Amsterdam - Coffee Shops, Sex Museums and Bikes!

2/6/12

1942 (local time)

Leer (Ostfriesl) Bus Station #Friggin’ Cold

How badly can one man stack his connections that he has turned a 5 hour train ride into a 9 hour and 5 different stop-over’s using both Train’s and Buses. Yep, I can!

A hung over Steve got on the bus from Amsterdam, got mega confused about where I was, so got off a stop to early leaving him stranded in some random city trying to pick up the pieces from there.

Never mind though, let’s not take away from the most amazing time I had in Amsterdam.

I was greeted at the Amsterdam Central bus-station by Arrianne, she was pretty easy to spot with her platinum blonde hair, and I’m pretty sure I was just as easy to find as I feel as if my backpack is crushing my entire spine.

I took a tram back to her flat whilst she peddled her old sketchy push bike with no breaks and still managed to beat the tram back.

We went out for beers as soon as we got in, and I could see that I was going to enjoy my time here! The canals that run through the city make it look beautiful at night that no lens would be able to capture.

It was bizarre, everywhere I went on first impressions I felt intimated, not because I felt any anger upon me, but everyone is just really really tall. I don’t claim to be a short guy, I’m hitting a vertical peak at about 178cm, whilst every male (and female) is 6ft and beyond!

Anyway, so Arrianne felt obliged to take me around the city and do at least some of the touristy stuff, so I hired a red bike for the day and we set off. Riding past Anne Franks house was pretty cool, didn’t go in because there was a queue that went almost went around the entire block. So I snapped a quick photo, and we set back off again.

-Warning- 

If you don’t like the idea of your son/friend/grandson/cousin/nephew engaging in illegal drugs then skip the next paragraph.

Next up was a Coffee shop, we found a little laneway that had a cosy Coffee shop and got comfy and baked. I’ve done some smoking in Egypt, but the stuff there does not even come close to the strength of the stuff in Amsterdam.

I got pretty wrecked, but once I pulled myself together we got back on our bikes and headed down to the Sex Museum.

So by the time we got to the Museum we were still pretty baked, and for anyone that has tried Marijuana you know about the different stages you go through with the drug. Fortunately by the time we got to the Sex Museum, we both had the giggles. The things they have at this Museum was borderline cringe-worthy but was definitely a great laugh. After getting lost, we finally saw daylight and went on another bike ride.

If you have never been to Amsterdam, you would have heard that they just ride their bikes everywhere. When I heard this I was like, that’s cool, few bikes on the road… no dramas. But, when you get there… everyone is on a bike. Kids, Adults, Fat People etc, and if you can’t ride a bike there are people you can pay to ride you around… So for the heads up, before you cross the road… look both way for bikes!

When we started our tour, I asked Arrianne if she has ever crashed…
“No Steve, I never crash” she replied.

Just as she said this, a old dude rides straight into the back of her… I was amused by the old guy certainly wasn’t.

Then, only last night as we were riding Arrianne’s bike to the next pub she got shouted at by another Lady in her mid-50’s because apparently Arrianne accidently kicked her side bag as she hopped onto the bike. So in the period of 2 days, Arrianne went from having a clean sheet, to causing 2 accidents… Good Work!

Right, back to the tour after visiting the Sex Museum we cruised around checking out all different parts of the city: Red Light District, a house where squatters took ownership of a house.

It was the nights that I enjoyed the most, we stayed out of the touristy bars, so I got a real feel of Amsterdam culture. There is defiantly a divide between people though, like in sports you have Windsurfers v. Kitesurfers, Skateboarders v. Rollerbladers/BMX’s, Snowboarding v. Skiers. In Amsterdam you have the Non-Collared v. Collared bars. (I’m referring to guy’s shirts.)

Had some great nights out, meeting loads of different people and potentially ruining any chances of them coming to Australia J.

Anyway, my fingers feel as if they are about to freeze off so I will sign off here.

Take care and remember let the force be with you!

Cheers Skin-Up-Ski & Dirk Diggler! Xx

Arrianne hangin out in front of Anne Franks house!

Anne Franks

Nice photo of the house's 'on' the river!

Just come out of the coffee shop!

This is cool... These houses were taken over by squatters! 

Lovin' the art work!

Our go at an 'arty' photo of all the bikes! The red one is mine!

This is a cool looking village inside Amsterdam! You wouldnt even know its there! Women hid there during WW2.

Me and Arrianne Riding through a cool looking park!

Nice looking building, potentially the town hall?!

I AM AMSTERDAM

The End of Dahab! The Beginning of the Mega Trip!

13/5/12

1815 (local time)

Dahab, Egypt.

The countdown has definitely begun for my time to leave Dahab. At the moment, I have been here since May/June 2011 and although I have had A LOT of fun. It is my time to leave.

