tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224026244293099982024-03-20T06:22:18.399-07:00Fly away with MezBephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-8444770989940339212022-09-04T11:22:00.002-07:002022-09-04T11:22:45.452-07:00Back at KLM!<p>Exactly one year ago I started my KLM Cityhopper adventure, and now I am back at 'big brother' KLM! Last week I had my training and tomorrow my first intercontinental flight to Singapore. So excited! I leave tomorrow night and I am coming back on Sunday morning. We first fly to Singapore, stay there for 48 hours, then we do the turnaround to Bali, and then again 48 hours Singapore before heading back to Amsterdam. The best part is, I am flying with a friend, and Singapore is kind of our destination. </p><p>First a little recap of Cityhopper. All of a sudden just before our holiday to Colombia I received an email that I could go back to KLM a month earlier then planned. Reason for this was that they have enough people now at Cityhopper and they are in need of crew at KLM. Hence why we 'left' earlier'. Therefore I did Cityhopper for 11 months in total, I operated 355 flights!!! YES that is a LOT, more then a lot. In those 11 months I had around 5/6 weeks of holidays. Therefore in 9.5 months I did those 355 flights. I have seen 37 European cities, and been away for 86 nights. </p><p>Destinations:</p><p>Lyon (5x), Basel (5x), Newcastle (5x), Luxemburg (4x), Bologna (4x), Nurnberg (4x), Brussels (4x), Gdansk (3x), Linkoping (3x), Stavanger (3x), Aalborg (3x), Nice (2x), Bilbao (2x), Stuttgart (2x), Toulouse (2x), Trondheim (3x), Venice (2x), Munich (2x), Bremen (2x), Florence (2x), Milan (2x), Dusseldorf (2x), Glasgow, Hannover, Aberdeen, Bergen, Leeds, Zagreb, Frankfurt, Belgrado, Valencia, Bristol, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Kristiansand, Cork. </p><p>Many destinations, many flights and many different colleagues. Learnt a lot in those months. Laughed, cried, went through all the emotions you can imagine. Had to arrest somebody on day 1, helped a guy who had an epileptic seizure, heard many happy stories but also some sad corona stories. Now time to go back to 'big' KLM! After Singapore heading to Salt Lake City for 3 full days, and then also 3 full days in Bonaire! Work hard, play harder! If anybody has any tips for Salt Lake City and Bonaire, let me know! </p><p>Special shoutout to my friend Danique who made my last 2 days rememberable! Can't wait for her to be back at KLM next year so we can fly together again! I have deep respect for everybody at Cityhopper. They work extremely hard and they all do it with a smile, I did have a good time with all those amazing people! Now time to have 400 people again in one plane! :D </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FJSftVXSeuRIG1AVo42x6E6HO8klBY7x_pbtHHLsoa0MNnr_QcqnWT8t989AJ_syz5T-5Ho_e9kNigls09TGNoe8YqsMeVcFSbxSIDNCRyIUQHIDVWBXRLTJQYICS7FGFT_XZ0wKhUtR-hHUJIiRngtUDiCgXI6bSoUiwphPttbZMO16mrhrdafx/s4032/5D36DC95-2F1D-42C9-B930-A3D2BD089DEF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FJSftVXSeuRIG1AVo42x6E6HO8klBY7x_pbtHHLsoa0MNnr_QcqnWT8t989AJ_syz5T-5Ho_e9kNigls09TGNoe8YqsMeVcFSbxSIDNCRyIUQHIDVWBXRLTJQYICS7FGFT_XZ0wKhUtR-hHUJIiRngtUDiCgXI6bSoUiwphPttbZMO16mrhrdafx/s320/5D36DC95-2F1D-42C9-B930-A3D2BD089DEF.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-92148565683420972522022-08-08T07:28:00.002-07:002022-08-08T07:41:05.861-07:00Colombia for a Wedding<p>Last year we received a beautiful invitation for the wedding of Jorge and Felice. Felice is a dear friend of mine that I already know for a long time, we met at our university and always stayed in touch. Over the past years Felice even stopped by in Dubai, and when she and Jorge lived in Buenos Aires, I was at their goodbye party, by accident (I had a flight there with KLM). Little side note, the wedding was going to take place in Santa Marta in COLOMBIA! You probably think why Colombia, but you can already feel it coming, Jorge is Colombian! haha! </p><p>I could not put in a request anymore about my summer holiday, unfortunately. So had to wait till the holidays were published. There is a whole system where you can put your holiday up for changing with somebody else and within 2 weeks everything was sorted. I got two weeks of holidays in July and the wedding was in the middle! Yeey! </p><p>Pieter was invited too, so there we went. With all the chaos at the airport I was for sure stressing out if we would make it to the gate, and then if we would get on the actual fight to Cartagena. All my colleagues I was working with the days before the flight told me, don't stress, there's always people missing their flight so you for sure get on. We were at the airport at 06.00am on a Saturday and our flight was at 10.10am. Surprise surprise we managed to pass through all the security points at exactly 08.00am. First obstacle we managed, on to the gate. We arrived at the gate pretty chilled, until the lady from the ground staff told us, oef, this is not looking too good, everybody checked in, so we think everybody will show up. Sh*t...... Then the crew came, I was checking if I knew anybody, but I didn't know anybody. The ground staff was talking to the captain about the standby crew and he nodded in a way saying everything will be fine. Around 10.05am we were called to the ground staff and she handed our boarding passes, mine was going to the cockpit and Pieter had the jumpseat in the back. We had the very very last available seats on the plane! Woehoe! The mother of one of the pilots was also on the flight so in the end we had one jumpseat and one normal seat. I started on the jumpseat for take off and then swapped with Pieter after 4 hours. He actually liked sitting there, all the space in the world and just chilling while he was getting a VIP treatment by the crew with nice snacks. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Most important thing was that we were on the flight and on our way to Cartagena, first stop Bogota! At Bogota we had to leave the aircraft and go through security again and fly another hour to Cartagena. Once we got on the plane again, the senior purser told us, now we have space in Business Class, you can sit there for the last hour! We were so happy, even for an hour! I slept the whole way. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUcO27wlaxxvxArVCOht6lKyvsh4ZRjxlbAgTw3FIC-9lbexZPUko9aHxZF7t2FUeFPap2QCwhuIEOyMzXUF1kd5A9I270db8Twv9qogaBFtL1rsDO8hh24ADFJpA07hoIi0OCdGDcUB487-FeNyStso7_VPwL7b7MY0x1Y-WY4OyK-vXO84p4Z-a/s4032/IMG_9766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUcO27wlaxxvxArVCOht6lKyvsh4ZRjxlbAgTw3FIC-9lbexZPUko9aHxZF7t2FUeFPap2QCwhuIEOyMzXUF1kd5A9I270db8Twv9qogaBFtL1rsDO8hh24ADFJpA07hoIi0OCdGDcUB487-FeNyStso7_VPwL7b7MY0x1Y-WY4OyK-vXO84p4Z-a/s320/IMG_9766.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we finally arrived in Cartagena we took a taxi to our hotel. Hanneke, my friend, was also on the same flight as us so we shared a taxi to the city centre. Because we were travelling on standby I booked a cheap hotel, just in case we didn't make it on the flight it would not that expensive to spend a night shorter in Cartagena. Well, this is a mistake that I will probably hear for the rest of my life. The room we got allocated was somewhere in the back, without any windows and the ceiling was very short. It was so short that Pieter could not stand up straight. Whoops... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V79X0ohlOjwYLmExCXJVaGvTt45Ntq8JGvpZmcpmFDyFi1BqlXCcDKrNAox43dkIFqrgG_dy4xlwFQkkCNmDbEYZkjXyhnwp7EONjJudeCXM2GO4GIvzAqT5_5z35vRw4w2fzHGp5iLNXw8M3ZG_ZqsMP11YZFAUNnn_7lW5NN9HCbxLPOp-e3l2/s4032/A4C15EB9-6B76-4BC3-93CD-0ABF3BAFE680.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V79X0ohlOjwYLmExCXJVaGvTt45Ntq8JGvpZmcpmFDyFi1BqlXCcDKrNAox43dkIFqrgG_dy4xlwFQkkCNmDbEYZkjXyhnwp7EONjJudeCXM2GO4GIvzAqT5_5z35vRw4w2fzHGp5iLNXw8M3ZG_ZqsMP11YZFAUNnn_7lW5NN9HCbxLPOp-e3l2/s320/A4C15EB9-6B76-4BC3-93CD-0ABF3BAFE680.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br />The first night we had dinner in the area Getsemani with Hanneke, but we were so tired and jetlagged that straight after dinner we went to bed. The next day we did one of those free walking tours, that you only give a tip at the end. But it was our first day and we had to adjust to the head, it was about 35 degrees celsius and full sun. We had to drink a lot of water. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stayed two night in Cartagena and then we took a boat to one of the Rosario Islands. That morning it was even cloudy and some rain, and once we were on the boat and left the harbor we got into a bit of storm. While we were on the boat I saw a sword fish jumping out of the water 3 times, so cool! Once we finally arrived at our island it was time to relax. We had a very cute small cabana next to the sea. The ceiling was so high you couldn't even reach it even if you wanted, even Pieter couldn't reach it! Points for me booking a proper accommodation! Winning! The next day we did a boat tour around the islands and we even saw one of Pablo Escobar's houses, and even his plane that crashed into the sea right in front of it. There's not more you can do on an island besides playing Qwixx, reading a book, chilling, swim in the sea and eat and drink. But that was fine by me, I needed to detox from the fast world for a minute and just don't do anything else. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDhit-9FWKCAn8YiVLcZrlXinIc_vvTmBKF8C9x_6tOScNuRvCEvWWq3kCT6ZGX08dEVwTMI-ixpgoGA6GgCZp4iytyJDYmQP5LE3iqydCj_JFOm6krXeMpe1OWnZCFSKi_hMA3f5Ou_z27dA06NLq_1hFMMVtdi4PkdXtzdZUhvwFht3BFFcalhY/s4032/8158DFAD-2299-42C6-8D7C-C7438EAC2330.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDhit-9FWKCAn8YiVLcZrlXinIc_vvTmBKF8C9x_6tOScNuRvCEvWWq3kCT6ZGX08dEVwTMI-ixpgoGA6GgCZp4iytyJDYmQP5LE3iqydCj_JFOm6krXeMpe1OWnZCFSKi_hMA3f5Ou_z27dA06NLq_1hFMMVtdi4PkdXtzdZUhvwFht3BFFcalhY/s320/8158DFAD-2299-42C6-8D7C-C7438EAC2330.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the Rosario Islands we went back to Cartagena for another two night before heading to Santa Marta for the wedding. Those days in Cartagena we just went to a mall, the highest rooftop of Cartagena and we already met some of the other wedding guest for a drink. From Cartagena it is about a 4 hour drive to Santa Marta. We shared a taxi with another couple that was also going to the wedding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the drive we same some small villages that are extremely poor, a big contrast than with Cartagena where tourism is thriving in the city. They told us as well, that the further you go beyond Palomino, which is a bit further then Santa Marta, it is more dangerous and more crimes are happening there. So we made sure to not go further then Tayrona (which is in between Santa Marta and Palomino). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jorge and Felice organized a small gathering on Friday evening for everybody to meet each other and there would be a special performance, little did we know we were going to do salsa dancing for about an hour and a half. All the dutch people that were there were not the best salsa dancers (good thing I don't know how it works with videos on blogspot). It was lovely to see everybody again and sharing travel stories. By now I know these girls already for 10 years, all from our university. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday was the BIG day! In the morning at breakfast you could feel the tension some people had, but Jorge and Felice were probably the most chilled persons in the morning! Around 1ish the first girls came to my room for their hair and make-up. I offered to do it, since I am good with hair and make-up. Within an hour the whole room turnt into a beautysalon with some bubbles to start the celebrations. In the end I think I did the hair of 6 people and about 3 also their make-up. The mistake I made when I was younger, was leaving myself to the end. This time I was fully ready to do everybody's hair and not having to stress about my own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWGCuQry-dTcvh7OpZk41LRPwjY6TuDfu8MWOOz1e9-8bQ8XAYp9cTqp1YXQ3NHNu4gVoPOmwaxTer2WRQ6HAf3PVuY0RTFeL8C17V_cEhn8scUc1YEGCm5hsUHgmbdufRiRwSsVSXLdvTVIuRJf8R-tRZ7txABOSexk4QBvrSzDNhTADs7d-r09p/s4032/7208FD2E-6D55-403B-AF38-79E0D735300C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWGCuQry-dTcvh7OpZk41LRPwjY6TuDfu8MWOOz1e9-8bQ8XAYp9cTqp1YXQ3NHNu4gVoPOmwaxTer2WRQ6HAf3PVuY0RTFeL8C17V_cEhn8scUc1YEGCm5hsUHgmbdufRiRwSsVSXLdvTVIuRJf8R-tRZ7txABOSexk4QBvrSzDNhTADs7d-r09p/s320/7208FD2E-6D55-403B-AF38-79E0D735300C.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At 15.40pm we had to go down for the shuttle to pick us up and drive to the location. The location was in one word majestical. The view was beautiful, on one side there was an area where the ceremony was being held, on the other side were two long tables for dinner, and just before that was a dance floor with lights as a ceiling in the open air. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqKWMgNnXjfVc2kFG91tCYArNFzShr8Fd1stKV_MB5_n3EIUv4n7ZECZz4oKfCsSeHQaunktNU1EiIkhfdZA-PXCdlmq4MAcrYUbUtL1hc82sYMfMNBHX03X259ts2ojyda-VMWWw4gWoK_6B6jNlDR3ptZbskzc7IGnvFE4qeXWsCpxoj_XJRUZv/s2048/8DDA6EDB-B0F2-4DD3-AE70-846B316F8456.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqKWMgNnXjfVc2kFG91tCYArNFzShr8Fd1stKV_MB5_n3EIUv4n7ZECZz4oKfCsSeHQaunktNU1EiIkhfdZA-PXCdlmq4MAcrYUbUtL1hc82sYMfMNBHX03X259ts2ojyda-VMWWw4gWoK_6B6jNlDR3ptZbskzc7IGnvFE4qeXWsCpxoj_XJRUZv/s320/8DDA6EDB-B0F2-4DD3-AE70-846B316F8456.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ceremony was held by a dear friend of Felice and Jorge, Lineke, and also some indigenous people of Colombia, super special. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgAFr6SVIzOo9rLWvmBjVy1pVuBxtQmLioiQ564gK0CDChoRH3dosNPT--j1QfuPlAwf68oXoNiUOO0AhiOLcQC90GjS9UG1KBZkx18IfOP-djUp5PJC9oG0icIWiMOt3KceT9vpmgyPg_3cKULDWajHfBaiDKf09kwaWt-IotIZgh6Is-S_PLcgj/s1824/79D0BE6A-E56D-453F-8D9C-A7439F00AA3C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgAFr6SVIzOo9rLWvmBjVy1pVuBxtQmLioiQ564gK0CDChoRH3dosNPT--j1QfuPlAwf68oXoNiUOO0AhiOLcQC90GjS9UG1KBZkx18IfOP-djUp5PJC9oG0icIWiMOt3KceT9vpmgyPg_3cKULDWajHfBaiDKf09kwaWt-IotIZgh6Is-S_PLcgj/s320/79D0BE6A-E56D-453F-8D9C-A7439F00AA3C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the ceremony the guests had a little drink while the newlyweds had a photoshoot. After the drink we even had a speech by one of Jorge his friends, and then it was time for dinner. Where Felice her father did a speech, the sister of Jorge as well, and Felice her little sister even sang a song acapella. But save the best for last, was of course the party. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbqyRl9GQs7i12rmSPqVZzRFyBPcpdbmO8fH221DfUrY-k7TOM8YPySYB8Zoj-7ourE1OnM6afnb61_hihQR0ldW68GDUZIUwK4gz5w3Tv2I_8zKkWbac8QBq6XIexmvROfd5bfJtvD89fhvJiYBlOa2JwMcscGalDch9QzfhVFqHAtg2DxVbJX4m/s2016/AACA94C6-FFED-46D1-91CB-8B6AB5D42DCA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbqyRl9GQs7i12rmSPqVZzRFyBPcpdbmO8fH221DfUrY-k7TOM8YPySYB8Zoj-7ourE1OnM6afnb61_hihQR0ldW68GDUZIUwK4gz5w3Tv2I_8zKkWbac8QBq6XIexmvROfd5bfJtvD89fhvJiYBlOa2JwMcscGalDch9QzfhVFqHAtg2DxVbJX4m/s320/AACA94C6-FFED-46D1-91CB-8B6AB5D42DCA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had so much fun celebrating the love we have for Jorge and Felice. Apparently in Colombia it is 'normal' to have what they call, 'hora loca' (crazy hour), and within seconds the whole dance floor was filled with inflatables, wigs, and other party attributes. Put on the song Links-Rechts and the party went through the roof, if there would be any! At 01.00am the party finished and we went back to the hotel, tired but with memories to last a lifetime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6IC44xGmc5lhik4WzJ_HdmlbV0TGm5HYQXjVRMfVYRvIYfIby-D7c1Q33W8nERUbQMVPDCNu_oeRNu_TnMfL26XdJRFjk1L9MzAkGrIf5tiyVvm1ToVSxKSTCr9gsct7hHVX9Ch5b3PfcSc88rYlo7VLvyNNkFF7NZnF-c9aObYnChJKEORR3ofR/s2048/DCEF66C4-1562-4AA4-9A5A-56E7E5CD3F23.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6IC44xGmc5lhik4WzJ_HdmlbV0TGm5HYQXjVRMfVYRvIYfIby-D7c1Q33W8nERUbQMVPDCNu_oeRNu_TnMfL26XdJRFjk1L9MzAkGrIf5tiyVvm1ToVSxKSTCr9gsct7hHVX9Ch5b3PfcSc88rYlo7VLvyNNkFF7NZnF-c9aObYnChJKEORR3ofR/s320/DCEF66C4-1562-4AA4-9A5A-56E7E5CD3F23.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day after, we all had a hangover. But all we had to do was chill by the pool. For dinner we went to the city of Santa Marta with a group of 12 people. The next day we all left for the next adventure on our trip. Pieter and I left for Minca with a few others. It was raining all day and we even had to take a motor to our hotel, since normal cars don't go that far up the mountain. After a busy weekend it was nice to relax for a moment and don't do anything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jUkxXqvUBjCjwfFsayUZeKJFIdQmvNF8PeTUZcGgRRSx7T5WaeCzpa8LQS-dtL4DLOHCTFkaXf2LVshdLAMlhqyHFuSk7u-K4iC6K50qbdt_RoTpCPZSKzGZM-IardGVd-72x1C6G0L2sq20Yt9B4sRI5Tm6LYyyq1f_GxWhdq-jCmR1koecf3qa/s4032/0827B27E-47C8-4EF4-BB49-D666652D2B78.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jUkxXqvUBjCjwfFsayUZeKJFIdQmvNF8PeTUZcGgRRSx7T5WaeCzpa8LQS-dtL4DLOHCTFkaXf2LVshdLAMlhqyHFuSk7u-K4iC6K50qbdt_RoTpCPZSKzGZM-IardGVd-72x1C6G0L2sq20Yt9B4sRI5Tm6LYyyq1f_GxWhdq-jCmR1koecf3qa/s320/0827B27E-47C8-4EF4-BB49-D666652D2B78.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Tuesday we went to the hotel where some of our friends were staying to do this hike up a waterfall. The waterfall wasn't the most beautiful I have seen, but it was lovely to spend some more time together. In the afternoon we left to go to a hotel close by Tayrona National Park. The next day we left in the early morning to go to the park. We started at the 'common' entrance called El Zaino, and from there we walked 1.5 hour to our first stop, Cabo San Juan. This hike is pretty known in Colombia and you can even do it on flip-flops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLgw3aOsfb_e-W72Gja7IH4ElLsXrALBlm3K5Q6kFSLgLGZdQbJzMXqljOy1BOWXp3KOSWkeJQ2y1S9s8dbUMKdhchBtxrhyfUwX84M4TICaJygvUp9WK31xO6PSe8wYwqcD8LJfbf8GAAxgCKqUaVN-UOIyqN70DEFQsl58W5frPySKMrPghX-mI/s4032/E90513DC-AB38-402E-ACCE-B6CC1E1332DF.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLgw3aOsfb_e-W72Gja7IH4ElLsXrALBlm3K5Q6kFSLgLGZdQbJzMXqljOy1BOWXp3KOSWkeJQ2y1S9s8dbUMKdhchBtxrhyfUwX84M4TICaJygvUp9WK31xO6PSe8wYwqcD8LJfbf8GAAxgCKqUaVN-UOIyqN70DEFQsl58W5frPySKMrPghX-mI/s320/E90513DC-AB38-402E-ACCE-B6CC1E1332DF.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the second hike to Playa Brava was very intense and it took us 2.5 hours. The first hour/hour and a half it was very intense walking up a mountain. The scenery was beautiful and we even heard some monkeys howling. We only packed one backpack for the park, otherwise you have to carry everything with you. Good thing I have a strong guy with me who can carry most of the backpack! :D </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRlBwp1-hMlcPCSFTAC52D61sCLEkKUW2v-R_UsqlAnrfHr1fyjaA01UjmSX7dqYGAlpCcENDw1I33FcXKJb8Hs3GqrKzjW6r7Tx08moyrJQnI2ZTU5f_5E0iq8NvZlg15rDC42OenPj8XuQ6tK0Fbd-2DyAKzSIyqOCGw8ICwxB2SW4TVS1Ei_7V/s4032/9E6DFB4B-5DCB-4C38-A72A-D4F2B8217785.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRlBwp1-hMlcPCSFTAC52D61sCLEkKUW2v-R_UsqlAnrfHr1fyjaA01UjmSX7dqYGAlpCcENDw1I33FcXKJb8Hs3GqrKzjW6r7Tx08moyrJQnI2ZTU5f_5E0iq8NvZlg15rDC42OenPj8XuQ6tK0Fbd-2DyAKzSIyqOCGw8ICwxB2SW4TVS1Ei_7V/s320/9E6DFB4B-5DCB-4C38-A72A-D4F2B8217785.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Playa Brava can only be reached by walking, and we had this beautiful private ecolodge for the two of us on the beach. In total I think there stayed around 20 people, because you can also rent a hammock for the night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bBev5Oz_5tpO0kmMdZflgkah9YKKEcvlv4mIqiqQxn1t1k_X_i0pjXHOmg86h6IpcR323icK1RTBRjEDod2xqogDyKfaEbiTnLzSDKBgiDYyK7mujJpkJ90-95M9kl14-_yopyQiwx_xcECcZejo-gMUOXZ3EPXdJ1jtXDn96EC18raMxwfMuvEs/s4032/7745BDDB-A303-40DE-AF0F-5EEEFC04CCCD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bBev5Oz_5tpO0kmMdZflgkah9YKKEcvlv4mIqiqQxn1t1k_X_i0pjXHOmg86h6IpcR323icK1RTBRjEDod2xqogDyKfaEbiTnLzSDKBgiDYyK7mujJpkJ90-95M9kl14-_yopyQiwx_xcECcZejo-gMUOXZ3EPXdJ1jtXDn96EC18raMxwfMuvEs/s320/7745BDDB-A303-40DE-AF0F-5EEEFC04CCCD.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day in the early morning we left after breakfast to walk out of the park through the exit called Calabazos, this took us again a full hour walking up the mountain to then take some motors for the last bit, we were done walking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiEu7wBelvFx0kw9yd_iXLdXrxmOLOazJl6kAgljNTLmlDN3PzXBqRwGLlrtS95QmkiiQON374048a4fJDlkp7aPv-SLhKJSNEXjcVIJdGoT6_E0U8pV6M10W_ay65fR4SFNQnakyEYrBWJdl9wkv6lCtUqwmiSVkOUOSMMYaOqBETcpBlPrO3zNO/s4032/20ED2571-DA0D-4F33-915B-B071AD5B0125.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiEu7wBelvFx0kw9yd_iXLdXrxmOLOazJl6kAgljNTLmlDN3PzXBqRwGLlrtS95QmkiiQON374048a4fJDlkp7aPv-SLhKJSNEXjcVIJdGoT6_E0U8pV6M10W_ay65fR4SFNQnakyEYrBWJdl9wkv6lCtUqwmiSVkOUOSMMYaOqBETcpBlPrO3zNO/s320/20ED2571-DA0D-4F33-915B-B071AD5B0125.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at the hotel where we left our bags, the guy from the hotel drove us to Santa Marta (otherwise we had to wait 1.5 hour for a taxi), and from there we took the bus back to Cartagena. Which took another 4.5 hours. Back in Cartagena it was our final night before heading back to Amsterdam, if of course we would get on the flight. Luckily this time the girl at the check-in desk told us there were 5 people travelling on standby and Pieter and I were number 2 and 3, so that was a big relief! We even got Economy Comfort seats and that was the end of a lovely two weeks travelling in Cartagena, with the highlight of attending the wedding of Jorge and Felice. A trip to remember, and for Pieter the first time to Colombia, but definitely not his last. The people are lovely, the food is good, and relativity cheap compared to European cities. Big diversity as well, if you want to chill there are some islands, if you want to hike you have many parks where you can do this and even visit big cities like Medellin or Bogota, Colombia has it all, so definitely worth a visit if you ask me! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VwRGKOrSPOtKyrrFDSyWHiuMVudlRlwv7kCiJR5wo_QThxqCdqbH0X4APFMN5b0YCTndDbR3E2jQ98l-cNZ-C6OA0dhsnI6zdBGMVghdqMUId2meSiILfNS9qF38MAQeYGo6zyj8AeDv4W9CFwqQrH5J-ceqcbrDim9o2DYNDmmTCyVC_srKOxK5/s4032/B5DCD6FE-D311-41AD-B346-7F1481B75E58.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VwRGKOrSPOtKyrrFDSyWHiuMVudlRlwv7kCiJR5wo_QThxqCdqbH0X4APFMN5b0YCTndDbR3E2jQ98l-cNZ-C6OA0dhsnI6zdBGMVghdqMUId2meSiILfNS9qF38MAQeYGo6zyj8AeDv4W9CFwqQrH5J-ceqcbrDim9o2DYNDmmTCyVC_srKOxK5/s320/B5DCD6FE-D311-41AD-B346-7F1481B75E58.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-32719860331354393082021-12-30T06:40:00.001-08:002021-12-30T06:40:39.030-08:002021 you were gentle, 2022 you will be wonderful!