zondag 23 december 2018

2018 Recap

2018 WOW, just one word, wow, life has strange ways of coming around eventually. And 2018 is not an exception either. It is fair to say that 2018 was a year of changes. I decided to leave the Dubai desert and change it for my home country and beautiful city Amsterdam. And now, almost 6 months later I think about this year with great ups but also some downs. Leaving the life behind that I knew for the past 4,5 years and heading towards an unknown future. 

At the beginning of this year I knew it would be my last few months in Dubai, and till this day I don't regret it at all. Instead I'm proud of myself for making the step to actually resign as a cabin crew for Emirates and start 'the rest of my life' in Amsterdam. Ofcourse I miss all the great people that still live in Dubai (you know who you are <3), and the great food as well. Would give anything for a good Pf Changs, Asia Asia, and Social House, yes people, still very food obsessed, and trust me this is not going to change anytime soon. Looking for new amazing places here in Amsterdam, so any recommendations are more then welcome!! 

If I can give one tip to anybody who is reading this (who still lives in Dubai and want to move back home), do this in summer. I promise you that has been the best decision of all. The days are long, the sun is out, people are happy and there is loads to do, and lots of partying involved as well. This summer felt like a movie, a great movie! I had the best summer anybody could ask for. For the ones who have me on instagram you all know what I am talking about. All I had to think about was either what time I was heading to the beach or what outfit I wanted to wear to all the festivals. Hard life, I know... It was good, real good, not having to care about anything but yourself for a few months, and I can tell you this, I have never slept so much in my life!!! Even thinking about it now, sleeping was priority number one. 

After 3 months living with my lovely parents it was time for another step, moving to Amsterdam. I had the absolute pleasure of staying with two friends of mine from university for about 2 months. They have a spare bedroom where I could stay to find a job and look for an apartment with my friend Hanneke. I can tell you this, it was not easy at all, but everything always works out in the end. Becauseeeeeeee, and I am very proud telling you this, we found an apartment, and it is absolutely gorgeous! Just renovated in a very nice neighborhood with lovely people. Even the main shopping street here is just adorable, with cute small shops and boutiques. 

I'am currently working at the Heineken Experience, showing tourists what a great brand Heineken is and how the company got to where it is nowadays, an international brand known by everybody! I go to work with a big smile on my face every day, even though the people I work with are a bit younger then me. I always get the question; what studies do you do now? any exams coming up? Where I do have to answer as; uhhhh kinda got my bachelor degree about 5 years ago, so no exams for me. And yes I know I look like 21, but nope I am 26 people. The vibe between colleagues is super chilled, everybody (except me and a few others) is a student and they just want to have a good time. So yes people, I am officially a Heineken beer drinker now, since about a month. "applause"

Oh, and before I forget, I bought an IKEA boxspring, and put it up MYSELF, ("applause 2.0") yes I don't need a man, just a lot of time.... hehe! Next up is my closet, but my very genius friend Manon is gonna help me with that. As long as you follow the steps everything will be fine.

2018 you have been so kind, tough, fearless, powerful, proud, happy, sad, exciting but most of all hopeful. Thank you for all the great lessons I learnt this year, will definitely think of you in 2019.
Things might not always work out how you think they will, but more importantly is that they will work out in the end, either way, only if that's the path you should be following. And have faith in it all as well, yes sometimes I do wonder what will happen in the future, but for now I am happy where I am, what I am doing, and the friends I have that are making my life so much more fun. 

This year will be the first time in 5 years that I get to spend Christmas at home with my familie. Nothing too exciting, just lots of food, drinks and presents at home, and I cannot wait!  

Super excited for what 2019 has to offer, but deep down inside I know 2019 is gonna be an even better year than 2018. I have more exciting news to tell but that has to wait just a tiny bit longer......

2019 I hope you're going to exceed expectations and make it the best, most beautiful, healthy, loving year I have ever had in my life. I will continue spreading the love over the world in a Merel way! 

Merry Christmas everyone and the best wishes for a wonderful 2019!

That all your dreams may come true <3 

#dropthemic

zaterdag 29 september 2018

From fancy Dubai to a New Zealand camper adventure!

Around mid July my best friend Wouter went back to Belgium for a few days, and me already missing him like crazy, took the car and drove down to stay with him for 2 days. While we were walking in the forest he told me that he is thinking about going to New Zealand in September, if I want to join him?! Me being me, didn't have to think that long about an offer like this. I still have 2 SRC tickets from Emirates, which means that you only pay the airport tax and that you're flying on standby. We checked prices and it would cost me around 130/140 euros to fly all the way from Amsterdam to Christchurch via Dubai! It's more expensive to go from here to Paris in 4 hour drive then to fly all the way to New Zealand, so decision was made.

