Nevertheless I went with 3 other au pairs (a Czech, a Latvian and a South African), sorry I just love the international appeal of the job, who all assured me that they had spent many a good nights here. Whilst the night revealed my previous qualms to be true, adding to them a deepened hatred of smokers, it also proved to be good honest fun. I mean naturally we were the only ones dancing since the Dutch shun the ‘club’ culture in favour of ‘pub’ drinking and we were probably the only girls, definitely the only people under 30 of the very scarce number inside. But I reckon I’d do it again.

Noordwijk Nightlife (18/08)

Used my OV card for the first time to get to Noordwijk! It turns out I can function on public transport and arrive places not looking really red and sweaty, always good when meeting new people! Not sure how much use that was though as after a couple of hours on a packed out beach that was my predicament. Needless to say it was scorching. Anyway after refreshments and food we headed to the first Full Moon Party to be held in Noordwijk, at the Beachclub De Klink. Basically an outdoor beach party. There we were 4 au pairs: a German, a Canadian, an American and me in a Dutch club at 10pm.

It wasn’t too surprising to find that the various rooms were filled to bursting with people dancing, talking and drinking but since most of it was in open air, and some of it actually on the beach, I didn’t actually find myself feeling too claustrophobic. Regardless there was techno music, much like that which they play in Berlin clubs, but also the more typically Dutch house music, pounding out of the speakers to keep me from thoughts of heat and space! All in all I thought it was pretty awesome! Next morning, a little bit of post party relaxation on the beach: the life.