<p>And just like that it's almost the last day of 2021, traditionally I write a blog about the past year. It has been a hell of a ride. A year of ups, but also some downs. Work wise things have changed. From long layovers in the Caribbean to short overnights in Europe. From flights of 10/12 hours to flights of 20 minutes, and yes people those flights exist. I did a flight the other day from Amsterdam to Brussels and it took us only 20 minutes to get there. During those 20 minutes you still have to do service, but with Emirates in the back of my mind, doing a service in 20 minutes for a maximum of 88 people is a piece of cake for an allrounder stewardess like me. Doing a service in 40 minutes in a full economy class on the A380 (427 passengers), that was a challenge. </p><p>I am now flying for around 3.5 months with KLM Cityhopper, and as explained in my previous blog this was due to the Coronavirus. Not going to lie, it is hard, harder than I thought. You can do a maximum of 4 flights a day and sometimes your day starts 6am and sometimes your day starts at 3pm. So you can imagine when you start at 3pm and then have to do 4 flights, you reach the hotel around 11/12ish at night. For me, personally, I prefer the early morning flights. Passengers are still a bit tired, only want tea or coffee and sleep. Whereas in the night, passengers think they are in the bar and all they want is to drink alcohol and eat. Of course, keep in mind that with the whole face mask world nowadays it is also more of an issue at night. The amount of times passengers are trying to go in discussion with me why they cannot wear a face mask is ridiculous. I have seen it all, from grown up man licking a lolly, to people saying they can't breathe, well, welcome to my life, was my reaction, haha. </p><p>On my first day at Cityhopper we already had to arrest somebody for not wearing his face mask and then going off at my colleague shouting her to f*ck off. As soon as we landed into Amsterdam the marechaussee was waiting for him to take him off the plane, and hopefully he will be put on the No Fly- list for the next 5 years with KLM and partners. I understand we are in a difficult situation but that is no reason to act like a child on the plane. Even for myself, and I am sure I speak for everybody who has to work with a face mask, we do not like it either. But if that's the way for us to be able to travel, you sit down, put your face mask on and don't give the crew a hard time. If you don't want to be on the plane, rent a car and drive to your destination. No mercy for no face mask people for me on the plane anymore. What you do at home I don't care but when you pay for your ticket you agree to comply with the cabin crew rules, and if you don't follow them you are not flying, easy as that. On the other hand I have seen passenger whom gave us chocolates because they respect our hard job we have to do these days, and they are so extremely happy to be able to see friends and family again after 2/3 years. The next 8.5 months are going to be tough, but I will manage, try to go to the gym more en route, eat healthier on the plane and have a holiday after every 2/3 months. That's the game plan. Because I fly so much now, I hardly see Pieter and that I don't like. Good thing it is only temporarily. </p><p>At the beginning of 2021 I managed to have a little getaway to Bonaire to visit my friend Valerie who was working there at the time. It was so nice to feel the warmth on my body, read some books and study some Spanish. I even passed my KLM Spanish exam, and I am so proud of myself. With only 2/2.5 months of lessons, I studied hard for my oral exam, and pff you can get a lot of questions in 45 minutes! It took forever, but I did it! </p><p>My birthday bash this year was AMAZING! Got to spend it with my lovely friends and family. The day after was probably the hardest day of 2021 as well. The hangover was insane and all I could do was watch a Disney movie. </p><p>Pieter and I also went to Marbella again this year and it was beautiful, some days together and then some days filled with friends. We even played golf (yes I got my VGB this year too), went to Rhonda, the beach, Puerto Banos and many more. </p><p>But the biggest change in 2021 was me moving in with Pieter! We changed the whole house and even painted the walls. It looks so cosy and homey now, I love it. And the best part is, Pieter is here too! It feels so natural to be living together, and of course sometimes we don't agree (mostly who gets to most food xD) but in the end he is the love of my life and I can't wait what the future holds for us. I hope more fun, joy and laughter and of course that we also stay healthy, we (he is) going on a diet on the 2nd of January. Many exciting things ahead for us in 2022. And if I learned one thing during this whole pandemic, don't look at the things you can't do, but look at the things you can do. Joy is in the little things in life, seeing my nephew grow up is one of those priceless things, soon he will get a little brother or sister, so excited! Keep you posted! </p><p>I wish everybody an amazing New Years Eve with loads of champagne, music and laughter. May all of your dreams come true in 2022. <3 </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWmNa05vBeATy_6VqMkxSBaCCajbk8AFjNv_fenJgidg9yo9OiwQipBiBeXWBm39pE9fpEdwo7Ck48c_ytvvtEnfq6phK-MKmpEA9TJEjNG-DKE_DhRa9Oz23hEnfwZWrt9HqYeoQFpdbgTrcBPxvrF_0S7bUd4hc0P-RwZWNF_ip6ry8DwsyCAUzI=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWmNa05vBeATy_6VqMkxSBaCCajbk8AFjNv_fenJgidg9yo9OiwQipBiBeXWBm39pE9fpEdwo7Ck48c_ytvvtEnfq6phK-MKmpEA9TJEjNG-DKE_DhRa9Oz23hEnfwZWrt9HqYeoQFpdbgTrcBPxvrF_0S7bUd4hc0P-RwZWNF_ip6ry8DwsyCAUzI=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-66442337929463017482021-07-02T15:02:00.002-07:002021-07-02T15:02:52.761-07:00My love story<p>How time flies when you're having fun! And no, I wasn't living under a rock the past year. I experienced the pandemic like everybody else. Feeling unsure about my job, my loved ones, it the world going to be a normal place again, when will this be over? Overall, it was a busy year. But it was also a year that I fell in love, head over heels. I have been on many dates, trust me, always putting myself out there, getting the perfect wine for a picknick in the park, outfit-stress for somebody that wasn't even worth it, and not to forget all the guys that ghosted me, yes people that's a thing. It means that guys pretend to like you and message you and then all of a sudden POEF gone with the wind. Leaving you behind not knowing why they did that. And what was I looking for? To be honest, I probably didn't even know it at that time. Until, for some reason, I met Pieter. There were so many reason why we shouldn't have met, but we did. I have to give some credits here to my friend Sara, she pushed me to download this dating app, again. When you're in one of those phases that you download it, on it for 2/3 weeks and then delete it again. She said, come on, just download it, there are some nice guys on it. After 1 hour she asked me again, and did you download it?! So I basically had no reason not to do it. And there he was, this guy with a big smile on his face, he gave me one as well. So, I did what I had to do, I swipped right, and we were a match the next day. However, with this app (Bumble) it is the woman who need to send the first message within 24 hours of the match, if not, match is gone. If the guy doesn't reply within 24 hours of your message, the match is gone. We matched on a Tuesday, just by saying: Hi Pieter, how are you doing? Where he responded: Hi Merel, how cool we are a match, how are we going to celebrate? I thought, nice one, 10 points for this guy. And so it happened that we met the next day in this bar in Amsterdam, close to my place (a good thing when you set your radar maximum 5 km away). I had zero expectations and I thought, there's probably something about this one as well, or he doesn't even look like his photo. Wrong, he turned out to be exactly everything I was looking for, charming, amazing smile, humor, handsome, seen the world, but most of all, he looks at me as if I'am the most beautiful girl in this world. I feel blessed to be raised by that example, and that's all I wanted in a guy and he gives me that. I am head over heels, even my Louboutins don't even come close. Since I never had a boyfriend I didn't know what I was missing, and it's great. He's my go-to for everything, we laugh, we cry, we make an effort for each other and just like to spend time together. He makes me a very happy woman, and hopefully I will make him a very happy man. And yes peeps, I have some news as well. We are going to live together, I'am moving in!!!! So excited for this new phase in our lives, and more news to come as well. Going to KLM Cityhopper for the next year. They need people and KLM have too many, so it's a logic choice, even-though it wasn't mine to choose, but it's going to be an adventure and now I'am very excited what this new year is going to bring. I can't believe it's been 3 years since I left Emirates. Sometimes I think about my time in Dubai and I think, did this really happen? Did I really just left home at 21 and live in Dubai for 4.5 years. What were my parents thinking? So much respect for them, just to let me go. Not to forget, I left for a reason as well, and I'am happy I did. Look at me now, 3 years later, moving in with the man I love, heading for new adventures at Cityhopper, and most of all, going to enjoy my last year in my twenties, believe it or not, I turned 29 a few weeks ago!! All I can say, the hangovers are not getting easier! </p><p><br /></p><p>Here's to love, because what would we do without it! <3 </p>Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-10812248188275584162020-03-20T07:04:00.002-07:002020-03-20T07:04:52.120-07:00Be positive, Stay positiveNormally I write a blog about my recent adventures from the last few months. But with these recent developments all you hear is corona this, corona that. I want to speak my mind here with you, and help you to see everything in perspective and mostly to be positive and stay positive. You can't switch on the tv without hearing news about this horrible virus, facebook is full of stay at home workout videos or people singing from their balconies in countries that are under full lockdown. I completely understand that this is the world we live in now, but please people don't let the media influence you too much. Stay positive. Yes, it is unbelievable the world we live in and we should not underestimate the seriousness of this case, and we basically don't have a social life for a few weeks (hopefully). But, use this time to hit the reset button, take this time to clean out your closet, read the book you already want to read for a long time, drink loads of water, eat healthy (take extra vitamines) and go outside for a run so you can get some fresh air. Time to focus on you, and help where you can.<br />
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I was supposed to have 2 weeks of holidays and I would visit my dear friend Maki at the Gold Coast and meet other friends in Brisbane. As you might suspect, I am still at home. If I would have left for Australia I would not be able to get back. Also my year contract was in the proces of being extended, however, during these unforeseen circumstances KLM could terminate my contract. But, I heard yesterday that they are going to extend my contract, even now. So you can imagine I was a very happy girl yesterday. The next few months will be hard for the airline industry. Seeing our CEO on the tv a few times in the past weeks and being powerful in this statements and willing to work to overcome this crisis with his help, I tell you, he has the whole company (33.000 employees) behind him. One by one who are all ready to do everything in their power to survive this horrible crisis. I am super proud to be part of this incredible blue family KLM.<br />
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Be grateful what you have people. I am grateful to be living together with somebody. Hanneke has to work from home, but we keep each other company. I am a good wifey, she's working while I clean the windows, I start cooking when she's almost finished with her work. Bring her tea. Or maybe I am too single, you chose haha! What else do I do all day I can hear you wondering. I don't set an alarm, and every day I wake up around 8/8.30, then I put on my gym outfit and go for a run in the park, or I find one of those outdoors boxing areas where you box outside for free. When I come back I make breakfast with a fresh grapefruit and some yoghurt. Then the rest of the day is either organizing my closet, clean the windows, bathroom, living room, bedroom. And of course I also watch some Netflix or in my case also Disney+ (Frozen 2 is online and it's amazing).<br />
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Then on a positive note.<br />
The last few weeks/months have been extremely busy, but only with fun stuff. At the beginning of January I had a 9 day trip to Singapore with my friend Karlien. The last time we were in Singapore it was insane with all the partying, so this time we said, we are going to relax, sleep, eat healthy and do some sports. Surprise surprise, we didn't even drink in those days.<br />
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Once back in Amsterdam Hanneke and I were organizing late New Years drinks party at our place. Our first party in our apartment in Amsterdam, it was a big succes so once this whole thing is blown over and we can go back to normal life we will definitely organize another party.<br />
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On the 18th of January it was the first birthday of my cute little nephew. Can't believe he's already 1 year, time flies and he grows like there is no tomorrow. He will be my length when he's 10 years old.<br />
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My friend Florien was coming with me on a 7 day Buenos Aires trip, the first time I took somebody with me on the flight. It's so much fun if you bring somebody on your flight that you know! The weather was amazing and Flo used to live in Buenos Aires, so she was over the moon being back after 2 years and seeing all her friends. For once I didn't have to think where to go and what to do, Flo knows the city, perfect!<br />
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After Buenos Aires I was catching a plane straight away to go to Dubai for a week on my holidays! As some of you might have seen on instagram I was staying with my dear friend Koen and his brother Kristof, and they are living in the Burj Khalifa. You know, the largest tower in the world. Not going to lie, when I grabbed a taxi at the airport and he asked me where to go, I couldn't wait to tell him Burj Khalifa Residences. Something I already wanted to say for all the years I was actually living in Dubai, and now when I'am not living there anymore I could finally say it. I felt cool (sorry not sorry), who wouldn't feel cool if they could stay in the Burj. Anyway, long story short I went out almost everyday and saw most of my friends. Dubai feels comfortable, but it doesn't feel like home anymore. I feel extremely grateful for the whole Dubai experience and meeting so many amazing people from all over the world and seeing so many places. But now, after almost 2 years being back, it feels like a bubble, almost like a dream. And now I am super happy being back in the Netherlands, and live in the best city in the world; Amsterdam.<br />
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After Dubai I was home for a day before taking the bus to Austria and go snowboarding for a week with the girls. I know these girls for around 10 years, some of us thought this would be a relaxing trip with not too much alcohol. Well, that didn't work out. From the 8 nights we were in Flachau we went out 6 of them. We laughed so much we almost cried, and we made so many memories to last a few years, and talk about forever. </div>
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While writing all of this on my couch (since I can't go anywhere) I feel so happy and blessed to have had a great start of 2020 with amazing people around me. So when you feel a bit down, sad or even a bit lonely, think about the great memories you have created recently. I honestly believe we all get through this and become stronger persons and even a stronger nation. We will survive this, but now we are forced to take a break from it all and stand still for a moment. My last flight was to Japan and I was talking to the Japanese crew about the Japanese traditions and cultures. I read a book the other day and I would recommend it to everybody, especially now. It is called 'Ichigo-Ichie', about that every moment in your life is unique, and that it is very important to cherish all those moments. Especially in times like these, it doesn't cost you anything to be nice to each other, and we all need a little bit of all the kindness in the world. We should take care of each other to make this world a better one. Mother nature has spoken and has hit the pause button. Every disadvantage will have advantages as well, see the positives in this situation. Parents have more time now to reconnect with their children, if you go outside you see people running in the park and enjoying the fresh air and nature around them, the other day we all started clapping at 20.00 for the people that work in health care, this morning at 8.45 the same song was played 'You will never walk alone' at more then 190 radio stations. See what something bad is turning people into doing something good. Let's restore the balans, take care of each other, and people Buy Flowers Not Toiletpaper! <3</div>
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- Ichigo-Ichie -</div>
Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-19631325913430550572019-11-28T14:03:00.002-08:002019-11-28T14:22:20.817-08:00Coincidences one after the other...Unbelievable, how can Christmas already be next month? Where has the time gone? They say time flies when you're having fun, and I'm definitely having a lot of fun but it scares me as well that the months go by so fast. I wanna do so many things, travel more, see more friends and chill more. Life is busy, a good type of busy don't get me wrong.<br />
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This summer was an amazing summer with lots of festivals as mentioned in my previous blog. But in my opinion the party of the year was the gala. Every 5 years the union of the pilots hold a gala, but it's not your typical dance. They have an enormous budget, amazing location and food and drinks are free. Me and my friends heard about this gala a few months before, and me being me, I needed to be there no matter what. However, the only way you can get access if you're a plus 1 of a pilot who's going. Since I was only flying for a few months I didn't know that many pilots yet. So challenge accepted. It took us and the girls about 3/4 weeks before we found ourselves some 'dates', blind dates. Karlien's roommate knows this pilot guy and his friends were looking for dates, so that was settled! Time for some dress shopping, even though I had a deal with Hanneke to not buy clothes for 3 months, but I needed a dress. Besides that, I didn't buy anything else those 3 months.<br />
September 7th was the day, time to get ready for a party! We went for dinner with the guys before, so we actually knew who we were going with as well. We were with 6 guys and 4 girls for dinner before we walked to the Concert Building at Museumsquare. Once we arrived there was a guy playing on a saxophone, and once you entered the building some girls were singing. Tickets got scanned and then we got our first glass of champagne, how lovely. When we entered the ballroom we even saw girls hanging from chandeliers who were pouring more champagne! What kind of party is this?! One, you didn't want to miss for sure. The whole night we could get champagne, gin&tonics and literally any other drink you can think of. The performances during the night were also of a next level. Some famous dutch artists were singing their hearts out for 2000 pilots! I don't blame them haha. I have been to many parties this year but this one is getting into the top 3 of this year. Not to forget the amount of food they handed out, from caviar, oysters, 'bitterballen', hamburgers, tartare, name it and it was there. It was very much a couple party, and then there was us. Just dancing and having a good time. I love men in suits so this was a perfect party. At the end I could not stand on my feet anymore, it was the Louboutins to blame. Yes people I still wear them, quit often actually. They are too expensive just to stand in my closet. After grabbing one last frites it was time to call it a night and head home. What a party, and how fortunate that I could attend it with the girls.<br />
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Time to recover before an Europe trip. I have said this before but sometimes you meet colleagues and you just connect, if only falling in love would be this easy. I met a girl on my flight Sara, and from the moment we met we started talking and didn't finish until we were back in Amsterdam 3 days later. It's just so nice to talk to somebody who just understands certain situations, yes talking about men situations. As if it was meant to be we met, very lucky to have this girl in my life now. She even flew with Wouter a few weeks ago!<br />
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Then I was on my way to Rio de Janeiro to meet my dear friend Florien. Oh no way, there was a festival in Rio, while I am there? What a coincidence..... NOT! This was so planned. Florien got me tickets for the biggest Rock festival in Brazil, Rock in Rio, how cool. She just moved to Madrid to do a masters degree. There we were, 2 dutch girls in the middle of all these Brazilians, nothing we can't handle. Had such a great time, and again so fortunate to be able to fly around the world to see my friend and make more great memories together.<br />
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Exactly one month after that crazy dance it was the birthday of KLM. KLM was celebrating it's 100th birthday, and being the oldest airline in the world still operating under the same name. I had a lovely flight to Lagos that day, and once we arrived at the hotel the staff even got a banner, cake and snacks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkejRERUudsUhmbxbSyDtArnOGlkuYBSjJ2LAXC5kf89cR7BnfFco4HoJ84ty9klGnx8z9hysKAZyeFqhtL0yh_XF99tcP1BFFp6F3Ld8Itv4NrzX_Jo5Xt1l9r_WVhUVVjb9f62x2TCM/s1600/O2YfSkBsR%252BSs0Zxwl9RHng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkejRERUudsUhmbxbSyDtArnOGlkuYBSjJ2LAXC5kf89cR7BnfFco4HoJ84ty9klGnx8z9hysKAZyeFqhtL0yh_XF99tcP1BFFp6F3Ld8Itv4NrzX_Jo5Xt1l9r_WVhUVVjb9f62x2TCM/s320/O2YfSkBsR%252BSs0Zxwl9RHng.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the airport in Lagos</div>
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When it's somebody's birthday we throw a party, even a company as big as KLM. However, the day of the party I had a flight to Barcelona and would land back at 22.00, while the party would last until 22.30... So Houston, we have a problem. However, problems are there to be solved so I called crew control and see if they could swap a flight for one that would bring me back earlier. Somebody up there wanted me to go to this party because it worked, they gave me a short London and around 20.30 I was holding a beer in my hand and celebrate KLM's 100th birthday. Thank you! Even ran into the CEO and got a cheesy photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLskXtDx0cbnlMXHERUWzxYs1_9zKhuXR5SmJaAnvEX86LyPRXb5iyjr_h3U6LSuIjr9XJnafKESKl2293HztTjjGg_dH7MyIsIwjg7771GN55SWXao_kuuMOpDY129oFrJdsbxWfl5oQ/s1600/8253DF25-44EC-4510-83EB-2D403EA21B8F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1440" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLskXtDx0cbnlMXHERUWzxYs1_9zKhuXR5SmJaAnvEX86LyPRXb5iyjr_h3U6LSuIjr9XJnafKESKl2293HztTjjGg_dH7MyIsIwjg7771GN55SWXao_kuuMOpDY129oFrJdsbxWfl5oQ/s320/8253DF25-44EC-4510-83EB-2D403EA21B8F.jpg" width="320" /></a>Pieter Elbers, Marissa and me</div>
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After the birthday party we had another Kuala Lumpur trip planned with the girls, and same as always it was good fun, we chilled a lot, got some ice coffees, only coffee I ever drink. You could notice that it wasn't summer holidays anymore, otherwise it's more busy during the week if you go out. But we still had a few great nights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PR3hHx8QXb1pPKni2Qy4b020PeVr9Z4sY4wcbFoenVYR8FjF62FRNsqrbrFgRLcuAsiQUmbIRl6pzs4SOdCv1o50jwwEPWxH-_HliP2nxSZUUSqVJ09KZWDEv3SWfpMBo4rzzK-39Nw/s1600/32A72913-C66F-4489-9662-737C5B061945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PR3hHx8QXb1pPKni2Qy4b020PeVr9Z4sY4wcbFoenVYR8FjF62FRNsqrbrFgRLcuAsiQUmbIRl6pzs4SOdCv1o50jwwEPWxH-_HliP2nxSZUUSqVJ09KZWDEv3SWfpMBo4rzzK-39Nw/s320/32A72913-C66F-4489-9662-737C5B061945.jpg" width="179" /></a>Dinner with the girls</div>
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In between flights I also spend some time at home with mom and dad, and not to forget my adorable little nephew. He's the cutest ever, and I am a very proud auntie, and my nephew is the best in the world, obviously.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5izEVLeEPbNXjK257E0TNZCW-RYh5omiyOMu3QzlPogdUhRu-NKFxkX4K5tUBhEYnjIzWj3JvgIWcAFnkU1pzYAbWG6ihKO0P0hkqdIdiHxRVFecoeS67p9UHVwkRItDoP8G3uzEcI9M/s1600/fullsizeoutput_10927.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5izEVLeEPbNXjK257E0TNZCW-RYh5omiyOMu3QzlPogdUhRu-NKFxkX4K5tUBhEYnjIzWj3JvgIWcAFnkU1pzYAbWG6ihKO0P0hkqdIdiHxRVFecoeS67p9UHVwkRItDoP8G3uzEcI9M/s320/fullsizeoutput_10927.jpeg" width="240" /></a>Mats </div>
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It's funny how sometimes you go to flights and you think oh this will be a quiet one, I will just pack a sweater and that's it. Well, lesson learned. On our flight to Edmonton in Canada we had Armin van Buuren on the flight, and I don't think this guy needs any introduction. Once I arrived at the table where you shake hands with the pursers, (same senior purser as when I flew to Lagos, mentioned before), she straight away said WE HAVE ARMIN ON BOARD! And he's performing tonight at this Scream festival, we are trying to get tickets! First thing that popped in my head was, I only have a sweater with me, this is not happening. So there I went, 40 minutes before briefing started I was running over Plaza (shopping area at the airport before customs) looking for some sort of shirt I could wear, also got a celebration card for Armin (since he launched his new album the day before) and I got him a chocolate letter (some dutch celebration we do on the 5th of december, will not explain now). During the flight everybody wrote something on the card, including myself. The senior purser said, since I bought everything and made the effort, I was the one who should give it to him. At one point I got a call, Merel come to the front now, he's awake and soon going back to sleep. So I had the honor to say something to him, give his card and then as a surprise give him his chocolate letter. And no joke, he was pleasantly surprised and he even got a bit shy, he said, you got this specially for me? I said, of course!! Then he gave me a high five... I was going for the hug or 3 kisses, but hey a high five is better then nothing! He then said his famous words, if you guys wanna come to the festival tonight I think we can sort something out! Me and my big mouth said, no way, are you sure? I also just bought a new shirt because I only packed a sweater...... Merel, Merel, Merel, WHYYYYYY! Anyway it didn't scare him because that night we went VIP to his party and it was insane! Had the best time. How to think a 'boring' Edmonton can turn out VIP at Armin van Buuren, guess life has its funny ways of making things happen. On the way back we had 85 special meals and 75 wheelchairs, what to say... life has it's funny ways, but it was worth it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCDIJspOxwwKIb7fvVs-UxQBg8Nhx-xAHg3HISgqK7Akgnwz5xzGxOkzUiL07jnnq7DMJ4CWDb-ubQEssXMHpCpVDmtGk2h7-BWBO8gTheh1F0bLYexYzImJeVQbUM1ysLsy2TVazMX4/s1600/001c4ffb-a1a5-45a8-a915-b46d54fc66d5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCDIJspOxwwKIb7fvVs-UxQBg8Nhx-xAHg3HISgqK7Akgnwz5xzGxOkzUiL07jnnq7DMJ4CWDb-ubQEssXMHpCpVDmtGk2h7-BWBO8gTheh1F0bLYexYzImJeVQbUM1ysLsy2TVazMX4/s320/001c4ffb-a1a5-45a8-a915-b46d54fc66d5.jpg" width="320" /></a>read this first</div>
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While I was packing my bags again for another trip, this time 9 day trip to Singapore with my friend Karlien, I thought, let's check if maybe some cool dj is playing while we are there. Guess what, DJ Chuckie might not be as famous as Armin but it's a dutch DJ. One of the crew on our flight to Singapore happens to know dj Chuckie personally, what a surprise... She got in touch with him and put us on the list, so there we went VIP dj Chuckie in Singapore, why not. Dancing all night long behind the dj table, while somebody was just handing out Veuve Clicquot. I'm an easy drinker so champagne it was.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u73BSEzURpDLF7l0qXeQPhwZbjU8edz9aRdzTycxzCB5AyR4veTXjnugtOnqJnOTXeOF4Vtxj3XUxbhGBmCTS5OIkO-YezpbQ9B0sP4bffYCXYTp8ZfZZjnW6J5xluYqbxjHN5EFvNE/s1600/XB6CGEiXRIKRTlZSg3dZQQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u73BSEzURpDLF7l0qXeQPhwZbjU8edz9aRdzTycxzCB5AyR4veTXjnugtOnqJnOTXeOF4Vtxj3XUxbhGBmCTS5OIkO-YezpbQ9B0sP4bffYCXYTp8ZfZZjnW6J5xluYqbxjHN5EFvNE/s320/XB6CGEiXRIKRTlZSg3dZQQ.jpg" width="320" /></a>DJ Chuckie</div>
