Travel

[:en]Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.[:]

  • Travel, Travel Stories, World Trip

    WORLDTRIP – Let’s go!

    Dubai
    Hi all! After what seems like forever away from my blog, I’m back with a massive photo update!
    In the time of silence I had to move houses, had the flue and traveled to Indonesia, where I’m currently staying… Bali it is! I’ve been here for more than a month now and the internet is so bad that I haven’t got the chance to do a photo update yet! My iPhone got stolen (RIP), so unfortunately I can’t post on Instagram until I’m in Australia, next month. It’s been quiet, the down time is good… I think. I’ve read a lot and enjoyed the sun, the swimming pools and the food. Regarding the blog, I’m gonna start at the start, which means week 1. In this post I’ll share my photos from the 24hr flight, which I enjoyed SO MUCH, thank you so much Qantas x Fly Emirates! It was absolutely a pleasure to fly with Fly Emirates, and I’d love to do it again and again and again.. here’s why:
    Amazing: wake me up for food sticker, because duh, you can always wake me up for food! So the sticker basically equals relaxing down time with my eye mask on, without the stress of missing a meal. (Yes, I that’s the type of stress I have while flying haha). The food was so good!
    Oh and of course they sponsor Arsenal, so I had to check out the Arsenal World Channel.
    First stop: Dubai. Also known as sandy desert land…. this was literally 1 minute before we reached the airport.
    I’ve never seen a toilet shower like this. Amazing, the Middle East. And look at those palmtrees, just in the airport! Cray cray! It’s my first time in Asia, so I’m probably amazed with everything coming.
    So, then I flew off to Singapore. And what a space I had with the seat I booked! I was so happy with my seat, especially after I couldn’t go to the toilet for 7 hours because of the sleeping people next to me on the first flight. Yaay! I walked around a lot, had enough space to watch Denzel movies and eat dinner and take a good nap!
    Oh hai, Singapore… this was my on board stuff (A LOT due to all the magazines I bought last minute) and it was time for some refreshment! And oh yeah, look what this exotic Dutch princess found in the women’s: a beauty area! So much fun. Asia, you’re already awesome.
    Free hot/cold/ice water. Much needed after 20 hours in the air.
    And then I found an old friend of mine. Had to pay him a visit, I was hungry and jetlagged. I had no clue what time it was… I was still living on Dubai time and also kept the Dutch time in the back of my mind… confusing! So why not, burgers. Oh wait, how do I pay for them?? Oh no worries, I could pay with euro’s at the Singapore airport. Awesome. Although the airport was a bit boring, they should definitely work on their entertainment. I mean, a Disney photo wall doesn’t do it for me. The burger was basically the most exciting thing that happend there.
    And then finally… my first hotel! It’s actually a super nice one and I was happy I booked the room in advance, so I could immediately take a shower and go to bed! I arrived around 7 AM in Denpasar and I was soo tired… that’s why it was even more frustrating that something went wrong with my pick up – arranged by the hotel. I arrived, was dead tired and then had to figure this taxi thing out. And I didn’t do any research about money, taxi’s or… anything. So I saw a taxi desk at the airport and asked how much It’d be to Kuta. He said 400 rp. I read on the internet that it’d be aproximately 50.000 rp. So I told him that. He said 400. I said ok. In the end he meant 400.000 rp, not 400. So I had not only not enough money, but I also had to pay around $40. Silly man. 50.000 rp is like $4… So in the end I complained by the hotel and they ‘saved’ me, I only paid 150.000 rp, which is still a lot but hey, I was ‘at home now’ and finally get some rest.
    Hotel: Kuta Central Park Hotel
    Flights by: Qantas and Fly Emirates (and a super crappy one by Jetstar, brr)
    Photos: Noni May with iPhone 4s (RIP)

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  • Amsterdam Curated - Things to do in Amsterdam, Travel

    Amsterdam video guide with Amsterdam Calling

    Last month I was invited to co-host one episode of Amsterdam Calling.

    Of course I took them to my favorite street of Amsterdam… #haarlemmerstraat. Please watch the video below and visit my blog Amsterdam Curated for more Amsterdam tips! Although it was freezing the day we filmed and I got pretty ill afterwards (in bed for like a week – the week before I left to Indonesia!), it was a pleasure to spent the day with Gessel (& Jerry!) and I can’t wait to be back in Amsterdam (just kidding, I’m really enjoying traveling now, more about that later).

