Living my dream

As 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?!

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.

Getting carried onto the plane

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?!

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!

Together with Nienke

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.

Timmie!

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.

the crew

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.

my partner in crime

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. 

our bed <3

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.

lion

lioness

Breakfast place

Elephant

Rhinos

last drive we saw a baby leopard

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.

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).

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.

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!

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...

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.

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.

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. 

Keukenhof

My first Europe trip went to Helsinki, Prague and Porto with again amazing crew and lovely passengers. 

Typical Czech dish

Prague

Once we arrived in Porto

View over Porto with bad weather

And this crew also gave me some presents welcoming me to the blue family <3

Spend 4 days with these amazing women

Next Europe trip was going to Nice, Warsaw and Marseille!

Drinks in the old town of Warsaw

Lunch and drinks in Aix-de-Provence

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!

Some fun on board

With my granny 

KINGS DAY

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! 

Life is good and I'm living my dream <3  

Surprise 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......

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.

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.

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.

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...

Anse Keran

Anse Georgette

Anse Source d'Argent

Anse Cocos

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! 

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. 

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!!!!!  

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! 

2018 Recap

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

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

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

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

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

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

2018 you have been so kind, tough, fearless, powerful, proud, happy, sad, exciting but most of all hopeful. Thank you for all the great lessons I learnt this year, will definitely think of you in 2019.

Things might not always work out how you think they will, but more importantly is that they will work out in the end, either way, only if that's the path you should be following. And have faith in it all as well, yes sometimes I do wonder what will happen in the future, but for now I am happy where I am, what I am doing, and the friends I have that are making my life so much more fun. 

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

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

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

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

That all your dreams may come true <3 

#dropthemic

From fancy Dubai to a New Zealand camper adventure!

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

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

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

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

And of course the view isn't the worse either

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

of course a photo at our usual mirror spot

Apart from all the festivals I went to, I haven't been to a house party in a while so as usual I was there way too early. Hey you're Dutch or you're not, right. 

It was a funny sunglasses party so everybody has to wear sunnies, which was fun. 

Those days in Dubai went way to fast, the next day we were already going to NZ. The flight was at 10am, and since I was flying on standby I only heard at 9am if I had a seat or not. I did get one, even an aisle seat, by frustrated Wouter since he got a middle seat hehe. NZ here we come! 

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

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

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

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

THE Cloudy Bay winery

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

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

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

Next stop wat Punakaiki, where apparently some pancake rocks are located, a must they said. Punakaiki is on the west coast of the Southern Island of NZ. The moment we passed through the mountains and reached the shore we were flabbergasted! It felt like we were in a movie, it looked fake. All the mountains and how they got to the ocean and the waves slamming on them. 

no words needed right? 

Fact about the rocks: formed 30 million years ago from minute fragments of dead marine creatures and plants landed on the sea about 2km below the surface. Because of the high water pressure the fragments were formed in hard and soft layers. The limestone were pushed above the seabed when the mountains were formed and therefore rain, wind and seawater sculpted the bizarre shapes. (source: internet)

Our next stop was the Hokitika Gorge, another 1.5 hour drive from Punakaiki. The walk was just 30 minutes in total with again a great view.

Water as blue as you can imagine

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

Waking up AGAIN at 8am. Every night we first woke up at 2.30am and then at 8am, probably the 10 hour difference didn't help either. But more importantly the weather was perfect! Arrived around 11am to start getting ready with gear for the hike, they also checked our weight for the helicopter. Surprise surprise I could sit in the front :D It was amazing!!!! So much fun to be in a helicopter for the first time, the pilot was funny as well, we actually landed on the glacier itself. So cool.

Temperature wise, in my opinion, was it pretty hot up there. Did you know that the ice moves a meter a day? There is a lot of danger for avalanches, we didn't see any though. We even had special shoes to be able to walk around the ice, and some parts were really dangerous if you would lose your balance. Before heading back down we walked around for 1.5 hours I think. Such a great experience, a must when you're there. 

Queen of the glacier

From Franz Josef we drove another 1.5 hour towards the south again, stopped at a nice parking space while we saw another beautiful sunset. 

On our way to Queenstown! Heard so many great things about Queenstown so we were excited to see what all the fuzz is about. A friend of Wouter was heading to Queenstown from Auckland for a few days. That day we just walked around Queenstown for a bit, and it reminded us of cute small village somewhere in either Austria or maybe even Switzerland. All expats as well. We found a company who could help us to book some activities we wanted to do. Good for us, things being booked and paid for already. 

That night we went for dinner with Wouters friend and got some drinks as well. All the nights before we went to sleep latest 10pm. Because we drove so much every day and then did so many things during the day as well. Most of the times we looked at each other around 8/8.30pm already soooo tired and pushing ourselves to 10pm to fall asleep. Wouter brought some games with him, so every night we played some games, not gonna lie, but Wouter won most of the times... I won once but I had to down the rest of my wine, which wasn't the best idea either...

Another great day in Queenstown, where the next days we checked out Arrowtown, closeby Queenstown before taking our Arthur further on our road trip! Next stop MILFORD SOUND. The number one spot in NZ on the south island. Every year around one million people visit Milford sound, but it also rains 9 meters a year. So you're very lucky if you catch one of the 50 good days! 

We got a good day... hehe

The cruise boat took us around Milford sound for about 1 hour. They told us about the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and even the wildlife. Which I won't spoil you guys, cause you might be going yourself. After the cruise they dropped us at Harrison Cove where we booked a tour around the cove on KAYAKS!!!! 

The ice that melt from the mountains here in the background takes about 5 to 6 hours till it is all the way down. The water is so clean and pure that you can even drink it at the beginning, which we did of course. Living on the edge :P

we even saw some penguins, apparently the 3rd rarest in the world! So cuteee!

is this place even real?

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

a bit blurry but you got the point

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

Not the same as Austria but it did match the expectations for a day, we did miss our Spezi and Tiroler Grosel! aaaah even thinking about it makes me hungry and excited for going to Austria again, next year maybe? 

After Cardrona we drove to Lake Pukaki, which has a view over Mount Cook. The water there was just unreal and turquoise! 

I swear I thought this was fake, but nothing is more real than this water, insanely blue and pure. Amazing!! We stayed the night on the left side of the lake, also next to the road, with another gorgeous view. 

Unfortunately the next day it was raining, but then we could have a good sleep in before we choose to drive a bit further to Lake Tekapo. Our reason? There's more things to do at Tekapo then in Pukaki (which is literally one street and that's it). To be honest with you, most villages only have one or maybe if they are really big maybe two streets haha. Wouter told me that only 1% of the people of the south island live on the west coast, and the coast is big! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<3