After 10 weeks being in the Netherlands I was packing my suitcase again. First stop was Dubai for 3 full days and then on the 14th Wouter and I were going to fly, or at least try to get on the flight in my case. I had to pack my bikini and skiing gear, it was a challenge, but if I learnt one thing in the past 4.5 years is that I know how to pack #skills. Couldn't wait to get on a plane again after 2.5 months! And the best part was that one of my friends was the first officer (pilot) on the flight! The crew was AMAZING on the flight and they even asked if I wanted to join them in the lounge for a champagne, of course I didn't do this..... just kidding! 3 glasses of champagne later, deep conversations with the actual business class passenger I had to go back to economy. By that time it was almost time to land already so it was fine. I was staying with Wouter in Dubai and shortly after I arrived at his place he got home.



The next day I wanted to go to the beach but then my belgium friend offered to go to her swimming pool and she also offered some more champagne she had in her fridge. So there I went again, who can say no to champagne, on a Tuesday?! That night I made a reservation at my favorite restaurant in Dubai, Asia Asia. And I promise you, it's the best asian food I have ever tasted in my life. Since it was also ladies night we got some drinks for free. Even though I don't live in Dubai anymore, it doesn't mean I don't miss all the amazing friends I made along the way. Makes me happy sitting at the dinner table, looking around and see people that are dear to me. They do have a special place in my heart.


The next day Valerie and I went to Barasti Beach to soak up some sun and just chill and catch up. Apparently Barasti is one of the most profitable bars in the world my brother told me. My friend Ruth joined us later as well, and unfortunately we got a bit burnt, see photo...

And of course the view isn't the worse either

That night I first went to Mall of Emirates to catch up with my Irish friend Marie and afterwards I headed to Millennium Tower, my old apartment to see my ex-flatmate and 'Dubai little sister'. As soon as I got to the building the security recognised me straight away and as far as I know they were genuinely happy to see me. I told them there wasn't going to be any party that night, and they laughed since we all remember my leaving party haha! It was so good but strange at the same time to be back at my old place, it still felt like it was mine. Paula and I shared the usual baileys before bed, man I missed that girl! On Thursday we just went to Dubai Mall for some breakfast, walking around and then back to 3604 to chill on the couch, order some PF Changs and get ready for a Dubai house party. 

of course a photo at our usual mirror spot

Apart from all the festivals I went to, I haven't been to a house party in a while so as usual I was there way too early. Hey you're Dutch or you're not, right. 
It was a funny sunglasses party so everybody has to wear sunnies, which was fun. 
Those days in Dubai went way to fast, the next day we were already going to NZ. The flight was at 10am, and since I was flying on standby I only heard at 9am if I had a seat or not. I did get one, even an aisle seat, by frustrated Wouter since he got a middle seat hehe. NZ here we come! 

The flight over went so fast because we slept most of the time, shock! Think I slept around 7 or 8 hours. To get to Christchurch you have to fly via Sydney. In Sydney we had a stopover of about an hour before having another 2.5 hour flight to Christchurch. Once arrived in Christchurch we took the shuttle to the camper rental place. And there it was, our Mercedes camper! Wouter had never driven on the other side of the road so it was me that had to drive away. It was strange I can tell you that, I felt like a bus driver! In a normal small car it's easy to drive but with a camper, every turn you take it feels like the camper is gonna fall over! 

The first night we found this small holiday park we could stay the night, a little bit outside Christchurch, and it was cold, it was going to be a cold night, good thing we bought some wines to warm us up before heading to bed. Once we woke up and got ourselves ready to hit the road Wouter drove up and down a few times to get the feeling of driving on the left. So there we went, our first stop was going to be Kaikoura, which was a two hour drive. Writing this and knowing all the drives we did, little did we know what was laying ahead of us. 

Arrived in Kaikoura we put on our new walking boots and ready for the first 3 hour hike of the holidays. Wearing new boots on a 3 hour hike is not the best idea I ever had. The hike itself was beautiful, mountains on the background with snow, seeing seals in the ocean and literally just chilling next to the street was a perfect first day, besides the massive blisters on my feet. but hey what to do.


After our late lunch we hit the road again towards the northern part of the southern island, still get it?! Unfortunately all the wineries were closed by the time we drove through the Marlborough area. So many brands of wine we know are actually there! We were children in a candy shop, however the shop was pretty much closed :( not cool. 

THE Cloudy Bay winery

We had to drive all the way to Nelson, which was in total a 4 hour drive from Kaikoura, a little bit more then expected, but we were on a tight schedule so there was no time for stopping. At Nelson we just put our camper, named by this time and was called, Arthur. We slept on the parking area of a big supermarkt, which was free, very nice! 

