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Travel

San Francisco
loesvandril
San Francisco is a very special and relaxed city, which I have visited in 1989 with Lidy (my ex wife) and in 2013 to visit Joäo Racy Lopes during 3rd round the World trip.
Golden Gate Bridge with Joao
San Francisco, CA

Los Angeles
wimdegier
In 1989 I have visited Los Angeles with a camper. I have driven through the city, suburbs and slept on campgrounds in the mountains around LA. Nice but the smog was quite heavy that time. Also I have made a few stopovers when traveling around the globe! :-)
Los Angeles International Airport, World Way, Los Angeles, CA

Auckland
wimdegier
I have visited 5 times to this great country. For pleasure and work. On one side I wish that New Zealand was closer to Europe (easier to reach) but on the other hand not (to keep it's beauty and great culture). See here a blog when I visited NZ for my work to give an IPMA Project Management training.
Auckland is also famous for the so called SkyJump, which I did three times during two different visits. :-)
[caption id="attachment_2033" align="alignnone" width="300"] SkyJump NZ[/caption]
Auckland Airport, Auckland, New Zealand

Galapagos Islands
wimdegier
October 2006. The idea was to make some great skydives above the Galapagos. Unfortunately we were not allowed by the governments of Ecuador and even up to the United Nations. We reached the Islands by plane, boat, bus and another boat (what a great adventure) We (the Dutch) understood and move ahead with other activities, but not all skydive friends. They had some negative emotions.
I had two great weeks (Hiking, Biking, Snorkeling etc.) at the Galapagos Islands and a weekend in Quito. I also flew with a small plane (8 persons Norman Islander) between the Galapagos Islands on my way back home, what a superb adventure!
Galapagos Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador

Pokhara, Nepal
In Nov. / Dec. 1996 I have walked (14 days walking trip) into the Annapurna Sanctuary and have been to the Annapurna Base Camp at 5km height. What a superb and very basic (every day the same food, just a bucket water for a shower and a candle to sleep) two weeks walk! First Kathmandu and a day trip to Pokhara. One of my best holidays in my life!
Pokhara, Western Region, Nepal

Miami
I have been several times in Florida. The key's and Fort Myers in 1989 and 2012, skydiving in May 1992 s and I have been presenting at a large IBM congress (over 6000 visitors) at Disney World in 2012 and 2013. I also feel lucky that I have seen (including the feeling and impressive sound) TWO!! Space shuttle launches from just some miles away.
Miami International Airport, Miami, FL

Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
February 2008 When I reached Manaus by plane, I immediately went by car and walked "deep" into the Amazonas. No light, no electricity, no phone etc. Just the huge river, small outdoor bed and the bush. The mosquitos also new how to find me. :-) Two great nights including impressive bush walks. I also have catched Piranha's (see below)with just a rope, hook and a piece of chicken! Close to Manaus two rivers (a black and green one) come together with a spectacular view. I have been to this impressive spot with a very small boat.
Manaus - Amazonas, Brasil

Iguazu Falls, Argentina / Brasil
What a great trip! Do I need to say more that Iguazu has the best and most impressive waterfalls of the world. The famous Niagara and Victoria falls are absolutely astonishing too, but nothing to compare...:-) As I love to fly I also flew with a helicopter over the falls. See pictures below.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
If you ever want to feel and see the one of the most beautiful islands of the world? You should really visit Salvador the Bahia! I flew with a very small plane to this astonishing beautiful island. What a great trip!!
Morro de Sao Paulo - Rodovia BA-001, Valença - Bahia, Brazil

Niagara Falls
July 1979. When I was 16 years old I made my first trip outside Europe. I have been 6 weeks with (for me unknown) farmers. They were family (an uncle) of my mother, who left the Netherlands after World Ware II. I really had a great time and learned a lot English and for me the first differences in cultures. I climbed the Toronto CN Tower twice. Next to that I made a great flight with a sea plane in the Northern part of Ontario and Quebec. My eagerness to explore the World started during this trip. Thanks to my Mom and Dad!!! Miss you...........
In 2016 I have been back here during a great 4 weeks campervan holiday with my family!!
[caption id="attachment_3796" align="alignnone" width="300"] .[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_3797" align="alignnone" width="300"] .[/caption]
Niagara Falls, ON, Canada

Sydney
I have been a couple of times to this great and very relaxed city. Specifically the Sydney harbor is such a lovely place to walk around, have some drinks and nice food. The views of Sydney are astonishing. Not only from walking around, but also from a beautiful high tower.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