Yes, ill be leaving here on May the 17^th (not long now) where I will head back to London for a couple of weeks, then start my trip back to Australia… all overland.

What’s been happening I hear you ask?

Same old same old really! Lizzie and Luke went to Australia and whilst they were away Colin and myself worked for Club Dahab over the winter. It was good, not much wind but still loads of fun. Since there was no wind, I wish finishing work with loads of energy so I found myself going to the gym quite a bit which was good to use up all that energy I had accumulated from just sitting on a beach all day drinking plenty of water and protein shakes?...

Windsurfing – yeah its been fun, but at the moment I am completely over sailing on flat water. I’ve learnt loads of new tricks that I can’t wait to try them in the waves, but I’m sick of trying them on the flat. It will be good to sail some new locations.

The most exciting thing that has been happening so far has been the band. Percy Moonshine have been rocking out in Dahab! Just last Friday we did a gig at Club Dahab, we rocked pretty hard. We went on late so we had all had a few to drink, and typically the more alcohol consumed means that your performance gets worse, and this was exactly the fact for our Friday night. Myself and James (drummer) forgot how to play most of the songs… But that didn’t stop us, we rocked hard.

Our last gig was held again at the Acacia Hotel (Sam’s Bar – Guitarist) and even though it wasn’t a packed crowd it was a bunch of fun and its something I will miss the most.

If you did miss the gigs don’t worry, because we have a ton of photos and even some video that we took during the Dahab Festival. So stay tuned.

So currently I’m hanging out in London staying with Lizzie and Louise in their beautiful flat in SW London, again a massive thanks for the girls for letting me stay, eat, drink relax… practically treating their home as my home! And it wasn’t just this time, but for the last 2 years where I treated Lizzie’s house am my base! I’m sure when I leave she will still receive bank statements from me… at least she will remember me.

Although I’m having a great time in London, its bloody expensive! But if you start worrying about how much coin your spending it will just bum you out, so you just need to limit yourself.

Ok, so I’m in the midst of planning my trip and its getting exciting: Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria… just to name a few.

My number one problem I have right now is, Russian Visa! It take about 2 weeks to get, and I don’t know where I will be for 2 weeks for me to get it sorted! But there is no point about worrying about it now, lets get it sorted closer to when the time comes.

So last night (29/5) was my send off ‘do’, and myself and the Kings went massive on my last night we all got tickets and went to see old 2000’s hip hop heavy metal rockers, Limp Bizkit. If you have no idea who these guys are, please do yourself a favour and check them out, cue Rollin’.

It was chaos last night, I’ve never been to a gig where I have stepped outside with wrinkled fingers (like being in the water to long) Brixton Academy was hotter than the sun last night! It was Sweaty, It was Loud! But we rocked hard!

Right, signing off now… next up Amsterdam – With Arianne PWA superstar! CANT WAIT!

Much love! And ‘skin-up-ski’ to everyone!

Xx Steve

Slap of da Bass!!!

Keaney On The Mic! KILLIN IN THE NAME OF!

The Winds of Change - KOTWF Presents 2012!

11-1-12

1445 (local time)

Dahab – Egypt

Gday my lovely little lemon drops… A happy new year to everyone! 2012 was brought in with pure style, as I was spending it with the “Kings of the Wild Frontier” - KOTWF

Sam Village brought his mates out to Dahab to go absolutely full power for 10 straight days. Everything was accomplished during this time… Go Karting, Windsurfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, DJ’ing, Dancing, (the boys climbed Mt Sinai) which I wanted no part of. The boys did a Good Job.

Richard (Bear Hit with a Shovel) Skinner and Jamie (Plummer) Plumer enjoyed 3 full on days of Diving!  Where they got their PADI open water diving certificate, in the mean time, Sam (Pussay) Village and Billy (Feather Duster) Ziller got some 1 on 1 Windsurf coaching by the most wanted man in Dahab.

The Go Karting was intense, we had an International fleet of racers, the Germans and the English dominated the track… unfortunately I was the only Australian, but I flew my country’s flag well, in true Mark Webber fashion I bumped most people off the track, if this wasn't happening i was spinning… I went out in style. The prepubescent child Niki Weitz won the race… Mostly due to his weight, or lack of, I think the official weigh up showed Niki weighing in the same weight as my right leg. But, “Good Job Mate”

New Years Eve was a pretty messy night, and the photos are there to prove it, with a bit of luck they won’t make it up on any of the new social networking sites, too be honest, it was a pretty boozy night, I crashed at the boys place in town… I think the final count was 5am ‘ish. Plumer bailed early head in hands looking as white as a ghost! Good Job Mate!