The reason we had to go to Nelson is because the next day we were heading to the Abel Tasman National Park. A massive and beautiful park with amazing hikes. However, it was raining like crazy once we got there, but still no reason not to go. We started in the south area of the park and then we hiked up north where we took a taxi boat back. My blisters were a bit painful so I swapped my boots for my sneakers. In total we walked around 20 kilometers I think. Imagine with blisters as well, but you can ask Wouter I did NOT complain... Way to stubborn to confess that I was in pain. 


After the Abel Tasman park we drove another 1.5/2 hours and literally slept next to the road. There was sort of a designated area for our Arthur to stay, but it was very dark, but then I mean pitch black, which was a big no no for Wouter. 

Next stop wat Punakaiki, where apparently some pancake rocks are located, a must they said. Punakaiki is on the west coast of the Southern Island of NZ. The moment we passed through the mountains and reached the shore we were flabbergasted! It felt like we were in a movie, it looked fake. All the mountains and how they got to the ocean and the waves slamming on them. 
no words needed right? 

Fact about the rocks: formed 30 million years ago from minute fragments of dead marine creatures and plants landed on the sea about 2km below the surface. Because of the high water pressure the fragments were formed in hard and soft layers. The limestone were pushed above the seabed when the mountains were formed and therefore rain, wind and seawater sculpted the bizarre shapes. (source: internet)
Our next stop was the Hokitika Gorge, another 1.5 hour drive from Punakaiki. The walk was just 30 minutes in total with again a great view.

Water as blue as you can imagine

From Hokitika we drove to Franz Josef, which is a small town next to the Franz Josef Glacier. Everybody that went to NZ told us to do a heli hike at one of the glaciers. Once we arrived at Franz Josef we found a camping ground where we stayed for the night to charge our Arther and we got some snacks and wine from the supermarket to have a little picknick that night, we also booked the heli hike for the next day, hoping the weather was going to be good enough. 

Waking up AGAIN at 8am. Every night we first woke up at 2.30am and then at 8am, probably the 10 hour difference didn't help either. But more importantly the weather was perfect! Arrived around 11am to start getting ready with gear for the hike, they also checked our weight for the helicopter. Surprise surprise I could sit in the front :D It was amazing!!!! So much fun to be in a helicopter for the first time, the pilot was funny as well, we actually landed on the glacier itself. So cool.
Temperature wise, in my opinion, was it pretty hot up there. Did you know that the ice moves a meter a day? There is a lot of danger for avalanches, we didn't see any though. We even had special shoes to be able to walk around the ice, and some parts were really dangerous if you would lose your balance. Before heading back down we walked around for 1.5 hours I think. Such a great experience, a must when you're there. 
Queen of the glacier
From Franz Josef we drove another 1.5 hour towards the south again, stopped at a nice parking space while we saw another beautiful sunset. 

On our way to Queenstown! Heard so many great things about Queenstown so we were excited to see what all the fuzz is about. A friend of Wouter was heading to Queenstown from Auckland for a few days. That day we just walked around Queenstown for a bit, and it reminded us of cute small village somewhere in either Austria or maybe even Switzerland. All expats as well. We found a company who could help us to book some activities we wanted to do. Good for us, things being booked and paid for already. 
That night we went for dinner with Wouters friend and got some drinks as well. All the nights before we went to sleep latest 10pm. Because we drove so much every day and then did so many things during the day as well. Most of the times we looked at each other around 8/8.30pm already soooo tired and pushing ourselves to 10pm to fall asleep. Wouter brought some games with him, so every night we played some games, not gonna lie, but Wouter won most of the times... I won once but I had to down the rest of my wine, which wasn't the best idea either...
Another great day in Queenstown, where the next days we checked out Arrowtown, closeby Queenstown before taking our Arthur further on our road trip! Next stop MILFORD SOUND. The number one spot in NZ on the south island. Every year around one million people visit Milford sound, but it also rains 9 meters a year. So you're very lucky if you catch one of the 50 good days! 

We got a good day... hehe
The cruise boat took us around Milford sound for about 1 hour. They told us about the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and even the wildlife. Which I won't spoil you guys, cause you might be going yourself. After the cruise they dropped us at Harrison Cove where we booked a tour around the cove on KAYAKS!!!! 
The ice that melt from the mountains here in the background takes about 5 to 6 hours till it is all the way down. The water is so clean and pure that you can even drink it at the beginning, which we did of course. Living on the edge :P
we even saw some penguins, apparently the 3rd rarest in the world! So cuteee!

is this place even real?

The drive back to Queenstown was long, a little bit shorter than 4 hours. On the way going, the drive was beautiful and we even stopped a few times to take some photos, so on the way back we saw it all and could go straight ahead. The sunset that night above the mountains was as if we were in a fairytale, Wouter and I waiting for our prince.
a bit blurry but you got the point

One more night in Queenstown before our favorite activity: SKIING and SNOWBOARDING in Cardrona!

