Park and Ride into Amsterdam Centre

If you have a car and are travelling into the city-centre of Amsterdam (public transport central zone), you can park close to the motorway for a fraction of the price of parking in the centre of the city.

http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/plan-your-trip/getting-around/parking/park-and-ride

These are the eye-watering city-centre rates: http://www.amsterdam.info/parking/

A real Dutch castle

Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam: http://www.muiderslot.nl/

Expetica International Job Fair

It's that time again! The International Expatica Job Fair will be held on Sunday 2nd November at the Beurs van Bijlage in Central Amsterdam.

For more details see: http://jobfair.expatica.com/

New building in Rotterdam

Yesterday the queen opened a truly new concept in buildings. It is both an appartment and shopping complex and truly worth a visit:  http://markthalrotterdam.nl/

Updated Linux tools for AIX

These RPMs are regularly updated but provided without any kind of warrany:

http://dl.aixtools.net/tools/

I am not sure if these latest versions of Bash have fixed the ShellShock vulnerability but they are likely to be better than the versions most people have.

Netherlands moves toward IR35 style rules

The Belastingdienst has been threatening for a long-time to tighten-up their definition of self-employment and to crack-down on companies using self-employment to avoid payroll taxes. It looks now as though they are about to repeat the mistakes made by the UK Labour party:

http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/nieuws/2014/09/22/wetsvoorstel-ook-opdrachtgever-verantwoordelijk-voor-fiscale-beoordeling-van-arbeidsrelatie-zzp-er.html

Visit Holland App

If you are new to the country, or just looking to find things to do during your holiday, I suggest you download the "Best of Holland" app from the Google Play or Apple App store, or vist the website at: http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-information/holland-apps.htm. The download is pretty large so I suggest that you first connect to your wireless network.

If possible you should invest in an external micro-SD card (sorry Apple Fanbois) and use  the AppMgr Pro app to migrate your larger apps as this can mean you can cram a lot more onto your phone.

A day at the seaside

If you are looking for a day-out, perhaps with the kids, you could try Zandvoort Aan Zee a small seaside town just a few minutes drive from Haarlem, and close to Den Haag en Amsterdam.

You can take the train from Haarlem or drive. Parking costs about €2.20/hour and there is plenty of on-street parking right by the beach.

There is also a large national-park just to the north of the town Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland.

N201 extension opens today Friday 16th May 2014

After at least two years of work the tunnel under the river Amstel linking the new N201 with the Mijdrecht and the A2 is finally complete. This should be a great help to anyone in Hoofdorp or Aalsmeer who needs to get to the A2, but does not want to go through the A4/A9 junction which is a notorious choke-point during the rush-hour.

http://www.dichtbij.nl/amstelland/webregio-tv/artikel/3511152/nieuwe-n201-inclusief-aquaduct-binnenkort-volledig-open.aspx

Staying up to date with local events

If you are like me you have a NEE/NEE sticker on your letterbox in order to avoid receiving a ton of junk mail each day. If so why not take a look at this site: http://www.dichtbij.nl/ It is a great source of local news and can also be used to help when learning Dutch.

International Banking

As the economy starts to improve here in the Netherlands, perhaps it is a good time to review your finances. I recently visited the ExPatica Job Fair and as a result they send me this link for advice in English:

https://www.abnamro.nl/en/personal/international-clients/expat/index.html

I am sure all the banks do this, however it never hurts to get some free, if not necesarily impartial, advice.

Applying for a job in the Netherlands

This site contains lots of useful advice and tips on how to create a Dutch CV and to apply for jobs in NL: https://www.werk.nl/werk_nl/werknemer/eu/working-netherlands/applications

Kings Day in Amstelveen Oude Dorp

This is the way every nation should celebrate the birthday of their king or queen:

New law that bans downloading content

Until recently it was not illegal to download content here, just to upload it, however it seems as though the EuroPrats have been meddling again: http://www.zdnet.com/pirate-download-ban-dutch-politicians-rebel-with-calls-of-leave-consumers-alone-7000028776/

(Koningsdag) opening times

For those of you who are not planning the entire day to get drunk or sell your second-hand goods, many shops are still open as normal. For details see this site: http://www.opentot.nl/ 

This is also a useful resource for checking the opening times of the shops in your area.