At this current stage, I’m back working for Club Dahab with Colin Dixon… Last week was awesome as everyday there was a little bit of wind to do my lessons but after that, we would all chill out on the beach, and either kick the footy around, or even play some of the most intense American Football ever… Even Tim Tebow would be proud (http://bit.ly/wBHXLN) who is not only a Church Goer but also a hot shot quarterback, like myself.

This week, we don’t have so many guests but all the fella’s are down here enjoying the sunny weather… 25 – 28 degrees! Happy Days!

2012 has a lot of promises, hopefully it will see the Mighty Hawthorn Hawks rise up to take the 2012 AFL Premiership. Maybe we will see the Australian Cricket Team replicate their performance with India, and smash the Poms for Six.

For me, I will be making my epic trip back to Melbourne, Australia. Mostly overland, finding my way through Europe, Eastern Europe cross into Russian catch a train through that via the Trans Siberian Railway, until I get kicked off in China, where ill train with the Shaolin Monks (naaaut). Maybe ill windsurf over to Japan for the weekend, or better yet hire a private jet.

And then, from their head south all through S.E Asia tasting some amazing food and meeting some cool people!

Eventually ill get down into Indonesia where with a bit of luck friends and family will meet me in Bali for one hell of a party.

So please, join me on this amazing adventure. Sign up to my blog by either becoming a follower or for an even easier way, put your email address in on the right and be there every step of the way.

Ma-salam-a-la-kum my dear friends.

God Speed!

Steve xx

Enjoy the photos of Christmas!!! 

My present to the Cone!

Col with all his PRESENTS!

Merry Christmas guys!

Marco, near our tree!

We went a bit crazy with the fake snow... Highly Poisonous.

Our chrissy tree!

Style?!

Presents!

Our christmas dinner!

MY PRESENTS!

Why the serious face?

My Story About Gingers...

 In Honor of the Great Red Haired Man...

13/12/11

1620 (local time)

Dahab, Egypt

So I sit here, in the living room of the apartment! Lizzie and Luke went shopping for a Christmas tree, so we have a small but sufficient Christmas tree with decorations and all, it doesn’t really feel like Chrismas coming up, not too sure if that’s because I’m not with my family or if it just because Egypt doesn’t really celebrate Christmas.

But no matter which way you look at it, the next couple of weeks is going to be a mix of emotions. The reason for this small post/journal entry is to say goodbye to a few good mates that I have met whilst out in Dahab, mostly for the one and only Ginger Chris.

Now Ginger Chris or also known as Chris McCormick, is a man that sicks out from the crowd, not because of his tall and stocky build, but his fiery and fierce red hair that makes him look like a small Lion.

So, I’m not one to brag… but at this current time I have something like 708 friends on facebook… and from all these people, I think 3 of these people have red hair, and of these 3, only 2 I really see as mates. So, it made me think. Why is it that I don’t have many true friends that have red hair…

1.       Is it because they are dying breed of people? Id like to think not, as I as once told that even the smallest trace of “Red Hair DNA or RDNA” means that there will always be in that family blood line.

2.       Is it because most people with Red Hair are just rude and arrogant?

3.       Or… is it that I am a Red Hair Racist! Know I know this debate has been raging for many of years, and it was finally cleared up on “Summer Heights High” that YES people with Red Hair is a race… because, quote “there are heaps of ‘em sir”

So after a long and hard chat with myself I came to the conclusion that I am Racist toward Rangers. Now I don’t see any reasoning behind this, until I had a dream the other night that took me back to when I was a kid…

It was a blustery cold autumn and I had just been shopping with my Mum, this day I must have behaved myself and mother, the lovely dear was nice enough to take me to McDonalds aka the golden arches. I remember stepping out of the car and seeing a clown greeting people at the entrance. I was excited as any young boy would have been, so I ran up to greet him, but when I got closer the clown looked evil… I burst into tears! And ran back to my mother!  This clown was Ronald McDonald! And what colour hair does Ronald have… that’s right RED!

This is the last memory I have of hating anything with Red Hair… and on second thoughts are there a few Villains with red hair, Mystique from X-Men, Poison Ivy from Batman, Carrot-Top and I think the only cool Superhero with red hair is Rogue from X-Men… Archie is definitely is not cool.

The Pure Sight Of That Man Disgusts Me!

So back to the main topic of discussion, the above scenario proves to you the reason of why I don’t have all that many Ginger Haired friends.

But, I have changed my outlook on the world after I met my friend Ginger Chris. Chris introduced me to a world of Ginger-ness. I realised how difficult the world is for him. For example people see his head as a bull sees a red flag in a bull fighting arena. But instead of getting a bull horn to the inner thigh, Chris has seen several fists aimed towards his hair but missing and going south, Chris often sees small green bottles aimed at his head and like every good matador manages to escape the fury of a Sakara beer aimed at his head, but sometimes he isn’t fast enough and like every good matador sometimes takes one to the face! But this rarely seems to deter him…

Chris In His Element...

