Veel plezier met het bestormen van het kasteel!

posted June 3, 2022 7:58 AM | |

Sat July 9 at 12:00 PM, Boating on the Canals of Amsterdam

Mauritskade 3, 1091 GC Amsterdam, Netherlands (Map & Directions)

I might be interested! Especially if we're meeting somewhere a tiny bit more central. Utrecht comes to mind. Outside would be fine!
Or if you'd like to stay close to home, de Groene Afslag is very nice and has ample seating outside.
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:06 PM on June 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

Naarden looks amazing on the map and is on my to-visit list, although I've never been there and can't say anything about the meetup possibilities.

Muiderslot (aka "Amsterdam Castle") might be a nice place to meet close to Bussum. There are a few small cafes with excellent terraces on the sluis through Muiden.

It's a little further afield, although Zandvoort (aka "Amsterdam Beach") has lots of outdoor seating on the, well, beach.

Utrecht also seems to have plenty of fun canal-side terraces; I haven't explored it much beyond a few walks through the center.

When are you thinking about getting together?
posted by autopilot at 3:01 PM on June 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

These all sound like wonderful options.

As for when, maybe early to mid July?
posted by lazaruslong at 11:21 PM on June 3, 2022

If it's before mid July, I can probably make it. Second half of that month is booked solid.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:18 AM on June 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

I live in the Dam and would probably come meet up whenever
posted by thedaniel at 1:27 AM on June 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

I am game!
posted by fregoli at 8:21 AM on June 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

Since several people have expressed an interest, may I suggest that you simply pick a time and place? That will make it easier for people to commit.
posted by Too-Ticky at 8:07 AM on June 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

Okay -- let's do Saturday July 9.

As for place I really don't know anywhere yet so unless someone has a better suggestion I'm tempted to take autopilot's suggestion and say Muiderslot Castle? We could check out the gardens perhaps, then go to an outdoor cafe after?
posted by lazaruslong at 8:14 AM on June 6, 2022

I've updated the event to reflect Saturday July 9 at 12:30pm at Muiderslot.

Open to suggestions for changes / updates and thanks to all!
posted by lazaruslong at 8:17 AM on June 6, 2022

That's a good date!

Were you thinking of the café at the castle itself? My concern is that it closes at 5, so dinner is not an option. Since it's a two hour trip for me (and possibly my partner), it would be good to have dinner before trekking back to the east.
posted by Too-Ticky at 9:22 AM on June 6, 2022

Yay! Looking forward to this.

Too-Ticky, looking around on google maps it looks like there are at least a few terrace cafes that are open for dinner in the little town attached to the castle.

However, I'm not sure how rustig the castle grounds will be since 9 July is the start of "zomervakantie" events: https://muiderslot.nl/agenda/zomervakantie/ I took my mom to Muiderslot once on a Saturday and the place was utterly stuffed with kids. I haven't been enough to know if it was just that there was an event going on or if this is the norm for beautiful summer Saturdays.
posted by antinomia at 6:40 AM on June 7, 2022

Another thought: renting a boat on the Amsterdam canals. We've done Mokumboot a lot, they're ~€100 per hour (or is it two hours?) and seat 8 people. There's also this place, which I haven't tried. They seat 12 people and it looks like they might be.. cheaper? despite having nicer boats? Just an idea.
posted by antinomia at 6:53 AM on June 7, 2022

I've done a canal tour in Amsterdam before and it was lovely! Renting a boat sounds like fun.
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:43 AM on June 10, 2022

Hey! Sorry, last week got crazy busy and this thread slipped off my radar.

As long as we're keeping the date, I'm totally cool with changing the activity.

Actually -- my wife and I have been told that people can rent their own boats and cruise around the canal but we're kind of chicken to try that alone the firs time. We'd love to know how and have some experience with that before our friends and family from the States start coming over to visit next year.

So if folks are okay with swapping activity, renting a boat and doing a canal tour in Amsterdam (with some outdoor food perhaps before or after or during??) would be great with us!
posted by lazaruslong at 3:44 AM on June 13, 2022

And yeah this second place that antinomia linked looks great to my untrained eye?
posted by lazaruslong at 3:46 AM on June 13, 2022

If I don't hear any objections in the next few days, I'll update the meetup to reflect renting a boat in 'Dam!
posted by lazaruslong at 12:44 AM on June 14, 2022

Well I, for one, really like this plan. And it seems to be feasible for me and my partner, so that's good too!
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:56 AM on June 14, 2022 [1 favorite]

Hooray! My partner will be coming as well -- we are stoked. :)
posted by lazaruslong at 2:06 AM on June 14, 2022

Mokumboats is 120 euros for a three hour tour, with far less chance of getting stranded than the crew on the minnow. Sloepdelen boats are much nicer, although they are ~200 euros for the same three hour hire (plus an extra 150 that they refund once you return the boat on time). If we have up to eight people total then we can go for the cheaper/smaller one, otherwise we'll need to upgrade.

I'm always surprised that there is no licensing or tests to drive one of these little boats. They just toss you the keys and say "stay out of the way of the big one!" and then its up to you. I'm happy to spend some time at the wheel, although I can't promise that we'll sail on the straightest heading.
posted by autopilot at 9:45 AM on June 14, 2022

Well, if we count everyone who has RSVP'd yes / maybe so far we're at 7, and that doesn't include you autopilot and possibly thedaniel as well, which would put us at 8-9. I'm inclined to say let's just go for the bigger nicer boat experience.

