Hey all! Sorry for the late update as its been pretty hectic these past few months for me. I'll save that for the next post
This is the final post of my Europe trip! And of course, I would save the best for last!
I wouldn’t consider this much of a budget post, as I went on a super peak period (31 Dec - 4 January) which made everything pricier. You can imagine the hostel prices, everywhere being a warzone of fireworks, and it was crowded to the brim. No doubt I still had a great time there
Here was my itinerary:
31 Dec
- Arrive Amsterdam via train from Antwerp
- check in
- explore & hit the bars
1 Jan
- Free Walking Tour
- Heineken Museum Experience
- I Amsterdam landmark
2 Jan
- Visit the Amsterdam Museum
- Red Light District
- Free & Easy
3 Jan
- Explore Volendam, Edam & Marken
4 Jan
- Depart for Dublin
So anyway imma get down to the details of where and what to do!
Accommodation
I stayed at Clinknoord Amsterdam, this would be one of the cleanest & biggest hostels I've ever been to. I stayed in a 6 bed sharing room, with a private bathroom and toilet. A nice part about this hostel is that they have a lot of amenities such as game rooms, ping pong, a bar, laundry, a restaurant and much more.
This hostel is easily accessible from Grand Central station, but its across the river from the main city area. Boats across the river are free and it departs every 5 minutes, so you don't need to worry about it
Cost: RM835.50
Transport
Amsterdam is pretty walk-able and that is pretty much what I did the whole time over there. It is about 5km from one end to the other end of the city, so it ain't that far. You can also rent bikes (make sure you're a good cyclist as traffic is crazy) or you can jump on the trains/buses if needed
The only transport I paid for was:
Bus pass to Edam, Volendam, Marken: 9 Euros
Ferry from Volendam - Marken: 8 Euros
Train to Airport: 5 Euros
Cost: 14 Euros
Food
In terms of food, there wasn't much specialty cuisine at Amsterdam actually, even the tour guides were like: Just go to an Indonesian restaurant here (as they used to colonize Indo in the past, and they brought their spices and cuisine over). The highlight for me is that I could binge on the varieties of cheese and drank loads of Heineken
My daily diet was sandwiches/buns in the morning (2 Euros), Subways/McD for lunch (about 6 Euros),
and a restaurant meal at night (about 8-15 Euros)
Cost: 80 Euros
Best shizz ever
What to do at Amsterdam?
1) Smoke Up
This is pretty much what everyone does when they get to Amsterdam. Honestly Amsterdam has much more to offer in terms of culture and all, but since their most iconic thing is weed, Priorities LOL. Its pretty much accessible everywhere! There are Coffee Shops which allow you to buy joints, edibles or just freshly cut herb (1g or 2g packs).
Price list:
A joint will cost from 3 - 10 Euros depending on the type and grade, a pack would cost you about 20 Euros onward, and a brownie will cost you about 6 Euros.
Cost: 20 Euros
2) Free Walking Tour
The free walking tour at Amsterdam is pretty extensive as you'll be walking all around the city. It takes about 3 hours, and it covers the old settlements, churches, main landmarks, museums and red light district
You'll also pass by the Anne Frank's house museum with this tour, but do note that you would need to book a spot at least 1 month in advance! That's how popular it is.
Cost: 5 Euros Tip
3) Heineken Museum
This museum pretty much shows the glory of Amsterdam, Heineken! There are plenty of relics on how Heineken was in the past, and how it has evolved to become one of the most famous beers in the world today!
You'll also be able to taste a fresh draft of Heineken, and you can also take part in the experiential activities they have prepared for you over there
Cost: 16 Euros
4) I Amsterdam Sign
One of the most iconic landmarks here, but do note that you should go super early to get a photo of yourself without all the people in the background.
You can also visit the museums nearby it, such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum (contemporary museum) there. I would advise to purchase the tickets and time slots online, as the queue is pretty crazy there for walk ins
5) National Museum
This was the museum that I wanted to go to, as I was able to learn about the history and culture of Amsterdam. They would provide a tour guide device, where you'll be able to walk around freely and get the explanations for the museum.
