It's my final day in town and the brief is... smoke as much bud as you can. With this in mind, I consume an iced doughnut in addition to my morning coffee and pancakes - gotta keep the energy up.
I decide I'm going to hit the Stud this morning. I very much enjoyed the atmosphere of the place last time I visited, although I was mostly non-plussed with the weed I bought. I've only really heard positive reports though so I think I was just unlucky. I stroll down a sleepy Spuistraat on the hunt for a breakfast smoke. I opt for Balou - enjoyed it there last time and it's a great view from the upstairs rooms. I scan the Sativas and go for a gram of Grapefruit - I think it was E14 - and an espresso. Up the stairs mister, I secure a seat near the window and skin up. The Grapefruit is perfect for a wake and bake - a zingy, citrus blast with hints of diesel - nice. I smoke and watch the world go by below. I cherish little moments like this.

Grapefruit ^^^
After leaving Balou I decide to pop my head in Family First on the way - there's a bouncer on the door who asks me for ID on the way in. Being nearly 50 I'm a little taken aback, however I do have my passport on me (Just in case - this has never happened to me before but I've seen it happen to others and made a mental note), satisfied, the man grunts and allows me in. I scan the menu - nothing new - I'll call back later. As I leave I give the bouncer a toothy grin and a cheery farewell. Onwards.
I carry on towards the Stud, through Plantage when the dread hits. Shit! I need to check out in an hour. It's instantly clear that not only do I have nowhere near the time to get to the Stud before check out but that I also probably don't have time afterwards either. I curse myself for lunching on this and vow to make it out next time. About turn.
Back at the hostel I pack my case, throw it in the luggage room and check out. Right, back to the job at hand. I'm thinking Mr K. I've not been here for ages and I don't think I ever made a purchase when I was there. Decision made. Onwards. When I get to Mr K I am disappointed. Most of the menu is sold out with only 3 strains available. Out of the 3, 2 are just bits and the other is Amnesia which I'm not in the market for. No worries, a detour to Hulp is in order.
At 1e Hulp I order an espresso and a gram of their Wizard Trees RS11xZoap for E25 and take a seat in a downstairs booth. I wrap up the Tagalongz I bought from de Kade yesterday, this was OK - burned clean but a little non-descript on the flavour. I roll up the Studio 54 from La Kalada for the walk back to town. This was a real let down, black ash, harsh, just a bad smoke. After the 3rd or 4th time the joint went out I'd had enough and it got thrown. Yuk.
Back in town I head back to Family First and ask the tender about a few of their Cali strains, he recommends the Centurion at E25, I also nip "next door" to Old Church and bag some Zillions by Heavy Loads for E24 before heading up to Batavia to smoke up.
I am blissfully unaware at the time but this will be my last ever smoke in the Batcave. I'm really going to miss the place, it was hands down my favourite smokers bar and I've got so many happy memories here.
I smoke up the bud I have left over a couple of pints. The Zillions was pleasant - E24 pleasant? I'm not so sure. Centurion was good, but again at that price... The Wizard Trees RS11xZoap, on the other hand, was trash, really disappointing, and I paid E25! It shouldn't be allowed


Centurion ^^^
I picked up some circular stickers from Old Church and decide to decorate my generic, grey grinder with one. I peel the sticker away from it's backing but it's too big and doesn't fit. Not to be defeated I do the exact same thing again and unsurprisingly yield the exact same result. I'm clearly too stoned to understand simple concepts like comparative size and so there is only one remedy... More.
I fire over to Siberie and grab a last bud, Blue Basquiat at E25. I roll it up and wander aimlessly up and down a sunny Brouwersgracht while smoking. Nice bit of flower, good ol' Siberie. A really nice end to the trip.

Blue Basquiat ^^^
The time has come so I collect my case and head for the train.
Top 3 Strains
1. Gumball - Coffeeshop Oost - E13. This was fire. Beautiful looking buds, delicious sweet taste and a bargain price.
2. Gushers - Dampkring - E16. Amazing flavour. A real stand out.
3. Gummy Bearz - Bagheera - E12. Hits all the right notes for me. Yummy.
Honourable mention for Blue Dream - Chapiteau - E8.50. Let that sink in - 8.50! This knocked spots off much of what I smoked all trip.
Top 3 Shops
1. Chapiteau - Do yourself a favour and hit this place up, it's a hidden gem. If it had seating it would be even higher up the list - and it's already at No.1
2. De Kade - I love this place. Is there a more chill shop in Amsterdam?
3. Siberie - The perfect combo of decor, atmosphere, staff, product.
Honourable mention for Sativa - Nice staff, decent product, chill shop. I shall be back.
Thanks for reading. Peace xx