Not the same as Austria but it did match the expectations for a day, we did miss our Spezi and Tiroler Grosel! aaaah even thinking about it makes me hungry and excited for going to Austria again, next year maybe? 
After Cardrona we drove to Lake Pukaki, which has a view over Mount Cook. The water there was just unreal and turquoise! 
I swear I thought this was fake, but nothing is more real than this water, insanely blue and pure. Amazing!! We stayed the night on the left side of the lake, also next to the road, with another gorgeous view. 
Unfortunately the next day it was raining, but then we could have a good sleep in before we choose to drive a bit further to Lake Tekapo. Our reason? There's more things to do at Tekapo then in Pukaki (which is literally one street and that's it). To be honest with you, most villages only have one or maybe if they are really big maybe two streets haha. Wouter told me that only 1% of the people of the south island live on the west coast, and the coast is big! 

At Lake Tekapo we had some lunch and because the weather wasn't the greatest either I went to the Tekapo Springs to relax at the pools and got myself a facial and massage while Wouter did some catching up with Netflix and red wine. The catching up stuff I mean more Netflix, because his red wine game was strong all the days!

Our second last day in NZ, we got to hike one last time and the view basically sums up how NZ looks like. Nature from being flat as the Netherlands, to the mountains as high as you can see, being able to ski one day and the next go kayaking through Milford Sound. Just in one word AMAZING!


Our final kilometers has started, heading back to Christchurch to be back on time for our flights back to Dubai. We drove around 2800 kilometers on the south island of NZ. Hit a tree, so we got a bump in our Arther, my fault. It's hard to drive with a 7 meter long camper, especially when it's dark and you need to turn around, and dark in NZ is DARK! Thank god we got a full insurance so we didn't have to pay anything more, and otherwise it was under Wouter's creditcard ;p, hehe love you! 

At the end, New Zealand is so much more then all it's beauty I have shown you in just a few of my photos. The people are extremely nice and willing to help, the food is amazing and very tasteful, wish we could find more spareribs though. That's why we had to end our last night with a big plate of some pork ribs. We did so much in such little time, the only thing we would have done more is the wine tasting at Marlborough. But don't feel sad for us, we had a wine tasting that lasted for 12 days. Thank you New Zealand for being so extremely beautiful, hopefully I will be back one day, who knows with a prince this time. You were so much more than I expected. 

I did manage to get on the flight back to Dubai, even got a free visa from the staff in Christchurch for Australia, just in case I would get stuck there. But didn't need any of that, whoop whoop! On the flight back we had the most annoying child EVER! This kid was running around while we were still on the ground, literally ran out of the aircraft just before they were supposed to close the door, wish they closed the door after he ran out. During the flight the kid was again running around, without his mother, touching buttons that he wasn't supposed to. After 10 hours I had enough. I took his hand and I 'kindly' brought him back to his mother who was fast asleep, put his seatbelt on as tight as I could and told him to STAY!  

Once landed in Dubai we were wide awake, with 2 panadol night Wouter and I slept a good 8 hours on the flight, thank god! Wide awake and extremely hungry, got home had a quick shower and then it was time for some eggs benedict, my fave! After breakfast I took the metro to the marina to meet my friend Amber. One last day to enjoy some sun. It was ladies day at Andreea's, free food and free drinks for 30 euro, welcome to Dubai! At night went for dinner at Casa de Tapas with Valerie and Estelle, but after dinner I crashed because I was so tired!!!! Slept like a baby that night, and then it was time to head back home.

How much I loved my time being back in Dubai, I still feel I made the right decision of leaving. It's just not my life anymore or where I want to be to build a future. Done it all, seen it all, been to the most amazing parties with famous people, VIP areas, you name it. But sometimes you need to know when enough is enough, and for me 4.5 years in Dubai was enough. Time to find an apartment in Amsterdam and start a new chapter! 

<3 
























woensdag 29 augustus 2018

Sleeping or going to Festivals?

It's been 2 months now since I have returned back home after 4.5 year of living abroad in Dubai. And I will not lie to you, it has been a few hectic but also very relaxing two months. The first 5 weeks the weather was extremely nice and hot, like everywhere in Europe. The only thing I had to think of was what time I was heading to the beach. It feels good being home again with my friends and family, knowing I won't have to leave any time soon.

With Esmee and Valerie in Amsterdam 


The past weeks I think I slept more then I was awake, no joke. Minimum of 10 hours a night was very nice. But keep in mind I didn't sleep proper for the past 4.5 years so you can say I needed it. Even when I woke up I was still tired. It's strange how much your body can handle and then when it finally stops all it want to do is sleep.

With the four musketiers!