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But, the party is not over yet. After Singapore I had a trip to Fortaleza, which is in Brazil. Didn't know this before either. My friend Marissa was staying there to learn kitesurfing so I managed to get the flight and spend 2 days on the coast to chill and relax. I needed some vitamin sun. Just drinking water out of a coconut and get some tan.<br />
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While writing this blog I realize that a lot has happend in the past few months, all good things though so not complaining. Yesterday I was supposed to go to Bangalore in India. I was again flying with somebody I know. However, 3 hours into the flight we had a technical issue that we had to turn back to Amsterdam. Obviously this is not normal so we had to be flexible with the services, trying to calm down the passengers and let everything run as smooth as possible. These things happen, in the airline industry they do not take any risk when it comes to safety. It was a minor technical issue that they couldn't fix short term in Bangalore. All passengers who had to stay the night in Amsterdam got a hotel and they left this morning with another plane to Bangalore. The cabin crew got today and tomorrow off and I'm flying to Lagos on Saturday, but they said I could fly back as a passenger, so we will see! Fingers crossed!<br />
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I always end my blog with a bit of self reflection, and even this time I want to share some thoughts. The other day I read a book, yes people I read books, it was called Ichigo-Ichie. It sounds very strange but it's about the Japanese wisdom of how to live in the moment. Be more aware in the moment you live. Everybody knows that in Japan around March you have the cherry blossom season, the japanese take this moment to reflect and appreciate to have yet another cherry blossom season. In the book they describe that every moment is an unique one so we need to make the most out it. It's a very interesting book and it really makes you open your eyes and look around. Smile more at the people around, because you know what they say, from a good deed comes a good deed. Especially with the holidays coming up, be nice to each other and enjoy every moment because you never know what the day might bring!<br />
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Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-25588450951362296612019-09-05T06:18:00.000-07:002019-09-05T06:18:10.679-07:00Bye Summer, Hello AutumnMy second summer in the Netherlands, and it has been a good one! Been to multiple festivals in Amsterdam, and not to forget I did go to Tomorrowland again. This time not a whole weekend but just the pre-party at the camping and the first day of the first weekend with my friend Yolanda. It has been her dream to go to Tomorrowland for years and my friend Koen still had one ticket left. So he made Yolanda a very happy girl. Festival season started with a few Festimi festivals on sundays. Been to a Thuishaven party and went to De Zon festival. De Zon festival was at the NDSM-wharf, which is a rural area just above the river in Amsterdam. It was also my best friends birthday so we had a great time, with lovely weather.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIsPZqxerqbjOHcvPbHHnC2MpBmy4PFRjtAE3l2odmeg-CuFp_q5gLmleLvH1w1Gv9n0HPTK4n0lVlW8yXGzKgbiAh2o6rEAtdUa53VFztT_yx7pssEy135BjaWYaSW5MJUs04_sotcY/s1600/8CFBEA95-26D1-47BE-B328-897796EE9222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIsPZqxerqbjOHcvPbHHnC2MpBmy4PFRjtAE3l2odmeg-CuFp_q5gLmleLvH1w1Gv9n0HPTK4n0lVlW8yXGzKgbiAh2o6rEAtdUa53VFztT_yx7pssEy135BjaWYaSW5MJUs04_sotcY/s320/8CFBEA95-26D1-47BE-B328-897796EE9222.jpg" width="256" /></a>TML '19 with Yolanda</div>
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Believe it or not, but in between I was flying as well. Been already to so many amazing places with KLM. I'am already flying for 5 months, and it has been my best decision ever. My colleagues are amazing, the company is the best to work for and get to see amazing cities, where I can actually have time to see and do things. With EK we only had 24 hours at most destinations, but not the KLM! It is great to see that if you work with people that speak your language, have the same norms and values you work in a better way. You work for each other and with each other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJL7LaOdI6-jwPSwU9X3ZHAawjvEaZiwwy809smuoahtX0ZHctJMUwq4LJsx4gvMN8XilaIBYtVNwWIoh9VBx_gRilllnerfvbXpPYb9UaJdTgfZHyXGUc5R8ENtBhn1UR64FfhTz7s0/s1600/DB3A1BDB-CA53-47C2-8C52-578A8BB296A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJL7LaOdI6-jwPSwU9X3ZHAawjvEaZiwwy809smuoahtX0ZHctJMUwq4LJsx4gvMN8XilaIBYtVNwWIoh9VBx_gRilllnerfvbXpPYb9UaJdTgfZHyXGUc5R8ENtBhn1UR64FfhTz7s0/s320/DB3A1BDB-CA53-47C2-8C52-578A8BB296A2.jpg" width="256" /></a>Lifting the plane in Venice</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaHl-QE7VDSpFor-G3_rU4fwHd7BLYaj1mpjGqvSD39wXV-npSbOqVO3ntDxlHLnUVgNLM4k2Dwrhg-rngyRkqi33kp2Bih6K963Gfg-ZfRPlU17BNnzQduLa1umSzbGHELbLSbhdKlk/s1600/fullsizeoutput_101fe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaHl-QE7VDSpFor-G3_rU4fwHd7BLYaj1mpjGqvSD39wXV-npSbOqVO3ntDxlHLnUVgNLM4k2Dwrhg-rngyRkqi33kp2Bih6K963Gfg-ZfRPlU17BNnzQduLa1umSzbGHELbLSbhdKlk/s320/fullsizeoutput_101fe.jpeg" width="240" /></a>Flew my own plane again</div>
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A few weeks ago I did a 7 day trip to Kuala Lumpur. I mean 7 days, for real! The best thing was that I was flying with 2 new friends of mine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKj3tVVrkQsAQ80SqLHEGuVP2AAQ5IZrPEKtWCKNiSw-Uxg4QiFb-1bYir5iNP8zmRscUENszPvthyphenhyphendOHZN-w5S0TRHQZLqZCTbx00hJqDAdgCVsL6t90dtMy6mJP7yPdqfcelU-xVGM/s1600/8DD653AD-2E4E-40D8-80B8-46840BF5359E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKj3tVVrkQsAQ80SqLHEGuVP2AAQ5IZrPEKtWCKNiSw-Uxg4QiFb-1bYir5iNP8zmRscUENszPvthyphenhyphendOHZN-w5S0TRHQZLqZCTbx00hJqDAdgCVsL6t90dtMy6mJP7yPdqfcelU-xVGM/s320/8DD653AD-2E4E-40D8-80B8-46840BF5359E.jpg" width="320" /></a>Marissa, me and Karlien</div>
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Actually funny story. About 2 months ago I was on reserve and they called me, I had to fly to Atlanta, so there I went. On my flight was a girl around my age, but I didn't really talk to her since she was working in the back and I was working in the front. Anyway long story short, on our way back to the crew centre in Amsterdam we started talking and she mentioned this party called 'United for Stripes', which was held in 2 days in Bloemendaal. Of course, I would be me if I didn't invite myself to this party. Karlien also invited two friends of her Marissa and Kurtine. So there we went off to Bloemendaal for an airline party and we had so much fun. And from that day on we have been friends, going to drinks together in Amsterdam or go to KLM gatherings. When I went to Kuala Lumpur I flew with Karlien and Marissa and we had an amazing few days in KL, didn't really do much sightseeing but we experienced KL nightlife to its fullest (4 nights). In the middle we also had to do a shuttle to Jakarta. You fly to KL, off for 2 days, then do the shuttle and then off again for 2 days before heading back to Amsterdam. PERFECT!<br />
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It's funny how small events and decision make such a big impact on your life. I mean I know these girls for 2 months now and it feels like I know them for years. They live in Amsterdan and Kurtine lives in Rotterdam, we are all single and ready to mingle. It is nice to have people living in the same city who also have days off during the week and want to hang out and do things. I know a lot of people but not so many who want to go out on a monday or tuesday, since sometimes I don't have weekend on saturday and sunday.<br />
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The party of the year is this saturday. It's a ball from the union of the pilots. The union holds a ball every 5 years, however you can't just buy tickets. You need to be part of this union and then you can bring a +1 (like a date). This year it is in a very iconic building in Amsterdam, at the Concert Building near Museumsquare. Once we heard about this ball we did every possible thing to get invited by a pilot to be somebody's date. And guess what, it worked. I'am going on a blind date with a guy named Daniel and Karlien is going with one of his friends. Can you imagine so many pilots in their suits, it's like a dream come true haha! Can't wait till it's saturday. Got a beautiful long black dress and golden statement earrings. Need to look at my very best. Photos will follow on my next blog!<br />
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It's the 5th of September today and most likely it won't be summer weather again for a long time. But it's fine, will just ask for warm destinations to keep my tan game on point. But not gonna lie I'am looking forward to wearing boots, big sweaters and cosy nights on the couch chilling.<br />
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A few weeks ago my father turned 60! Sounds so old but he doesn't look like it or feels like it, which is a good thing. We had a big bbq party in the garden, and we even performed a song specially made for my dad about my dad. As a gift I told him that he can come on one of my flights, I will pay the ticket for him and he will pay the rest. He wants to go to Buenos Aires. Can't wait to take him on my flight and enjoy Buenos Aires together, drink a lot of red wine and eat steak!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMNDdrDCRO-O_GyNxEeWQvmau2tcHqxGJGvIuuSDCrScF-hc_NawRQ9ZvXP7h7Ic3akf93jrm5hvp0Fo6yKEbtMaOOsfChrGWVBzi8pfI7411NyGri57QV_5HPYzme_zvoEzfsYC0fNg/s1600/qwFhkqBfRlCv0ILZ4xjp0g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMNDdrDCRO-O_GyNxEeWQvmau2tcHqxGJGvIuuSDCrScF-hc_NawRQ9ZvXP7h7Ic3akf93jrm5hvp0Fo6yKEbtMaOOsfChrGWVBzi8pfI7411NyGri57QV_5HPYzme_zvoEzfsYC0fNg/s320/qwFhkqBfRlCv0ILZ4xjp0g.jpg" width="240" /></a>handsome daddy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBjN_Dn889arMbb9Uiqc398rFs827shO6TiDAb4hXZB2jCwa-YC8XZjBFh8cgmvv5cEY6mJ9RQgEdfcKOuOlcwaLwf7S7t5WgF1ihK3LYV_-3G2KF2YWHlniAgRP-FfhuyMfmcKm1C9E/s1600/65233521-6ab4-4e33-8036-b955e974a866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBjN_Dn889arMbb9Uiqc398rFs827shO6TiDAb4hXZB2jCwa-YC8XZjBFh8cgmvv5cEY6mJ9RQgEdfcKOuOlcwaLwf7S7t5WgF1ihK3LYV_-3G2KF2YWHlniAgRP-FfhuyMfmcKm1C9E/s320/65233521-6ab4-4e33-8036-b955e974a866.jpg" width="213" /></a>And not to forget my cute nephew</div>
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This summer made me realize how happy I am to be back, back in the Netherlands, back with my dear family and back with my friends. They mean everything to me. Super grateful for the experience I have had in Dubai and to work for Emirates but extremely happy to be back home. As if there is some sort of peace, not having to worry about what is next, who is next and where will I see my future. It is here, right here in the Netherlands, and for now I call Amsterdam my home. But who knows what the future brings, but for now I'am the happiest I have ever been. Grateful to be able to spend time with my family and be there for them. Life is full of moments, you decide how you fill these. I will fill them with joy, happiness and laughter. </div>
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-90495044270561326272019-07-01T04:03:00.001-07:002019-07-01T04:03:42.846-07:00One year back!Today marks the day that I have been back for already exactly 1 year. How time flies, literally. Thinking about all the things I did in the past year and where I am now gives me a big smile on my face. I did it! I got my dream job! It was a busy year, from doing nothing the first 3 months (okay I did go to a lot of festivals), then went to New Zealand with Wouter, worked in a classy fish restaurant for a month, to then working 3 months for the Heineken Experience, which was a complete experience, as if I was back studying, even though I got my bachelor degree 5 years ago, haha. And not to forget my little trip to Dubai and the Seychelles. To now already working 3 months for the best employer in the Netherlands (no joke, KLM is the best employer in the Netherlands).<br />
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I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that I never felt this good in my life. I just turned 27, have an amazing apartment with a very good friend and I love my job. Life is good, very good. Amsterdam is the best, always something to do and if you don't want to do anything it's fine as well. My bike got stolen last week by the government because of wrongly parking, but if you pay 22.50 euro you can get your bike back. Not having a bike in Amsterdam is just simply not possible. I love how this city accepts everybody, nothing is too crazy and it's simply - in my opinion - the most beautiful city in the world. Being in 70 countries I think I got a good impression of other cities around the world. Every time I have to go somewhere with my bike (if the government doesn't take it) I still look around and appreciate the beautiful canals and their gorgeous houses.<br />
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This Thursday will be going on another great trip, Wouter and I are going to Vancouver, yes for work people! First time we will be flying together in our KLM uniform, sorry not sorry for the spam that will be heading your way. So excited to explore yet another new city. I have heard that it's whale season as well, so hopefully we will see some.<br />
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Reminiscing about this day last year I still remember how I felt. I didn't cry that whole last week in Dubai, not that I don't have any emotions but I think my body just couldn't handle it. So instead I had stomach pain for about a week. Until the moment I arrived at the airport and my friend Ays gave me a hug and said in Dutch: you take care of yourself girl. BAM tears all the way to back Amsterdam. Then watching a sad movie, which didn't help either, that the guy next to me on the flight was asking if I was okay. I was not, but had to let them go, and after 3 gin&tonics I was doing better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUjOPcKluN90SmSvB377RjgwMv2KnUDjHYmnLjzKAlndQkV4pM0hw1hxvFR_fCKjYa2vn9htTyc_JZizXN-DBdJWpzb40uClq9aSSMeBWborE766rbNoFuK_t9Ym8zF66vs3k3AdrQLc/s1600/FOaOTdPlRQWLQsTBaiCEmg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUjOPcKluN90SmSvB377RjgwMv2KnUDjHYmnLjzKAlndQkV4pM0hw1hxvFR_fCKjYa2vn9htTyc_JZizXN-DBdJWpzb40uClq9aSSMeBWborE766rbNoFuK_t9Ym8zF66vs3k3AdrQLc/s320/FOaOTdPlRQWLQsTBaiCEmg.jpg" width="320" /></a>mom and dad</div>
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Once arrived in Amsterdam I had to wait for ages for my suitcases and there they were, my dear family, all waiting for me, and yes again crying! Meant so much for me they were there waiting for me. They always support me and come and visit me all over the world. My mom has been to Dubai 9 times, dad's been 8 times, my brothers surprised my once at Frankfurt, mom and dad came to Paris a few times. Six months before I left, both my brothers with their wives all came to Dubai, such a special moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PNmQo4zL5LDRAoRvpL_AT7Dv0v4wAkudihVryL0mP_9Z7CXxALpj2PPpOqDbn5PI7KdUFFVXqBuSw3h0zyWuLPbig50DGiaHT2Qty3xBhSKMpg1WhE-NRxp243Zs145qXqvmc-XDwME/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PNmQo4zL5LDRAoRvpL_AT7Dv0v4wAkudihVryL0mP_9Z7CXxALpj2PPpOqDbn5PI7KdUFFVXqBuSw3h0zyWuLPbig50DGiaHT2Qty3xBhSKMpg1WhE-NRxp243Zs145qXqvmc-XDwME/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" width="320" /></a>my family <3 </div>
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Some people ask me if I regret leaving Dubai and Emirates. With every single bone in my body I am super grateful I got to experience 4.5 years of Dubai and Emirates but it was enough. Time for another chapter in my life, in a city that I know, with my own crazy dutch people. And it has been the best experience yet! Here's to many great years of happy flying with KLM.<br />
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People be grateful for what you have and cherish the little things in life. They are much more valuable having all the money in the world.<br />
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May I introduce you the newest member of the family Loomans: Mats. My nephew of 5.5 months old! Isn't he the cutest little boy ever? I'am not the biggest fan of children, especially when they are annoying and rude (the job to blame for this one, seen it all on the plane). But this is different, my own brother is now a father, so strange. Cannot describe how special it feels to hold a new generation in my arms, I will spoil this little boy and can't wait to take him on one of my flights later when he's old enough. Cool auntie Bep is my new name! <3<br />
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-77363747520038392172019-04-30T07:21:00.000-07:002019-04-30T07:23:59.218-07:00Living my dreamAs many of you know, I believe in signs, and yes I still also read my horoscope. Things in life happen for a reason, and for me I feel with all my heart that I'm on the right path. And one of those 'things' is that on one of my flights already I did fly the plane with my name on it! What are the chances?!<br />
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Where to start, as you know I got the job with KLM as Cabin Attendant. My training started on the 4th of March, this was 4 weeks of intensive training. KLM is more focusing on the person you are, your talents and how you can take this on the plane and use it. My trainers explained everything in a way that things actually make sense, which is the opposite of Emirates. So you can imagine that this way of training sticks better to you, also because they speak in Dutch. During our training we also had as they call it 'observation' flights and 'familiarization' flights. This was for us to see how things are going on the plane, get familiar with the aircraft and meet the crew, how it feels be part of the blue family. My observation flight was to Oslo, which is a medium length flight, the passengers were nice and mostly dutch, the crew was super friendly as well and they made me feel very welcome. My fam flight was to Vienna, and again the crew made me feel part of the blue family. Even the co-pilot carried me up the stairs when I went down to touch the ground in Vienna.<br />
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Again the training itself was intense, I went to bed every night around 10pm because I was so tired. But I did it, I passed all my exams, and I got my wings. The 'wing' ceremony as they call they swap your 'trainee' batch for a 'cabin attendant' one. As I got mine and went back to my seat I saw an Emirates flight taking off. What are the chances in that moment that I become part of a new family and I see my old airline taking off. Again, a sign, am I right or am I right?!<br />
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Just before we started I met a girl from my training group and she lives nearby, I could drive with her to Schiphol Oost every day. It was so nice to talk about the day, the assessments and also about the homework we had to do for the next day. And besides, Nienke and I had so much fun in the car every day, such a sweetheart. We have an 8 day Buenos Aires trip coming up as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p-u3MzIT7JFgTkvI-IiJ4rQZfE-ZRy1q2CjlM2xQ8mCRijVJEDBEEDJFeshJI-emKykRuj155_tX_DZ20qoh3rTTaRG4_35l2OV1mjyC4X8K4TWXa78vbZYCMXbyw0kGn7qEhVlxJBc/s1600/IMG_4340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p-u3MzIT7JFgTkvI-IiJ4rQZfE-ZRy1q2CjlM2xQ8mCRijVJEDBEEDJFeshJI-emKykRuj155_tX_DZ20qoh3rTTaRG4_35l2OV1mjyC4X8K4TWXa78vbZYCMXbyw0kGn7qEhVlxJBc/s320/IMG_4340.JPG" width="179" /></a>Together with Nienke</div>
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My first ICA (intercontinental) flight was to Johannesburg a 5 day trip. Which means 1 day flying there, another one to get back and then 3 full days in Johannesburg. That's definitely different then EK, been to Johannesburg about 4 times but didn't see and do much because the layover was too short and nobody wanted to do anything. But not with KLM. Just before the flight I saw my brother Tim who was heading to Montreal for work.<br />
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About 4 days before the flight I got an email from the captain, asking who wanted to join for a safari and a two-night stop in a 5-star lodge. I wrote back, I'm new and I will be up for a safari and def to stay in a 5-star lodge! We went with 8 of us in total, the captain with a friend, the co-pilot, a business class lady (started flying on my birthday 17-06-1992, and yes I saw this as a sign), and then one of the girls from economy had her friend with her as well, and then there was Kimberley and me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeolQanOjmFY_aEAsHSm-gsyXjdcIffBeIZrEcZg3l9bW2vuYGzakqRNYI98106buwZ4499HXIohJ8_zk8mMTLsoDDc8cOV_gjkxbtx_StpsfNt9LNWQ7iVt_Qk28XOtJwN0SO0hgVXfc/s1600/IMG_5114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeolQanOjmFY_aEAsHSm-gsyXjdcIffBeIZrEcZg3l9bW2vuYGzakqRNYI98106buwZ4499HXIohJ8_zk8mMTLsoDDc8cOV_gjkxbtx_StpsfNt9LNWQ7iVt_Qk28XOtJwN0SO0hgVXfc/s320/IMG_5114.JPG" width="320" /></a>the crew</div>
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Sometimes you just meet people and you have a click, and safe to say that's what happened between me and Kimberley. She used to fly for Etihad and now she's already flying for KLM for 7 months and she loves it.<br />
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The drive to the park was about 4 hours and on the way we got some wine (obviously). From the gate it was another 20 minutes to the lodge. We already saw some giraffe's and zebra's, we are in Africa people. So cool. Once arrived at the lodge we got a nice cold iced tea as a welcome drink. The lodge called Jamila have 5 lodges, and we occupied 4 of them. The captain and his friend took one, the co-pilot had one for himself (and no, not because what all of you are thinking now), the girl from economy with her friend took one and then it was Gitte (the woman from business), Kimberley and me in the Elephant lodge aka the BIGGEST lodge of them all. It was insanely beautiful and big. One of those big beds in the middle with a mosquito net over it, looking very romantic, and not to forget we had a big jacuzzi. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ6EZjeyn8z6BWXSPf9omuWQ_hxPS5FW54jX6v5hI3td5NKLTIG-FT6inZ5dgIgcSFse7RWbJCDhqsuNwO4Ud8aWs0BPtd6FOJqobAxE3_3L0rFyhXYNdGJAGgU3m2qv-derxFN5s1Tg/s1600/V07AfjMyRo60uq2dPiS2Aw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ6EZjeyn8z6BWXSPf9omuWQ_hxPS5FW54jX6v5hI3td5NKLTIG-FT6inZ5dgIgcSFse7RWbJCDhqsuNwO4Ud8aWs0BPtd6FOJqobAxE3_3L0rFyhXYNdGJAGgU3m2qv-derxFN5s1Tg/s320/V07AfjMyRo60uq2dPiS2Aw.jpg" width="320" /></a>our bed <3</div>
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Straight away we went for lunch and then to our first game drive in the park with one of those very big jeeps. In total we did 4 drives in 2 days, one in the morning and one in the afternoon where we then had sundowner drinks somewhere in the park. Which was a big scary the first night since we saw a lion passing by us 15 minutes before that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_prQZGtcYuWkdOzpV5u-YeiwXENJulyuDOoUbw_9cAjT_c73K2z4aT2DfKS9fQS00iG6jid4NGMqIG4kerFgcisYGQ7wAEHpVKqJH92-r0AUdL093jD51rrKteRoijdvxbV-KCVd6-U/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_prQZGtcYuWkdOzpV5u-YeiwXENJulyuDOoUbw_9cAjT_c73K2z4aT2DfKS9fQS00iG6jid4NGMqIG4kerFgcisYGQ7wAEHpVKqJH92-r0AUdL093jD51rrKteRoijdvxbV-KCVd6-U/s320/IMG_5122.JPG" width="320" /></a>lion</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64qCI5kLb67zk-6MaR61OdOk63SjnbD2n8VdYEZ7krpUdY4N-Uq6Al4JOkHho9RkFb_950V2Db1_gp_I5O9MYRe0WNsnhcXxsHnnvNM_-u3rL1bF7Azw-7jhh_yDB5ph3V9o6foa94H0/s1600/IMG_5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64qCI5kLb67zk-6MaR61OdOk63SjnbD2n8VdYEZ7krpUdY4N-Uq6Al4JOkHho9RkFb_950V2Db1_gp_I5O9MYRe0WNsnhcXxsHnnvNM_-u3rL1bF7Azw-7jhh_yDB5ph3V9o6foa94H0/s320/IMG_5117.JPG" width="320" /></a>lioness</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-Fg5-fQvkqstCxJ8iAIszWYBPIppkdQC-d-SCXWuGON32pRPhe4n94iGjCGTuGMJDFsqHsJ_ohXif-T1MKYEFbKsRt90frfAmZ4UV67eYG1lGxJFiw4OLqhbFt-9UCtElwSp5yojf-g/s1600/qrDANzhlR6O3QEEjmRPIPQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-Fg5-fQvkqstCxJ8iAIszWYBPIppkdQC-d-SCXWuGON32pRPhe4n94iGjCGTuGMJDFsqHsJ_ohXif-T1MKYEFbKsRt90frfAmZ4UV67eYG1lGxJFiw4OLqhbFt-9UCtElwSp5yojf-g/s320/qrDANzhlR6O3QEEjmRPIPQ.jpg" width="320" /></a>Breakfast place</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOAJYVUK-yuq56xdHNM_4al-oaKcPtZUcxx3DISnzDXvHfmTq2Gq15nkE8GHpdjKByIKMTC2_zNsoBVFM1_tNraqBFoxWQTIsxN8-n9BTmv0aH3terBZvQhb7YAoU_Oiwmqld8f7yu_c/s1600/IMG_5121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOAJYVUK-yuq56xdHNM_4al-oaKcPtZUcxx3DISnzDXvHfmTq2Gq15nkE8GHpdjKByIKMTC2_zNsoBVFM1_tNraqBFoxWQTIsxN8-n9BTmv0aH3terBZvQhb7YAoU_Oiwmqld8f7yu_c/s320/IMG_5121.JPG" width="320" /></a>Elephant</div>
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Good thing only the lioness hunts and we could enjoy our white wines in peace. Once we got back to the lodge we again got a drink, this time it was an alcoholic beverage and very typical African; Amarula, yummy! After dinner we got ready for our first jacuzzi session. It was magical under the stars in South-Africa, chilling in a jacuzzi with a beautiful tasty red wine. We were in a good place, had long conversations and really enjoyed our time in the middle of nowhere.<br />
