It had been more than two years since I last stepped foot in the squat boat restaurant known as the Einde van de Wereld. The what? Yup, most people haven't heard of it, or rather, many people don't believe it exists or just plain don't get the ecclectic atmosphere.

But indeed despite the time that has passed, the boat is still firmly entrenched in its parking space, right where Javaeiland meets KNSM eiland. Right where one can sit on the deck to enjoy a vegetarian meal and watch the sun set over central station and the Ij. Or maybe sitting below deck with the majority of the community, amongst the chatter and the live music, is more your thing.

Happy to be back, I stepped right up to the counter and ordered my warm meal, paying the lady 6 euros and stepping to the side to order my drink from the drink man. After enjoying the music and the meal with a friend, I returned to that counter for some mangos and ice cream... an excellent topper for a delicious and healthy meal.

If you can find it, and you're curious enough, the End of the World is right there waiting. Careful what day it is, as the End of the World only serves dinner on Wednesday and Friday starting at 6pm. And once all the food is gone, it is done. Which is a translation of the Dutch phrase "op is op."

Address: Javakade 4, Amsterdam

This Tuesday, May 20th, yours truly is presenting two documentaries at the former film academy known as OT301. Both documentaries are related to Bangladesh; the first being about the stateless Bihari people, who live in Bangladesh since before the country existed, but are not considered citizens. This film focuses on how this came to be, as well as what life is like for the millions who live in camps since the 1970's.

The second film focuses on the women who work in the garment industry of Bangladesh. Quality of life, work conditions, and big labels are among the topics covered by this film.

Films start at 8:30pm, on the second floor of OT301, which is located at Overtoom 301, right next to Vondelpark. Entry is 4 euro and you'll get to meet me, since I'm organizing it on behalf of a friend who worked on both films.

If you find yourself wanting to do a group project, here's something you often see on the streets of Amsterdam Centrum on a sunny weekend day:

Its called the PartyFiets... or the party bike. And indeed, you can rent it. Why would you want to? Well for one thing, I don't know how many chances you'll have to pedal, drink, and make a general fool of yourself while having lots of fun.

Well it finally happenned... Starbuck's Coffee has opened up in the main plaza at Schiphol airport. It has actually been open for a month or two, as prior to this one only ticketed passengers could frequent the only Starbuck's in the country.

From here on in, all you have to do to drink a Tall Laté Moccachino Watchamacallit, is take the train to the airport and right when you come up from the trains, there she is.

One thing to keep in mind about Starbuck's at the airport, both stores are constantly busy; you will stand in a fairly significant line. Also you're paying in euros yet the prices look like numbers you'd normally see in dollars.

And that, ladies and gentlement, is your Starbuck's in the Netherlands report.

The inspired author of that quote remains anonymous. However, one of the coolest day trips you can make from the Netherlands is a tour of their famous neighbor, Belgium- particularly of their beer crafting abbeys.

A beer tour will take you by car, bus or even bicycle around some of the abbeys, monasteries and farmhouses where the best beer in the world is grown and brewed.

Alternatively, if you can't make it out of the Netherlands or simply don't want to (understood) then sample the best of what Belgium has to offer without ever stepping foot inside at Gollem or Cafe Belgique in Amsterdam, two excellent and laid back beer bars.

Some of your may remember my video tour of the Lloyd Hotel, available right there in the top right hand menu if you shuffle through the videos.

This week I decided it had been too long since I was last in the Lloyd Hotel Restaurant/Bar/Cultural Embassy, and as my mom is visiting, I figured it was a good time.

Middle of February is certain not the high season in Amsterdam, though I'm sure you enjoy the pun. So the Lloyd was pretty quiet... made me want to get a room and go to sleep in such a peaceful atmosphere. But dinner was the goal so we grabbed a table and perused the menu.

I chose a pasta dish of course, sticking with the vegetarian's reliable friend. Mom went for the Mackerel, sticking with our Portuguese fish culture. While the food itself was delicious, there's not too much in terms of filling up the plate. The cuisine is very designer, just as the hotel itself prides itself for being. This meant we had to order some delicious panacotta deserts. If you can explain what panacotta is, you get a cookie.. cause I can't - but I like it.

The delicious but not quite filling food gave us just enough energy to wander around the hotel and take in the super-interesting exhibition on the history of the Lloyd. An amazing history, of course.

All in all, it was nice and overdue, to be back at the Lloyd Hotel for some food, relaxation, and education. (not to mention free wifi!!)

Like many cafe's in Amsterdam, Cafe de Pijp may have once been a cramped little corner spot with beer on tap and smoke-stained yellow walls.

But I sure can't remember back that far.

The Cafe de Pjip that I know is jumpin' on most nights, especially Thursday thru Sunday. Now taking up the space of two storefronts on the very popular Ferdinand Bolstraat in the Pijp, the modern vibe and and bad 90's music seems to do it for the clientele.

With some luck you'll get the waitress that actually comes to your table and brings you drinks in a friendly manner. With some luck you'll not be sitting alone and most people at Cafe de Pjip bring a friend. With some luck.. you'll actually find a place to sit.

We received some desperate emails here at Trippist and they all concern the Super Bowl... If, where and when will they show the big game??? Well, not to worry, even when in Amsterdam. I know of two places in the center of the city: the first one, the Satellite Sports Café, is located on the Leidseplein. The other one is Hotel The Globe, in the Red Light District, which is a hotel with a 24 hour sports bar. Coverage starts at 1230am Sunday night/Monday morning!

If you know of any other places let us know...

On January 20th, the Nieuwe Anita, Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, will throw a celebration party promoting the power of alternative healing. The event will start at 2PM and end sometime around midnight.

The party will be in support of the Dutch organization Mama Cash, an International Women's Fund. I have a good friend who works for Mama Cash and can say that this is a reputable organization well-deserving of public support. The suggested donation is "5 - 20 euros". The drink proceeds will go to the Nieuwe Anita, a very hip and intimate spot (think sewing, good music and special parties - you have to see for yourself).

Expect musicians, performance artists, chantings, massage, body painting, organic food, dancing, DJs and more!

Some of Europe's finest hacker girls called me over the weekend. I love when hacker girls call me, and they sometimes do when they find themselves in Amsterdam. Many of them are former or future residents of this fine city.
So when they call me to meet them, I know it will be somewhere good. Sure enough they tell me to go to the Ponteneur to meet them for post dinner and drinks.

Now the Ponteneur is the cafe-restaurant jewel of Amsterdam Oost, a place where even if no one knows your name, you still get the feeling they do. Where tables are long and made of wood. Where newspapers and magazines can be read or politics can be debated. Where you can surf the internets to your heart's content on the free wifi. Where the good looking wait-staff treats you better than the average Dutch service.

When I arrived the hacker ladies had polished off a veggy dinner and it looked delightful. I asked them how it was and they made yummy sounds. Looking over at the big board, the prices are about average with the veggie option hovering around 10 euros. Meat and seafood lovers will find options as well that are sure to satisfy. Having missed out on the main course, together we chose a toffee cake that comes with a lovely scoop of vanilla ice cream, which most certainly hit the spot.

So if you're anywhere near the Tropenmuseum or Amsterdam Oost, the Ponteneur is the perfect place to meet your favorite hackers or even just to sit alone and plan your life.