I have had a few nice days and weekends in Amsterdam catching up with everybody, even drove all around the Netherlands to meet my dear friends in Rotterdam, Utrecht and more Amsterdam haha. At the end of July it was time for the biggest festival in the world; Tomorrowland. My first time to this festival was last year, so this year you kinda know what is happening and the surprise factor is gone. But nonetheless, we had a big group who either lived/live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, a combination of Belgiums, Dutch, Argentinian, South African, English and Swedish. Safe to say this is our Dubai family. The first day is the Gathering party where only the people join who stay on the camping like us. Don't think this is a small party, there is at least 20.000/30.000 people ready to kick of the partying, with a surprise act of Armin van Buuren, who did an incredible tribute to Avicii, amazing. It's hard to explain a festival, just think of you with your friends walking around all day, having a drink and just dance while the whole world comes together just for this festival. You sleep around 5/6 hours a night if you're lucky with earplugs and eyeshades, which are a MUST. I can't sleep without anymore. Tomorrowland is the biggest and best music festival in the world, the stages, the fireworks, the artists and especially the organization is just incredible. Very impressed how they organize such a big event where hardly anything happens. I'm sure thing happen but I didn't see anything. We made some great memories again with the group where we will be talking about in years to come.

Dubai family at TML


After Tomorrowland I had a 3 week break before I was heading to Lowlands festival in the Netherlands, which is music wise completely different then Tomorrowland. The music at Tomorrowland is more dj's and EDM (electronic dance music), where Lowlands is more bands or artists like Dua Lipa, James Bay, Tom Odell, Rag 'n Bone, Kendrick Lamar, and N.E.R.D., not gonna lie those where the only artists Esmee and I knew of the 300 performing. The vibe was completely different as well, more hippies and alternative people were attending Lowlands, and mostly Dutch as well. Tomorrowland is more international. Again we went camping, instead of a big group this time I was joined by my dear friend Esmee, who knew, just like me, a little to nothing about the festival or artists, so we had zero expectations. We knew a lot of our friends who were going to Lowlands as well, so it was good meeting up with everybody during the day. Going the festivals is just the best to do people watching. Honestly you can sit on a bench or chair ALL day EVERY day and you will be surprised! We had a blast, and we might go again next year.

Party people at Lowlands


Tomorrowland (X)
Lowlands         (X)
Mysteryland     (  ) 25th of August

Yes, I was going to one more festival this summer, not for the weekend but just for the day with my friend Manon, her boyfriend, one of his friends and an Australian friend of mine who I met 2 years ago in Osaka, yes that's what we call the cabin crew life, haha! He had no idea what was about to happen to him. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as great as it was at the other festivals, but hey it's the Netherlands, we just wear raincoats and dance in the rain. Manon and her boyfriend were at the hardcore style stage where my aussie friend and I were hanging about MainStage, where again is more dance music (Hardwell). All of a sudden a girl comes up to me and asks me if I used to fly for Emirates, so of course I say yes, turns out I used to fly with her a few years ago! How funny and what a small world we live in! Next to us we met a nice group of people, turnt out they were all brother and sisters. To be precise they are 6 sibling, 4 girls and 2 boys, and they were the funniest group of siblings I have ever met! The girls were just incredible and the boys even better, haha! So funny how you meet the most amazing people at the most random moments in life, love it!

With Manon at Mysteyland


I don't really know what else to say about my past few months. They have been incredible, and I secretly don't feel like I will be home 'forever' now, it still feels like I'm on holiday. What better to feel I'm on holiday then going on holiday! If everything works out as I planned I will be heading back to Dubai for a few days mid september before heading to New Zealand with, of course who else, my dearest friend Wouter! We will be traveling all over the southern island of New Zealand in a camper, enjoying nature, good conservations, and never forget loads of spareribs!! Can't wait to be reunited again with my dear 'dubai' family and enjoy a beautiful country like New Zealand again. You all must be thinking, isn't she going to work anytime soon? I won't lie to you guys, I do already (sort of) have a job, however my starting date has been postponed. More details will follow when I have them. But don't you worry about me. I'm loving life with my family and friends, and the best part of this all is that, something I can finally say, I will become an auntie in January!!!! WAAAAAAAHAAA, so excited for this new chapter in our family's life.

SILENT DISCO! 


Life is good people, as long as you don't forget to enjoy it to the fullest as well!  <3


donderdag 5 juli 2018

Last days in Dubai

Wow, more than 4 years ago I wrote my first blog on my first day in Dubai and today I am writing my last 'Dubai' blog. Don't worry I will keep writing and stories will continue on this blog. The last few weeks I got a lot of questions, but the main one was 'why are you leaving'? My answer is most of the time, well there's a time of coming and going, and now it is my time to go back home. My last month of flying was amazing, had some of the best crew on flights and they made my flight rememberable. However, I am sure all of you are dying to know how my last Cairo flight was.... To be honest, the way going was good, amazing passengers, very busy but nice busy. But the way back was a very different story, it made me realize again why I am leaving, and that was the basically the only reason why I did that flight, I needed that little reminder. I told myself, Merel, you had an amazing 4 years and 4 months, but now it's time to say goodbye, pack your bags and go back to your family and friends.


