Happy 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.

Sober new year's eve photo! 

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

The group and vodka!

Sunnery!!

Girls <3

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!

Manon and I 

Tim, me, Saskia, Nien and Martijn

Brunch

Dinner with mom and dad

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. 

Maki and I visited a Japanese exhibition!

While I was away Wouter went to see mom and dad and had dinner with them, how sweet!! 

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!

our annual Christmas tree hug and photo

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. 

Managed to go to a new destination as well, CHICAGO!! Had to take the obvious photo in front of the Chicago Bean.. 

Jaclyn, Gareth and me at Ladies Night

Dinner date

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?! 

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. 

Merry Christmas from 3604!

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 

Family <3

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!   

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! 

Colombia, 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.

First cocktail of the holiday

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!

Yep, those were the gloves and the ribs, no shame 

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.

Our dutchies

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.

GARRICK

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!

The view !

The Rock / El Penol

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).

Hostel van Garrick

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!

Guatape

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!

The Dreamer Hostel

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!

The walk to Cabo San Juan

The view from Cabo San Juan

Can't get enough of palmtrees 

Tayrona Park

Hammock chillings

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.

Another day another flight, no work!

Islands in from of San Andres

When we had to walk through the sea to get to the other island

typical beach photo

I LOVE SAN ANDRES (didn't fit)

Our afternoon ritual

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.
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!

isn't he a cutie !

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  

Cartagena 

Busy 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.

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.

Slavery house with the door of no return

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.
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.

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... 

Lets talk about some fun stuff now !!

On the flight itself I sold a lot of duty free again, so happy days, happy days !!

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.

these people <3

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.

Mysteryland

Same concept as Tomorrowland but way smaller, very good atmosphere though.
And guess who I ran into, my Dubai brothers Koen and Kristof.

Nonnie with my dubai brothers.

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.
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.

My sisters <3

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!

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!

Jessica's surprise babyshower

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.

Cassidy ! 

Casual sunday in Seattle kayaking

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!

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!!!

4 musketiers back together at last! 

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!

aaaaaaah just so beautiful

The family tree

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!

After they threw the pigeons in the sky <3 btw look at that veil!!! 

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.

My outfit, and yes those are the Louboutins!

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.

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.

Nikie :D 

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!

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.

Seeing some zebra's chilling around.

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.

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