Amsterdam – The Netherlands; Sex, Drugs and… CHOCOLATE ?

Yep, I’m an addict. I admit it, right here on my hub. Now I’m sure you have taken a sneak peek at my profile and noticed that I’m from the Netherlands so you’re probably not surprised about my confession. But I’m a chocolate addict and it’s serious, really.

Eating yet another bar of chocolate, I watch movies such as ‘Chocolat’ with the ever delicious Johnny Depp and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ with once again mouth watering Johnny (is there a pattern here, Johnny ?) while drinking my cup of cocoa, set on my adorable chocolate coasters. Painted my walls in a lovely chocolate color, downloaded a yummy chocolate wallpaper on my laptop and convinced my husband that a trip to the famous Hershey’s Chocolate World in Pennsylvania is educational for our kids. Will try to grow my own cocoa bean plant once again this summer and can’t wait for Easter so I can eat every chocolate egg I can get my hands on without hubby’s comment. I know the best funny chocolate jokes you can think of and I love sending text messages to my fellow addicts on my Chocolate cell. Do I need to go on ? I told you, a true addict.

But now some researchers in New Zealand have scientific proof that chocolate is as addictive as cigarettes. Duh, I could have told them, no proof needed. But they consider it necessary to put warnings on chocolate, just like there are on packages of cigarettes.

Now that part really intrigues me. What on earth do they want to put on a box of chocolates ? ‘Chocolate eaters die younger’ or ‘chocolate makes your clothes shrink’ ? Can't wait to see what they've come up with.

No, I’m more interested in an Italian research that shows that women with a chocolate craving have a better sex life. It’s said to increase arousal and sexual desire in women. Think about that every time you feel guilty when you put another bonbon in your mouth: ‘Sorry honey, but you know it’s for a good cause. Yes, I'll eat the white one too !’ But I can’t help but wondering, what our chocolate habit has come to when 70 % of women would rather eat chocolate than have sex ? Yep, the result of yet another survey that I read somewhere on the internet. Now, before I got married I have dated a couple of Dutch guys and if the choice were between sex with one of them or raw, homemade chocolate goodness, I think I might be part of the 70% (joking guys). But if I had to choose, well, I think I could live without chocolate and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

But now I finally know why they’re building Holland’s first chocolate theme park in Amsterdam, the city of sin. The theme park website says, that “Amsterdam is the world’s leading cocoa harbor”, but with its reputation of being Holland’s sex city, what better place to open every woman’s (and some men I’m sure) dream come true. It’s a chocolate theme park inspired by ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and is planned for a "disused" underground railway tunnel in Amsterdam which means that the builders will have an easier time creating the fictionally world, since they won't have to block out the sights and sounds of the city. Attractions will include a glass elevator and a chocolate fountain, as well as a production facility that will make a small amount of chocolate.

Since it's based on the book, not the movie, you can't expect to see the likeness of Johnny Depp popping up anywhere but considering that they made Willy Wonka slightly more disturbed in the updated film, it's probably just as well. Although the museum isn't going to open until 2013, I’ll keep my eye on their website !

I’m sure the Chocolate Factory will be one big, delicious treat where you’ll be able to see, smell, feel and taste real chocolate. So, if you're in Amsterdam somewhere next year, grab your favorite guy (or girl) and get to the Chocolate Factory.

You can thank me for the euphoric feelings later.