This last week has been a rollercoaster of emotions and a lot of alcohol involved as well. It all started on Monday. I got back very early morning from my Cairo flight, I went to bed and woke up 4 hours later, wide awake, so I thought, I will just go to Headquarters to hand in my passport (since they have to cancel your VISA and that takes a few days). Then I came back had a nap, started packing and got another box from the supermarket across the street. That night we were going to Monday Madness, which is an evening brunch kinda thing, again unlimited food and drinks for 3 hours, but this time from 8pm till 11pm, and the food is AMAZING! So as you can imagine Wouter and I very more excited about the food then the drinks. We had a big table with 12 people I think, and afterwards we went to Lucky Voice and play karaoke for 2 hours, I am always surprised that some people actually can sing as well, not me of course haha. Wouter started singing some hindi song and we were all in shock, and we all got a bit tipsy (just a little bit.....).
Then on Tuesday I went to my favorite asian restaurant in the marina with some girls. It was nice to have a quiet night with again, amazing food.
People have been asking me, what are the last things you want to do in Dubai? My answer; eat PF Changs, Wagamama, Cheesecake factory, Asia Asia, Tangerine, Paul's and some other restaurants. How do you mean obsessed with food... :D

Wednesday was PARTY DAY! Wouter came earlier to help with the decorations and try to prepare everything. The theme was you have to come either as something that starts with a M or L (Merel Loomans, hehe). And EVERYBODY put so much effort in their outfits, it was amazing! There was a Mario, Lara Croft x 3, Monks, Maffia, MARIE ANTOINETTE, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Muslim (aka Mohammed, of course this was Wouters outfit haha),Mermaid,  I was Marilyn Monroe and got the original wig and dress, big eyeliner and I even looked a bit like her as well. The party started very civilized but a Merel party would be a Merel party if my friends didn't again throw chocolate cake in my face, got all over the floor this time en that in combination with popping a champagne bottle where half of it also dropped on the floor we had a great slippery combination. So sliding on my knees over the floor was the next step, it was amazing and so much fun. The whole night was so much fun, and I even got very thoughtful presents as well, and a beautiful Michael Kors bag!



Woehoeeeee I have the best friends ever! Got to bed at 5am, in the hope I would sleep a long time, but no, woke up at 9am. It was time to collect my passport and last salary, change that into euros, meet up with my friend Ruth in headquarters, and hand in all my passes. Once I got back home I could have a little 1.5 hour nap before Valerie was picking me up to bring my cargo to Emirates Cargo Village. I was wrecked and so tired the entire day, but it was good Valerie was helping me, so sweet of her. But at 8pm that night it was me and my hardened chocolate/champagne floor, it was a MESS. Took me a good 2 hours to make everything back to normal again, and that night I finally slept 8 hours!

I have had the whole week just naps of 4/5 hours, so you can imagine I was very happy when I woke up after 8 hours. My friend Gido and his girlfriend woke me up. They just came from Salalah and had a stopover in Dubai of a few hours, so we went for breakfast. I had to go back home after breakfast to have another nap before I was going to Emma's leaving brunch.


Emma is a girl I flew a few times with and we always had a good time, she was also on my last Brisbane flight that we could fly back as passengers, and Emma is leaving the same day I am as well.


We basically did the whole process together, and if I wasn't sure about things I would message Emma and other way around as well. Her leaving brunch was a bit more teary for her and her friends. And me still, no tears. Massive stomach pain though. For Emma's things were a bit different though, she wouldn't know when she would see her friends next, where in my case, most of my friends I see either in Amsterdam this month or at Tomorrowland at the end of this month again. Maybe that was the thing that kept me going. That night when I went to bed I realized that the next day was going to be my last day in Dubai. My last day in 3604, and my last day with my dear Paula.

Saturday was Paula and Merel day, she booked the afternoon tea at the Burj al Arab for us! Isn't she the sweetest EVER! We put our nice clothes on, a lot of makeup, took some selfies and then my friend Koen who came to see me that morning went to drop us off at the Burj al Arab!


We got asked a few times how old we are, and then told us, take it as a compliment, well we didn't really take it as a compliment after the second time again, I'am bloody 26 years old now haha! We had a table next to the window and then we started with a shrimp cocktail, Paula's first trying a shrimp in her life! Second dish was a quiche of spinach, feta and anchovies, if I remember correctly! Then they came with a tier stand with all different sandwiches, and the second tier stand was full of scones and sweet deserts. Oh and before I forget, we got a glass of champagne, first one was included but it tasted so good that we ordered another one, why not, my last day in Dubai, I can have as much champagne as I want. After ALL that we had a big after dinner dip and we were soooo full, that we left, after 3.5 hours, to have a chill on the couch in 3604!



