Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK??
Posted by: FireFox31
Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 27/05/2005 23:24
Hey everyone, I'm *finally* starting to plan my trip to the Neatherlands for Amersfoort 2005. I'm wondering if anyone will be in town before the 8th and wants to meet up, get dinner, walk around, or anything. I had a great time checking out Amsterdam with the guys last year, so I plan to be in that city again.
<edit> Hm, I could fly into London, ferry to NL, and out of Amsterdam for the same price as a round trip. I could see the UK between July 5th and July 7th, and maybe even have a drink with some of our English operatives. Anyone interested? Is a two day stop in the UK even recommended? </edit>
If you're interested, post where and when you'll be near Amsterdam or Amersfoort (or the UK??) before the 8th. Hope to see you then.
Posted by: robricc
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 27/05/2005 23:49
I'm getting in the morning of the 7th.
Posted by: mlord
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 27/05/2005 23:51
Oh, you guys!!.. now you've got me checking plane fares again..
Posted by: robricc
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 27/05/2005 23:52
DO IT!!!!!!!!
You know you can't escape the draw of Amersfoort '05!
Posted by: oliver
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 28/05/2005 02:45
Mark if you end up going, then I'm going to have to. I'd really like to meet the hijack god and thank you in person for everything you have done for the community.
Plus I've always wanted to goto a UK meet, I've just never prepared for it ahead of time
If I do end up going, I'd love to meet up with anyone that's willing.
Posted by: StigOE
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 28/05/2005 03:14
I definitively think you should go. I've always wanted to meet The Lord...
I'll be flying in on the 5th to visit a friend in Ermelo, a half hour from Amersfoort, so a pre-meet in Amsterdam would be possible.
Stig
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 28/05/2005 04:30
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a pre-meet in Amsterdam would be possible.
More than happy to host a pre-meet on the 7th in Amsterdam.
Posted by: StigOE
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 28/05/2005 06:55
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More than happy to host a pre-meet on the 7th in Amsterdam.
If this happens, then I'm in...
Stig
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 28/05/2005 07:18
Steve and I get to Amsterdam at 21:20 local time and we should be staying with Julf so we'd definately be up for a little get together. BTW, how are you guys getting from Amsterdam to Amersfoort? We were looking at getting the train like we did in 2003.
Posted by: StigOE
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 28/05/2005 08:16
I will be taking the train, but for me it will be from Ermelo on the 8th. If there's a pre-meet, I'll just take the train in to Amsterdam and then the train back in the evening.
Stig
Posted by: boxer
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 28/05/2005 09:06
The boxers are flying in in the early hours of Friday, so we won't be pre-meeting, however, we've cheated, by already having a great weekend in Amsterdam earlier in the year, together with a very pleasant Indonesian meal with Julf and Elaine.
Posted by: andy
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 28/05/2005 09:06
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Oh, you guys!!.. now you've got me checking plane fares again..
Good, I want to play with your 20D and 70-300 
Posted by: bonzi
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 04/06/2005 09:38
As this looks likely to be the whole of my vacation this year, I added a few days for wandering around Amsterdam and thereabouts. I just booked my ticket - I am arriving on Thuesday the 5th.
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 04/06/2005 12:24
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I added a few days for wandering around Amsterdam and thereabouts.
Anything special you are interested in? I wil be getting back from NJ wednesday morning, and more than happy to provide maps and pointers...
Posted by: bonzi
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 04/06/2005 12:43
Thank you. I have already armed myself with "Rough Guides" for Netherlands and Amsterdam, and plan to meet with the delegation from Alaska and coordinate early exploration with them.
Museum or two will certainly be on the agenda (what do you recommend apart from Rijksmuseum?), but I think the most time will be spent "soaking in the feel of the place", so to speak. I am sure I will have questions after perusing my guides for a while
Ah, yes: one of my obligatory points of interest is somewhere high with wide view (like TV towers, Eiffel Tower or (sigh
) WTC twin towers), provided that there 's an elevator
. Recommendation appreciated.
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 04/06/2005 13:18
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plan to meet with the delegation from Alaska and coordinate early exploration with them
Excellent!
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Museum or two will certainly be on the agenda (what do you recommend apart from Rijksmuseum?)
The van gogh is a must despite being a "must"
The Jewish museum and/or the resistance museum are actually pretty interesting, much better than the Anne Frank house.
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but I think the most time will be spent "soaking in the feel of the place", so to speak.
Absolutely! Just sitting in a couple of cafés observing people is a good way to experience Amsterdam (well, goes for Paris, Barcelona, Florence and a bunch of other places too ).
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I am sure I will have questions after perusing my guides for a while
Feel free to bombard me with questions
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Ah, yes: one of my obligatory points of interest is somewhere high with wide view (like TV towers, Eiffel Tower or (sigh ) WTC twin towers), provided that there 's an elevator . Recommendation appreciated.
Ummh, this is the Low Countries, so a kitchen ladder is considered a high place.
There are a couple of church belltowers in Amsterdam that have public access, but no elevator. A couple of top-floor cafés/restaurants - recommend the old post office building next to Central Station. But as far as I know, no public access to TV towers. But I will check...