North cape
In 1986 I have been driving over 8000 Km to see the midnight sun at the North Cape. This was a great trip to see this very empty country with great and spectacular fjords. At that time there was no bridge and we camped just somewhere at the Island. To wake up at 3.00 AM while the Sun was still up, was a very beautiful experience.
On our way back I also flew as a tandem passenger with a hang glider from a beautiful mountain.
Nordkapp, Norge

Dubai
Together with my wife and two sons (my daughter was not born yet) we made a very luxurious trip to Dubai. "Over the TOP" and great hotel, including indoor skiing and a short trip to Oman.
Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Beijing
A great city with even greater fireworks during their new year’s evening. I have never seen so much fireworks in my life!! (looked like a warzone) Also the famous China Wall is incredible impressive.
Beijing Capital International Airport, Peking, Kina

Key West
1989 and 2011 Two nice trips from Miami to the most southern part of the US. Lots of Islands and bridges on the way to Key West.
Key West, FL

Xi An
If you ever go to China, you have to see the famous terracotta army. What an impressive story! When we moved more inlands it was impossible to communicate in English. Great to see this really 100% different culture!
Xincheng, Xi An, Shaanxi, China

Cairo
This is an impressive city and country with an incredible history (have the pyramids been built by humans or from outer space? :-)). I loved to be there at that time. Nowadays it's unfortunately a bit different.
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Aswan
Abul Simbel. This temple of king Ramses II is very impressive! I remember to stroll around thoughts how would it be here over 2000 years ago!!
Aswan, Egypt

Luxor
I have been several days on a felucca (small boat) on the Nile river. Great trip along many beautiful and several thousand years old and beautiful Egyptian sites. I even took a swim in the Nile :-)
Luxor, Luxor City, Egypt

Las Palmas
I "escaped" the Dutch winter twice to enjoy the sun and food on this nearly always sunny island.
Canaries, Las Palmas, Spain

Varanasi
June 2004. Incredible Varanasi! This has been one of my most impressive (short) trips of my life. 14 hours in a train (from Delhi to Varanasi) with numerous stops, which was overloaded with people packed like sardines, was already a journey by itself. I have seen and walked in between the burning of the deads at the shore of the Ganges river. All by myself and temperatures above the 46 degrees with “millions of people” around, without a single foreigner at that time. What a trip and I still smell this impressive great city! SO OVERWHELMING!!!
At the Ganges
Long long trip by (night) train
Ready for cremation
Bodies are cremated.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Christchurch
In 1994 I have visited Christchurch with a campervan. What a beautiful and relaxed city!
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Rio de Janeiro
2003 and 2016. Including a very spectacular flight with a helicopter around the City, Corcavado, Copacabana and Sugar Love. What a great city!
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Machu Picchu
Part of a 3,5 month long journey (1989) I have visited Machu Picchu! I feel so lucky that I have been able to visit to this ancient Inca city at that time. I also climbed Huayna Picchu and slept one night in Machu Picchu itself. So before there was any other tourist around, I have walked for hours all alone through this impressive city.
Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Peru

Lake Titicaca
1989. From Peru (train from Cusco to Puna) to Bolivia via lake Titicaca. Great trip and lake Titicaca is the highest lake, to cross by boat, of the world. I feel very lucky that I have crossed this impressive lake and to see the local inhabitants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Titicaca
Lake Titicaca, Puno Region, Peru

La Paz
1989: Via lake Titicaca I crossed the border from Peru to Bolivia. First I visited some great local and colorful villages and afterwards the valley of the moon. La Paz is a lovely city so close to the clouds (4km). I loved to be there and to see more of this beautiful country. I have travelled “the most dangerous road of the world” (the North Yungas road) to stay for a week in the Yungas valley. Due to the weather some parts were missing and cars could not move. See the wikipedia article about this road here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road
Last picture is the Yungas Road!
La Paz, La Paz Department, Bolivia

Annapurna Base Camp
Nov / Dec 1996
In two weeks I climbed to the Annapurna Base Camp. See also story at Pokhara. What an adventure!! 14 days walking into the Annapurna Sanctuary! 6 to 8 hours walking per day. Very cold and no shower (only a bucket with cold water). We were so exhausted but the smile of my face never disappear when I think about this great trip!! The views were so incredibly impressive that that they are still on top of my mind.
Annapurna Base Camp, Ghandruk, Western Region, Nepal

Bali
In 2010 I have been with my wife and nearly one year old daughter to this impressive Island. We stayed and relaxed at the extremely beautiful hotel the Oberoi, with great views and very nice people.
Bali, Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur
I have visited the Twin Towers (Petronas Towers) in Kuala Lumpur. These impressive buildings have a lot of attraction to base jumpers and many spectacular videos are on the internet. See here an example.
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Oman
During holidays in Dubai I have been for just a day trip to Oman. It was (like Dubai) also a very hot day to drive through the desert.