Then it was time to pack my bags, it was a weird feeling, all I could think of was that I would be back one day. It felt like I just went on a very long holiday! That night Abbie came by, Paula was there, Estelle came to have my last takeaway with me, and then Amber came to stay overnight with me and bring me to the airport the next day with Ays and Annelien. Again the girls cried, but Merel no. That night I slept only 5 hours again before waking up, taking a shower and finish packing those bags. Ays came to pick us up when I handed in my keys at security, I had 3 big suitcases and then 1 hand luggage one. There we were at the airport, checked in my bags and it was time to give the girls one last hug and go through customs. Once my friend Ays told me 'take care of yourself okay', I BROKE! Finally, after a week of so many emotions going through my head but no tears I finally broke down. I was human again! To be fair, I don't think my body and mind was ready yet to face all the tears yet, but I caught up on the airport. Going through customs I cried, going through security I cried, when I had my breakfast on the airport I also cried. Then I also received so many nice messages from my friends that didn't help me fight me tears back. But it felt good, I was going to feel very very sorry for the person who sat next to me in the plane.

That was it, my Dubai adventure is over, and wow how much I have learnt from this experience. Moved to Dubai when I was 21 years old and not having a clue what was going to happen to me. I have learnt things about the world, about Dubai, and mostly things about myself that I will always keep with me. I say this all the time and I am sure people are getting a bit like 'okay now we know Merel', but I cannot thank my friends in Dubai enough for being there for me when I didn't even know I needed them the most, they were and always will be my family, and I will cherish them for ever and ever.Thank god most of them I see in Amsterdam in 3 weeks or otherwise at Tomorrowland. Because people, don't you worry, you can't get rid of me anytime soon, and Dubai for you I want to say, thank you for showing me things that I didn't know existed. You made me who I am today!



dinsdag 5 juni 2018

Final month in Dubai

This is probably the first blog where I do not know where to start and where I am looking for the right words to say. So I will just say it, I have resigned from my job here in Dubai. It's been over 4 years that I have been living here as an expat, and not gonna lie, it was probably the best time of my life so far (since I am only turning 26 in 2 weeks).


When I left the Netherlands on the 28th of February 2014 I was determined to not be coming back for a long time. The world was a my feet and I was going to walk all over it. I have seen the world, from one corner to the other, have had amazing holidays that I would never dream of doing in the first place, but it is time for the next chapter in my life and with every bone in my body I know I am making the right decision.

It is hard to try to recap a wonderful and mostly a dreamy past 4 years in one blog, one sentence or even with a million pictures. Because you cannot. Going through my previous blogs, photo albums I have realized how much I have grown as a person, and my closet will definitely agree with that. The world has been my shopping centre, and let me be honest I have shopped a lot in the past years. I have a closet to say AMEN to for the rest of my life, wore dresses to the most extravagant parties, and I was never but then I mean NEVER underdressed, with a proud smile on my face haha.

Why am I going back to the Netherlands I can hear people thinking... And I will tell you in all honesty. Sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone for a while to see other places and to understand and most of all appreciate the place you are coming from. I will tell you this, the Netherlands is not a bad place to live in. We take care of everybody, our healthcare, education, infrastructure, work field and most of all our quality of life is just amazing. And as well I just really miss my bike. So long story short, I appreciate having all these experiences from all over the world to learn that my heart belongs to the Netherlands, and hopefully a nice dutch man as well. I do want to settle down one day, get married and have kids and I know I don't want them in Dubai. It's just not for me. I have seen families that are extremely happy here and that's fine as well, but not for me.

I am so excited to spend the summer with my friends and family at home before I start my new chapter, more about that when I have more information to tell you guys.

My last month in Dubai has started, and I was thinking about things you have to do before you leave, but actually that list is not even that long, just need to find a date who takes me out for an afternoon tea/champagne at the Burj al Arab and then that's it, me done. Oh and of course I will have one last house party before I go, let's see what will happen this year. This years theme is, you either have to come as something that starts with a M or a L, since I am Merel Loomans haha!

I will fly out to the Netherlands on the 1st of July, it's getting real now. My last flights will be Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Brussels and my last last flight will be an amazing Cairo turnaround, haha of course they would give me this, but ey what to do, at least I can finally say what's been on my mind for the past 4 years...

I mention this all the time, but the people in Dubai made my expat adventure even more memorable then it would be without each and everyone of them, and again so grateful for all these special human beings, I did make friends for life and I will always take me with them in my heart.

I will end this blog with my number one motto by famous writer Mark Twain;
"In 20 years from now, you regret more the things you didn't do then the things you did do."

zondag 22 april 2018

First months of 2018!