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  • Amsterdam Curated - Things to do in Amsterdam, Personal & Photo Diaries, Weekly goals + diary

    New Van Gogh museum (and high tea with bubbles!)

     
    high tea amsterdam van gogh museum

    Hello! Sorry for the silence, I’ve been working very hard this week to catch up with everything (mostly my ‘blog post to do’s’). I’m still a little bit behind, but I hope to catch up this weekend!
    Last week I was invited for a preview in the new Van Gogh museum and I loved it so much! The set up was a tour + a small brunch/lunch which turned out to be a small high tea! Cute mini pain au chocolats, cakes and small sandwhiches, juice and bubbles in champagne glasses… so nice on a regular weekday! I did not expect that at all, and had a little bit too much champagne already due to all the events that week so I skipped the chocolate pains and bubbles and watched the art! For the full report + photos head over to Amsterdam Curated!

    high tea amsterdam van gogh museum

     

    high tea amsterdam van gogh museum

     

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  • Amsterdam Curated - Things to do in Amsterdam, Personal & Photo Diaries

    Turn On The Lights

    Turn on the lights dam amsterdam bijenkorf vip deck

    I wrote about Turn On The Lights every past year on Amsterdam Curated. This year was extra special, because I was invited to watch the show from the VIP deck.

    There was gluhwein, small dishes and it was cold, so they gave away scarves. Yaay! Turn On The Lights is the (new) tradition of the opening of the festive season in Amsterdam. I watched the show next to the mayor – just to make sure I had the best view possible 😉 It was freezing and soo cold (especially if you have to wait a long 40 minutes!) but the show was great! I filmed a lot, so more about that soon (probably in this week’s vlog!)

    Turn on the lights dam amsterdam bijenkorf vip deck
    Turn on the lights dam amsterdam bijenkorf vip deck
    Turn on the lights dam amsterdam bijenkorf vip deck
    Turn on the lights dam amsterdam bijenkorf vip deck
  • Travel

    Fasten your seat belts for this amazing aircraft loft

     

    A real KLM plane turned into a cozy home (I mean ‘aircraft loft’), and you can spend the night! 

    Calling all airplane aficionados! Fasten your seat belts for this amazing aircraft loft. After crossing the globe 3675 times, this beautiful blue and white jet will be temporarily available as a unique living space (on airbnb!)
     
    Get $35 off your Airbnb stay

    On November 28, 29 or 30, you have the chance to spend the night inside this fly apartment. Tell KLM before November 20 why you would like to spend the night. They’ll fly in the winners from anywhere in the world.

     

    Located right besides the runway of Amsterdam’s bustling Schiphol airport, our detached airplane comes with all conveniences and will truly be your home away from home. Inside the bright 366m2 plane with 116 windows you will find a large living room, one master bedroom, two children’s beds, two kitchens and eight small bathrooms. It comes with Wi-Fi, a toaster, a coffeemaker, comfortable first class chairs, a game console and giant cockpit panorama window. Can this be my home?

    Step inside the sliding front door and make yourself right at home. There are plenty of books and magazines in our library to enjoy. Take a seat, enjoy 12 meters of leg space and watch other planes take off and land in the back yard.

     
    Rather watch a movie? All time classics like Snakes on a Plane, The Aviator, Top Gun or Disney’s Planes are available on the home cinema system.
     
    Get $35 off your Airbnb stay

    The kitchen is small but very functional. It’s equipped with everything you need to prepare your meal: cutlery, pans, ovenware, utensils, etc. There’s also a cooker and a basic stove. Please feel free to use whatever you find in our kitchen and fridge.

    The master bedroom comes with a comfortable king size bed that ensures a long haul night’s sleep.

    Families with children are welcome. Our amazing kids room will make your kids feel like they’re on cloud nine. It comes with two beds and everything small pilots need to keep themselves busy for hours.

     
    Amazing idea! I bet the number, 95, is because of KLM’s 95th birthday this year, but I wish they could do crazy stuff like this every year! Participate here.

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