Hong Kong
I arrived by metro downtown Hong Kong. What an experience!! The amount of people is absolute overwhelming. I loved the experience, but also love to escape all these people. :-)

Pondicherry
Great Pondy! Traveling to the southern part of India is really what they mention with the slogan "Visit Incredible India". India, their temples and people have stolen my heart and I love to be here much more. To walk, drink tea and have something to eat at the streets is what I love to do. Spicy curry chicken is one of my favorites.
Pondicherry, India

Mumbai
If you really want to experience a culture shock. Go (especially during your first trip outside a western country directly to downtown Mumbai. You will understand what I mean. I love incredible India including big cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Petra, Jordan
Great Petra! This is a very special place to go to. Entering the cave on a horse will never leave my mind.
Petra, Irbid, Jordan

Curacao
I have been several times to this beautiful (Dutch) Island. The Dutch have not a nice history here and this is what you still feel when you walk around. Diving is, just like Bonaire, very spectacular here.

Bonaire
Lovely beaches and below the surface of the ocean the views are astonishing. After my training in 1989 I received her my PADI open water certificate.
Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Washington
Several times I used Washington as a transit airport.
Washington, DC

Iroquois
My first trip (alone) outside Europe when I was 16 years old. 6 great weeks in Canada!
Iroquois, ON, Canada

Mesa Verde National Park
This is a very nice park that not that many people visit. In Mesa Verde you will find quite some history of the US.
Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, CO

Salt Lake City
The city of the Mormons
Salt Lake City, UT

Playa del Carmen
July 2005 Great trip with my two sons Paul (12 at that time) and Niek (10 at that time). We have been swimming with dolphins; saw the great pyramid of Chichen Itza, sailing with a catamaran and much more. One day after we left a very strong hurricane, named "Emily", (category 5) destroyed a lot including our beautiful resort. We followed the news on this enormous hurricane before, during and afterwards very closely.
Please see some pictures below
[caption id="attachment_1878" align="alignnone" width="300"] Chichen Itza[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1876" align="alignnone" width="225"] In the air![/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1880" align="alignnone" width="300"] Huricane Emily[/caption]
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Scuba diving Red Sea
25 February 1995 50 minutus dive in the Red Sea (close to Eilat). Very beautiful, but as “a spoiled holiday scuba diver” :-) I do know that the Caribbean waters are more beautiful.
Red Sea

Kruger National Park
I had great times at the Kruger Park and South Africa in general.
Kruger National Park, Kruger Park, Limpopo, Mozambique

Singapore
January 1994. A two days stopover to New Zealand and Australia. Traveling with our half a year old son Paul, gives a lot of smiling attention. :-) Specifically in Asia.

Cordoba
August 2011 Great trip with my mother (last trip to Spain for her :-(, wife and daughter. This was a special trip for my mother to show us some of the places she worked as a tour guide. The hotel was very special. website:
Miss you mama!!
Córdoba, Spain

Aran Islands
Nice islands and no cars allowed, so we took a bike to see the island.
Aran Islands, Galway, Ireland

Totenberg
When I was 10 years (or a little younger?) old I made my first trip outside the Netherlands with my mom and dad. I know that I have been asking them to go outside the Netherlands for many years :-) Nowadays I have seen "a bit" more of our beautiful planet.
Totenberg, Arnsberg, Germany

Vielsalm
I had several great holidays at campgrounds etc. with my two boys to Luxemburg.
Vielsalm, Luxembourg, Belgium

Mykonos
May 2005 Mykonos is soo astonishing beautiful!! So friendly people, white an blue!
Mykonos, Mikonos, Greece

Lesbos
July 2006. Nice and relaxed holiday, together with my two sons Paul and Niek.
Lesbos, Greece

Fuengirola
When I was 17 years old and one year after my great trip to Canada I made my first trip alone with my girlfriend at that time.
Fuengirola, Spain