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A few too many glasses of wine later and probably only 4 hours of sleep it was time for the morning drive. We saw a few more animals, 2 lionesses, more zebra's, hippos, giraffe's, rhinos, monkeys, and a lot of Pumba's (yes the one from the lion king).<br />
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When we were back at the lodge we had some breakfast but most of us were falling asleep so afterwards it was time for a nap, the weather wasn't the best either so we didn't feel that bad for getting back in bed. That afternoon we had another game drive and while we were getting ready for our sundowner drinks our guide heard over the radio that somebody might have seen a leopard, and those are rare to find. So there we went, back in the jeep and on our way for a leopard. Leopard like to sit on rocks between trees. I'm not kidding, the road we were looking for this leopard was small and between rocks, and you could just feel him looking at you, so creepy. It was getting very dark so chances of us seeing this leopard was nihil.<br />
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On our way back to Jamila it was pitch black and I was sitting in the back. I looked behind me for a minute and there I saw a sky full of stars, there's no way I can describe such a beautiful sky in a million words. I had one of those happy moments where I feel blessed being able to experience this while doing my 'job'. While I was looking up in the sky I saw a star turning extremely bright and then it imploded, because stars don't explode, they implode. This was only a few days before the photo was published about the 'black hole', and it might be what I saw, how crazy. I actually saw a star implode, wow. My buddy Kimberley saw exactly the same, thank god, I thought I might have gone crazy otherwise. This made our last night in Jamila extra special, and even our 'braai' meal next to a campfire was just priceless. Jamila lodge is not priceless, it was expensive but worth every penny!<br />
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Would definitely recommend to go here and spend 2/3 nights here in the Welgevonden park. It would only be a successful night if we did use our jacuzzi again. So we did, surprise surprise. That night I lost my phone to the jacuzzi. I put it on the rocks for a moment, not seeing the rock wasn't really flat, so there I saw it slipping through the other rocks underneath the jacuzzi, phone gone. Typical Merel action...<br />
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I told the staff before we left the next morning for our last game drive, but by the time we got back we only 45 minutes to pack our bags, eat breakfast and find my phone. It took 2 guys about 10 minutes to move all the rocks from their original place to get to my phone, because apparently there might be some snakes down there as well she said, it was good I didn't try to find my phone myself putting my arm in the hole..... obviously I tried this about 10 times the night before, and thank god there were no snakes when I put my arm in the hole, would make it a greater story though.<br />
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The 4 hour drive back to the hotel went fast because I probably slept 3.45h of is, the key is to always bring your own pillow people! We could sleep for another 3 hours before our calling time to go back to Amsterdam. What an amazing first layover, the crew was the best and even the passengers were nice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM7PFiIEgyrP14hF_xwB8cU89k1Hs5nmn2B2TgpjePjnRucq4VVc_bohHCMFEMUeqC3PeGRN9Wm9gAIUeE_48xxLQmNz5ijWltu6OjaNK8uhJPLzzCd6hF-4OtGI4K_MD_HcY-sJiTVY/s1600/%2525n9i8vvLSVex4PM9OKJtow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM7PFiIEgyrP14hF_xwB8cU89k1Hs5nmn2B2TgpjePjnRucq4VVc_bohHCMFEMUeqC3PeGRN9Wm9gAIUeE_48xxLQmNz5ijWltu6OjaNK8uhJPLzzCd6hF-4OtGI4K_MD_HcY-sJiTVY/s320/%2525n9i8vvLSVex4PM9OKJtow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been a busy bee. During my days off I went to Keukenhof with Nienke. One of those things where no Dutch people go to and people from all over the world come here for the tulips. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlQS7v9dRiR30F85o0scD0zacvBLERHnjzR0fsFo9M4QYsPgMkanXyuTaaNZT6hgDPVgDK22Us8MQFc8U9ae1sA_xXKhghN-X6HkfVORn3lGuFbVvDj1j6klCywBbgSTsEDsJJacZm54/s1600/aa39fc45-ac32-48f3-9fd9-be3bfc49fdcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlQS7v9dRiR30F85o0scD0zacvBLERHnjzR0fsFo9M4QYsPgMkanXyuTaaNZT6hgDPVgDK22Us8MQFc8U9ae1sA_xXKhghN-X6HkfVORn3lGuFbVvDj1j6klCywBbgSTsEDsJJacZm54/s320/aa39fc45-ac32-48f3-9fd9-be3bfc49fdcd.jpg" width="240" /></a>Keukenhof</div>
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My first Europe trip went to Helsinki, Prague and Porto with again amazing crew and lovely passengers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyYG56NxWh2_nKqBMSHjZck4HqV8pG2ErW0DmBWlHBqqJKuw2c6rIze7-4c_fSgAhSMH1jFiyK62XXPitMQiIRjN9IZ9-WPucyOef2T0srpws9n5qPO001L1rtFZLQYOqfz3PpbUUQx4/s1600/jdabjUTzRyetA8kanv70tQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyYG56NxWh2_nKqBMSHjZck4HqV8pG2ErW0DmBWlHBqqJKuw2c6rIze7-4c_fSgAhSMH1jFiyK62XXPitMQiIRjN9IZ9-WPucyOef2T0srpws9n5qPO001L1rtFZLQYOqfz3PpbUUQx4/s320/jdabjUTzRyetA8kanv70tQ.jpg" width="240" /></a>Typical Czech dish</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXvrMylwreC11mGUihHyYAYAMTAGsQ9QGURGJHL-eStkWchbWTdbjn8fZQ_WZkVCpVJ_xSrhvMCQg3hfx1cbvMwUWj6cEEPddGJLL5cszGQ1jGcAAZ7eEDYl7sm10F4cKF1T_C6GHOhM/s1600/Txyxh5k4QmiytwK9dcDv8Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXvrMylwreC11mGUihHyYAYAMTAGsQ9QGURGJHL-eStkWchbWTdbjn8fZQ_WZkVCpVJ_xSrhvMCQg3hfx1cbvMwUWj6cEEPddGJLL5cszGQ1jGcAAZ7eEDYl7sm10F4cKF1T_C6GHOhM/s320/Txyxh5k4QmiytwK9dcDv8Q.jpg" width="240" /></a>Prague</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJztoL0qmTS1HwE4FA_ZqxAHqq-Zf-NXz0YhP-5Y2d6kAeUZO5bs8P_c_8T8bzOgqX2hvRWo59dSs2hmPZASPfzN62XaKOs6AH2O2FS9OAtJrK9dtUWE7DBFnvRauu2Unn_RIKdp8mfDM/s1600/yJwgsdOsTDiv%252BZf6yrhnlA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJztoL0qmTS1HwE4FA_ZqxAHqq-Zf-NXz0YhP-5Y2d6kAeUZO5bs8P_c_8T8bzOgqX2hvRWo59dSs2hmPZASPfzN62XaKOs6AH2O2FS9OAtJrK9dtUWE7DBFnvRauu2Unn_RIKdp8mfDM/s320/yJwgsdOsTDiv%252BZf6yrhnlA.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once we arrived in Porto</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWPKk1llR33BiBYa1gTb3BFqyBdHgwZmiQXe0kKf-z230LSM6oAiJlVyWAY90ehoaJC_KRCCG3ema4xGKy3rjlKJHx3uy0YrWS2HZm6hh_5f1rlE7UIVAOT9coyVQy7nS-KK3kLPxHAQ/s1600/EBA272BA-31F1-4B10-9D2F-799141B34397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWPKk1llR33BiBYa1gTb3BFqyBdHgwZmiQXe0kKf-z230LSM6oAiJlVyWAY90ehoaJC_KRCCG3ema4xGKy3rjlKJHx3uy0YrWS2HZm6hh_5f1rlE7UIVAOT9coyVQy7nS-KK3kLPxHAQ/s320/EBA272BA-31F1-4B10-9D2F-799141B34397.jpg" width="256" /></a>View over Porto with bad weather</div>
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And this crew also gave me some presents welcoming me to the blue family <3</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93e-3yUBnU15xLz3Wi2Q5rpM_vOK5dPcIaXQyBosE7giujj6OOQwjIX85-FFll0ifi6oVOuhbnEkHfuvEwRfeluvjk4XsvJdgU-FpOsniNEP0V_OUN59OK_zQeAStduQf6-iUCECom7M/s1600/a5uVFUcwTIKVbXDmeLMUyg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93e-3yUBnU15xLz3Wi2Q5rpM_vOK5dPcIaXQyBosE7giujj6OOQwjIX85-FFll0ifi6oVOuhbnEkHfuvEwRfeluvjk4XsvJdgU-FpOsniNEP0V_OUN59OK_zQeAStduQf6-iUCECom7M/s320/a5uVFUcwTIKVbXDmeLMUyg.jpg" width="240" /></a>Spend 4 days with these amazing women</div>
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Next Europe trip was going to Nice, Warsaw and Marseille!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ipWUxsF8-anXoph6ReHDSVD_17BI8eB_No1CueATH0n56LQQHM8XjMPKS1tGo0mmFGVm9Vq5Q6q7xMQYD6Pvtt4DLpoRqdUlcVFS6Kg9q47CXPdwjQsvKX0JvZpQTjAXc4ZrVCHQ-Y/s1600/C00E24DB-798D-45AF-837D-FB527F5BA845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ipWUxsF8-anXoph6ReHDSVD_17BI8eB_No1CueATH0n56LQQHM8XjMPKS1tGo0mmFGVm9Vq5Q6q7xMQYD6Pvtt4DLpoRqdUlcVFS6Kg9q47CXPdwjQsvKX0JvZpQTjAXc4ZrVCHQ-Y/s320/C00E24DB-798D-45AF-837D-FB527F5BA845.jpg" width="256" /></a>Drinks in the old town of Warsaw</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jm21T2-cDTTrdH2EFZ4kBKe7bJpwWv-F0qx9AFq8ACcTrHsXVMr8MdwPXFztBLY7GUjyJstYrlre6G3IM-ykqGtTDiNBbu_jXs_BQUQXsH3BY6gVoJtcP5AXemWGVNy8zwwClsribyk/s1600/BQOz%252BJLRS6%252BctTWTdy6IGQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jm21T2-cDTTrdH2EFZ4kBKe7bJpwWv-F0qx9AFq8ACcTrHsXVMr8MdwPXFztBLY7GUjyJstYrlre6G3IM-ykqGtTDiNBbu_jXs_BQUQXsH3BY6gVoJtcP5AXemWGVNy8zwwClsribyk/s320/BQOz%252BJLRS6%252BctTWTdy6IGQ.jpg" width="320" /></a>Lunch and drinks in Aix-de-Provence</div>
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The past 4 days I only had turnarounds, so going there and then straight back. But it was nice to be able to sleep in my own bed every night and not to forget it was also Kings Day a few days ago. And since I have lived abroad I had to miss it a few times so this year I was going NO MATTER WHAT!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJUZcpbeAScYV5uSlJLIcjwMj5WdfISkexEOnFoN4q8Dds5ZFILGIMllJ8bMIjTqwrCyojs7wlBdiYxMsyhIGBXTn9xRufHDfOIT2a6xuMIButHmfqgUTQRyqAFXsYBTB2V-SeK97ROM/s1600/9Jubq9kfQaeWBUSjPHs1Yg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJUZcpbeAScYV5uSlJLIcjwMj5WdfISkexEOnFoN4q8Dds5ZFILGIMllJ8bMIjTqwrCyojs7wlBdiYxMsyhIGBXTn9xRufHDfOIT2a6xuMIButHmfqgUTQRyqAFXsYBTB2V-SeK97ROM/s320/9Jubq9kfQaeWBUSjPHs1Yg.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some fun on board</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V3AhXIzBdlaYWm_jqJ5fFJbTTJ19rqIevoxyJuQyPagc6C8AFuzVKdbQB331X7TaKGNt9ctB8Cqd8ovElEP6YpfaU6ZHoxorCEYXj08HC2mJw8od8HUTHHkdG6QHn9mThJWR4tqkB-4/s1600/mZs5dJdqQwOWQX5Xy%252BUTng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V3AhXIzBdlaYWm_jqJ5fFJbTTJ19rqIevoxyJuQyPagc6C8AFuzVKdbQB331X7TaKGNt9ctB8Cqd8ovElEP6YpfaU6ZHoxorCEYXj08HC2mJw8od8HUTHHkdG6QHn9mThJWR4tqkB-4/s320/mZs5dJdqQwOWQX5Xy%252BUTng.jpg" width="320" /></a>With my granny </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhBd8dTJ7A5ZPhRP-bCJdJU_0grBD1lvIEcFvN3cykd1-grAmsZeUmM9GPaD8D0uBoLdFBXpCRNaUa5S7pNTR4TGVhILXzl7qlWB8r_7z8LqlRNEYPfN-6rN6B9E85BQGyStiariWEp0/s1600/C618EA32-686B-4572-996F-61F4030780A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhBd8dTJ7A5ZPhRP-bCJdJU_0grBD1lvIEcFvN3cykd1-grAmsZeUmM9GPaD8D0uBoLdFBXpCRNaUa5S7pNTR4TGVhILXzl7qlWB8r_7z8LqlRNEYPfN-6rN6B9E85BQGyStiariWEp0/s320/C618EA32-686B-4572-996F-61F4030780A9.jpg" width="320" /></a>KINGS DAY</div>
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What a great few months did I have. Loved every minute of it. I feel so incredibly happy to be flying for KLM. It is who I am and I love flying so much, being surrounded by people I don't know, make my random jokes, laugh all day and take care of people, what else can I wish for (besides a hot my by my side)? NOTHING! I have never been happier, love my job, have a beautiful apartment with my dear friend, live close to my family and beautiful nephew! </div>
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Life is good and I'm living my dream <3 </div>
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-71529345762919672712019-03-09T05:42:00.002-08:002019-03-09T05:42:25.669-08:00Surprise trip Dubai/Seychelles As most of you know, my best friend called Wouter was still living in Dubai while I left. But about a month ago he was leaving the Dubai desert as well and changing it for the Belgium landscapes while in the future living in the most beautiful city in the world, Amsterdam. Yes you read this correctly, he is coming to Amsterdam, very soon now. Can't wait!!! However, let me start at the beginning......<br />
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In secret I booked a ticket to Dubai to surprise Wouter on his leaving boat party. He had NO clue. Everybody who was going to his boat party knew I was coming and I had a few partner in crimes who helped me (Beth, Amber and Estelle). Beth told Wouter her friend Tammy was coming, which was me, Amber went on the boat first and told Wouter to turn around and close his eyes, where Estelle and I came on board with the biggest suitcase you can image, and yes of course I went in that suitcase to then jump out of it 10 seconds later. He had no clue I few all the way to Dubai to surprise him, but man I am so happy I did. The look on his face was priceless!!!! We had an amazing boat party with lovely weather and the following days I went everywhere he went, as you do.<br />
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Thursday was the boat party, Friday we did a brunch and then afterwards I went to Blue Marlin, Saturday I was hangover as hell and that night we went to Mr. Miyagi's (again eating and drinking), on Sunday I went to Sho Cho's (typical Emirates place all crew go on a sunday night), and on Monday, Wouter's last night in Dubai, we did an evening brunch at Asia de Cuba, again with bubbles. As you can imagine, drinking 5 days in a row wasn't my cup of tea anymore, didn't train that much in Amsterdam. Okay, I also did see some other friends that didn't involve drinking, met beautiful Atlas boy from my dear friend Edgar and Annelien and went for lunch with Ays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R32QvvvGLv81LsBK81JFoz9ZaDD1D8GOt-rcnpOCjUzqUA52U4Tw2gTOpZVWt34C1TVWZDp5ceKY6myc0AoYpB6sDZmfEdDwcMU8m4B2YEMbWyOqL4wsgaorf363GVo4bqxOmDIjhAA/s1600/IMG_3097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R32QvvvGLv81LsBK81JFoz9ZaDD1D8GOt-rcnpOCjUzqUA52U4Tw2gTOpZVWt34C1TVWZDp5ceKY6myc0AoYpB6sDZmfEdDwcMU8m4B2YEMbWyOqL4wsgaorf363GVo4bqxOmDIjhAA/s320/IMG_3097.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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Since I was already in Dubai I figured, where else can I go.... How about the Seychelles? Only a 4 hour flight from Dubai. After such busy days I couldn't wait for some Me, Myself and I time. Just go to the beach and read a book or 5. So there I went, off to the Seychelles by myself.<br />
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I had the best time all alone, haha yes people you can enjoy a holiday by yourself. I even believe that everybody should go on a holiday just by themselves. Just thinking what YOU want to do, and just chill, that's all I needed and did. In total I went to the Seychelles for "only" 5 days, which was enough, because besides the most amazing beaches there is not that much to do. I read a book a day, went to many different beautiful beaches and didn't eat that much. First the food is really expensive and second there weren't really nice restaurants either, bummer...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTKaBxVtOpdFPCyWAEshxfQrstb6sRhjVrxiDlOzuQ5vEuGYJoNnWjG0KplrFRXSFGR_wHPhL-ji0lTMMAU4Jjcswszy7TY9DUpxndOygb6Rn6wkP_LzRp1j98M75Rm4VVnP8qB5Rxgc/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f05a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTKaBxVtOpdFPCyWAEshxfQrstb6sRhjVrxiDlOzuQ5vEuGYJoNnWjG0KplrFRXSFGR_wHPhL-ji0lTMMAU4Jjcswszy7TY9DUpxndOygb6Rn6wkP_LzRp1j98M75Rm4VVnP8qB5Rxgc/s320/fullsizeoutput_f05a.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Anse Keran</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7SslfZ2xGYn6BWmbc85O3dY3pTf8DOlKIPH5vFIQD9hWZf29xYYBhzMReDiWpQqr5b7q0eUyHoq7cv0C2TaYn8vbOxyHebZK7oGem1rMhIna_8OrWt4YRL0VVg9U_93Qcy6UavJGAiE/s1600/cac4ad03-a2c1-45f3-9643-545a47c69418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7SslfZ2xGYn6BWmbc85O3dY3pTf8DOlKIPH5vFIQD9hWZf29xYYBhzMReDiWpQqr5b7q0eUyHoq7cv0C2TaYn8vbOxyHebZK7oGem1rMhIna_8OrWt4YRL0VVg9U_93Qcy6UavJGAiE/s320/cac4ad03-a2c1-45f3-9643-545a47c69418.jpg" width="213" /></a>Anse Georgette</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYndEWeq-K4A_OBXfLyA_B9p5Ie_LqF4liqhMjaS1B9Uf8KkO0g4qZpzjrcxhI8V4ldwk4fQwm6StRff1Jp9NJlySXEzsFZAIdwI6Cy6UKbUw_qslEzvPg3NOOfrxleHaIEUeTtUlXkyI/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f058.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYndEWeq-K4A_OBXfLyA_B9p5Ie_LqF4liqhMjaS1B9Uf8KkO0g4qZpzjrcxhI8V4ldwk4fQwm6StRff1Jp9NJlySXEzsFZAIdwI6Cy6UKbUw_qslEzvPg3NOOfrxleHaIEUeTtUlXkyI/s320/fullsizeoutput_f058.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Anse Source d'Argent</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dmp0ufnOY8KOL1TvimJ-p0fhOo-GrrrYor_h3jBx4I5HMa0zSaHGxhvQaiDh_b3hwRK73Syva1ozPo_QvVHwclPKaquZom6O1J6b-ZYOhY929sNzGZ6EWkvbYH5wEAI8Eer5fFMh8Ac/s1600/IMG_3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dmp0ufnOY8KOL1TvimJ-p0fhOo-GrrrYor_h3jBx4I5HMa0zSaHGxhvQaiDh_b3hwRK73Syva1ozPo_QvVHwclPKaquZom6O1J6b-ZYOhY929sNzGZ6EWkvbYH5wEAI8Eer5fFMh8Ac/s320/IMG_3721.JPG" width="320" /></a>Anse Cocos</div>
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Honestly photos don't do justice for these beautiful beaches. One day I will be back, but with a lover, because let's be honest there's only couples (honeymooners) in the Seychelles. I went 2 nights to Praslin Island, which is an hour ferry ride from the mainland Mahe, then I took another ferry to La Digue (15 min) where I stayed another 2 nights. La Digue was the best if you ask me. You can just bike around and go from beach to beach. One beach is even more beautiful than the other. The second last day in La Digue I was the first person to arrive at Anse Cocos, since it is a little hike from the bigger beach called Anse Grande. I can see you all wonder how did I manage so many photos with me in it while I'am traveling by myself. Well, first, very happy because of 'self-timer' and second not having the shame to ask people if they can take a photo of you. A few people even took photos of me without asking and then they approached me to give my email so they can send the photos, well THANK YOUUUUU! </div>
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On my way back to Amsterdam I had another stop in Dubai of 2 days, just to see the people that I didn't see the first few days. While landing back in Dubai I did realize that that place used to be my home for more then 4 years, but with all my heart I had an amazing time, but now my heart lays in Amsterdam. </div>
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Two weeks holiday was enough to get excited again to go back home to our amazing apartment (living together with my friend Hanneke), my bike, my nephew Mats, and of course Amsterdam. Gosh, I love that city more and more every day! Yes that's news as well, I am officially an auntie, my brother and sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby boy called Mats on the 18th of January, and he is the cutest ever!!!!! </div>
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I finished my work at the Heineken Experience, had the best time there and met the most amazing people, whom I will hopefully keep seeing in the future. But now I can tell it to everyone, I have started my training with KLM, the Royal Dutch Airline. Blue is the new black!! This is me with my friend Nienke who's in my training group. Week 1 is done, passed the first tests and 3 more weeks to go. Yes it is different then EK, but in a dutch way is better to say it, and besides, blue looks better on my as well! Can't wait to start flying again and travel the world!! Waited so long for this moment to arrive and now it's finally reality! </div>
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Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-44696737459195090242018-12-23T14:30:00.001-08:002018-12-23T14:30:57.455-08:002018 Recap<div>
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. </div>
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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!! </div>
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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. </div>
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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. </div>
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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"</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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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. </div>
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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! </div>
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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......</div>
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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! </div>
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Merry Christmas everyone and the best wishes for a wonderful 2019!</div>
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That all your dreams may come true <3 </div>
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#dropthemic</div>
Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-66830781242727231762018-09-29T13:13:00.002-07:002018-09-29T13:13:33.953-07:00From 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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...</div>
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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. </div>
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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. </div>
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It was a funny sunglasses party so everybody has to wear sunnies, which was fun. </div>
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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! </div>
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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! </div>
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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. </div>
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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.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOL8JacLHq219O5wfuRm07pkCfzF6RNBWKPcHlYUoH-8dybIb_Du_1FuiV45RG4V4wWijhdbhlgkAFVGBKcOAaZoDoM1y68jYJtEApg5yKXH_C0lLA9H_7oUMtyJ8Y6kueqFlXZfyTLk/s1600/ZBC6UIlkSyCfmuxnMxCG9A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOL8JacLHq219O5wfuRm07pkCfzF6RNBWKPcHlYUoH-8dybIb_Du_1FuiV45RG4V4wWijhdbhlgkAFVGBKcOAaZoDoM1y68jYJtEApg5yKXH_C0lLA9H_7oUMtyJ8Y6kueqFlXZfyTLk/s320/ZBC6UIlkSyCfmuxnMxCG9A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5rWnQbpsvvBVEcbaal9fMdGPHQQYmRn6PaUhxthRZ2-1xwaaTG1MwWfz0sieMficF3q6iRnGEAWeyX4iWAKui1kSSAgtkg3YKsIVCjhTk5dVlB_1ReJ27TyuBib9Q968Jax-x-Qdfsk/s1600/iyCKCZWCSbKWBGrkh7MPNA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5rWnQbpsvvBVEcbaal9fMdGPHQQYmRn6PaUhxthRZ2-1xwaaTG1MwWfz0sieMficF3q6iRnGEAWeyX4iWAKui1kSSAgtkg3YKsIVCjhTk5dVlB_1ReJ27TyuBib9Q968Jax-x-Qdfsk/s320/iyCKCZWCSbKWBGrkh7MPNA.jpg" width="240" /></a>THE Cloudy Bay winery</div>
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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! </div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPORDQP-cMVREEll2FdAsk11iGjY9T_nm_BUGaZdA_ucujoFpAl_9V9v-NXsDG4TM1rTitwY92ycjtCYyVyXB6-nK9Ijn7AiXWfAgV1w-srtqYUwiIqz9w9ci-N8fPC5N0eg3HQ7yaCik/s1600/dFtmBFoIRoGNHq%252BoZLtUVA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPORDQP-cMVREEll2FdAsk11iGjY9T_nm_BUGaZdA_ucujoFpAl_9V9v-NXsDG4TM1rTitwY92ycjtCYyVyXB6-nK9Ijn7AiXWfAgV1w-srtqYUwiIqz9w9ci-N8fPC5N0eg3HQ7yaCik/s320/dFtmBFoIRoGNHq%252BoZLtUVA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSwaAvaIo90huksCp8zTvAZdfhEcPADsgRodNl537brFv1w4K3CCJJoDvzeF2g85nVOv3HMNaTVnA8mzR7fi930dKGXrPpOQsqxfhejuq5CM2dGriOmP8SAzcKiIB98MsqsTpEiVdx2g/s1600/EAMnbrV%252BQiihiMjTX211Ag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSwaAvaIo90huksCp8zTvAZdfhEcPADsgRodNl537brFv1w4K3CCJJoDvzeF2g85nVOv3HMNaTVnA8mzR7fi930dKGXrPpOQsqxfhejuq5CM2dGriOmP8SAzcKiIB98MsqsTpEiVdx2g/s320/EAMnbrV%252BQiihiMjTX211Ag.jpg" width="320" /></a>no words needed right? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZs0ZZaRDy0K1fSTLFesupVy7IVqzdd-rkvSvT9Q4WFrkB397IsdIk6GD4p648k0FkMV7wH2ECoQlquU6YlLakeombfgAHU0SsTYEZZS6jTh5vOew9h25fjcAMcrkxThGUAdaXSLYNcI/s1600/tKq95%2525xmRy6O3MPwXr22kA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZs0ZZaRDy0K1fSTLFesupVy7IVqzdd-rkvSvT9Q4WFrkB397IsdIk6GD4p648k0FkMV7wH2ECoQlquU6YlLakeombfgAHU0SsTYEZZS6jTh5vOew9h25fjcAMcrkxThGUAdaXSLYNcI/s320/tKq95%2525xmRy6O3MPwXr22kA.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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)</div>