Posted by: wfaulk
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 04/06/2005 13:48
Speaking as a vacationer, too, I have to agree that the Van Gogh museum is a must. For one thing, it's not just Van Gogh. It comprises a large span of Dutch artists, mostly just before Van Gogh and later. It's kind of like the influences of Van Gogh, Van Gogh, and the artists influenced by Van Gogh, plus some additional other stuff. Virtually all paintings. I really enjoyed the Van Gogh museum. Also, the line for tickets at the Van Gogh museum seemed consistenly long. But there are other places you can buy tickets and bypass that entire line. I'd suggest you do that. I did, and despite the convenience, I kinda felt like a jerk skipping past all those people in what must have been a twenty-minute wait.
On the other hand, I was left somewhat underwhelmed by the Rijksmuseum. For one thing, as an American, when people say "Rijksmuseum", I think "Rembrandt". But the fact of the matter is that there is precious little Rembrandt there. Sure, they've got "The Black Watch" (which is way bigger than you'd think it'd be), but not a whole lot else. Personally, I'd rather see the more intimate Rebrandt stuff, from the self-portraits to the autopsy illustrations, but I don't remember seeing any of that kind of stuff there. You have to remember that it's the national Dutch museum, which means that it's all geared toward antiquities instead of toward art. And the antiquities are certainly artistic and beautiful, but it just didn't impress me all that much as a whole. I suppose part of it is because I was expecting an art museum, when it's actually a history museum with an artistic bent. So go with that in mind; I'm certainly not suggesting you skip it.
Posted by: kayakjazz
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 07/06/2005 14:39
Is a paddling tour of the canals still on offer? we'd love it...! Definately will be there by the time you're back.
Posted by: bmihulka
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 08/06/2005 00:48
I've been thinking of flying into London the 4th or 5th and then getting to NL. I haven't book my tickets yet so if any one is up for a UK meeting let me know soon.
Posted by: robricc
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 08/06/2005 00:52
If anyone is flying into AMS Thursday morning, I will have a rental car. If anyone wants a lift to Amersfoort, let me know.
Posted by: tfabris
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 08/06/2005 00:55
*GASP* *BOGGLE*
BRIAAAAAAN!!!!!
HEEE HAAAAAS RETUUUURRRRRNNNED!!!!!!
Where you been?!?!?!!?
Good to see you!!!!
Posted by: FireFox31
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 08/06/2005 02:31
Quote:
BRIAAAAAAN!!!!!
Haha, I was thinking the same thing. Hm, a meet up in the UK on the 4th and/or 5th should be planned.... I'll start the itinerary tomorrow.
Posted by: bmihulka
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 08/06/2005 03:07
I've been lurking around. Just working, drinking and sleeping, not necessarily in that order.
I'll probably bring some led kits that I have left if anyone wants to pick one up.
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 08/06/2005 13:10
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Is a paddling tour of the canals still on offer?
Sure! Let's aim for Thursday afternoon/evening or Friday morning!
Posted by: kayakjazz
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 08/06/2005 18:35
Yay! I'll really look forward to that....is it more interesting at night? I know you're far enough north so that darkness comes late....
Posted by: schofiel
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 08/06/2005 18:47
I think you know just how welcome you would be, sir. Go on, you know you'd love it!
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 09/06/2005 05:41
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Yay! I'll really look forward to that....is it more interesting at night? I know you're far enough north so that darkness comes late....
Well, especially the Red Light District is of course more interesting at night, but the rest of the city is much better seen in daylight (or even better, in sunlight, but that's rare ). And ducking tourist sightseeing boats in the dark is "interesting".
Posted by: kayakjazz
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 09/06/2005 17:10
We can...and I'm sure will walk the red light district at night; I'll give up the night lights not to dodge tour boats. We'll likely be around by the 5th, so whenever works best for you...I'm jazzed!
Posted by: schofiel
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 09/06/2005 21:47
Make sure you guys get to see the "Dong Shop", if only for the horror value
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups - 10/06/2005 06:16
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We'll likely be around by the 5th, so whenever works best for you...
Unfortunately I won't be getting back from NJ until the morning of the 6th, but thursday and friday should be fine!
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 13/06/2005 06:32
OK, here's what I propose for the Amsterdam pre-meetup thingie, on Thursday the 7th:
Let's get together at 18:30-19:00-ish at my place (Prinsengracht 862, the block between Utrechtsestraat and the Amstel river, tram stop "Prinsengracht" on tram 4) for a drink or two, then have a bit to eat at one of the local places, and then move on to the café/pub "Onder de Oievaar", at the corner of Prinsengracht and Utrechtsestraat (by the tram stop) where those that arrive late can join us. How does this sound?
Posted by: StigOE
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 13/06/2005 07:33
Sounds good to me. I'll probably go to Amsterdam earlier and just wander around, though...
Stig
Posted by: bonzi
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 13/06/2005 07:52
Perfect!