Cheap Airport parking

It is not often that you can find any kind of a bargain here in Amsterdam, however I was pleasantly surprised that I could get a days parking close to the terminal for just €31. For more information see:

http://www.schiphol.nl/Reizigers/VanNaarSchiphol/ParkerenOpSchiphol.htm

Donating used clothing

If you want to donate used clothing to charity you can find a container in your neighbourhood on this website:
http://www.humana.nl/vind-een-container/

Help following an emergency

Should you be unfortunate to suffer a major mishap whilst in the Netherlands perhaps these people can help you?

http://www.hulpnaongeval.nl/

Obtaining a DigId

Many Dutch goverment services require that you can digitally identify yourself. A digital ID is an electronic signature that is used in place of a traditional signature. This is often called digital ink and once you have digitally signed a document using digital-ink, it is legally binding, and can be used for  "non-repudiation" i.e. you cannot claim you didn't agree etc.

The Dutch government chose DigID. In order to create a DigID you need a valid BSN (Burgerservicenummer). To get a BSN you have to be registered with your local council (Gemeente) and have an email address and phone number.

Once you create the online application you will be send an activation code by post. You can also link your account to your mobile phone. Using your mobile phone means that you are sent an SMS code everytime somebody tries to login to your account, meaning they would have to steal your password and phone before they can access your account.

Dutch National Holidays

Spring is upon us and the hour has gone forward today so it is time to think about planning your flights back to the UK or wherever you live. This year Easter is 20th April, then a week later (26th) is the first King's Day, (rather than the previous Queen's day 30th). From then on there are two public holidays in May, and two in June: http://www.feestdagen-nederland.nl/feestdagen-2014.html

The holidays here differ from the UK at they don't move to the nearest Monday and people often take the extra days off either side, so it can be a good time to take a long trip back home. Be warned book early as prices can rocket.

Something for the kids

With a weekend of great weather expected there has never been a better time to take the kids to the petting zoo in the Amsterdamse Bos, a large forested area and park, close to Amstelveen.

The geitenboerderij litterally translates to goat farm, however there are many more animals there, as weel as a nice cafe/restaurant. Unlike the health-and-safety obsessed UK the kids can actually touch the animals and there is not a fire-proof suit or crash helmet in sight!

For more details see:

http://www.geitenboerderij.nl/

They are located at:


Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve
Nieuwe Meerlaan 4
1182 DB Amstelveen
E: info@geitenboerderij.nl
T: 020-6455034
F: www.facebook.com/geitenboerderij
Twitter: @geitenboerderij

Ther are open most days from 10am until 5pm (check their website for more details http://www.geitenboerderij.nl/contact).


As with most parts of the Netherlands you can reach them by bus numbers 186 & 187 (direction Schiphol) from the Amstelveen bus station:
The stop is: Nieuwe Meerlaan/  Geitenboerderij.

After leaving the bus you need to walk under the viaduct and follow the footpath. There is also parking on site:

From  Haarlem en Utrecht:
A9: Aalsmeer/ Amsterdamse Bos ( exit 6).
Follow the signs for Amsterdamse Bos en Geitenboerderij.
There is a large carpark (on the left) approximately 500 metres after the viaduct under the A9 . 500 meter.

From Amsterdam:
A10 (exit VU S108.)  Turn left at the traffic lights onto Amstelveense Weg. Turn right at the lights (juction with Van Nijenrodeweg), in to the Amsterdamse Bos. Follow the road (water is on your right) for 4 km, then turn right into "Parkeren Geitenboerderij".

Give us a break, give me Android KitKat

Vodafone NL started to role out the latest version of Android last week, however some users (me included) have experience phone heating, and rapid battery drain. It seems that Skype maybe to blame, so try uninstalling it.

http://www.zdnet.com/kitkat-giving-you-battery-drain-problems-try-uninstalling-skype-says-google-as-it-prepares-a-fix-7000027051/

Google says that a fix is on the way:

Spring Flowers

Spring is now in full swing here. The weather is beautiful and the flowers are out. Now is a great time tio visit Flora Holland (The largest flower auction in the world), and perhaps the Keukenhof (A truly beautiful display of rare plants and flowers.