I was also surprised to learn that you can just take 'em out....I have spent some time on small fishing boats along with a bunch of non-motorized stuff like kayaks and canoes. But it has been a while and that was only in lakes in South Carolina, USA, not heavily (to my eyes!) trafficked canals in Amsterdam!
posted by lazaruslong at 12:44 PM on June 14, 2022

A boat trip through the Amsterdam canals sounds nice too, so no objections from us (my wife will be coming too). We’ve done boat trips in Amsterdam before but never on our “own”boat. We’re are not far from Amsterdam (or Muiden, for that matter). Looking forward to it already: first MeFi meetup!
posted by fregoli at 3:19 PM on June 14, 2022 [1 favorite]

We've moved from Maybe to Yes and we're looking forward to the meetup!
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:27 AM on June 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

Excellent! I will update the meetup with the new activity later today
posted by lazaruslong at 4:09 AM on June 16, 2022

Activity has been updated!

There are two dock options for Sloep Delen in Amsterdam -- the two options are Elandsgracht 150 and Mauritskade 3.

I put Mauritskade 3 as the location in this event because...idk. It looks pretty on google I guess. If folks have strong opinions that the other location is better, just let me know. I'll reserve the boat at end of next week.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:39 AM on June 17, 2022

also not for nothing but the boat reservation asks for # of people when assessing fees so if anyone is reading this and has not yet firmly committed to RSVP yes or no please do so. and if you RSVP yes, please do show up since otherwise I will be out the $$, haha
posted by lazaruslong at 6:42 AM on June 17, 2022

Yay! Should we bring drinks or snacky things to share?
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:14 AM on June 17, 2022

I've just indicated that I'd like to attend, but if my presence takes us into a more expensive type of boat (or if I'm already too late) I'm happy to join you another time.
posted by rjs at 12:52 PM on June 19, 2022

Mokumboot says their boats seat 6, so that is not the case. We'd have to go with the larger boat from Sloepdelen anyway.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:13 AM on June 20, 2022

Yes, no worries on boat size, I will get the bigger nicer Sloep ones.

Snacks / drinks would be cool! Maybe a cooler, too, if someone has one.
posted by lazaruslong at 1:11 AM on June 20, 2022

re: libations, my spouse and i do not drink alcohol but are not bothered by the presence of booze if folks want to have beers or something

we have some quasi-specific dietary needs so we will bring some snacks and water for ourselves, and some extras for others but can't really commit to bringing enough for 9 people, so if others that may wish to enjoy food / drink can bring some too that would be good
posted by lazaruslong at 2:32 AM on June 20, 2022

Oh hey. I've been meaning to visit Amsterdam for forever, and I'm nearby right now, seems like as good an excuse as any to drop by :)
posted by wesleyac at 6:04 AM on June 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

You're so welcome to join!

One note -- because the boat has to be reserved and paid for based on the number of people, we need a firm RSVP. If you can make it, please confirm with a YES to the meetup!
posted by lazaruslong at 7:05 AM on June 26, 2022

Hooray! Wesleyac has confirmed, and we are 10 members.

Let this comment serve as a LAST CALL for this meetup!

I will book the boat tomorrow for 10 people unless anyone else RSVP's between now and then with a solid YES

Please please please also everyone who RSVP'd yes, please do show up so we can split the cost appropriately. :)

Really looking forward to this!!!!
posted by lazaruslong at 3:14 AM on July 2, 2022 [2 favorites]

Update -- I went to book the boat today and the exact time slot we were hoping for was gone. I guess I waited slightly too long. Next time I will know.

Boat is booked from 12:30 - 2:30, so let's meet around 12 or 12:15 at Mauritskade 3 so we can make the most of the two hours on the water.

Do feel free to bring drinks and snacks!

Was only able to get the boat for 2 hours instead of 3, so cost is down as well -- 14.5 euro per person.

See you all next weekend! Cross fingers for great weather!
posted by lazaruslong at 6:58 AM on July 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

Well done on booking, I'm looking forward to the meetup too!
posted by Too-Ticky at 7:50 AM on July 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

We are on the train and on our way. See y'all in a bit!
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:37 AM on July 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

We are also on transit and will be there right around noon! Boat fun starts at 12:30.

I’m wearing black jeans / t shirt / black converse sneakers and my spouse has a white headband on.
posted by lazaruslong at 2:40 AM on July 9, 2022

I'm here, wearing a black Darknet Diaries T-shirt with a red archer on it and black cargo pants.
posted by rjs at 2:51 AM on July 9, 2022

Sand colored flat cap here
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:07 AM on July 9, 2022

Hold on, almost there
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:16 AM on July 9, 2022

That was a ton of fun and also I'm the first to post this !
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:31 AM on July 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Yes, thanks everyone!
posted by rjs at 5:42 AM on July 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

What fun! I’ll share pics when I get a chance. Thanks, everyone — feels really good to know a few people in this beautiful country.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:49 AM on July 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

This was great! Thanks for organizing it :)
posted by wesleyac at 5:54 AM on July 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks everyone for the friendly banter and thanks lazaruslong for the excellent organisation and steersmanship.
posted by fregoli at 5:58 AM on July 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

What a great time! Thanks for organizing, lazaruslong. Here's some of the places we mentioned: Museum Speelklok (do the tour if you want to experience the sound system of a 1920's rave), the Railway Museum, Teylers Museum (or the steampunk museum, as we call it). And finally, the book that, apparently, every Dutch person has read, Pluk van de Petteflet (NL) or Tow-truck Pluck (EN). Also, we're always up for board games :) Speaking of which: Amsterdice.
posted by antinomia at 7:05 AM on July 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

Some museums in Amsterdam: Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam Museum, Jewish Museum, NEMO science museum.
posted by rjs at 11:56 AM on July 14, 2022

And one of the lesser known ones: the Embassy of the Free Mind.
posted by rjs at 11:59 AM on July 14, 2022