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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9x3cU0q5EdYvt_X68G6AZzQfyg4PC3wr2c9yoVwgWVNoSFEKdt_m6GcclP-Xe1BaqrIybJqBAuvNE5rtD8NDLpeSyTo3vqUJsYqj9zTxH5eVY5_Rvxc2XhQDGHs1hEhq6GTJDxFBiTM/s1600/OfTYcMuwSlynQ0EowKHIow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9x3cU0q5EdYvt_X68G6AZzQfyg4PC3wr2c9yoVwgWVNoSFEKdt_m6GcclP-Xe1BaqrIybJqBAuvNE5rtD8NDLpeSyTo3vqUJsYqj9zTxH5eVY5_Rvxc2XhQDGHs1hEhq6GTJDxFBiTM/s320/OfTYcMuwSlynQ0EowKHIow.jpg" width="240" /></a>Water as blue as you can imagine</div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb7x4F4aNx2S1uDKmoHoqtidWFJUN_JNaB1UQ5LfnW9VYSHlwjUL0LttSgALz-9gNMAtxl-WPFXliW7SQDMFisFYIjXoCdt7YlXJYJNPbo1qxjbzCv734QH4JZMtsaCaOuhvn69CVON8/s1600/%2525Wb4rHc9TXOwW%2525BXseVIEA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb7x4F4aNx2S1uDKmoHoqtidWFJUN_JNaB1UQ5LfnW9VYSHlwjUL0LttSgALz-9gNMAtxl-WPFXliW7SQDMFisFYIjXoCdt7YlXJYJNPbo1qxjbzCv734QH4JZMtsaCaOuhvn69CVON8/s320/%2525Wb4rHc9TXOwW%2525BXseVIEA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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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.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OrC2TLPl48QfyRXuyU2kUqlcbQmYwSXuqGMXdO2_xWzmDBMwoluOjDRNci7HdwffchHC0zuhwLFj4msFzOCC0A5xMvr54bd8CBdmQSRnqsyycubeFYKOayezP7veWZVT6pZYRsmcAoo/s1600/8a0sT0ikQxi5XqY31k6hhw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OrC2TLPl48QfyRXuyU2kUqlcbQmYwSXuqGMXdO2_xWzmDBMwoluOjDRNci7HdwffchHC0zuhwLFj4msFzOCC0A5xMvr54bd8CBdmQSRnqsyycubeFYKOayezP7veWZVT6pZYRsmcAoo/s320/8a0sT0ikQxi5XqY31k6hhw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-wCDqR27tF2j6tv9iTsrrKPloCYrJOfb_k4WIpO6lmpaxKBeAC6UPp6rtq7xUzUAM98sP1z9g_JFaz53zFPUMWomkCJ8M7ayF9FdKVk4TYMIc_8xnEQsXGavhsiGUDC7Z4KYIdzJSUM/s1600/TtU%252BZDdgRkeqapbZsLqwnw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-wCDqR27tF2j6tv9iTsrrKPloCYrJOfb_k4WIpO6lmpaxKBeAC6UPp6rtq7xUzUAM98sP1z9g_JFaz53zFPUMWomkCJ8M7ayF9FdKVk4TYMIc_8xnEQsXGavhsiGUDC7Z4KYIdzJSUM/s320/TtU%252BZDdgRkeqapbZsLqwnw.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wWtbORtX1IxYN3SZC9te9IuBTEyhCGCy-2gB8839Zb8-w2QXGQjvfVhWAZFG10Eq6ShqxjKGmNgwpQ1cRFxB0smLY9VN8djKaVTZ18RMQs5jwamV-gajtagzoeOOX0KcbpNWVtqsoV8/s1600/NwR8gZf2S0eom%2525v9sAdHew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wWtbORtX1IxYN3SZC9te9IuBTEyhCGCy-2gB8839Zb8-w2QXGQjvfVhWAZFG10Eq6ShqxjKGmNgwpQ1cRFxB0smLY9VN8djKaVTZ18RMQs5jwamV-gajtagzoeOOX0KcbpNWVtqsoV8/s320/NwR8gZf2S0eom%2525v9sAdHew.jpg" width="240" /></a>Queen of the glacier</div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa-l82D1bFpCx-lQvWcV94jK-tpj58Rhl9n3e0gvIsZOfoRpn2Co_8Yh4CA8nplPlKbzWPCiNcwDNYtJOGNIs_i4JdU44UbEHmEWJCHbScjioyf16JKpCIxHM2gJcXvbCJQiqK_GDNy0/s1600/IMG_1134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa-l82D1bFpCx-lQvWcV94jK-tpj58Rhl9n3e0gvIsZOfoRpn2Co_8Yh4CA8nplPlKbzWPCiNcwDNYtJOGNIs_i4JdU44UbEHmEWJCHbScjioyf16JKpCIxHM2gJcXvbCJQiqK_GDNy0/s320/IMG_1134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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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...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTCtFvbHFYE15yFbWUoDednq6NpPYE_ZOn9u689Tj60qpkVglq04XS0EoQRDc3A28p7l5ziMtNGB6NmucRADzSBvvzgIuUDLEBTnGZdGoQarGRIggHPoQTfLEoav0Zye_-XvsWel3i_4/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTCtFvbHFYE15yFbWUoDednq6NpPYE_ZOn9u689Tj60qpkVglq04XS0EoQRDc3A28p7l5ziMtNGB6NmucRADzSBvvzgIuUDLEBTnGZdGoQarGRIggHPoQTfLEoav0Zye_-XvsWel3i_4/s320/IMG_1138.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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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! </div>
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We got a good day... hehe</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxV9RVDsPLdQ-hUp3xv1oeoCw3WYmUq1lf18J27GwD2ZvqDLVdKJbqqRYUiZozgfgU_Zgv0COiOrU4hMWDwN4rysWbtqxgLAsJGqrxXEnqsnjxMc4CzsZwAZUFMC9fffS19XcIk8xYFQ/s1600/YQB5KjC0SbyTvLI3aApyRQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxV9RVDsPLdQ-hUp3xv1oeoCw3WYmUq1lf18J27GwD2ZvqDLVdKJbqqRYUiZozgfgU_Zgv0COiOrU4hMWDwN4rysWbtqxgLAsJGqrxXEnqsnjxMc4CzsZwAZUFMC9fffS19XcIk8xYFQ/s320/YQB5KjC0SbyTvLI3aApyRQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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!!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6GkWIqEYMvPV4lTaxelkoAwEDIb60TJ0RAyG3PiX8u47jIirI2yDjA9liABKkfhjpSMUBMM-v18Y_Be1EVP9bMAl_6teGiO3NvunvK_sb_rHtibwKrCVNdzDoiafIYjAjURYTo6flVQ/s1600/zXjrsRvMRk%252B%252B%252BYXX7f6v%252Bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6GkWIqEYMvPV4lTaxelkoAwEDIb60TJ0RAyG3PiX8u47jIirI2yDjA9liABKkfhjpSMUBMM-v18Y_Be1EVP9bMAl_6teGiO3NvunvK_sb_rHtibwKrCVNdzDoiafIYjAjURYTo6flVQ/s320/zXjrsRvMRk%252B%252B%252BYXX7f6v%252Bg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EZ3FbYl3Pe6aCxttuCrwBqu0vGN7DNOnVatuvgYxW8Dsz2Ze8RNgWePrbt8Bur-gl7VtKQSwku45hLrvAXPdwxxUar6M4bnBKwSGVhuAkYuttIszmoeKeXMPlHzzidz33jAPmWBOzI0/s1600/P1ijKIxoRRqKNNqOahBc8Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EZ3FbYl3Pe6aCxttuCrwBqu0vGN7DNOnVatuvgYxW8Dsz2Ze8RNgWePrbt8Bur-gl7VtKQSwku45hLrvAXPdwxxUar6M4bnBKwSGVhuAkYuttIszmoeKeXMPlHzzidz33jAPmWBOzI0/s320/P1ijKIxoRRqKNNqOahBc8Q.jpg" width="240" /></a>we even saw some penguins, apparently the 3rd rarest in the world! So cuteee!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nbD8czJ9Lt2zkL_NMmb2IzTFHNsp58eGkjldSnO51aTwDS9oWM8EbHxDNGlD6L7fp2mSUqYV5NaE3B7Wm283qVqECsOHP0SMix4aN1xL_rcGxLpQhyOEX0yIqXpY7QcLUFjSLnnGm_4/s1600/2euecnPVQYeue7Ubf6AUmw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nbD8czJ9Lt2zkL_NMmb2IzTFHNsp58eGkjldSnO51aTwDS9oWM8EbHxDNGlD6L7fp2mSUqYV5NaE3B7Wm283qVqECsOHP0SMix4aN1xL_rcGxLpQhyOEX0yIqXpY7QcLUFjSLnnGm_4/s320/2euecnPVQYeue7Ubf6AUmw.jpg" width="320" /></a>is this place even real?</div>
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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.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOwuh3eWVv056Ykrg03k9rHmhK8fQEqGImyb6q5qlf_atVL-BYlyusvCWJvlovTPOvUx9ZcTlu7_UNCO5LbyEk6ilolIYcEGCmTYYuckZ1hVU3S2tanstxZDWg29X-nJdJP4NJyyj7qc/s1600/OvLQGct5SiWir6uiRh9eow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOwuh3eWVv056Ykrg03k9rHmhK8fQEqGImyb6q5qlf_atVL-BYlyusvCWJvlovTPOvUx9ZcTlu7_UNCO5LbyEk6ilolIYcEGCmTYYuckZ1hVU3S2tanstxZDWg29X-nJdJP4NJyyj7qc/s320/OvLQGct5SiWir6uiRh9eow.jpg" width="320" /></a>a bit blurry but you got the point</div>
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One more night in Queenstown before our favorite activity: SKIING and SNOWBOARDING in Cardrona!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGlj61joMo0BH2-Waof3ybF3l_e54O1hUlDGMwFGvKjfTzqHSOX1hOF563w2Vvk5PXDAp328izEJhY45pJAS258MzUeKLvsMxWwJBelZ_HoTwe3yWwD9qREARCS8Po0itcY2Yd_eTk7g/s1600/nDWqSoFYQ7aa8HjDwIuQkQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGlj61joMo0BH2-Waof3ybF3l_e54O1hUlDGMwFGvKjfTzqHSOX1hOF563w2Vvk5PXDAp328izEJhY45pJAS258MzUeKLvsMxWwJBelZ_HoTwe3yWwD9qREARCS8Po0itcY2Yd_eTk7g/s320/nDWqSoFYQ7aa8HjDwIuQkQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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? </div>
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After Cardrona we drove to Lake Pukaki, which has a view over Mount Cook. The water there was just unreal and turquoise! </div>
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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. </div>
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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! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PY6XHafNKU5FUjjCZlYj9ol3uQ191xCQ-xGXkZqinFtRUQuvWaAWQQ26xgi9NcTzk2aCLwHRk15RErKoPOObPH69PEu87E-bXW8GO7hfdi7kbpA9W0AIr1564cetdbeH5DTvNquAC_Y/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PY6XHafNKU5FUjjCZlYj9ol3uQ191xCQ-xGXkZqinFtRUQuvWaAWQQ26xgi9NcTzk2aCLwHRk15RErKoPOObPH69PEu87E-bXW8GO7hfdi7kbpA9W0AIr1564cetdbeH5DTvNquAC_Y/s320/IMG_1057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiWNX6ETMEcfIYX2EhvVLZmEF-2cPoc8w0wijAvVy95upttyrqpBWDeBmhl630YiZ1ZbPpW-Jlgmv9QIsrQ9Sw3oQQlLCdV6LMNGbde-NnAD_C9kSvX9Qc_hnDKC63Husbx_g6QsZjho/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiWNX6ETMEcfIYX2EhvVLZmEF-2cPoc8w0wijAvVy95upttyrqpBWDeBmhl630YiZ1ZbPpW-Jlgmv9QIsrQ9Sw3oQQlLCdV6LMNGbde-NnAD_C9kSvX9Qc_hnDKC63Husbx_g6QsZjho/s320/IMG_1081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4eF5_0t2VOPyLaT36c4BTh7l0iyeiAgMxgwEKRBBgaYNFqOZYWNUTWdd2O6MTdl3kbqg2810pkyzsBCT7xk4IQVKp90EhQ9Sks2dkJKOS9XEgam2hvk5qw8uptVn3p0cnQfeg9ts49Q/s1600/EgEkzEbXQL29xRnxhaTGcA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4eF5_0t2VOPyLaT36c4BTh7l0iyeiAgMxgwEKRBBgaYNFqOZYWNUTWdd2O6MTdl3kbqg2810pkyzsBCT7xk4IQVKp90EhQ9Sks2dkJKOS9XEgam2hvk5qw8uptVn3p0cnQfeg9ts49Q/s320/EgEkzEbXQL29xRnxhaTGcA.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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! </div>
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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. </div>
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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! </div>
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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.</div>
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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! </div>
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-9933173176980635892018-08-29T13:23:00.002-07:002018-08-29T13:23:31.459-07:00Sleeping 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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3ED2210E8kQOK14wwGfNSmtWxzn01KjBHG2otFuQGODabmrVmyJ4FGRpt6G_aBT_eZPFPJnPl84mWcK0pcuGuicX7oked_uw4txv6oz8XRJUq9isO9-dhh83zZeGczWPeqmmFlv9TZ0/s1600/IMG_3097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3ED2210E8kQOK14wwGfNSmtWxzn01KjBHG2otFuQGODabmrVmyJ4FGRpt6G_aBT_eZPFPJnPl84mWcK0pcuGuicX7oked_uw4txv6oz8XRJUq9isO9-dhh83zZeGczWPeqmmFlv9TZ0/s320/IMG_3097.JPG" width="320" /></a>With Esmee and Valerie in Amsterdam </div>
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwAaLhLjrPwcPJdeLjUZ3icHPelpxAS9dFbZN7G6TeHftEkUpQ6Zna4sU8_6vFugrDmH0w3dIuzhg3HePVcIwVIRR3S0tWhbuWMwvyr8dw6VZNfxmePEnmXCvfakVusWXLORHqudGwDU/s1600/IMG_3096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwAaLhLjrPwcPJdeLjUZ3icHPelpxAS9dFbZN7G6TeHftEkUpQ6Zna4sU8_6vFugrDmH0w3dIuzhg3HePVcIwVIRR3S0tWhbuWMwvyr8dw6VZNfxmePEnmXCvfakVusWXLORHqudGwDU/s320/IMG_3096.JPG" width="320" /></a>With the four musketiers!</div>
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXHfh28fvpAqb-42ntkSBRZx7TxUNQbXlhDJJ35A2KqXjiZ3iOX2rgN7ojGSZZsEYISK71icuGabjwOsCckHUtp44DmC_ZuHR8aDWNtki8sUJQGTzAzCHVDTDzFpwyMDzcyMUvUgBxAA/s1600/2a1bf937-4de9-48b5-9f5c-8ddeb654089d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1280" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXHfh28fvpAqb-42ntkSBRZx7TxUNQbXlhDJJ35A2KqXjiZ3iOX2rgN7ojGSZZsEYISK71icuGabjwOsCckHUtp44DmC_ZuHR8aDWNtki8sUJQGTzAzCHVDTDzFpwyMDzcyMUvUgBxAA/s320/2a1bf937-4de9-48b5-9f5c-8ddeb654089d.jpg" width="320" /></a>Dubai family at TML</div>
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK6WaeTG2W1du5YLM951tZNP42jxs1Vb7Fpt0dcAKskyeyguJmJUfBzKDLdjfSknjgWjayDisbTDgin3JLlYzk-ZTovcmN6FuxcdjiDsN_p2gRfRZzrADqk2I4d9RrK3G0od53pB5OOQ/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK6WaeTG2W1du5YLM951tZNP42jxs1Vb7Fpt0dcAKskyeyguJmJUfBzKDLdjfSknjgWjayDisbTDgin3JLlYzk-ZTovcmN6FuxcdjiDsN_p2gRfRZzrADqk2I4d9RrK3G0od53pB5OOQ/s320/IMG_3708.JPG" width="320" /></a>Party people at Lowlands</div>
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Tomorrowland (X)<br />
Lowlands (X)<br />
Mysteryland ( ) 25th of August<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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Life is good people, as long as you don't forget to enjoy it to the fullest as well! <3<br />
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-56994505231760863122018-07-05T01:15:00.001-07:002018-07-05T01:17:05.911-07:00Last days in DubaiWow, 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.<br />
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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.....).<br />
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.<br />
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<br />
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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!<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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! <br />
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-54336322103512524272018-06-05T12:01:00.000-07:002018-06-05T12:04:51.072-07:00Final month in DubaiThis 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).<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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...<br />
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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.<br />
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I will end this blog with my number one motto by famous writer Mark Twain;<br />
"In 20 years from now, you regret more the things you didn't do then the things you did do."<br />
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-29856727560052171832018-04-22T02:05:00.004-07:002018-04-22T02:05:58.248-07:00First 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...<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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...<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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<br />
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<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-87331586057456502522018-01-02T06:41:00.000-08:002018-01-02T06:41:05.154-08:00Happy New Year Everyone! Normally I write a blog at the end of the year, but I have been so busy lately that I have to do this on the 2nd of January. First of all, happy new year everyone! Hope you all recovered already from the new years celebration. I started my year sober! Well that's a first I can see you thinking, but I had to be at work at 5am so no champagne for me. I invited myself to one of my friends house to celebrate with the belgium maffia. The view was amazing, we were very close to the Burj Khalifa and could look all the way to the palm and marina. In downtown they held a light show, of about 1.5 minute and I can tell you this, it was not up to standards... Good thing was that we could see the fireworks from the marina and palm. Then it was time for me to go home, sleep a few hours and then fly up to Jeddah and back. Not the best flight you can have on the first of January, but all those years I didn't have to fly on Christmas day or New Years Eve, so this year it was my turn. <br />
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Before I go on with my new years resolutions I want to tell a story of one of my best nights out here. At the beginning of November there was the Sensation White party. The day before I was in Amsterdam and getting back to the desert as a passenger. While I was waiting to board the plane Ryan Marciano and Sunnery James showed up at the gate, for the non Dutch people, these are 2 DJ's from the Netherlands and pretty famous and hot, just saying. I met them 3 years ago in Croatia when I did yacht week and then a few times when they were playing here.. But Sunnery looks me in the eyes and he actually recognizes me and he goes, eeeeeey how are you? So as we Dutch do, I stood up and gave him a hug and 3 kisses, and we had a small conversation about Sensation White the next day, so he walks off and I go, see you tomorrowww! haha, a few people at the boarding gate looked at me and thought WHO are YOU? Back in the desert I pass by them and we greet each other and say see you tonight!! Obviously it was sensation WHITE so we all had to wear white! The dutch maffia was ready, I was together with Valerie, Selma, and ofcourse Koen was there (he organized a table for us). Once we got to the Meydan hotel, where they were hosting Sensation we had this amazing VIP table and a very good view on the stage. We were with 15 people and a few girls as well. There was a table more up to the front with only dutch guys and they wanted us girls to come to their table, but we stayed, so then they all come to our table. Turns out, the people on the other table were the other DJ's and the people who organize the whole event, all dutch. From a table with 15 we suddenly had about 35 people standing with us, mostly dutch, and we had so much fun! The music was amazing, the people were dutch and down to earth and just wanting to have a good time! At one point we all took our heels off and went dancing on the couches, one of those happy moments! Later Sunnery and Ryan were performing and afterwards they came to our table! Sunnery sees me dancing on the couch and he gives me a big smile and a hug and he even says good to see you girl! Then he goes telling the other guys on the table how a great person I am, haha his words, not mine :P but still felt good to have somebody who travels the world and meets so many different people on so many parties remembers this small town girl and is genuinely happy to see me! We danced the night away and when the party finished at 3am we still had so much alcohol to drink so we stayed for another 1.5 hour just with our table while the rest was already cleaning up the mess from the night. Then it was time for an afterparty, obviously, haha! There were still a few closed Coca Cola cans on the table so I thought why not take them to the afterparty, somebody paid for those.... So there I go with 7 coca cola cans in my bag to the afterparty at the Meydan hotel, Sunnery sees my bag and he goes, can you be even more dutch then that xD haha! Oh well, many people actually did want a coca cola later. Enough about the coca cola, it was such a good night that I will still think about for a long time! Good thing we still have the photos as proof that it actually happend! We made it to the official instagram page of Sensation White. Goals in life right xD<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKwiPKwbQSTNTftEiEMLmIrHi7TKB9EHWb7nfWXs76RfdjP_9tTWMGa3veSSiWW96PGjuTEE2yJg55BvgDS5-HtWYkC03wgmmTTx_sHqsg-0UtOVSJLZGVurHxw3F52esEre8OflqBlQ/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKwiPKwbQSTNTftEiEMLmIrHi7TKB9EHWb7nfWXs76RfdjP_9tTWMGa3veSSiWW96PGjuTEE2yJg55BvgDS5-HtWYkC03wgmmTTx_sHqsg-0UtOVSJLZGVurHxw3F52esEre8OflqBlQ/s320/IMG_3391.JPG" width="320" /></a>The group and vodka!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXmW7O6YBz1OeqWkLNrqYaCpQF_YPR2yd_vnbGhDlp_eCqb7X8eElr3i2H8EcZNPQXq0nMuekWXUFP9vVTxPe6GuYbeQi3xhbenTpBqF0q67ZfaZX2q_Tw3bzLT5Nudgfy48fXB_AH9o/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXmW7O6YBz1OeqWkLNrqYaCpQF_YPR2yd_vnbGhDlp_eCqb7X8eElr3i2H8EcZNPQXq0nMuekWXUFP9vVTxPe6GuYbeQi3xhbenTpBqF0q67ZfaZX2q_Tw3bzLT5Nudgfy48fXB_AH9o/s320/IMG_3370.JPG" width="320" /></a>Sunnery!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpFjEeLHig3fPJKVy5KwakRpAiNKtqHYSN7S676h_rSSscSTBezgDOKrslSsomD5zZhX4T5oTXRrlOw8HG3hdNxklwkdHZRY12auttt1K0wBduIAcGkNj5XI8k9bEshOTH4A8NgMOpss/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpFjEeLHig3fPJKVy5KwakRpAiNKtqHYSN7S676h_rSSscSTBezgDOKrslSsomD5zZhX4T5oTXRrlOw8HG3hdNxklwkdHZRY12auttt1K0wBduIAcGkNj5XI8k9bEshOTH4A8NgMOpss/s320/IMG_3398.JPG" width="320" /></a>Girls <3</div>
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November was an amazing month for me, roster wise I didn't have one. I was on reserve from the 11th till the 10th of december. Which means no roster and basically a whole month on standby. You take over the flights that people call sick for, so you don't know where you will be the next day. First my dear friend Manon came over with her boyfriend Paul to stay with me for 2 nights before they headed down to Thailand for a month. I showed them some nice spots and they loved it. Then my oldest brother and his wife came and for the first days they stayed with me and then they went to Abu Dhabi, in between I went to New York and Paris. While I was in a shopping mall in Paris I ran into Akon... I was in a shop and I see this guy talking to 2 people, and my brain goes, I recognize him from somewhere, but where.... Then I went to pay for my dress and I asked the girl and she confirmed that it was Akon. It's not every day you walk into a shop and Akon is just chilling there, did explain the reason why they were playing his music haha. So took a photo with him and then went back to the hotel, very randomly. Once back in the desert my other brother and his wife were coming over and other friends Jill and Luco were coming from their trip in Indonesia, staying with me another 2 days before heading back to Amsterdam. I had all my brothers and sisters over, so happy! On Friday we all went to brunch, with about 30 people! And it was such a good day, and ended up with macdonalds delivery. To end the month november even better my mom and dad had a stopover as well. They spend 2 weeks in South Africa before heading back to Amsterdam they came to see me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WVhWcyHq4ZhOUhZAk6SAzOgUSwhhAX9-wPjxhANlM3XhZ3eYvsf8esKBDP3cFK-FdLBMh9Q4beDnDrSQGaa2kt8ToNCTaTavF6Cn88t9z0hc2uvKLga_mAPVckTZ2UGalijiaocb5K8/s1600/IMG_3539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WVhWcyHq4ZhOUhZAk6SAzOgUSwhhAX9-wPjxhANlM3XhZ3eYvsf8esKBDP3cFK-FdLBMh9Q4beDnDrSQGaa2kt8ToNCTaTavF6Cn88t9z0hc2uvKLga_mAPVckTZ2UGalijiaocb5K8/s320/IMG_3539.JPG" width="256" /></a>Manon and I </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ODlMKX-faFEGrO2235Ar1N8oGTaqWmWsZfucxwfhvlyyhisDl2PTlIBCVGi-5IvtNZH_m2oaJNX6laZapFmiwYuBxUVd3Ax6LcMbFMbFP87myoSeFtf4L9dk5N7DnNYlVfKHgvA-HTI/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ODlMKX-faFEGrO2235Ar1N8oGTaqWmWsZfucxwfhvlyyhisDl2PTlIBCVGi-5IvtNZH_m2oaJNX6laZapFmiwYuBxUVd3Ax6LcMbFMbFP87myoSeFtf4L9dk5N7DnNYlVfKHgvA-HTI/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" width="320" /></a>Tim, me, Saskia, Nien and Martijn</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zMsWwc8wk2ClVqYzNXpqW9Neb-nQsgk5Rw9V27WZOwoHkrS9p9Hu_Xgp1LYKS2Pu1iHR_50UebfA1fGxn5QxJlvoMPBlBSzWItA2amKwnIGewbBtlMepuxV7QNZvlAZGVFOqLXaE2iY/s1600/IMG_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zMsWwc8wk2ClVqYzNXpqW9Neb-nQsgk5Rw9V27WZOwoHkrS9p9Hu_Xgp1LYKS2Pu1iHR_50UebfA1fGxn5QxJlvoMPBlBSzWItA2amKwnIGewbBtlMepuxV7QNZvlAZGVFOqLXaE2iY/s320/IMG_3678.JPG" width="320" /></a>Brunch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnIuKvyupOwC2cpW0xUzsHkCcVDDrzNKRdCTfz5-iCPoDLgnvWrR2TrLBtatLzKV2n2geZOYAw6p4wicqGp3iIvBsH6pAD9a8uz-XyVKqaaxQwdvDl_2rl-pwDZmuqK0SpeVwGfAgNro/s1600/IMG_4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnIuKvyupOwC2cpW0xUzsHkCcVDDrzNKRdCTfz5-iCPoDLgnvWrR2TrLBtatLzKV2n2geZOYAw6p4wicqGp3iIvBsH6pAD9a8uz-XyVKqaaxQwdvDl_2rl-pwDZmuqK0SpeVwGfAgNro/s320/IMG_4251.JPG" width="240" /></a>Dinner with mom and dad</div>
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That night I was on standby and I got called to do Brisbane Auckland trip. Which is a very good trip since I get to see my birthday buddy Maki, but it meant that I wouldn't see mom and dad anymore before they were heading back to Amsterdam. Fortunately I had the days off when my brothers and sisters were here, but shame I couldn't see them for that long. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXVY414uV_eLKwhMD9XDLhipNZbS6g0K-teUMAAEKZxPxsrUMEZChnxFL2Stekcib7Er1dQWU3vkvcxm0LENJM1U4HWOJtH704x1R8WlzN3Zg5hhCAXhFq84A9r3os8PUB90fHbjxIeU/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXVY414uV_eLKwhMD9XDLhipNZbS6g0K-teUMAAEKZxPxsrUMEZChnxFL2Stekcib7Er1dQWU3vkvcxm0LENJM1U4HWOJtH704x1R8WlzN3Zg5hhCAXhFq84A9r3os8PUB90fHbjxIeU/s320/IMG_3745.JPG" width="320" /></a>Maki and I visited a Japanese exhibition!</div>
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While I was away Wouter went to see mom and dad and had dinner with them, how sweet!! </div>
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A few days later it was december, the month of Christmas and new years eve! Last year Alex (one of wouters best friends hosted a christmas dinner, but not on christmas day), so this year I was invited again for his amazing christmas dinner and I made a christmas tree of my hair haha! If there would have been a contest I would have definitely won!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnCT7euPhsIgr0iYsBTXwyYCFae2kA_1qo9tjtpmZW7Od1qd0M1khYYiO2QkzZtDf6ulyyOJNzQOwWZS6pyMc0IUCH6aES_QPLfDhfKEvP1VgkUuL2yMGvo0tzwBQDjcICicSlhtokeI/s1600/IMG_4790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnCT7euPhsIgr0iYsBTXwyYCFae2kA_1qo9tjtpmZW7Od1qd0M1khYYiO2QkzZtDf6ulyyOJNzQOwWZS6pyMc0IUCH6aES_QPLfDhfKEvP1VgkUuL2yMGvo0tzwBQDjcICicSlhtokeI/s320/IMG_4790.JPG" width="239" /></a>our annual Christmas tree hug and photo</div>
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Then I got a few days off and went to the Netherlands, and it was snowing, it was so beautiful! Made me miss my beautiful country a bit more then normal... And I managed to see my dear friends Marissa and Hanneke. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoBBwsyhQxVao6jPsQ2SN-db1Zs8-PllzDMAd8Aa4lIEAHk9LpShKivNTiGn-PHAVtlEl41r_2DFPDZiGGFwzVe18SB6LEfVAeGvOQnSkT9CK6_zJhOrMBCTCGlWyGqPkIsLGwYXc9Z4/s1600/IMG_4457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoBBwsyhQxVao6jPsQ2SN-db1Zs8-PllzDMAd8Aa4lIEAHk9LpShKivNTiGn-PHAVtlEl41r_2DFPDZiGGFwzVe18SB6LEfVAeGvOQnSkT9CK6_zJhOrMBCTCGlWyGqPkIsLGwYXc9Z4/s320/IMG_4457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Managed to go to a new destination as well, CHICAGO!! Had to take the obvious photo in front of the Chicago Bean.. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk1PKxQTZ7HPn3rVLtp4WPy_G3l9Qt-6OuGR0WrrTprsffggjb5jWZDC3OHrvoGSZjwvCXG5Ft3fuLM0d1RKP6EwV864m-MPHB-Kzfgnsdd2iKh5zkMXtoq9FR16hg1HfgwXGFck3Nk0/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk1PKxQTZ7HPn3rVLtp4WPy_G3l9Qt-6OuGR0WrrTprsffggjb5jWZDC3OHrvoGSZjwvCXG5Ft3fuLM0d1RKP6EwV864m-MPHB-Kzfgnsdd2iKh5zkMXtoq9FR16hg1HfgwXGFck3Nk0/s320/IMG_4572.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhFWghNramuJ9yKi9w2dCQwxNISSJaC1xlcUrHm5HRghEx9TACOiaMk_H2iAzhwFwgkKMfS0jj3AKx1CAUSfQxHkCNI6wIxE9AaXwb7yHQS4ehsYSovUqFlF4fc_dXXVvf83D6xmhyphenhyphenZs/s1600/IMG_4726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhFWghNramuJ9yKi9w2dCQwxNISSJaC1xlcUrHm5HRghEx9TACOiaMk_H2iAzhwFwgkKMfS0jj3AKx1CAUSfQxHkCNI6wIxE9AaXwb7yHQS4ehsYSovUqFlF4fc_dXXVvf83D6xmhyphenhyphenZs/s320/IMG_4726.JPG" width="240" /></a>Jaclyn, Gareth and me at Ladies Night</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpEMsFjXFTQM5f1ROnp5juqZhyvPh4Ax1FitFwB9gGQ0NhgoeMPV1Pjd_xpwzwnC9T-uqKjPFYvTy4PRhRIMrQlqDj8wX1KhYzlakA0hcLspp74usZ65m6CNUhknKPdZDheVdm992nCg/s1600/IMG_4696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpEMsFjXFTQM5f1ROnp5juqZhyvPh4Ax1FitFwB9gGQ0NhgoeMPV1Pjd_xpwzwnC9T-uqKjPFYvTy4PRhRIMrQlqDj8wX1KhYzlakA0hcLspp74usZ65m6CNUhknKPdZDheVdm992nCg/s320/IMG_4696.JPG" width="320" /></a>Dinner date</div>
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November and December are the months that I went out for dinner the most, and had so much fun. Surrounded by amazing people, who can say no to that?! </div>
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Christmas day was dinner at my place, Paula my roommate got a day off at the end so she joined together with Ruth, Suzanne, Abbie, and only lucky guy Kenneth. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh573wrRSJsJlUIng3PiwwYQ0Px238b0CcJFbCNEBCnI7G66g5g412HeCgHdUeJs5q2NuckTrKHOEiWWlkKEQmAAHsaNFt5A1PRStgzHVj4C2uSlm-0FHOxu3IQ34KR8cnmTF_34OY5mOY/s1600/IMG_5007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh573wrRSJsJlUIng3PiwwYQ0Px238b0CcJFbCNEBCnI7G66g5g412HeCgHdUeJs5q2NuckTrKHOEiWWlkKEQmAAHsaNFt5A1PRStgzHVj4C2uSlm-0FHOxu3IQ34KR8cnmTF_34OY5mOY/s320/IMG_5007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgdSu8LX6rKuA8iR5qfJ_O3svrlG6I9bwM_DpGRVCaHgrMwrPkvLw-JafPp1LfJ4NH9T5tgvWcS4zZAzLZPCi6_6xSs3eJZWd41RNRrb5SHSE2I1upaTpvr5Kj3OHm-8WyDEACgj8CMk/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgdSu8LX6rKuA8iR5qfJ_O3svrlG6I9bwM_DpGRVCaHgrMwrPkvLw-JafPp1LfJ4NH9T5tgvWcS4zZAzLZPCi6_6xSs3eJZWd41RNRrb5SHSE2I1upaTpvr5Kj3OHm-8WyDEACgj8CMk/s320/IMG_4977.JPG" width="320" /></a>Merry Christmas from 3604!</div>