Wow, the last time I wrote a blog it was the 2nd of January, it's the 22nd of April now. I think this has been the longest since I wrote a blog. I don't know it's about being busy or simply not knowing where to start...

The people who follow me know that I have been alive and very busy, shock right? The year started of in a very good mood, and happy I would be flying back to NYC, one of my favorite cities in the world. There's just something about it that I can't describe but something everybody feels when they have been to New York. Although my trip didn't go as planned, very long and exhausting story that I won't bother you with haha.

After New York I was busy organizing a bachelorette party for my friend Annelien, she is married now to my friend Edgar. And if you can trust me with one thing, it's organizing a party, so yes we did get a few drinks, did pole dancing and ended the night with karaoke and loads of jagerbomb shots, my favorites! She loved it, and did not expect it at all, so it was a very successful day and the smile on her face was just priceless!

The end of January/beginning of february my friend Valerie come by in Dubai to visit me. It was full of chillings by the beach, loads of sleeping but also attended a few parties, why not right?! It's always such a pleasure having friends over, showing them how I  live in this crazy city, but also my dear friends I met along the way.

Then I had a London flight but this one was special because I was flying with my bestie Wouter!!! It's always so much flying with him, having a sleepover, getting our gin and tonics together. We did a bit of sightseeing in London and just walked around together, it was so nice. After london it was time for the wedding of Edgar and Annelien. I slept about 2/3 hours after my London flight before I had to go to the wedding, but so worth it. The love they have for each other is so inspiring and from the bottom of their hearts, that I think that everybody dropped a tear of happiness. Guess what, they even asked me to SPEECH! I had the honor to introduce them for their first dance as husband and wife! And then it was time to PARTY, which we did, what I remember haha!

The wedding was beautiful, afterwards I had a few days off so I could meet my dear sister in law for her 30th birthday at home. The weather was amazing, well it wasn't hot but it wasn't raining so thats already winning in the Netherlands. Loved riding my bike around town, going for lunch with my friends and just spend time with my family. I was in Amsterdam 3 times in one week, did the flight on Valentine's Day, my dates were Tim and Nienke, who took me for a lovely dinner, then back on days off for Nienke's birthday, back to Dubai to operate the flight back as crew, where I would take my mom and her friend with me back to Dubai on my flight. My mom doesn't really like flying that much, but when she saw the Business Class lounge she suddenly liked flying a bit more haha. Then I had them over for about 4/5 days, and just went for the beach, nice lunches and dinner and relaxing a bit, which was nice. My mom knows Dubai better than some of the crew I think, it was her 8th time!

The weather was getting better in Dubai, therefore going more to the beach to get my tan on point again, having a few parties here and there, the World Cup Horse racing which I attend every year.

But also had to say goodbye to my dear dutch friend Selma. She decided to move back to the Netherlands in Rotterdam, where she got a house already and now she even has a job already. That's the hard part as well from living in Dubai. You meet so many amazing people but at some point, one by one will decide to either move back home or take another step to another city. Which makes me think as well, what's my next step? Many of you already know what my step is, once I have more things confirmed I will shout it from the roof for the whole world to know! But my Dubai adventure might be coming to an end as well very soon...


In the meantime just doing as much as possible to enjoy all the benefits I have. Did a spontaneous trip to Jordan with my belgium friend Estelle, to see Petra and the Dead sea.

The weekend before Jordan I had an Auckland trip, where we know stay for a bit longer then 2 days, we did an amazing wine tasting tour at Waiheke Island, those wines are the BEST, and the next day we went for SKYDIVE! We drove all the way to Bay of Islands, which is about 3 hours driving, but even the drive itself was beautiful. I convinced 3 other crew to jump with me. At first I was very nervous, but once in the plane going up to 12.000ft it all disappeared. I just felt right and I was so happy that I was finally doing it, and somewhere to enjoy the nature on another level. It was one of the best experiences in my life that I will never ever forget. On the way back to Auckland we stopped to look at the starts and they were just amazing. One day I think I just want to actually travel through Australia and New Zealand, there's so much to see and do, and you need the time, not just 2 days.



Last but not least I have to mention my last Amsterdam flight last Friday. I organized a little reunion with my friends from uni, friends from my town, the tennis and basically anybody who wanted to join was welcome. I never expect my friends to drop everything when I tell them I'am in town, but the fact that they are still there for me after 4 years living abroad gives me a proud moment and very grateful for so many amazing friends who have visited me in Dubai, followed and read my blogs, took the time and effort to ask me how I am doing in Dubai. Therefore knowing in the near future I might be heading back to Amsterdam gives me a big smile on my face to be able to spend more times with all these amazing people that make it worth it for me to come back to. Friends are forever <3