There is also an art exhibition where you can see the portraits of the 17th century, which is the Golden age of Amsterdam
You can book your tickets here
cost: 12.50 Euros
6) Edam - Volendam - Marken Route
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without seeing the surroundings of Amsterdam. You can get an all day bus ticket from the ticket counter at grand central station, or you can purchase it online here (€1 Cheaper). You'll also be taking a 1 way boat from Volendam to Marken , so you'll needa take the Volendam Marken Express. do book online as its €0.50 cheaper
There are plenty of places to visit, and I decided to go through the Edam - Volendam - Marken Route. Edam is a pretty small town, which specializes in cheese mostly. During spring, you can go to the cheese market and taste all they have to offer. Other than that, there are just beautiful canals over there
As for Volendam, it is the port that connects to Marken, you can get pretty cheap souvenirs here, and also visit the cheese factory. Do try their smoked cheese as it has a real explosive flavor!
Marken would be the last stop for me during this route, Visit the clogs factory over here, and see how those iconic shoes were made. There is also a cheese shop there which is pretty interesting, as the shop owner makes her cheese with local Marken beer. Another interesting fact is she mentioned to me that her great grandfather was actually a slave from Malaysia which was shipped to Cape Town, and ended up at Amsterdam. cool huh?
Edam:
Volendam:
Marken:
So as for total cost, here it is: (Exchange Rate at that time was €1 = RM4.9)
Accommodation: RM835.50
Transport: RM68.60 (€14)
Food: RM392 (€80)
Weed: RM98 (€20)
Activities: RM164.15 (€33.50)
Total cost: RM1,558.25
This is the end to my Europe Trip series, I hope you enjoyed it as much as me writing it. Stay tuned to my next update!
This is the final post of my Europe trip! And of course, I would save the best for last!
AMSTERDAM!
The City of...WEEDDDD and CULTUREEE
Priorities LOL
I wouldn’t consider this much of a budget post, as I went on a super peak period (31 Dec - 4 January) which made everything pricier. You can imagine the hostel prices, everywhere being a warzone of fireworks, and it was crowded to the brim. No doubt I still had a great time there
Here was my itinerary:
31 Dec
- Arrive Amsterdam via train from Antwerp
- check in
- explore & hit the bars
1 Jan
- Free Walking Tour
- Heineken Museum Experience
- I Amsterdam landmark
2 Jan
- Visit the Amsterdam Museum
- Red Light District
- Free & Easy
3 Jan
- Explore Volendam, Edam & Marken
4 Jan
- Depart for Dublin
So anyway imma get down to the details of where and what to do!
Accommodation
I stayed at Clinknoord Amsterdam, this would be one of the cleanest & biggest hostels I've ever been to. I stayed in a 6 bed sharing room, with a private bathroom and toilet. A nice part about this hostel is that they have a lot of amenities such as game rooms, ping pong, a bar, laundry, a restaurant and much more.
This hostel is easily accessible from Grand Central station, but its across the river from the main city area. Boats across the river are free and it departs every 5 minutes, so you don't need to worry about it
Cost: RM835.50
Clink Noord
The Facilities
That's pretty much how easy it is to get there
Myself with Kim Jeong Im
Transport
Amsterdam is pretty walk-able and that is pretty much what I did the whole time over there. It is about 5km from one end to the other end of the city, so it ain't that far. You can also rent bikes (make sure you're a good cyclist as traffic is crazy) or you can jump on the trains/buses if needed
The only transport I paid for was:
Bus pass to Edam, Volendam, Marken: 9 Euros
Ferry from Volendam - Marken: 8 Euros
Train to Airport: 5 Euros
Cost: 14 Euros
Food
In terms of food, there wasn't much specialty cuisine at Amsterdam actually, even the tour guides were like: Just go to an Indonesian restaurant here (as they used to colonize Indo in the past, and they brought their spices and cuisine over). The highlight for me is that I could binge on the varieties of cheese and drank loads of Heineken
My daily diet was sandwiches/buns in the morning (2 Euros), Subways/McD for lunch (about 6 Euros),
and a restaurant meal at night (about 8-15 Euros)
Cost: 80 Euros
Best shizz ever
What to do at Amsterdam?
