Blauw
Blauw
Blauw (Amstelveenseweg 158-160, Amsterdam) — Situated at the end of Vondelpark, Blauw restaurant is the new face of Indonesian food in the capital. Forget batiks and gamelan music, the interior here is sleekly designed in white, black and red (in direct contrast to the name, which means blue), the music is loungy and the lighting subdued. So subdued, in fact, that the menus all have tiny (and rather tacky-looking) reading lights attached to them.
The Indonesian food at Restaurant Blauw, however, is authentic and ranges from ikan pedas (spicy fish) and saté kambing (strips of goat’s meat threaded onto skewers – much tastier than it sounds) to gado gado (a salad of mixed raw vegetables with light peanut sauce) and rendang (slow-cooked stewed beef). The choice of 14 à la carte dishes range from €21.15 to €26.50, but the best way to sample as many dishes as possible is to choose the rijsttafel, which comes in three varieties: vegetarian (€24.50 per person), fish (€28.25) and mixed (€29.25).
Although the rijsttafel was something the Dutch colonisers in Indonesia invented, and is rarely seen any more in Indonesia itself, it has retained its popularity in Holland and is a sociable way of dining. Similar to tapas, the 18 or so rijsttafel items at Restaurant Blauw are served in lots of small, sleek white dishes, from which everyone helps themselves.
Bojo
Bojo
Bojo (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 49-51, Amsterdam) — For quick, cheap, and tasty dishes served until the wee hours, head for long-established Bojo, a cheap and cheery eatery near Leidseplein. If hunger strikes after a late night on the town, drop in for a flavorful longtong rames (special boiled rice served with chewy rice cakes). If it looks too crowded, be sure to check the adjoining dining room, which has a separate entrance.
Aphrodite
Afrodita
Aphrodite (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 91, Amsterdam) — In an area awash with Greek restaurants that do a pretty routine island-taverna impersonation, Aphrodite stands out for putting more emphasis on taste and less on dazzling Aegean colors, fishing nets, and Olympian deities. Its single room is modern, restrained in its decor, and softly lit. The specialties — afelia (lamb cubes in coriander/cilantro-and-wine sauce), moussaka, kleftiko (oven-baked lamb), and others — are not much different in principle from those of other local Greek restaurants, but are generally better prepared and served — which, after all, is difference enough.
Akbar
Akbar
Akbar (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 15, Amsterdam) — The best Indian restaurant in the Leidseplein area has been here (though not always at this address) since 1981, as one of the city’s first Indian restaurants. It’s a consistently good performer across the range of Punjabi cuisine — tandoori, curry, balti, vegetarian, and seafood — without being exactly outstanding in any category. The set meals are a good value, and service is friendly and prompt. There’s also a takeout service.
Transporte Amsterdam
Transporte Amsterdam
ROTTERDAM TRANSPORTATION
The public transport system in Rotterdam is very well organized. All metro, tram and metropolitan bus lines are operated by RET. You need an OV-Chipkaart (“Public Transport chip card”).
The Rotterdam Welcome Card provides unlimited use of all RET public transport for 1, 2 or 3 days, and 25% or better discounts on 50+ attractions, museums, restaurants and more. See the website for further information on conditions and locations to get the card (www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com). If you don’t need the discounts, the 1, 2 or 3 day passes are also available from RET ticket machines available in all metro stations for (slightly) cheaper prices.
If you are planning to travel with other transportation companies than RET (i.e. outside Rotterdam), especially more than one or two times, then the most convenient card is the anonymous OV-Chipkaart. You can purchase an anonymous OV-Chipkaart for € 7.50 from ticket offices (only in selected stations) and from ticket machines available in all metro stations. The amount is for the card alone, to travel with an OV-chipkaart, you must first credit your card with a travel product and/or balance. This can be done at ticket machines. The anonymous OV-Chipkaart is valid for a minimum of 4 years up until 5 years.
When traveling, remember to check in and out, especially when you transfer from any one form of transport to another. A small army of inspectors swoops down occasionally to make sure everyone has a valid check in.
By metro: There are five metro lines operated by RET. Lines A (green), B (yellow) and C (red), formerly known as Calandlijn, share tracks between Schiedam Centrum and Capelsebrug and offer an east-west connection. Lines D (light blue, formerly known as Erasmuslijn) and E (blue, also known as RandstadRail) share tracks between Rotterdam Centraal and Slinge and offer a north-south connection. Interchange between all lines is possible on Beurs station in the city center.
Lines A, B and C operate every 10 minutes, which allows 3-4 minute intervals on the main section between Schiedam Centrum and Capelsebrug. Lines D and E operate every 10 minutes, which give shorter intervals between Rotterdam Centraal and Slinge. There is a more frequent service during rush hours. The Rotterdam Metro operates from 5:30 am until midnight. Here is a map of the Rotterdam Metro: https://www.ret.nl/fileadmin/user_upload/Documenten/PDF/Kaarten_en_plattegronden/RET_metrolijnenkaart.pdf
By Tram: RET operates eight (8) tram lines. All tram lines (except line 2) will stop at Rotterdam Centraal. Tram stops provide a detailed map of the public transport system. All lines operate every 10 minutes with more frequent service during rush hours on some lines. Each tram has a conductor. Here is a map of Rotterdam’s tram lines:
https://www.ret.nl/fileadmin/user_upload/Documenten/PDF/Kaarten_en_plattegronden/RET_Tramnet.pdf
By bus: Multiple companies operate buses in Rotterdam: RET, Arriva, and Connexxion. These companies share some of the bus stops, but the route numbers are not interchangeable. RET is the larger operator in the metropolitan area itself, while ARRIVA and Connexxion service areas outside the metropolitan area. Use the front door when boarding a bus. RET also operates a night bus service (BOB-bus) on Friday and Saturday nights.