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 13/06/2005 08:02
Oh, and bonzi... The only tower I can think of would be the
euromast in Rotterdam...
Posted by: schofiel
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 13/06/2005 09:09
Blimey! I didn't know you drunk at the Oievaar! That's a great little place. Hmm. Maybe I can be tempted as well....
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 13/06/2005 09:54
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Blimey! I didn't know you drunk at the Oievaar! That's a great little place. Hmm. Maybe I can be tempted as well....
Well, apart from being a great place with friendly staff, considering it's at the corner of the block where I live, it's not too surprising we hang around there
Added bonus is that that is also where Elaine and I met physically for the first time... 
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 14/06/2005 18:05
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OK, here's what I propose for the Amsterdam pre-meetup thingie, on Thursday the 7th
So here is the location of my place: map
and here is the cafe/pub Onder de Ooievaar: map
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 14/06/2005 18:45
Can't wait Julf, SteveH and I hope to be there by 2200.
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 14/06/2005 18:50
Any chance of some directions from the airport? I'll upload the Amsterdam pocket streets onto my Axim, but any help would be appreciated.
Posted by: FireFox31
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 14/06/2005 22:45
Awesome, it's on my itinerary. See you all there (and maybe before).
Posted by: StigOE
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 01:57
I take it you'll bring a bunch of buttons to the meet...?
Stig
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 05:29
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Any chance of some directions from the airport? I'll upload the Amsterdam pocket streets onto my Axim, but any help would be appreciated.
Are you renting a car at the airport, or taking public transport? How much luggage will you have? Might actually recomend a taxi, as taking the train/tram combination at that late hour will be slower than earlier in the day (and the taxi will be pretty fast outside rush hour). For 2 people, the price difference is not going to be enormous - the taxi will cost 30 eur or so, train+tram will be at least 6 eur per person...
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 07:06
We were thinking of taking public transport. Shouldn't have more than a backpack and a bag each. We looked at hiring a car but realised it would spend most of its time sitting in the car park at the Campanile and we'd be paying £100 for the privilege.
Posted by: robricc
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 10:58
I can likely pick you up if you're heading to julf's on Thursday. I haven't been paying too much attention to this thread, but it seems like Thursday evening we can head over to julf's house and then get drinks. Is that right? You can probably count me in.
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 11:33
That would be great Rob, we're due in at AMS at 21:20 local time.
Posted by: robricc
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 11:36
Ok, send me a PM if you want to exchange mobile numbers. I'd be happy to pick you up.
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 13:09
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I can likely pick you up if you're heading to julf's on Thursday. I haven't been paying too much attention to this thread, but it seems like Thursday evening we can head over to julf's house and then get drinks. Is that right?
Are you thinking of leaving the car (rental?) in Amsterdam Thursday night? This time the garage might be full...
Posted by: robricc
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 15/06/2005 14:45
I was assuming I would park at the "julf cave" or somewhere close-by. Would public parking not be available thursday evening? I'm not staying the night in Amsterdam, I should be booked at the Campanile in Amersfoort that night.
Posted by: julf
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 16/06/2005 05:08
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I was assuming I would park at the "julf cave" or somewhere close-by.
If I *don't* have the Land Rover, there is space in the Julfcave, but if I do, it's going to be packed - won't probably know until wed afternoon.
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Would public parking not be available thursday evening?
You should be able to get a spot in the street after a bit of hunting, but expect to pay around an euro per hour
Parking is a major issue around here
Posted by: kayakjazz
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 16/06/2005 22:13
We're looking forward to joining everyone at your house that evening...and congratualations on your marriage! We're all in favor of love's young dream.... !
Posted by: bonzi
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 09:11
I won't make it, after all....
At least it is only work that intervened; nobody fell ill or died.
Have the most wonderfull time, people! Apart from your reports and photos, I will have only my Amsterdam guidebook and unused non-refuntable airplane ticket...
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 09:14
Damn, tell work to shove it!
Posted by: bonzi
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 10:02
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Damn, tell work to shove it!
I would like to, but it's complicated.....
Posted by: andym
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 10:51
Couldn't you be 'ill' that weekend?
Posted by: mlord
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 12:08
Think about priorities, and how much impact it will have on the world if you spend an extra day at your desk versus out enjoying life some more.
And in the end, will you really wish you'd spent more time at the office?
Cheers
Posted by: FireFox31
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 18:01
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versus out enjoying life some more.
Wow, I really really need to tell myself this at least twice a day.
Posted by: bonzi
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 18/06/2005 18:57
Thank you all for encouragements
I can't just call in ill because I am the boss, and its not just a weekend but the whole week I have to spend on a suddenly materialised business trip (details are complicated). Argh, I feel awful, I was so looking forward meeting you all, not to mention possibly one-off chance to see the Alaska team.
Posted by: StigOE
Re: Pre-Amersfoort meet-ups in NL... or UK?? - 04/07/2005 09:17
Since the time for the meet is getting closer... Anyone interested in meeting up earlier on thursday and do some touristy bits before heading over to Julf? If so, pm me and we can exchange contact info...
Stig