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Didn't manage to see my family on christmas day or boxing day, BUT I did see them on 3rd christmas day, which doesn't exist but this year it did! I got an Amsterdam flight!! And we went to my favorite restaurant, where they obviously have SPARE RIBS!! woehoeee </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_djiYfCxJoAUzhyphenhyphen9QzysIjflEZdjoO6VfRWgkyrE1aD-NxEJ8bYUWPqsscrOB2V0Q9kZLuXkAHwM43vFNypoutuRP9-4bSTY7DOnBdWHaDUvOkyPe5UcNxsakghqBfXOig-iIU6dGCU/s1600/IMG_4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_djiYfCxJoAUzhyphenhyphen9QzysIjflEZdjoO6VfRWgkyrE1aD-NxEJ8bYUWPqsscrOB2V0Q9kZLuXkAHwM43vFNypoutuRP9-4bSTY7DOnBdWHaDUvOkyPe5UcNxsakghqBfXOig-iIU6dGCU/s320/IMG_4995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Family <3</div>
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Wow looking back since I last wrote my blog about Colombia, so much has happend, still smiling! I think I can say that these last months of 2017 were the best months of the year! Grateful for all the great memories and all the great family and friends I have. 2017 taught me a lot; fell in love, fell out of love, had many amazing trips to the Netherlands, lovely skiing trip in Austria with Wouter, my other brother getting married to the love of his life, cheeky trip to Miami and Colombia (which turned out to be a bit more expensive then expected haha) and last but not least all the people that came to visit me in the desert, and all the people I met along the way! </div>
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2017 you were a rollercoaster, 2018 I am ready for you, my last year in Dubai and then it's time for a new adventure, can't give to many details but they will follow! My new year's resolutions are; save more money, buy less clothes, write more, cook more and very very excited about the weddings of Edgar and Annelien in Dubai, Jill and Luco, Cindy and Dirk in the Netherlands. Love is all around people, time to give! </div>
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Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-44246739721253484472017-10-26T14:11:00.001-07:002017-10-26T14:11:33.334-07:00Colombia, you pearl of South America! Yes, yes, yes, it was time for Colombia. A country I heard so many stories about in the last few years. It would be busy, 7 flights in 12 days, but my travel buddy and I know how to get things done in a short time. Just before Colombia I had my annual exams to be legal to fly for another year, and I did, I passed them all. The flight was at 03.00 to Fort Lauderdale (Miami). Every year we have 1 annual leave ticket, which is a free ticket and the first 3 years the free ticket only brings you back to your home country, but, after 3 years you can change your destination, and the ticket is confirmed so no stressing with standby this time! Wouter and I both used this free ticket to fly to Miami (which normally costs about 1000 euros), the flights wasn't full at all so we both had our own row and slept on a 15 hour flight about 9 hours, wouter slept even 10 hours! To be fair, I am so glad he did, so I wouldn't feel bad for sleeping as well, haha! We arrived around 10.30 local time in Florida, our next flight to Medellin in Colombia was at 21.00, we decided to spend the day on the beach and start our tan! Well, we took that maybe a bit too literal, we got burnt big time, good start of our holidays! We also had the best ribs and chicken wings at this cute bar next to the beach, and spareribs for us means, pure happiness!! During the whole holiday I think we ate ribs about 5/6 times.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VPMjqwURy52KjuV1oPlYwVhoYFHjZp-dux8tN7kpmSLPE7cj696KOEJwQxQ5wyJp19YMfY8WKRdjQCxL2zc3Mw92DsrEah1if84RqkMmn2htA2dW9g9z6CNNMlXvhTUBqfnlMNYCXxI/s1600/IMG_2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VPMjqwURy52KjuV1oPlYwVhoYFHjZp-dux8tN7kpmSLPE7cj696KOEJwQxQ5wyJp19YMfY8WKRdjQCxL2zc3Mw92DsrEah1if84RqkMmn2htA2dW9g9z6CNNMlXvhTUBqfnlMNYCXxI/s320/IMG_2012.JPG" width="320" /></a>First cocktail of the holiday</div>
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The flight from Miami to Medellin was only 3.5 hours, but since we were already on the move for a long time, I slept from the moment we took of until we were landing. Once going through customs we got some cash and then this cute little colombian man asked us if we needed a taxi, sure, being too tired to even discuss a price or find another taxi. He dropped us of safe and sound at the hostel. We travelled about 30 hours until we got to our first final destination. People told us to go to this hostel called Happy Buddha. We arrived at 1am and the party was still going on, normally we don't mind a party or 2 but we were exhausted! We thought oh we won't hear the music in the room, wrong, the room was basically on top of the bar, but as well prepared travellers we put our earplugs in, eye mask on and ready for bed. We both slept like babies, charged our battery to go and explore Medellin city. Medellin city is based between the mountains in a valley, but a BIG valley, the population is about 4 million people. My friend told me to go to Santo Domingo station and from there you have a great view over Medellin, such a good tip, thank you Felice!! Medellin centre is full of small shops and markets, very cute, but you have to be vigilant because it's not the safest. The whole of Colombia is not the safest, but during the day it's fine, I mean, there are places in Amsterdam as well you don't wanna be found at night by yourself. Good thing I had my guy with me, hihi! While we were getting back to the hostel we found a guy who makes anklets so we got matching ones! How cute are we, haha, friendship goals right?! Then it was time for us to eat ribs for the second time that holiday, and they were good, they even gave us gloves!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomwECTzjj07D8Td7O7jm5u0wiA_vDu0gorrpLchBZhwYG_46tzLUyUj1XrQtUNkv_P5f5np8Lu3P8FSb7i14NHKjPdsmQUG7Ia5VY_7VFFoo03BWkyFcQ_VbgVE7OaocclLbNI3UUKi4/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomwECTzjj07D8Td7O7jm5u0wiA_vDu0gorrpLchBZhwYG_46tzLUyUj1XrQtUNkv_P5f5np8Lu3P8FSb7i14NHKjPdsmQUG7Ia5VY_7VFFoo03BWkyFcQ_VbgVE7OaocclLbNI3UUKi4/s320/IMG_2641.JPG" width="320" /></a>Yep, those were the gloves and the ribs, no shame </div>
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Back to the hostel because it was Wednesday, which means, PUB CRAWL DAY!! Oh what a night that was, so much fun, we met a few dutch guys and had such a good time doing shots, drink beer and people were even doing belly shots, and we laughed so much my cheeks were hurting. A good first night, still gives me a smile on my face thinking about it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesJpyRjHiV7XmAVY91XZc9m9Y8Fd-ab7uxUrx5MN8pLL4SiVskib5oKgkS7ZR27JMVDtYkT8gW1qTnl1jkvCP7P1CNgGsrjO3YDguoRumk5Hf4JIdWnNXb6uXyBrZOYNsV7QrJic28q0/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesJpyRjHiV7XmAVY91XZc9m9Y8Fd-ab7uxUrx5MN8pLL4SiVskib5oKgkS7ZR27JMVDtYkT8gW1qTnl1jkvCP7P1CNgGsrjO3YDguoRumk5Hf4JIdWnNXb6uXyBrZOYNsV7QrJic28q0/s320/IMG_2057.JPG" width="320" /></a>Our dutchies</div>
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Just before the pub crawl we asked the staff how we could go to Guatape, where we wanted to hike up a rock and the view apparently would have been amazing. This guy then came up to us, Garrick from the states, offering us a free ride (never get in a car with a stranger 2.0), since he was going that way anyway. Wouter and I looked at each other, sure why not! He said okay I will be here about 9am tomorrow morning. Which we first thought was not that early, but if you're in bed at 4, it is a bit. With a little hangover at breakfast at 8.30. Some other guys at the breakfast table were talking to us and asking what our plan was, well, we were waiting for this guy called Garrick to give us a free 2 hour ride to Guatape, and you know what, they did not even believe us, they laughed at us, and said, no way Garrick is gonna show up..... Wouter and I didn't even think about the fact he might not show up. So there he was, I said, hey Garrick, and the other guys were laughing and said no way that is Garrick, where Garrick says, yeah I'am Garrick... Merel and Wouter (and Garrick) 1 - hostel guys 0 !! See ya later guys, we are going with Garrick to Guatape! hehe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dBZLe5hQb_vK_Le6squEFEnvTC_I6tC2zmXnnZXnHRiyMR9aWe2xCq69BJVRfgvyRRJR0g5QLinmAjrElafsDyx2tAAEVJP84r4EYntEIkw47pJ2G5XdLY37NZdmjb-GUysW6vS14vE/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dBZLe5hQb_vK_Le6squEFEnvTC_I6tC2zmXnnZXnHRiyMR9aWe2xCq69BJVRfgvyRRJR0g5QLinmAjrElafsDyx2tAAEVJP84r4EYntEIkw47pJ2G5XdLY37NZdmjb-GUysW6vS14vE/s320/IMG_2066.JPG" width="320" /></a>GARRICK</div>
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The ride was absolutely beautiful! Garrick was a good guy (thank god) and the owner of this new hostel that was only open a few weeks. The location absolutely beautiful, surrounded by green hills and a view you can stare at for hours. That afternoon we took a local bus to El Penol, that rock you can climb and here's a photo so you know what view I am talking about. We have seen a lot of great views but this is definitely top 3!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-JImWafmBvtJUX60gFQM6ykXQDKLkGz9nQB5Mfhs0TvOJgmXLhF4EcTNFIE0SQPZ98XoMAubNYcrk0xZ7ZFd7bVKFtSBNUS7KmNBUade3J1dxaWFYjdEVNyEexBL7GW5EsMiom7FIyA/s1600/IMG_2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-JImWafmBvtJUX60gFQM6ykXQDKLkGz9nQB5Mfhs0TvOJgmXLhF4EcTNFIE0SQPZ98XoMAubNYcrk0xZ7ZFd7bVKFtSBNUS7KmNBUade3J1dxaWFYjdEVNyEexBL7GW5EsMiom7FIyA/s320/IMG_2264.JPG" width="320" /></a>The view !</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lUjpsBl7uscWoZtH_YzN8tHpJvnZGKJ_7tBoziwc49QQwY0spB_up4PpHs3cV-ybgRfHnwGoDcjZpfLjX5__4qncyE7aOwxj4ZMh_poXjduuBwbj8GRQp8c_0fRDY5DVhmsGq2O9VQ4/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lUjpsBl7uscWoZtH_YzN8tHpJvnZGKJ_7tBoziwc49QQwY0spB_up4PpHs3cV-ybgRfHnwGoDcjZpfLjX5__4qncyE7aOwxj4ZMh_poXjduuBwbj8GRQp8c_0fRDY5DVhmsGq2O9VQ4/s320/IMG_2129.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Rock / El Penol</div>
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On our way back we couldn't contact Garrick to pick us up, since the hostel was up hill with a service road, we thought, us trained hikers, we can walk up.... Not a good idea, we took a wrong turn, it was getting dark and no lights, at one point we just started running and then finally we reached to hostel, just 5 minutes before it got pitch black! Timing is everything haha. There were only 6 other people staying in the hostel and Garrick gave us a private room (fancy backpackers).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcOK1Hwczef5vblhlcg5bsSb3wN_uJRklLLCH5o3leC_oG9Uv-RiVF2iPFUo9hSFx1ovxQO1Xl0DOAUqlZ3eYxkVQj-FE80slxK4B9A4WuYnfFQ3Y8ioExzHhEYuUCdZvp2fvViPjBG0/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcOK1Hwczef5vblhlcg5bsSb3wN_uJRklLLCH5o3leC_oG9Uv-RiVF2iPFUo9hSFx1ovxQO1Xl0DOAUqlZ3eYxkVQj-FE80slxK4B9A4WuYnfFQ3Y8ioExzHhEYuUCdZvp2fvViPjBG0/s320/IMG_2134.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hostel van Garrick</div>
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That night I was so tired, from the pub crawl and then not sleeping enough, I called it a night early and slept for about 12 hours, Wouter stayed up (shock) and had a chilled night with the girls and guys from the hostel. The next day we had to go back to the airport and fly to Santa Marta, Wouter messaged our first colombian friend (taxi driver) Luis if he wanted to pick us up in Guatape and drive us to the airport. I thought no way he's doing that, he lives in Medellin, has to drive 2 hours to pick us up and then drive again an hour to the airport, but Luis was happy to do it, as he charged us double, oh well, money needs to roll and he wasn't a stranger anymore!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWnuzmfOr9cgx6SYsqb5hZRP1Y9FrL-x7KaRG2ITJoO9hcrPseF1aBWr4lJhHzAo85pY1Q2_zDKKjTK-HzzadrK5i6MhIgKcQGN4ibwLMhK-8Jt9dK39HGV9X9wj4i0VVfoOnBmqrFfI/s1600/IMG_2382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWnuzmfOr9cgx6SYsqb5hZRP1Y9FrL-x7KaRG2ITJoO9hcrPseF1aBWr4lJhHzAo85pY1Q2_zDKKjTK-HzzadrK5i6MhIgKcQGN4ibwLMhK-8Jt9dK39HGV9X9wj4i0VVfoOnBmqrFfI/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" width="256" /></a>Guatape</div>
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Once arrived at the airport we got an email that our flight was cancelled and they gave us an option to fly the next day, but there's one thing we didn't have this holiday and that is time. But Colombia wouldn't be Colombia if they wouldn't have an airline called VivaColombia! Within an hour we booked another flight and we were finally on our way to Santa Marta. We stayed in the Dreamer Hostel, unfortunately it was beerpong night (such a bummer, NOT), we lost anyway. Again we met so many nice people and so many dutch people! As if everybody from the Netherlands just thought oh let's go to Colombia for a few months.So much fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo3n0xavnD74Tll78IQgzEH2uGxfbJ7XAm_LdozplNZAZuodk5Dj0WOUcleAfQ76XaVU7hvuNXq6nm2O5qDeS9hXtzP8M0IJJbZrudDIMHC_P8gSQ1h_VswEVZzR1Ta9rK1pyIRkLC5Y/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo3n0xavnD74Tll78IQgzEH2uGxfbJ7XAm_LdozplNZAZuodk5Dj0WOUcleAfQ76XaVU7hvuNXq6nm2O5qDeS9hXtzP8M0IJJbZrudDIMHC_P8gSQ1h_VswEVZzR1Ta9rK1pyIRkLC5Y/s320/IMG_2602.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Dreamer Hostel</div>
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The next day we took the shuttle bus to the National Tayrona Park, getting up early again. It was busy with too many tourists, we hiked for about 2 hours until we reached Cabo San Juan, where you have a look out and the beaches are white, water is blue and the sun is burning, it was beautiful!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKRqbOQvcbpCWp_ZU9-3zUvCloyz0Jk6IYKmiHZe5iPLZg8nFbJmscnloGA7QAf3S136-5lFNau1-Zk45MZCOgJ_3-DYBttov_nc6ZLUP4IfJaHoXEOdy-viYDiHDyLpWUhaeNAyAgOU/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKRqbOQvcbpCWp_ZU9-3zUvCloyz0Jk6IYKmiHZe5iPLZg8nFbJmscnloGA7QAf3S136-5lFNau1-Zk45MZCOgJ_3-DYBttov_nc6ZLUP4IfJaHoXEOdy-viYDiHDyLpWUhaeNAyAgOU/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" width="240" /></a>The walk to Cabo San Juan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAF1hKPfa4T-tQGkq4BVKAeE0f3KrdsLuOaFa4_QeDKWLCaOimaNreZwjLl1W5w2YiRm9qxm6N5C_ul-ykSoACrbYxflNggFUn41Rw41EmlW9dsPczNaguMLSb6kq0RH4IE4hmcFjA2Q/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1600" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAF1hKPfa4T-tQGkq4BVKAeE0f3KrdsLuOaFa4_QeDKWLCaOimaNreZwjLl1W5w2YiRm9qxm6N5C_ul-ykSoACrbYxflNggFUn41Rw41EmlW9dsPczNaguMLSb6kq0RH4IE4hmcFjA2Q/s320/IMG_2339.JPG" width="320" /></a>The view from Cabo San Juan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillyoWr_944TSHbugl-_5k8PheTwnMxgkMxSrPD1VVmALbo5dgYG2mNJKnSQVQKq7ZmIYVtjUrpJcEhmbJxE4s5_n0bi2MqLVYCsMO6iR5P9FMML9EA9cD30O70vuKiJ__kHX6yOlJ_xA/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillyoWr_944TSHbugl-_5k8PheTwnMxgkMxSrPD1VVmALbo5dgYG2mNJKnSQVQKq7ZmIYVtjUrpJcEhmbJxE4s5_n0bi2MqLVYCsMO6iR5P9FMML9EA9cD30O70vuKiJ__kHX6yOlJ_xA/s320/IMG_2326.JPG" width="320" /></a>Can't get enough of palmtrees </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC4ghf2qiuuLrjvbvhwqLeEJl1xF01GgmrtuecrdbCbqD93E1v7UMvc5SQ26m5Oyf_XW0DyYqjxYjw2TbTAqJz9zhyAWnalP4t6YMgWJ31wXyMM4_tL93QLHd-cJydupWf65pZIk8XIU/s1600/IMG_2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC4ghf2qiuuLrjvbvhwqLeEJl1xF01GgmrtuecrdbCbqD93E1v7UMvc5SQ26m5Oyf_XW0DyYqjxYjw2TbTAqJz9zhyAWnalP4t6YMgWJ31wXyMM4_tL93QLHd-cJydupWf65pZIk8XIU/s320/IMG_2366.JPG" width="320" /></a>Tayrona Park</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2NSPLGFgStnuxoPAs-bWoMJuIa_hhgjk7KIAkyTxedusA7-qBWsKFnoxR9jsAdgWxYVdY5yDYK7DNRT-keHo20D1ET1w2YaBkBxhyphenhyphenlxUIFfE8hy9ARS1Z9m5qYLyK5Ua-BlmN-2wU_4/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2NSPLGFgStnuxoPAs-bWoMJuIa_hhgjk7KIAkyTxedusA7-qBWsKFnoxR9jsAdgWxYVdY5yDYK7DNRT-keHo20D1ET1w2YaBkBxhyphenhyphenlxUIFfE8hy9ARS1Z9m5qYLyK5Ua-BlmN-2wU_4/s320/IMG_2294.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hammock chillings</div>
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Then back Santa Marta to catch the bus to Cartagena, a 4 hour bus ride with wifi they said, well that was a lie, the bus was freezing but we did manage to get some sleep. Once arrived in Cartagena at midnight our flight to San Andres island was at 8 in the morning, therefore we took a hotel to have a normal few hours sleep before heading to the island, which lays in front of Nicaragua. The island was stunning, not too big not too small. The hostel we stayed in offered us a tour to go to a smaller island where we could swim with mantra rays. But to be honest with you, it was too touristy and too much trash around, which is such a shame for such a nice destination. If ITMC (my bachelor degree) taught me one thing it is that sustainability (even though we hated that word at school) is the most important aspect of a tourism attraction and destination, god knows how this place will look in 5 years, or even 10?! We did our part for as much as we could.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xr4SnSxBHSIBZj8-gqIwQgwn55rS0VIeBLkinXnF1CWBhKT5w9uEsItXhloT31TrUeW908u96484oHvBpk4pkU5Pd7I3nfSEmb9DuugDd29QuWyWPdegFLUo3T4xNamWAEr_LtDR6FI/s1600/IMG_2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xr4SnSxBHSIBZj8-gqIwQgwn55rS0VIeBLkinXnF1CWBhKT5w9uEsItXhloT31TrUeW908u96484oHvBpk4pkU5Pd7I3nfSEmb9DuugDd29QuWyWPdegFLUo3T4xNamWAEr_LtDR6FI/s320/IMG_2595.JPG" width="180" /></a>Another day another flight, no work!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUZif5w6xvWLBWJey7caRBM1qJ3R3rjWYJBEx5bi72jzirKLdQ-snKJb07KrsbQTbVK1DWgp1VrO2VGybB5WhJlXXKWuk_mOblfSmRkGKfSabOidTZIUxVduUL_lWUXihrN7aA9J52WQ/s1600/IMG_2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUZif5w6xvWLBWJey7caRBM1qJ3R3rjWYJBEx5bi72jzirKLdQ-snKJb07KrsbQTbVK1DWgp1VrO2VGybB5WhJlXXKWuk_mOblfSmRkGKfSabOidTZIUxVduUL_lWUXihrN7aA9J52WQ/s320/IMG_2607.JPG" width="320" /></a>Islands in from of San Andres</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNJAt9z6swWKfKcVQNx8Q7cAfAiYdJt9AOp9rgND9e8NH4a7w1lltpLLN-vRRblnlDR-pWCb1qUxPD5WwXKh4O-_cI3-T4Ogvq27PPHl_UsC0gvQtDCbCFhR1PZ7hyGyq_3ihoa7tRE4/s1600/IMG_2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNJAt9z6swWKfKcVQNx8Q7cAfAiYdJt9AOp9rgND9e8NH4a7w1lltpLLN-vRRblnlDR-pWCb1qUxPD5WwXKh4O-_cI3-T4Ogvq27PPHl_UsC0gvQtDCbCFhR1PZ7hyGyq_3ihoa7tRE4/s320/IMG_2611.JPG" width="180" /></a>When we had to walk through the sea to get to the other island</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5qVrhnxai27gNyRwC0c1ZtB6vE4c4mlgEOF3AUumnUfB_jOAO95JmJkOu6Y4PtRA-4R9_bOD8uZluAv4ejuhulRdzHwilVLkTmgfVmFeajgyqwb567Pz_XyNU7SfgevlqIq_Oj983Ik/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5qVrhnxai27gNyRwC0c1ZtB6vE4c4mlgEOF3AUumnUfB_jOAO95JmJkOu6Y4PtRA-4R9_bOD8uZluAv4ejuhulRdzHwilVLkTmgfVmFeajgyqwb567Pz_XyNU7SfgevlqIq_Oj983Ik/s320/IMG_2420.JPG" width="320" /></a>typical beach photo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzKFaFkWR8j-k3PzODIbu8yOhhWbmdsZptI7pPwf01aB-3rL27BDicLZaXrHG6c5OSXFNUf3TF55N3TonTaMoT-CO7CgGI95QpVwsJIoXaTDWoBI0g30Tnz84A9vcxUTKQbL8j2ZCs3U/s1600/IMG_2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzKFaFkWR8j-k3PzODIbu8yOhhWbmdsZptI7pPwf01aB-3rL27BDicLZaXrHG6c5OSXFNUf3TF55N3TonTaMoT-CO7CgGI95QpVwsJIoXaTDWoBI0g30Tnz84A9vcxUTKQbL8j2ZCs3U/s320/IMG_2386.JPG" width="320" /></a>I LOVE SAN ANDRES (didn't fit)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWJ2hXocCQgVyRdd4jC6lmrRaOKyHjPPWq49iXTbihwzNWso6eHgeMd-uuDPozA2Emn2u1VJKG2atEMsGpodTM5N3twIVRhrRbGkifT4qidZqfUOG79zIczYY5hKsPMTiXlvNnltYeAk/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWJ2hXocCQgVyRdd4jC6lmrRaOKyHjPPWq49iXTbihwzNWso6eHgeMd-uuDPozA2Emn2u1VJKG2atEMsGpodTM5N3twIVRhrRbGkifT4qidZqfUOG79zIczYY5hKsPMTiXlvNnltYeAk/s320/IMG_2541.JPG" width="320" /></a>Our afternoon ritual</div>
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We passed out around 9pm and the next day we rented a golf buggy to drive around the island, and had lunch at Francesca's, a cute restaurant on the beach where we had lunch and some cocktails (again by recommendation by Felice), the beach was the whitest, the water the clearest and the sky the bluest, it was stunning. After all the island is definitely worth going, but I would not go back, been there done that haha! Pure because of all the tourists, sometimes you don't mind them but this was too much, I'm glad we went though, it was just nice to get away from the desert for longer then a few days, not that I have been home much, but still, the fact that you don't have to think about when you have to work next.<br />
Especially as well with Wouter by my side. The whole time we had to tell people we were not a couple but sharing a twin bed together in our private hostel room, haha. It's just amazing to know you can count on each other no matter what, that's what our friendship stands for, together with ribs obviously. So here's a special thank you to Wouter, for always being there for me, not only on our holidays but also in times when I needed that belgium hug the most and those sweet words and those funny comments you can make, after 3 years you still surprise me sometimes. You're a true friend and I'm curious what the future holds for us! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUld6w4vaVOWQUWqHSh12rGsH5e0Rtk8QqFDEPGYM0Q2v-hiholliA9P161-3S9TmFKkN5K3kHqIg61OPLyacGJHpB7bwgKZLn6sLYkwqUfBERijCnZ7Kv9rCzcCeVkXiDXMsfX1EGAM/s1600/IMG_2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUld6w4vaVOWQUWqHSh12rGsH5e0Rtk8QqFDEPGYM0Q2v-hiholliA9P161-3S9TmFKkN5K3kHqIg61OPLyacGJHpB7bwgKZLn6sLYkwqUfBERijCnZ7Kv9rCzcCeVkXiDXMsfX1EGAM/s320/IMG_2468.JPG" width="240" /></a>isn't he a cutie !</div>
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After San Andres we went back to Cartagena for the day, and what a cute little town is that. So colorful. And then it was time again to head back to the states for a day and then back to the desert. Colombia you have been very generous to us with your kind people, amazing food, and astonishing nature, until next time, maybe after payday is better! Oh and before I forget, my backpack was only 7kg, Including pillow, obviously! :D <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8URrV-bmfxMsTu6YfoKtJJW1dgcXNEJhwqz9sNqwJ4JoEwWkFxyfmzW5GUvRgd9d8xZRng4i0VQx7LL-Wt529ZcXslgDo8_wbDh-WZFgxb5qTaWqs2-VLHLnvoZanupUBiNy2kRLMlCM/s1600/IMG_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8URrV-bmfxMsTu6YfoKtJJW1dgcXNEJhwqz9sNqwJ4JoEwWkFxyfmzW5GUvRgd9d8xZRng4i0VQx7LL-Wt529ZcXslgDo8_wbDh-WZFgxb5qTaWqs2-VLHLnvoZanupUBiNy2kRLMlCM/s320/IMG_2515.JPG" width="240" /></a>Cartagena </div>
Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-6919120791904016442017-09-28T13:51:00.001-07:002017-09-28T14:02:54.888-07:00Busy 2 months, I need a holiday! My second time to Dakar Senegal I did go on the tour, and I'm so glad I did. It was so interesting, so much has happend in Dakar, so much history. We went to Goree Island (coming from dutch Goedereede), which was used as a slavery trade island for about 300 years. Goree island is close to the coast of Dakar, 900 meters long and about 300 meter wide, all around the island there are slavery houses. Our guide took us to one of the houses and told us, it was the most organized house, and guess who owned it, yep, the Dutch. The dutch were on the island for years and years. In the house the rooms were organized; room for the men; room for the women, and even a room for the children and virgins. There was one way to avoid being sold to America or South America, and that was getting pregnant with one of the so called 'white' people who were in charge.<br />
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At the back of the house there was a door, the 'door of no return', the slaves knew that once they would pass through this door they would never ever see their family again and would never return to Africa.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EZIDK1WxPMz7GqV3h1fVGWQrPNl_KMbMgiDiPHCxalj1YkA3Lu1PlPnHcm8c2qEJyCxQPQSsIShLAORzsKOkCxn86wUJ7hicPZkSmKV1YxWmdRgtLEd8-gH863dbDiI_H4yVQA2Akxc/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EZIDK1WxPMz7GqV3h1fVGWQrPNl_KMbMgiDiPHCxalj1YkA3Lu1PlPnHcm8c2qEJyCxQPQSsIShLAORzsKOkCxn86wUJ7hicPZkSmKV1YxWmdRgtLEd8-gH863dbDiI_H4yVQA2Akxc/s320/IMG_0232.JPG" width="240" /></a>Slavery house with the door of no return</div>
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How sad! In one room there was a scale, the men had to stand on it and if they were below 65 kilogram they were moved to another room to get 'heavier' and get fed, they would only be sold to America or South America if they would be over 70 kilogram. Sometimes the journey to the other side of the world would be 12 weeks. From the 20 million people that were 'sold' and 'transported' to the other side, only 14 million people actually survived. Around 500 slaves were on 1 boat with about 15 crew, the slaves had to lay down on the ground, in that way they could not take over the boat. One time the slaves took over, but when they reached shore in America and the people only saw the slaves, they knew they took over, and were punished for that.<br />