It is only recently where he has taken one too many blows to the face and he officially announced his departure of Dahab, and his dreams are now to tackle the world of White!

So we will all wish this fine specimen a warm farewell and hope that he tackles his future endeavours in his stride.

Cheers Steve xx

and

Happy Birthday Mate!

THE GINGER CHRIS

THE BIG CAT, just looking over me as i cut my cake!

We Are Tree Bar?

28/10/11 – finished on 29/11/11

1924 (local time)

Dahab, Egypt

Crikey, its been a while! Last time I wrote on this thing it was after my trip in Israel. What has been happening in the day and life of Steve! Well things have been going really well! Its not all that busy in Dahab (still) at the moment we have 0 guests at the centre but I am keeping myself busy! Fortunately its been windy lately so I have spent a majority of time out on the water.

The night times have been great also, most nights I’m out if I’m either singing or playing bass in the local band with the divers! Or DJ’ing or being a ‘Record Player, Player’, it doesn’t earn all that much money but it allows the only child characteristics in me to get out! Everyone must now listen to what music I play! Either way though it’s still really good fun, in fact when I started this blog it was a Halloween Party which I may add, was awesome, pictures soon… anyway so now it’s the 29^th of November… yeah I’ve been lazy.

So Dahab has been going through some unsettled times… over the past month, there has been numerous fights, I personally have learnt that being set on fire by a bunch of rogue Bedouin Kids isn’t the great start of a night. Chris has learnt that it sucks to be hit by a beer bottle, and the both of us have come to the conclusion that sometimes “it’s just not worth it”.

Now I’m not saying that Dahab is a dangerous place, but working behind a bar you soon realise who the shady characters are, and you learn that you need to deal with them appropriately. What I find quite amusing is the fact of how corrupt a place can be. We have the police in our back pocket to ensure that none of the staff get put in jail because we are ‘tourists’. Another example is, Lizzie (who I live with) had her motorbike stolen (which she won because of a fancy dress competition at Tree Bar). Anyway, she couldn’t make a police statement because apparently there is a black market for Motobikes where they steal them, and then sell them to a motorbike shop where you need to pay 500le ($100AUD) to get it back. But if you make a police statement, then the ‘black market’ will strip the bike of all its parts and sell them off… so ultimately it’s a lose, lose situation. And for Lizzie, she has had a really tough time here, she got here windsurf board stolen a few months ago, and now her bike!

In other news, 20,000 (euro’s) was stolen from one of the windsurf centres, and 3 cameras were stolen from a dive centre… Dahab is potentially falling apart, and it feels as if there is a battle royal brewing between the Bedouins, Egyptians & Tourists.

Okay, so I’m not painting a pretty picture for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not having fun, in fact quite the opposite, at the moment I’m having the time of my life. Windsurfing has taken a hold because of the lack of wind (and I thought it was a good idea to parallel park my board on the reef), but I have been going to the gym (a lot) and feel the fittest I’ve been in a while. I’m cooking a lot and having some great parties and meeting some fantastic people!

The only problem is, is that it is getting bloody cold. I honestly think it doesn’t even get this cold in Melbourne! So I’ve only got 1 pair of Jeans (that I’m wearing everyday), but it’s ok because they are levis. But rocking 1 pair of jeans and 2 hoodies is still not enough to keep you warm… But I battle through.

Anyway, I think that brings this blog post to an end. Ill be adding some photos up asap! But until then!

Stay classy! And chat soon!

Xx Steve

Lizzie and me dancing on the fridge... Lizzie is a BAT!

Sending a flaka!

Doing the star trek!

look mum, no hands...

Halloween!

Me and Marco throwing shapes!

Oh yeah.... i got my hair cut? Views!

A Small Anecdote!

A Small Anecdote written about Steve Flack, by Chris McCormick...

He's a record player player; an errant child; a deep thinking mild philanthropist; the disco balls shine bright through his eyes;

The jukebox is his friend; the dancefloor his mistress; he holds an RYA advanced plus instructor training certificate in shoe lace maintenance;

His heart rate never dips below 156; his ancestors spoke only in portuguese brail; some will never see him; even the deaf can hear him;

The bus can' swim the bus can' cross him; he chases sunrise with a butterfly net; he eats blue cheese using a spoon with no handle; snakes envy his rattle; he can count to 36 using only his thumbs;

A prodigy of criminal noise; you hear him coming through the spee-ee-kahs; he is playing tree bar tonight ... but he has not yet gone to uni. 

Tree Bar Presents.... STEVE FLACK