WaterBus: provides connections between Rotterdam and the Drechtsteden (Dordrecht and surrounding cities).
Aqualiner: Once started as a fast ferry connection between Heijplaat on the south bank and the city center, the Aqualiner now also offers fast connections to Katendrecht and Lloydkwartier. Single tickets are sold on board (cash only). The OV-chipkaart is not valid.
By taxi
If you do need a taxi, you will have to find yourself a taxi rank or call Rotterdamse Taxi Centrale RTC N.V. (which is the city’s major taxi service). Call them for the latest rates: +31 (010) 462 6060
Water taxi
Rotterdam was built on a number of islands and if you want to travel from shore to shore, the nicest way to go is to take the Water Taxi. This speedboat will escort you over the Maas. They have more than 250 landing stages. See Watertaxi Rotterdam’s website for details: www.watertaxirotterdam.nl
Tuk Tuk
A Thai-influenced transportation service using three-wheeled, open-air (but covered) motorized vehicles called Tuk Tuk. There was a time where you could hail the Tuk Tuks at the streets everywhere in Rotterdam but today this is only possible in the Overschie district. The good thing is that these Tuk Tuks are for free but unfortunately they won’t leave the Overschie district. If you would like to use the Tuk Tuk in another part of Rotterdam you need to order one (by calling +31 088 885 0885). .The Tuk Tuk will tour you for a fixed price through Rotterdam along all the tourist sides such as the Old Harbour, the Erasmus bridge, the Cube houses and the New Luxor theatre. The minimal rental time is one hour but the comfortable Tuk Tuks have got enough room to carry 3 people, or even 6 people.
Taxi
Taxi
Taxis: Due to the general layout of the city of Amsterdam, which is not car-friendly, options for using taxis will be limited (unless one is travel in and out of the city’s outerlying areas, and the airport, of course). For that reason, it is important to get familiar with fixed taxi stands (located in various parts of the city). Here are the official fares:
Boarding rate: €3.19
Mileage rate: €2.35
Time rate (per minute): €0.39
The following taxi companies operate in Amsterdam:
Schipholtaxi: +31 0900 900 6666
Staxi: +31 020 705 8888
Taxicentral Amsterdam: +31 020 777 7777
Taxistad: +31 020 208 0000
Taxi Direct Amsterdam: +31 020 633 3333
Bike
Bicicleta
Bike: first-time visitors to Amsterdam will immediately notice that it is the most bicycle-friendly capital city in the world. Many feel that riding a bike in Amsterdam is a “must do” activity there. The city is flat and compact with large and clearly marked bike lanes, often making cycling the most efficient way to explore the city all while taking in the picture-perfect views. Bikes are also welcome on most modes of public transportation, making them a useful option even just to travel among other transit routes.
Here are a few popular bike rental firms in Amsterdam:
Bike City: https://bikecity.nl/
MacBike Rental: www.macbike.nl
Rent-a-Bike: www.rentabike.nl
Ferry
Ferry
Ferry: Though transportation in Amsterdam used to be highly characterized by boat-travel on the city’s web of canals, today’s canal traffic is mostly comprised of tourist cruises and personal boats. Ferries in Amsterdam instead cross the local waterway (known as the “IJ River”), connecting the city center with the north (or Noord) neighborhood. These are free ferries that run 24 hours a day (departing every few minutes). Most leave from Central Station, where you will see a digital countdown clock at each platform counting down the seconds until the next departure. See a map of the city’s ferry routes here: https://reisinfo.gvb.nl/nl/lijnen?boat&show
Bus
Autobus
Bus: During the day, buses are mostly used to connect Amsterdam to the greater metropolitan area. While locals use them on their daily commute, visitors are likely to use them even more so when venturing away from the city center to visit one of the Netherlands’ surrounding beach towns, gardens, or historic villages.
Buses are especially handy after 12:15 am when the metro and trams stop running. Night buses depart from each of their stops about every 30 minutes from 12:30 am to 7:00 am. Many operate to and from Central Station, with connections all around Amsterdam. Since there are fewer transportation options after dark, night routes are often longer than those in the daytime, so expect lengthier trip times. Here is a map of Amsterdam’s bus lines: https://reisinfo.gvb.nl/nl/lijnen?bus&show
Tram
Tranvia
Tram: Trams in Amsterdam are a fun and convenient way to travel around town. With fifteen different routes and frequent stops, trams are a reliable and efficient way to get to and around the city center. They have large windows and glide on tracks above ground, offering a unique way to stay cozy and enjoy the sights. Trams are recognizable by their dark blue and white color. Visitors who are not accustomed to Amsterdam’s streets should be careful; trams are nearly silent, so cyclists and pedestrians should be especially mindful when crossing tram tracks. Here is a map of Amsterdam’s tram lines: https://reisinfo.gvb.nl/nl/lijnen?tram&show
