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.

I'm getting in the morning of the 7th.

Oh, you guys!!.. now you've got me checking plane fares again..

DO IT!!!!!!!!

You know you can't escape the draw of Amersfoort '05!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is a paddling tour of the canals still on offer? we'd love it...! Definately will be there by the time you're back.

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.

If anyone is flying into AMS Thursday morning, I will have a rental car. If anyone wants a lift to Amersfoort, let me know.

*GASP* *BOGGLE*

BRIAAAAAAN!!!!!


HEEE HAAAAAS RETUUUURRRRRNNNED!!!!!!


Where you been?!?!?!!?

Good to see you!!!!

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.

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....

I think you know just how welcome you would be, sir. Go on, you know you'd love it!

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!

Make sure you guys get to see the "Dong Shop", if only for the horror value