1) Smoke Up
This is pretty much what everyone does when they get to Amsterdam. Honestly Amsterdam has much more to offer in terms of culture and all, but since their most iconic thing is weed, Priorities LOL. Its pretty much accessible everywhere! There are Coffee Shops which allow you to buy joints, edibles or just freshly cut herb (1g or 2g packs).
Price list:
A joint will cost from 3 - 10 Euros depending on the type and grade, a pack would cost you about 20 Euros onward, and a brownie will cost you about 6 Euros.
Cost: 20 Euros
2) Free Walking Tour
The free walking tour at Amsterdam is pretty extensive as you'll be walking all around the city. It takes about 3 hours, and it covers the old settlements, churches, main landmarks, museums and red light district
You'll also pass by the Anne Frank's house museum with this tour, but do note that you would need to book a spot at least 1 month in advance! That's how popular it is.
Cost: 5 Euros Tip
The old Settlement
The old church
3) Heineken Museum
This museum pretty much shows the glory of Amsterdam, Heineken! There are plenty of relics on how Heineken was in the past, and how it has evolved to become one of the most famous beers in the world today!
You'll also be able to taste a fresh draft of Heineken, and you can also take part in the experiential activities they have prepared for you over there
Cost: 16 Euros
One of the most iconic landmarks here, but do note that you should go super early to get a photo of yourself without all the people in the background.
You can also visit the museums nearby it, such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum (contemporary museum) there. I would advise to purchase the tickets and time slots online, as the queue is pretty crazy there for walk ins
5) National Museum
This was the museum that I wanted to go to, as I was able to learn about the history and culture of Amsterdam. They would provide a tour guide device, where you'll be able to walk around freely and get the explanations for the museum.
There is also an art exhibition where you can see the portraits of the 17th century, which is the Golden age of Amsterdam
You can book your tickets here
cost: 12.50 Euros
The famous pieces including the short french man LOL
The Art Gallery
Old School Coffeeshop
Each square represents a country, guess which one is Malaysia
6) Edam - Volendam - Marken Route
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without seeing the surroundings of Amsterdam. You can get an all day bus ticket from the ticket counter at grand central station, or you can purchase it online here (€1 Cheaper). You'll also be taking a 1 way boat from Volendam to Marken , so you'll needa take the Volendam Marken Express. do book online as its €0.50 cheaper
There are plenty of places to visit, and I decided to go through the Edam - Volendam - Marken Route. Edam is a pretty small town, which specializes in cheese mostly. During spring, you can go to the cheese market and taste all they have to offer. Other than that, there are just beautiful canals over there
As for Volendam, it is the port that connects to Marken, you can get pretty cheap souvenirs here, and also visit the cheese factory. Do try their smoked cheese as it has a real explosive flavor!
Marken would be the last stop for me during this route, Visit the clogs factory over here, and see how those iconic shoes were made. There is also a cheese shop there which is pretty interesting, as the shop owner makes her cheese with local Marken beer. Another interesting fact is she mentioned to me that her great grandfather was actually a slave from Malaysia which was shipped to Cape Town, and ended up at Amsterdam. cool huh?
Edam:
Volendam:
Volendam Town
The Cheese Factory
The Cheeses
Marken:
Clogs Factory
Clogs Factory
One of those random signs
So as for total cost, here it is: (Exchange Rate at that time was €1 = RM4.9)
Accommodation: RM835.50
Transport: RM68.60 (€14)
Food: RM392 (€80)
Weed: RM98 (€20)
Activities: RM164.15 (€33.50)
Total cost: RM1,558.25
This is the end to my Europe Trip series, I hope you enjoyed it as much as me writing it. Stay tuned to my next update!
Comments