R/C In The Netherlands

Hi, I will be travelling to Amsterdam for business next month. Was interested in hobby shops, clubs, etc I might get time to visit.

I know, don't say it. Travelling to Amsterdam and checking out R/C means I'm a pretty dull person.

Dan in Florida

Reply to
Tom
Loading thread data ...

No decent R/C hobby shop in Amsterdam.

"Tom" schreef in bericht news:Xns93C0CA1B26277TomSawyerMDW@204.127.199.17...

Reply to
Hans Meij

Dan,

I hope you get a good reply from one of the Dutch flyers.

I have gone to a couple of the shops in Amsterdam, but some of the best shops are in the smaller towns. If you look in the "Yellow Pages" watch for the work "Modelbouw." Most of my guest flying was done in the N.E. corner of the Netherlands.

You could try: "J&J Modelbouw" at Bolsoel 32a, or the general hobby shop "Luchtvaart" at Aalsmeerderbrug (near the Schipol airport)

There are a number of clubs in the S.W. of the Netherlands. I dug around in my address book and came up with an email address for a chap that might be able to give you better information: Mr. Wim Brizee snipped-for-privacy@hccnet.nl

I don't know if this is your first trip to the Netherlands --so--

Please be aware that you are traveling to the Netherlands during the "summer holiday" season and many people take the entire 30 day period off. Dutch law says that companies must give employees at least two >consecutive< weeks of vacation. Some small businesses just close for the holiday.

There are a bunch of neat muesums and collections housed in Amsterdam. They have everything from the VanGogh Museum and the Maritime Museum to the "Hash Marijuana Hemp" museum (actually quite informative).

A general note: Taxis are NOT inexpensive in the Netherlands. Depending upon the location of your hotel, expect to pay around $40.00 EU. If you are not going to rent a car, check to see if your hotel has a shuttle.

If you are alone or traveling with non-Dutch associates, DO NOT "tour" the red-light district after dark. It is fun just to see the area during the day, but it is not the safest place after dark. The area around the main train station can also be a little "dicey" after dark.

The National Aviation Museum (Aviodrome) is located near the Schipol airport. You can catch a taxi, but it is close enough that you can hike there from the airport arrivals level if the recent construction has not screwed up the route. Exit the arrivals deck and turn left and walk along the main street. Walk past the Hilton and Sheraton hotels. You will pass a small KLM building. You will come to an intersection with a Fiat Gas station on your right across from a LARGE KLM cargo building. Turn right at this intersection and you will soon see some of the displays. They are constructing an aviation amusement park that is due to open in late fall. Check with the tourist information desk at the airport.

If you are going to rent a car you can also get to the Military Museum (Militaire Luchivaart) at Soesterberg. This was the site of a Dutch Airforce Base and was once home to U.S. forces at "Camp New Amsterdam". It is fairly easy to get to the museum by car. Depending upon your start point in Amsterdam, it is between a 40 and 60 minute drive.

There is one main exit from the Schipol airport terminal lobby. When you stand in the center of the main lobby and look towards the exit, the car rental desks are on the right side of the doors. Most of the rental car parking is across the street in a multi-level garage. The following directions will give you a reference from where the airport road from the terminal connects with route A4. Once you have your car, follow the signs out to route "A4". You will turn right ("North") on route A4 to connect with route A1 in the West direction toward Diemen/Almere/Amersfoort. Follow A1 to route A28 and take A28 toward Utrecht. Take the Exit #4 off of A28. The airfield is to the South-East of A28

You can get to this route from your hotel with only a few directions form the Concierge. The big loop (A10) around the main city connects with the major routes leaving Amsterdam. If you are not going to rent a car, you can get to Amersfoort by train and then take the bus to Soesterberg and then a taxi to the museum. This museum is open 10am - 4:30pm Tuesday - Friday and again on Sunday from 12:00 to 4:30pm.

Driving in the Netherlands is not too bad and better than in many U.S. Cities. The Dutch have a reasonably ordered society and most folks tend to "follow the rules". If you rent a car, you will find that you will need to call your hotel before you leave to make sure there is adequate guest parking. Parking spaces are at a premium in Amsterdam and smart tourists save their rental cars for trips outside of the city proper. Some hotels have arrangements with pivate and municipal parking facilities that reduce the cost. If you have a camera, take pictures of the rental car before you accept it. Be sure you photograph any existing damage or "parking lot rash." Two-wheel vehicles (lots and lots of bicycles) have the right-of-way when they are in their lanes - be careful. There are quite a few "round-a-bouts" off of the main routes and you need to keep your eyes pealed for right-of-way signs as you circle toward your exit.

If you have the opportunity - and you like cheese - stop at one of the big cheese shops. Try the aged Gouda or Edam. It is dryer and firmer than what you find here. Also, try some of the chocolate sprinkles on your buttered morning toast. Yeah - chocolate for breakfast - The bakery products and the dairy / cheese / sliced meat buffets at the hotel "Continental Breakfast" will make you wonder how we put up with the crap sold here in the U.S. If you see "Mustard Soup" on the dinner menu - try it.

Have fun.

J

Reply to
Flightdeck

you just don't go to Amsterdam for shops. Try to post in

formatting link
or try
formatting link
to jump to the forum directly

Reply to
Pé Reivers

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.