It was so interesting to learn about the history of the slavery, and it's so sad that so many people got sold and transported, and that all at this small island. Once you own that island you own the slavery market in west Africa, in those days of course. The guide told us so much, and it was so interesting and sad at the same time. So glad I went, felt obligatory to learn about the history.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_l9BxSVnl7YxNR88WQOvZEKFC8OrWd8YpxsOBBfLUKVsFKxpNOQcNT1x_9nkpF0DBTZuVf4C6WAeV2mPdRTq-lG8WY2S4ewjD0Qq3LrrjBacuM0otctQmseJw2ePn5HrmMHfHYUh4Ek/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_l9BxSVnl7YxNR88WQOvZEKFC8OrWd8YpxsOBBfLUKVsFKxpNOQcNT1x_9nkpF0DBTZuVf4C6WAeV2mPdRTq-lG8WY2S4ewjD0Qq3LrrjBacuM0otctQmseJw2ePn5HrmMHfHYUh4Ek/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" width="240" /></a>This heart was the first thing you saw when you arrived at the island. I guess they want to show by this, that despite everything that happend on the island, love will conquer it all. Maybe that's not the way, but it's my way... </div>
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Lets talk about some fun stuff now !!<br />
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On the flight itself I sold a lot of duty free again, so happy days, happy days !!<br />
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In the last 5 weekends, I have been in the Netherlands for 4 of them. It all started with 4/5 days off that I decided to go home. One of my good friends was organizing a little reunion with my friends from university, even though I had to fly via London Heathrow and with KLM to get to Amsterdam, but oh well, things you do for friends. We had some drinks, dinner and good catch up conversations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRYKIA5iJqDJeqDlccsrNT-iCRodl1QjsOIn7QJnVvvWLMyrDkD4-VuGl-s19C0btE-qzE2Yw6qvH5GVENmxrsriaPJiEuQjEOMfraeqFhCRhYcxGkaYquCz9bXwNyaryjrP3bPGUWK8/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRYKIA5iJqDJeqDlccsrNT-iCRodl1QjsOIn7QJnVvvWLMyrDkD4-VuGl-s19C0btE-qzE2Yw6qvH5GVENmxrsriaPJiEuQjEOMfraeqFhCRhYcxGkaYquCz9bXwNyaryjrP3bPGUWK8/s320/IMG_0331.JPG" width="320" /></a>these people <3</div>
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The weekend was awesome, so good to see my friends. On sunday I was meeting one of my oldest friends (not old in age but old as we know each other our whole lives - literally ), to go to a festival in the Netherlands called Mysteryland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRuUiprsHX42nQpUTStiE7fOnzEDPn4Pfy5ptRMAr_BVi4O-z4Ml6a0wMG-sEJjtr_bv9Kny387bwPyOAhb8RsCuIV9D0123hDdEpqMfgl65t_trpShJTRXBxawmg7CGNXBfvJSNXpqw/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRuUiprsHX42nQpUTStiE7fOnzEDPn4Pfy5ptRMAr_BVi4O-z4Ml6a0wMG-sEJjtr_bv9Kny387bwPyOAhb8RsCuIV9D0123hDdEpqMfgl65t_trpShJTRXBxawmg7CGNXBfvJSNXpqw/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" width="180" /></a>Mysteryland</div>
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Same concept as Tomorrowland but way smaller, very good atmosphere though.<br />
And guess who I ran into, my Dubai brothers Koen and Kristof.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngL8G_zBt3ruG4cAtoPq7JpXLSrIuOk3Nd2KxY-JqN4BcFIBTPGY_YIpqZgwHSJ6C53fTA47CPVnE_ZcO1Dh6p5FAyhgfme6bruVz3mLd_hOv5SCCExD6G0K90UzblN9IdvhKGS3E29M/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngL8G_zBt3ruG4cAtoPq7JpXLSrIuOk3Nd2KxY-JqN4BcFIBTPGY_YIpqZgwHSJ6C53fTA47CPVnE_ZcO1Dh6p5FAyhgfme6bruVz3mLd_hOv5SCCExD6G0K90UzblN9IdvhKGS3E29M/s320/IMG_0451.JPG" width="240" /></a>Nonnie with my dubai brothers.</div>
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The weather was amazing, the people amazing and it was just such a good weekend, which ended on a monday on the beach in 's-Gravenzande with my mom. Back to the desert to do a Washington flight, didn't see Trump (so sad, haha not). After Washington it was top secret for me to head back to Amsterdam, it was time for Saskia's (sister in law) bachelorette party in Rotterdam. This time all the flights to Amsterdam from Dubai were again, full full full, so the de-tour went via Athens and then KLM to Amsterdam. Got on all my flights, and I can tell you this, it was running EVERYWHERE. Finally getting to the last step to get to Rotterdam by train, guess what, I see the train leaving in front me, being on the road for god knows how long, and then see the train going in front of you. I did swear a bit, but I'm sure everybody understands that.<br />
Once I arrived in Rotterdam, Nienke (my other sister in law) told me that Saskia just went to the toilet, so there I went running again to the restaurant and just sit at the table, so that Saskia wouldn't notice once she would come back from the toilet. It worked, she had no clue I was there, maybe because of the 'few' drinks she had, at one point I stood up and said, I heard there is a party!! Her face was PRICELESS went she finally realized I was there too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1pzbChjTCofVBBPEIvNzZ77gGWkgBkAq5T8ob2q6J4zMeTqV4xENHNjB3m_VHdBMWY7pVlK3uPNsefD-Ywhj6G_q6Xb7E-mJXtxuFTq4LYQsXhbDM34ezAVIoygxVTYPM8IdxtkRM5E/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1pzbChjTCofVBBPEIvNzZ77gGWkgBkAq5T8ob2q6J4zMeTqV4xENHNjB3m_VHdBMWY7pVlK3uPNsefD-Ywhj6G_q6Xb7E-mJXtxuFTq4LYQsXhbDM34ezAVIoygxVTYPM8IdxtkRM5E/s320/IMG_0908.JPG" width="256" /></a>My sisters <3</div>
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Her reaction later was; I knew you were coming, there's no way Merel is gonna miss this. hahaha! And she was right, now way I would miss that party! We did a cocktail workshop and then danced the night away!<br />
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But it was a weekend full of surprises. One of the friends is pregnant and due in October, her friends organized a surprise babyshower and since I was already in the Netherlands anyway I could make it, hate to miss things as you might wonder haha! She cried when she saw all of us sitting in the park, and special thanks to her best friends who organized and decorated it, it looked stunning!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjLXsdL5Z6sZfOGSYFLd0Fdci16ImOrW6zhb2zo6PlxMR7mYAR_xxGDTMhWJcdB5nudH-IWLWiD739Y9GXTilQqfxez6M5_BHrithWYwVdCZ-ApOEIt5OBrUTqrb4kBK878Uc9mWr15I/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjLXsdL5Z6sZfOGSYFLd0Fdci16ImOrW6zhb2zo6PlxMR7mYAR_xxGDTMhWJcdB5nudH-IWLWiD739Y9GXTilQqfxez6M5_BHrithWYwVdCZ-ApOEIt5OBrUTqrb4kBK878Uc9mWr15I/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" width="320" /></a>Jessica's surprise babyshower</div>
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Back to work to go to Seattle for the weekend, 2 day layover. My friend Cassidy that I met years and years ago in Spain (Salamanca). Sound so old now haha, but it's true. I met her in 2012, she's American, lived in LAX, met up with her there once and then she moved to Seattle and we met up there again. We went for dinner with her friends, where the next day we went kayaking and then ended up at the observatory to have another look over Seattle and watch the sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNH2WMP2lsPzuzma3IC4Xuqct3wEYjLp8H4pMJ4qrlN1LFwfnMt5iJnXqwiyQbD8a5C62VINy3DfKEOTN37pCRRhXsCWNtnlAatuQokFKbMA2YlbGaDvklOg4QE3bIntHCgsPfWIabi8/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNH2WMP2lsPzuzma3IC4Xuqct3wEYjLp8H4pMJ4qrlN1LFwfnMt5iJnXqwiyQbD8a5C62VINy3DfKEOTN37pCRRhXsCWNtnlAatuQokFKbMA2YlbGaDvklOg4QE3bIntHCgsPfWIabi8/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" width="320" /></a>Cassidy ! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEGKBCVP58an9UcTByp1QXQYitd8K6rZ0q-xj5I-Hj8kRoPEdaKWBcAwaqiB6NfSRCj7IRUVgYVSn1IApm4WRb-6cXGYQBVVxVdw6c8AwGjXXB5BHBzg_cMCDB7DzDbDbqDNkyZH1MZ8/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEGKBCVP58an9UcTByp1QXQYitd8K6rZ0q-xj5I-Hj8kRoPEdaKWBcAwaqiB6NfSRCj7IRUVgYVSn1IApm4WRb-6cXGYQBVVxVdw6c8AwGjXXB5BHBzg_cMCDB7DzDbDbqDNkyZH1MZ8/s320/IMG_1057.JPG" width="320" /></a>Casual sunday in Seattle kayaking</div>
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But let me tell you about the flight going there. It was packed and the passengers were very demanding, but there was one guy, blond hair blue eyes, that kinda style, my style. He got a free upgrade together with 15 others. While all the lights were out I was having a walk around and see if anybody wanted some drinks or food. The passenger next to 10E (that's how we identify the passengers, by seat number) was asleep but he had his handset next to him on his armrest with the light on. So me, trying to be nice, push the button on the handset so the light goes off, while I press the button the handset retracts and it just flies right in his face, and he wakes up, oops, my bad. 10E saw everything happening and we couldn't stop laughing. Later he came to the galley and we talked for an hour. Such a nice man, friendly, funny and just beautiful. But, because in my life, there is ALWAYS a but, he's engaged. Bummer! Oh well, he did make this flight extremely pleasant. I have Seattle again this weekend, so there's hope again haha!<br />
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Weekend number 3 in the Netherlands was the wedding of my big brother and Saskia. Even though the weather wasn't as expected, the day itself, the church, reception, party were just AMAZING! So much love, and it's just such a special day to share it with your family. I arrived on wednesday morning, because Saskia asked me to pick up the dress so I could see it before the wedding day, felt very honored. She also asked me to be in charge of the dress during the photoshoot and the rest of the day, of course I was super flattered and excited, however, I had not seen the dress yet. She came out of the fitting room with a veil of 3 meters, it looked stunning, but it was gonna be a busy day for me trying to make sure the veil is just perfect, but challenge accepted! We also got the 4 musketiers back together again, after more then 2 years being separated, we all met each other separately but this time the gang was back!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6RTDNKFMTPcqSNITrT0UerOFWzweTzmiOEcM3BtmErO0POM_QQ1CH2F7ry4NbS5hSIt5xZi6tOxkKp7d9-_YIp65hylDlHFK_Wu7Lj0ldY2j5TsKqIBNSYnJJ63iVK9Mphry4HyatX4/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6RTDNKFMTPcqSNITrT0UerOFWzweTzmiOEcM3BtmErO0POM_QQ1CH2F7ry4NbS5hSIt5xZi6tOxkKp7d9-_YIp65hylDlHFK_Wu7Lj0ldY2j5TsKqIBNSYnJJ63iVK9Mphry4HyatX4/s320/IMG_1082.JPG" width="320" /></a>4 musketiers back together at last! </div>
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Thursday and Friday we spent decorating the house. All the day guests (family and close friends who you spent the whole day with) were coming over to our house for a lunch with the bride and groom. Head of decoration was Nienke Loomans, it looked like a fairytale, flowers everywhere, a family tree with wedding pictures of their (grand)parents, and it was just perfection!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9nN6glD2_Vtnz6aDA1pMlq7E7ocHkpjuLuIjkW3CIuNRp6gfXQBUGiqQ5FFkA1aRwN4W3ssBxwLkRVLDmJFHBE-AYVDtnEXIWoDSrfkPzTT6ASToPLrWRsyzZj5TkUUmIWKNy64OFQs/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9nN6glD2_Vtnz6aDA1pMlq7E7ocHkpjuLuIjkW3CIuNRp6gfXQBUGiqQ5FFkA1aRwN4W3ssBxwLkRVLDmJFHBE-AYVDtnEXIWoDSrfkPzTT6ASToPLrWRsyzZj5TkUUmIWKNy64OFQs/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" width="240" /></a>aaaaaaah just so beautiful</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPCwYy9MkM3tfl0_3c4llyh37UqisWfMFQdbgyNM-gwio8Rg17SJ7BWt_CwBkttfzhGAzvkLVmvEQOXIHZ_jH68SQ29KT-upnf7awuCjPLCZBVvcdYMVMPoOzdU8Pf6UbZTYS2qCuNLQ/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPCwYy9MkM3tfl0_3c4llyh37UqisWfMFQdbgyNM-gwio8Rg17SJ7BWt_CwBkttfzhGAzvkLVmvEQOXIHZ_jH68SQ29KT-upnf7awuCjPLCZBVvcdYMVMPoOzdU8Pf6UbZTYS2qCuNLQ/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="240" /></a>The family tree</div>
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Saturday was the wedding itself, I went with them when they had their photoshoot, but the best part of the day was the moment Martijn saw Saskia for the first time, you could just tell there were so many emotions, both sides, and I knew he would cry a little bit!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV1_tuZdsTVNpclB4BwkUF6TaU4RjU3Wj-sN4mHKSkw9QXWMEi3sE-okmkQ4F8SvcfXeFJJMp82qSvXYgmHZWQe4Ev7E_GXyVJQv9Mf_v-BFrKYtcHUYC5-7vpyYloe0P9hCBBZSsuac/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV1_tuZdsTVNpclB4BwkUF6TaU4RjU3Wj-sN4mHKSkw9QXWMEi3sE-okmkQ4F8SvcfXeFJJMp82qSvXYgmHZWQe4Ev7E_GXyVJQv9Mf_v-BFrKYtcHUYC5-7vpyYloe0P9hCBBZSsuac/s320/IMG_1264.JPG" width="240" /></a>After they threw the pigeons in the sky <3 btw look at that veil!!! </div>
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In church it was first the civil wedding and then the church wedding, the vows and then the rings came along, by nobody else but my other brothers dog Gael (who is a Berner Senner aka pretty big), it was just hilarious him running all the way to the front to bring the rings. Nobody saw that one coming! Everybody just looked so beautiful, and who doesn't like a man in a suit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4Z5VMlzT9CfbGd4guJY65_AN7GO2Ms3CL_1shVzcg13t5SFztuufRAcFYpM5g7d6IUVvskuAaPVVMkGbsRnMIC7hRKJR8pT3waIy9l39mn3GW66AS7WkhQTy4n7QSgr4KYfewQJ3EsU/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4Z5VMlzT9CfbGd4guJY65_AN7GO2Ms3CL_1shVzcg13t5SFztuufRAcFYpM5g7d6IUVvskuAaPVVMkGbsRnMIC7hRKJR8pT3waIy9l39mn3GW66AS7WkhQTy4n7QSgr4KYfewQJ3EsU/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" width="314" /></a>My outfit, and yes those are the Louboutins!</div>
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We had dinner at a beach club, and as soon as it stopped raining we took photos on the beach, can't wait for the photos!! I only took party pictures, like always haha. It was an amazing day, and now I have 2 sisters, yeeey! So happy to have these amazing women joining our family and taking over the Loomans name.<br />
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Finally last weekend I was supposed to go to Dacca in Bangladesh, however, somebody wanted to swap the flight with me for an Amsterdam. So there I was again, last minute roster change, mum and dad thinking they wouldn't see me for about 2/3 months, but now here I was again. Met up with my friend Nikie in Amsterdam, where we sat at this super cute proper dutch bar/lounge next to the water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ3_WtyUKdKb2C13E3n_rgVoA691k-EjoU8mBsZci8LZS71YKFo8-q4mObHjWTqrfiqI7tD6SKJjp3Bm2rSozmAUf79iHv_78lzDTUtwyMHnKQIrdeQyuyI4EdYqMxTnPALQzYJ3EP9M/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ3_WtyUKdKb2C13E3n_rgVoA691k-EjoU8mBsZci8LZS71YKFo8-q4mObHjWTqrfiqI7tD6SKJjp3Bm2rSozmAUf79iHv_78lzDTUtwyMHnKQIrdeQyuyI4EdYqMxTnPALQzYJ3EP9M/s320/IMG_1416.JPG" width="320" /></a>Nikie :D </div>
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It was a beautiful day and boats where going up and down while we were having a beer and wine, how much I love that city, maybe one day in the very near future I will be living there.... Then I took the train to meet up with my Salamanca girl Julie in Utrecht. And how beautiful is our country actually! On Sunday, mum, dad and Tim came over to have breakfast with me before heading back to the desert, probably have seen me enough to last a few months now!<br />
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Back to work you think? Maybe a little. Went horse back riding in Zimbabwe the other day, heading to Seattle this weekend and maybe have a little cheeky trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYy2e4Xm6fH2y5aEYKUASkI4lwDKm_CteOta0jhV7S9MGSY4783rGOmYQZAPLslOakJMbEThDv7QSEGEOX1l7n4GRHRqm77fpqbMvCprp9RDZJxC02LTtOAYI1ehMQjbIm0fSklSpe38/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYy2e4Xm6fH2y5aEYKUASkI4lwDKm_CteOta0jhV7S9MGSY4783rGOmYQZAPLslOakJMbEThDv7QSEGEOX1l7n4GRHRqm77fpqbMvCprp9RDZJxC02LTtOAYI1ehMQjbIm0fSklSpe38/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="320" /></a>Seeing some zebra's chilling around.</div>
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Then I have my annual exams to be legal to fly for another year and then it's time for another Wouter and Merel holiday. Colombia here we come! Can't wait to spend 2 weeks with my best friend traveling all the way through Colombia.<br />
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Even reading through this blog makes me a bit tired but brings me the biggest smile on my face, how did I manage to get all these things done? Oh well, maybe it's better not to think about it and just go with the flow. What a summer it was, even though it took some time to get over somebody I couldn't have done it without all my friends and family. They will always be there for me, no matter what, and it makes me fortunate to have such amazing people around me. Each and everyone of you, you know I care and love you all <3<br />
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Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-11176113238294677432017-08-15T10:06:00.000-07:002017-08-15T10:06:21.818-07:00From Tomorrowland to Guinea...From the biggest festival in the world called Tomorrowland to one of the poorest countries in Africa. Going from one extreme to the other. Tomorrowland festival was one of the best things I did in my life. The people, the music, the setting was just incredible. No words can't describe it, we laughed a lot and that's all that matters in the end. Amazing to see that the world came together for this festival, nobody fighting and everything was just well arranged. When I got home in the Netherlands my mom was already heating up the chicken soup for me, she figured I would need it, how cute! Slept that night for about 14 hours before heading to the airport to see if I would get on my overbooked by 40 flight, but I got on surprisingly! Back to the sandpit it was, straight back to work to go to lovely Mashad in Iran, and by lovely I mean it in a very sarcastic way. I was more excited for the flight after that, London. Normally I don't really get excited for a London flight, but this time it was different. It always has been a dream of me to own a pair of Christian Louboutins, the beautiful heel with the red sole. From my birthday money I was already halfway to buy these beauties. When I came back to Dubai I looked at my layover money from all over the world, when I exchanged it I had enough to buy the best shoes in the world! London here I come. I checked google maps to find the Louboutin store and unfortunately they didn't have the ones I want, so I had to go to Harrods, and I bought them there. Then went back to the Louboutin store and asked the lady who works there if she could take a photo for me, very dorky I know, but I am just proud to own a pair and it will always remind me of my 25th birthday. So here's a thank you to everyone who contributed :D<br />
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This month is was also time for 2 new destinations Conarky in Guinea and Dakar in Senegal! First stop was Conakry in Guinea. The flight itself wasn't too busy but I was the 'duty free operator', on every flight you can buy duty free and it all depends on the position you have. This time it was my turn, but it was my lucky day, because I sold 7500 dirham worth duty free products, and guess what, 10% is for me!!! Woehoeee! Which means that I got myself another ticket to Amsterdam!<br />
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Once we arrived at the airport of Conakry you could tell it's a very underdeveloped country and we even had to take the bus at the back of the airport, escorted by armed police officers. The drive to the hotel was a bit shocking, everywhere was trash and people selling the smallest of things in order to survive in houses that you cannot even call a house. This season is rain season in Guinea, unfortunately. Therefore we had some dinner with the crew next to the pool while it was pouring rain. The next day 8 of the crew and I were going on a tour to a waterfall, the drive was 1.5 hour through the poor streets of Conakry. What I said before, going from a festival like Tomorrowland where money doesn't pay a role to Guinea where people live with less then a dollar a day, being one of the poorest countries in Africa. On our way we stopped to get some cookies because before the waterfall we were going to a small village where there were some children, and men they knew we were coming and giving them cookies! They loved it, and they didn't know where to look since we were with a diverse set of people, a chinese, japanese, indian, romanian, french, australian, uk and me. A little bit further we finally got to the waterfall, as we arrived the rain stopped and the sun came out, perfect timing if you ask me. We took some photos, had some typical Guinea fish lunch and then back to the hotel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wKs4-Y889x52sJxzkav-09Vqf13Qzyc-oVT9nvqOuVDFJA3q5Bo1IYLba6SHcgUNtoGlDxdhzSSdT6tkXZeNgm5M3KqwbiLTOtWzOMwDShuwb6lZFl6t114nv5e20dKbcI7IgiTgYvM/s1600/IMG_9804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wKs4-Y889x52sJxzkav-09Vqf13Qzyc-oVT9nvqOuVDFJA3q5Bo1IYLba6SHcgUNtoGlDxdhzSSdT6tkXZeNgm5M3KqwbiLTOtWzOMwDShuwb6lZFl6t114nv5e20dKbcI7IgiTgYvM/s320/IMG_9804.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was so tired after the drive and the waterfall, and all the impressions during the day. People and especially children I saw on the streets are happy with the smallest things, where if I look back at the world we live in as europeans, if you don't have an iPad or iPhone in school you are not part of the cool people and the lifestyle people want you to live. These children in Africa literally have nothing but the things they find on the street, no special toys for them to play with, just an empty bottle some children were playing with. It's a fact that they don't know what there is out there, and maybe the not knowing makes them happier then some children who do have the luxurious lifestyle. It's a double feeling seeing all these people and then getting back to the beautiful Sheraton hotel. I'am sure there are some wealthy people but they probably live in a complete different area and high rise fences.<br />
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The next day we flew to Dakar in Senegal.<br />
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Dakar is a complete different world then Conakry, it sounds bad but you can just tell that Senegal is 'wealthier'. One of the crew told me that back in the day when the French came to Guinea that literally they took everything what they had from gold to other valuables. Instantly I felt more safe in Dakar then Conakry. A few of the crew been before so they knew a nice place for us to have dinner, instead of the hotel. We ended up at this restaurant next to the water and it was just the cutest place I have seen in a long time, it was fully covered by sea shelves. Even the food was extremely good and delicious.<br />
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After the restaurant we found on the internet that there is a bar at the Dakar lighthouse, so we went to have a look. And again, such a surprise, trees covered in lights to give this an extra magical feeling.<br />
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However, it wasn't the party place as we expected so we went to the club street in Dakar and went actual clubbing with the people of Senegal. I can tell you that it was a very interesting evening with a lot of big asses and big boobs and just very tall females, and there was me 1.64m shaking my white ass around, haha!<br />
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Got back to the hotel about 6am and the girls were doing a tour at 9am, as you can imagine I did not go. I just did not have the energy to sleep a few hours and then do a full day tour, not happening. Glad I didn't because there were some heavy thunderstorms as well, so I just did the typical gym and roomservice for a day, and I loved it. The last day it was finally sunny so I had a lovely breakfast by the pool next to the ocean and then chilled for a few hours by the pool getting my tan back.<br />
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After 48 hours in Conakry and 48 hours in Dakar it was time to get back to the sandpit. Re-thinking about what I have actually seen in the past few days and knowing my own childhood I must say it made me feel very fortunate to be from my small village in the Netherlands and having the childhood I had. Knowing I have a bright future ahead of me, able to go to school and travel the world as I do now, things some people don't even know it exists, when you think about it all it's a bit shocking. I have this trip again in about a week and I will take some of my old clothes with me to give to the poor and hopefully I will make it to the tour as well in Dakar.<br />
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So as I always like to end my blogs; be grateful for what you have because there are people in this world that have way less then you.<br />
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Yesterday's the past, Tomorrow's the future, today is a gift that's why it's called the present !Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-22969114221648369882017-07-07T23:26:00.002-07:002017-07-07T23:26:31.028-07:00Can I turn 25 forever?It's been a while since I last wrote a blog, and much happend since then. I had a lovely Barcelona flight, but the crew wasn't the best. You know sometimes you work with people and they have the same work vibe as you and sometimes you fly with people and they are the opposite. Oh well, you can't like everybody you work with right. Pretty hard to like 24.000 people!<br />