Flora Holland has several locations including Aalsmeer which is a short bus ride (172) from Amsterdam.

The Keukenhof is in Lisse (close to Leiden) and can be reached by coach from various Amsterdam tourist  sales points, or by NS (Dutch railways), and local bus from the station.

The biggest flea market in Europe

If you are stuck for something to do on a Sunday, and the weather is not good then take a look here:

http://www.ijhallen.nl/

I do not know if it is really the largest, but it certainly is big, and a great and cheap day out for the family.

It's that time again!

During the month of March about 90% of the Dutch population need to generate/complete an Aangifte and return it to the Belastingdiesnst before the 1st April. You can apply for an extension, but be aware that if you miss the deadline, penalties apply!

Most people simply need their Jaaropgave which they get from their employer, and a statement of interest from their bank; which can be downloaded/printed from your online banking site.

You also have to provide details of pensions, mortgages, childcare expenses etc.

Buying a car in the Netherlands

If you are a foreigner in the Netherlands, and wish to buy a car, then a few extra steps are required before they can transfer it to you:

Start by going to your local Gemeentehuis and ask for a new Plaatsbewijs. You will need your passport and BSN (Burgerlijke Service Nummer). It takes only a few moments and currently costs €9.70. They will issue you with a paper certificate which proves you are a legal resident and have been correctly registered.

Once you have found a car (and paid for it) you need to arrange for insurance before they will let you take the car. You will also have to visit the RDW and formally transfer the car onto your name.

The vendor should provide you with a four digit code which you need to take with your driver's licence, plaatsbewijs, health insurance code showing your BSN, proof of insurance, and passport to your local RDW office. This will also cost €9.70.

You can now legally drive the car.

Within a few days you will a green plastic smartcard (a Kentekenbewijs) which you must keep with you/the car at all times and produce it if requested by the police. If you are stopped and don't have it along with your driver's licence, you will receive an automatic fine!

Within a few weeks you will also receive a blue envelope from the the tax-office (Belastingdienst) asking you to pay the road-tax (wegenbelasting). Always check how this is for the car you are buying as it can be a lot more than you expect!

Buying a car

I recently decided to return my lease car due to the ever increasing cost, and to buy my a private car. The big advantage is that I no longer have to pay more than €500/month in lease costs, and I also save a lot of taxes such as the bijtelling.

Before buying a car ensure that you do a lot of research as there seems to be very little protection for buyers when it comes to incorrect mileage, mechanical problems etc. You should also be aware that there are a lot of imported cars, and these can be worth much less, and be more difficult to sell.

How do I know it was imported?
The biggest giveaway is the number-plate, unless the car is very new, it should have a registratio n in the form: NN-XX-YY, if it looks more like: N-XXX-YY or X-YYY-NN then you should check ino the car's history.
Some cars that have been bought by government departments or the army also need to be re-registered, so as long as you have evidence, these cars can be fine when it comes to reselling.

Non-Dutch driver's licences
Most insurance companies seem OK with this but you must be able to provide evidence of a no-claims history or thye will charge a very high premium.

ANVB
Joining is relatively cheap and coverage is good. They also provide lots of good advice and member discounts.

Amsterdam alcoholics paid in beer for collecting litter

I wish they would do this in the UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25548061

Adding DropBox to Office 2013

Want to add DropBox or Google Drive to MS Office? See here

TenKate Market

If you are tired with the Albertcuypt market then perhaps you should try taking tram 3 to Kinkerstraat, then walk along the street (away from the city) for approximately 400 metres. There is a The Phone House shop on the corner of Tenkatestraat.

Alternatively if you are coming from the centre of Amsterdam take tram-17 direct to the tram stop Tenkatestraat.

The market is NOT open on Sundays.

Jaaropgave 2013

It is almost time for people to start receiving their December payments, and so they must then submit a Jaaropgave. For many younger expats this is very easy as all they need to do is to complete an aangifte online which includes the amount earned and tax-paid from your Jaaropgave, and a statement of interest from your bank statement. If you are unsure you should seek professional advice but very careful of people trying to charge you large amounts of oney as you should never pay more than €100 unless your case in complicated.