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The best thing about my job is that I can visit my friends all over the world. I met up with my old roommate Sarah in Hamburg. It is so nice to meet up with friends because then it doesn't feel like working sometimes, it feels like a little holiday, catching up with some good food and maybe even a cheeky glass of wine. After Hamburg I decided to go to the Netherlands for the weekend and spend it with my best friend Nikie in Groningen, which is a city in the north. However things didn't really turned out the way they were supposed to. After mom picked me up we went to the beach for a few hours and while I stood up I became dizzy and started shivering. We went home because I just didn't feel well enough to go for dinner with my parents and my brother and his fiancé. We had dinner at home and went to bed early. I hardly slept because I just wasn't feeling myself and couldn't fall asleep and when I did I was dreaming strangely. At 7am I went downstairs, covered in sweat and as white as a piece of paper, my mom checked my temperature and I had 39.6 degrees celsius, my normal temperature is 36.4, so you can imagine why I wasn't feeling well. Had to call Nikie that I couldn't go to Groningen, my whole body was in pain and I could hardly stand on my own two legs, let alone being in a train for 3 hours while it's 30 degrees outside. I was in pain, my stomach was hurting and my lower back. Saturday and Sunday I stayed in and mom gave me many tablets to decrease the high fever, however, it wasn't going down. First thing on Monday morning we did was going to the doctor, it took so much energy out of me to go in the car and sit at the doctors, all I did for the past days was lay down and try to sleep. Within 30 seconds the doctor told me I had a kidney infection and she prescribed me some strong antibiotics for 7 days. But I was supposed to go back to work the next day, but not a chance I could go on a flight, not even a chance they would accept me on the flight in the first place. The doctor wrote a sick note that I had to send to my manager and then I stayed for another 7 days at home. Because I had such high fever a few times a day I started shivering because my body barely could take it, it looked like I had an epileptic reaction each time. My mom used to work in the hospital so I was so happy to be home and that my parents could take care of me, and my mom just stayed calm. If I would be anywhere else I would have been in the hospital, a kidney infection is very dangerous. Because of the fever and pain as well I didn't want to eat, I was too sick, but I had to. In that week I lost 3/4 kg, and if you only weight 51 in the first place that's a lot. But it could have happend anywhere, I am so glad it happend while I was at home and my mom could take care of me, so grateful for that. She even said that if it happend in Dubai she would have flown to me, how sweet !!! When I feeling a bit better I went back home to recover then for another few days and see the doctor here. So many of my friends came by to cook for me, because I had to gain weight and get stronger to get better. In those times you realize who your real friends are, and men I ate a lot, so don't worry I'am back at my normal weight !!<br />
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My first flight after my sickness was Amsterdam again as well. Think I have never been in the Netherlands so many times in one month. It felt good to work again and get in the flow of having energy, sleep normal and be able to do something again. When you normally have so much energy and then all of a sudden it's gone it's hard to adjust, you want so many things but you just can't, you have to listen to your body. This all happend in June, and June is also my birthday month !! I was turning 25 and that has to be celebrated big. I had the days off from work and I could be anywhere in the world to celebrate it but I decided, after everything that happend already this year I wanted to be with the people I love, so it was going to be a dutch birthday in the garden at my parents house! Mom and dad were already preparing for days before I came, all healthy and happy this time. The weather was absolutely amazing, it was 25/26 degrees and the party was as beautiful and amazing as the people who came to the party!!<br />
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Old neighbours came to the party, people who saw me growing up, my parents friends who are all family to me as well. About 40/45 people came to this dutch bbq party, because that's how we do it. Amazing food from the bbq, nice salads, and of course a good glass of beer or wine !! We even played some beerpong! <br />
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Boys against the girls !!!! </div>
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What a beautiful day it was ! Even some of my friends I met in Dubai came to celebrate!!! <3 My friend Juul came with a piñata for me to hit at 11pm. All I could hear was my mom saying, do not let go of the hockeystick. It would be a typical Merel thing to let go and let the hockeystick go through the window. <br />
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It already feels good to be 25, can't wait for the exciting years to come, they say between 25 and 35 are your best years, and I am already having so much fun, so bring on the next 10 years !! After this incredible party it was time to go back to work... However I felt I needed to throw one last 25th birthday party in Dubai for my friends here. I had a Bangkok Sydney trip first with the best crew I had since 3.5 years flying all over the world ! In Bangkok we went to the Hangover bar, and wow that one is definitely worth going to one day !!<br />
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So much for a quiet night in Bangkok, why can that never happen?! I went out till 5 in the morning with the pilots in some Thai clubs with cute little Thai ladies who were very interested in the men I was with, it was hilarious !! After Bangkok it was time for Sydney where I was meeting my friend Cameron, who I met in Croatia during yacht week, lives in Hongkong, met up there twice, he came to Dubai once and he's originally from Sydney, where we were meeting this time, now that's what they call international friendship !! After this amazing trip I had 2 days to organize my house party! I decided to make it a themed party so everybody had to dress up in sports clothes !! I was cooking and preparing for 2 days as well, from homemade quiche, little sausage rolls, jelly shots, pineapple baileys ice cream and getting all the party props ready in the living room. I will tell one thing, NEVER AGAIN! Lost glasses, chocolate cake went in my face and then the cake went flying through the sky and landed on the wall, somebody decided to make a handstand in the middle of the room where a picture frame fell down, apparently somebody was walking naked through the staircase which they saw on the cameras, but it was definitely worth it, but never again haha!<br />
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At least even the security had a good time watching the cameras of sumo wrestlers walking in and out! Good thing I could relax in Mauritius after this party, and after I cleaned the whole house!! </div>
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June 2017 is definitely a month to remember, from being very sick to celebrating my 25th birthday in the garden in the Netherlands, and having a rememberable house party, where we will talk about for a long time !!<br />
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Even writing this blogs and seeing those photos again give me a big smile on the my face, a big thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special, love you all to the moon and back <3 And a specials thanks to my amazing parents who made it possible for me to have my party in the garden!!<br />
<br />Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-82782783463740180152017-05-17T05:05:00.002-07:002017-05-17T05:05:52.249-07:00San FranciscoFINALLY San Fran was on my roster. Nienke used to live in San Fran and hearing her stories I was even more excited to go and see this beautiful city for myself. Once I entered the briefing room I started talking to this English girl called Emily, and she's hilarious and super sweet. Then another girl entered the briefing room and I already flew with her twice, we did the Rio trip together and we met 3 years ago on a Zurich layover. It's always so nice to fly with people you already know, makes a big difference. It's not that you know each other for years and years, but you don't have to talk about all the basic stuff. It was also Emily's first time to San Fran so we already decided that we would rent a bike and cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge.<br />
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Once we arrived to the hotel after our 15 hour flight, we weren't that tired and the weather was absolutely beautiful, so we decided to change and go straight to the city with Emily, Elisse and Marcus, all business class crew. We took the train from the airport and it took us about an hour to get into the city, where from there we took one of those old trams to go to Fishermans Wharf. Going through the city in the tram we really had a good few how the city looks and what kind of people live there. And to be honest with you, I was surprised about the people that walk around the city, many homeless people and many, sorry to say, weird people. By weird I mean VERY weird, we saw a guy with one big tooth begging for money, a lady crossing the street with her hair all messed up, as if everybody was either high or on drugs. We stopped with the tram a few stops before Fishermans Wharf to see Lombard Street. Lombard Street is famous to be the most steep street, with 8 hairpin turns.<br />
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From there we walked to the shops and restaurants and had some seafood before heading to a Speakeasies. Speakeasies are places where in the '20s people went to, to go for a drink since it was prohibited in those early years. One of the passengers on the flight told me about this bar called Bourbon & Branch, he told me that you need a password to get in, so why not check it out. If you didn't know it was there, you would just pass by, the bouncer was just standing outside and I couldn't WAIT to tell him the password, I felt so cool haha. The password was 'books', since the inside of the bar looks like a library. We had one cocktail and then headed back to the hotel, by this time we were all tired and awake for a long time, also alcohol makes you sleepy then. Once we got back to the hotel we checked the hotel bar to see if the flight deck were there. Obviously they were and we stayed for another 2 hours in the bar talking to the flight deck, and gosh they were the funniest I had in a long time. The level of conversation went down pretty fast, but that made it even funnier, and men they had some stories, my cheeks were hurting from all the laughter. But we had to get up early again to go back into town and rent the bikes.<br />
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Pff, how tired we were the next day and to be fair, a little bit hangover as well. Especially if you drink with experienced drinkers like the flight deck haha, but we had a good laugh. Elisse came with us as well to rent the bikes and go over the golden gate bridge, and again the weather was perfect, and so nice be on a bike again, how dutch am I!<br />
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We stopped a few times to take some good photos and then we stopped at Seasalito, which is the first town after the Golden Gate Bridge, and from there you can take the ferry back to San Fran, where you also pass by Alcatraz. The Golden Gate Bridge looked so unreal, you know it from movies and photos but in real life it's just different, but way better and more magnificent.<br />
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We brought the bikes back and then went to Pier 39 where you see the seals chilling and sleeping. I have to say, it was pretty funny because they were pushing each other of the floating wooden things. After that we met up with the flight deck again, and shock they were already drinking again for a good 4 hours, so again, I will not mention what the conversations were, but the level wasn't the highest, which is refreshing sometimes then being just with girls and talk about hair and makeup and boyfriends (which is a short conversation on my part haha). They were so nice and they even paid for our drinks, which they didn't have to but it's nice they did. At one point I got so tired and all I wanted to do is go back to the hotel and sleep, for a very longggg time. Which I did, 14 hours to be precise, felt like a reborn woman. Ready for the flight back to the desert.<br />
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San Fran, you were amazing and I can't wait to go back, but then on holidays. Great to see and experience such a lovely city with such lovely people, definitely a trip to remember!! <3Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-1685677449317821662017-04-04T07:29:00.003-07:002017-04-04T07:29:36.396-07:00Nairobi - KenyaSo I was supposed to go to Paris, but somebody send me a swap for Nairobi. There is a Nairobi turnaround, which is REALLY long, but this was the layover, and I have never been to Kenya before. We were supposed to go with the family years ago but then the civil war was going on, so we couldn't go.<br />
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The flight itself was about 4 hours and 15 minutes, so you can imagine that we were very happy we didn't have to fly back that same day another 4 hours. Once we landed in Nairobi we were in the hotel around 10pm. Unfortunately the rooms weren't ready yet so we had to wait, the purser on our flight arranged that we could go to the restaurant in our uniforms and order from the menu, for FREE!<br />
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I arranged that we were going on a safari tour the next day and we got picked up at 7am. It was one of those days that you wake up and you completely forget where you are. I set about 5 alarms because I was NOT missing this safari. We were with 7 crew and everybody was in the lobby on time, surprise surprise (normally there is always 1 missing, and 1 overslept).<br />
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The national park we went to was only a 15 minute drive away from the hotel, so the park is basically surrounded by the city. As soon as we arrived in the park we saw animals everywhere. From zebra's, antelopes, buffalo's, and then at one point we saw a lioness chilling in the grass looking over at all the animals around her, but the most beautiful thing was that we saw giraffes on the horizon, we saw the long necks going up and down and walking, it was magical! When we drove just a little bit further we saw a rhino in the distance, a bit too far to take a photo, but it was pretty cool. Then we came at this small water place, where we saw crocodiles, hippos, many different birds and ducks, and then we looked up at this tree and we saw an eagle staring over the nature of Africa. what a life he has. We drove around for about 1.5/2 hours in the park, we also saw some white rhinos and more lions, but no action, unfortunately. But still very cool experience, just wish I could have done this with my family.<br />
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After the national park we went to the elephant orphanage, and we saw about 28 little elephants who are being raised without their mothers. While they were feeding them they also told us the stories behind these cute elephants, and it was literally heartbreaking, most mother elephants were killed by poachers, and they were left to starve. So sad, and they are just doing such a great job by feeding them en taking care of them. The tour guide lady even told us that they can't sleep alone and at night if they wake up, they check the bed above them, just so they know that their keeper is still with them, and if not, they will cry.... But seeing them so happy drinking the milk and playing with each other in the mud, was very nice to see and experience, even though they were even throwing with mud and I can't clean my shoes and shorts anymore, so I have to ask my mom if she can maybe work her magic.<br />
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During the feeding even a baby giraffe came and had a look around with the elephants, and I can she was very excited and kept running up and down, which resulted in a funny video.<br />
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After the elephant orphanage we went to the giraffe centre, and men those animals are hugeeeeeee! Beautiful but huge, they gave us small candy so they would come close.<br />
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One of the guys told me that if you would put this candy between your lips he would take it out of your mouth and it would look like the giraffe kissed you, and who am I to say no to a kiss from a giraffe. So I did, and apparently the giraffes slime is antiseptic, so it doesn't smell bad or anything.<br />
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After the giraffe centre we went to a local souvenir shop, where I bought a key hanger from Kenya (shock), my collection is still extending! Afterwards we went to a fruit and vegetable shop and I got some mango's, avocado's and really nice grapefruits. Then back to the hotel to have a nap before the flight back to the desert. It was such an amazing experience seeing these animals in the wild and learning a lot about their lives on the African land. Makes me wanna see more of Africa, do a proper 4 day safari and ask for more African flights, because it is a beautiful continent and I finally start to appreciate it as well, and can recommend it to everybody!!!<br />
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This one if for Africa <3Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-65035611614273765212017-03-28T10:46:00.002-07:002017-03-28T10:46:46.109-07:00MIAMI Since a few months we started flying to Miami. And Miami is one of those destinations that EVERYBODY wants as well. I got one this months and I couldn't be more excited to go and explore Miami. The flight going was about 14 hours, and trust me that's a long time! Good thing we can sleep on long flights like these, everybody is always very curious how we manage our rest on board. On this flight it was about 4 hours rest, which is pretty good. We got to Miami at 11am and we were in the hotel around 12.30. One of the girls on my flight was my ex flatmate from my Sarab days, and one of our seniors called Sam was from the Netherlands, so we decided to rent a car the next day.<br />
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But on the first day Tonia and me decided to take an uber and go to South Beach to see what this is all about. It was also Springbreak, so it was packed on the beach. It all felt like we were in a movie, the police standing around just handing on their cars with the lights on, while people are just passing by the south beach trip in the weirdest clothes, either a bikini and heels on the streets or just the jeans completely open. I even asked the police guys if I could go on the photo with them, because they just looked so cool !!<br />
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We had dinner at this Italian place and stayed there just to watch people, with a cocktail bigger then my face. I couldn't finish the cocktail, especially after a 14 hour flight, and yes that is my excuse. The next we contacted the rental car guy and we got a Mustang convertible !!!!! And guess who was driving it... ME ME MEEEEE! It was amazing, hair in the air, the right type of music on and just driving around Florida to go to the Everglades.<br />
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We got on an airboat that took us around the mangroves, and we went soooooo fast, that we even had to hold ourselves for not falling of the boat.Then we went to another company where we saw some crocodiles passing the river, and they were BIG! It was just such an amazing day, and it even got better. Got back to the hotel, had about 40 minutes to get ready and head back to South Beach to explore some nightlife of Miami. My friend Anil landed that day in Miami and he has been many times so he was going to take me out. We went to this club called FDL at the Delano hotel, and it was super fancy. I ordered two drinks, and there I was standing with 30 dollars in my hand, and guess what she says, that 56 dollars please. I said, excuse me did you just say 56 dollars? Where she responded, yes, I am really sorry this place is very expensive... Awkward, with my 30 dollars in my hand. Oh well, at least we very much enjoyed that drink, and also the rest of the night. There were some dutch dj's playing and basically almost everybody was dutch in the club, so we could just speak dutch all night, afterwards we went to this club called Basement, and after that I was done, so tired !! Woke up at 6am that day and by this time it was 4am, Merel was out! I did NOT want to leave Miami, especially because Ultra Music Festival just started and I wanted to go, shock xD. But maybe it was for the best I left the next day. The way back the flight was an hour shorter, and so was the break, unfortunately. When I got home I just remembered everything that happened on this trip, and it almost felt like it didn't happen, like it was just a dream. But that only explains that it was amazing and it was so much fun.<br />
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Such an amazing trip, one I will be talking about for a very long time, and I have photo's to prove that everything did actually happen in 2.5 days. </div>
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Thank you Miami, and thank you Anil for showing me around, I will be back one day :D </div>
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Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822402624429309998.post-39247703456391854702017-02-28T11:40:00.002-08:002017-02-28T12:00:34.215-08:00My 3 year flying adventure... The 28th of February is the day that I moved to Dubai and today that is 3 years ago. I packed my suitcases not knowing what was ahead of me, and if you would tell me what I have done in the past 3 years on that specific day in 2014, I would not have believed you! Time flies, and in my case you can take this literally, but it's true. It doesn't feel like 3 years at all.<br />
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So many things has happend, let us take a little walk on memory lane...<br />
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From swimming with sharks in Durban, hanggliding in Rio de Janeiro, hanging out with the national hockey team in Buenos Aires, meeting Diego Maradona; Jermain Jackson; Robert Pattinson; Eric Bana, and many other interesting and intelligent people whom I will not mention here because this would be a never ending story. However, this doesn't mean I forgot about them, some random people stay in your head because of the stories they have told you and maybe even changed my life in some sort of way.<br />
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Lets move on.<br />
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Celebrated my birthday in Singapore; Malta and Barcelona. I have pet baby lions, swam with wild dolphins in Mauritius, even touched whale sharks in Cebu in the Philippines, danced nights away in Hongkong, Auckland, Singapore, New York, London, Bangkok, Shanghai, Croatia, Phi Phi Island, Austria, and of course many more nights out all over the world and especially Dubai (if anybody ever needs advice for where to go for dinner and drinks anywhere in the world, let me know).<br />
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I have climbed Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China. Saw the northern lights in Iceland, and the milky way in Christchurch, where I taught myself to drive on the other side of the road to be able to see the sky turn pink with one of the most amazing sunrises I have ever seen in my entire life. I have witnessed numerous beautiful sunsets along my path as well. Which is just astonishing to be surrounded by nature, to appreciate it and stand still with the history about this world we live in.<br />
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Drank glasses of wine in Capetown while enjoying a big steak, had a Russian shot to keep warm in -22 degrees celsius in St. Petersburg, and had seen the Russian army on the Red Square in Moscow, and even having a little wave at the pope in Vatican City.<br />
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Today made me think about all the amazing things I have done and that there are still so many things to do, even though the list is getting smaller and smaller.<br />
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After 2 years I moved up to business class, and it's amazing to interact more with the passengers while they are drinking champagne, and I just drink a lovely and super strong ginger ale :P. I don't know how many flying hours I have at this point (and how many nights I have skipped) but the best flying trip ever I must say, has been the trip over the Niagara Falls from the Toronto side. That was one of those happy moments, actually all the things that I mention today were happy moments.<br />
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Not to forget all the trips I did to the Netherlands to see my family and friends, see my oldest brother getting married and in 6/7 months my other brother is getting married as well, I'am so excited to go dress shopping again !!!<br />
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In the past 3 years I have learnt so much about this world and especially about myself, I fell in love for the first time, and got my heart broken as well, but in life things happen the way they should, and I accept that. I'am curious what the future will bring to me, but I am sure that it will all work out, because it always does. Even just by writing this blog made me realize again how blessed I am to be able to do all of this at such a young age and I can recommend it to everybody. BUT let's not forget, the person you are today is because of the people around you, who love you, and there is no destination, celebrity, wild animal or anything in this world that can replace that. <3Bephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434170370207662010noreply@blogger.com0