Boracay Island
November 2010 Shangri-La Boracay! The most beautiful luxurious resort I have ever been!! Together with Anne-Marie and two years old daughter Charlotte we first went to the incredible Shangri-La resort on the island Boracay, before we headed to a skydive boogie. (see also the marker "Skydive Philippines") What an incredibly beautiful and lovely week!
Boracay Island, Malay, Western Visayas, Philippines

Manila
November 2010 Before heading to the (strange) skydive event in Subic Bay we first went to the incredible Boracay Island. On or way in, we stayed two nights in Manila and also on our way out the Filippines back to Amsterdam. We stayed in two different and astonishing beautiful Shangri-La hotels. What a gift to be able to stay in these inspiring beautiful hotels!! And..... I had never had such lovely Sushi in my life!! :-)
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Brice Canyon National Park
One of the most (or THE most) beautiful park I have ever seen! I walked in 1989 and 2017 for hours through the impressive yellow and red pillars.
Tropic, Utah, Verenigde Staten

Yosemite National Park
In 1989 I spent (and walked) several day's in this beautiful park. I met a nice couple who were watching their son climbing the El Capitan mountain. This is a 1km high vertical mountain, so it takes 8days (!!) to climb this impressive rock. I know skydivers who have jumped from El Captian (the other way around). This mountain is well known by many skydivers al over the world.
Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Village, CA

Canberra
Jan / Feb 1994. In two weeks we drove with a campervan including Paul my son (he was 6 months old at that time) from Melbourne to Brisbane. In the two weeks before we drove from Auckland to Christchurch NZ.
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Picton
January 1994. In two weeks we drove with a campervan including Paul my son (he was 6 months old at that moment in time) from Auckland to Christchurch. Of course we had to make a bungy jump :-) (close to Taupo). We also flew with a helicopter on Fox Glacier and to the Tarawera volcano close to Rotorua. The two weeks thereafter we drove from Melbourne to Brisbane AU.
Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand

Christchurch
In 1994 we (my wife and our 6 month old son) travelled with a camper from Auckland to Christchurch in NZ. By plane from Christchurch to Melbourne and by Camper again from Melbourne, via Sydney to Brisbane. What a great trip!!
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Great Holidays Tunata Moriano
July 2007. Two great weeks in Tenuta Morreano and Vinci. Toscani and the cities are very beautifull, relaxed and the food is great! Together with Anne-Marie, Paul and Niek.
Montespertoli Toscana, Italy

Châteauroux-les-Alpes
July 2009: Together with my sons Paul en Niek we had an energetic and sportive week in the Alps with rafting, canyoning and with a kayak on an exciting river. A full week with lots of adrenaline and relaxed BBQ's.
Châteauroux-les-Alpes, France

Menton
Real Italian and best pizza ever! Made by me friend Jean-Franck in a beautiful wooden heated stone oven.
Menton, France

Lima
1989. As part of a great 3,5 month journey (Florida, Peru, Bolivia, Curacao, Bonaire, US / west states, I have spent several days in this great city. What an adventure, specifically at that time!
Lima, Lima Region, Peru

Nazca Lines
1989. Here we flew with a small Cessna airplane above the impressive Nasca Lines and stayed several days in the village. I saw also several skeletons.
Nazca Lines, Nazca culture, Ica Region, Peru

Pisco
1989. From Pica to the small Chincha Islands. Nice tour and millions of birds :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chincha_Islands
Pisco, Ica Region, Peru

Quito
On my way back from Galapagos (2006) I visited Quito for two days. I enjoyed to walks through the old town and the bus to the equator. I still hear the traditional music and dances I have seen at several squares in the city. Loved to be here!!!
Down town Quito
Quito Equator
Quito market
Quito Canton, Pichincha, Ecuador

Taipei
We stayed two nights is Taipei to and from Skydive Palau.
Taipei City, Taiwan

Diving Palau
What is Palau incredible beautiful under water! I have seen Sharks, Turtles and thousands of fish.
Palau

Vatican City
July 2014 Just before my taxi to the airport I had a few hours to walk around the beautiful Vatican City!
Vatican

Guangzhou
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Xiamen
Due to an impressive typhoon I flew via 4 Chinese cities (over 36 hours of traveling) leaving China heading back to Amsterdam / Schiphol.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen, Fujian, China

Guilin (exiting trip back home)
July 2015. Due to a typhoon we were not able to land at the airport of Guangzhou. The pilot decided to fly out to this airport (distance Amsterdam / Paris). We landed safely in the middle of the night and after 3 hours (around 3.00 hours AM) waiting at the runway we eventually flew to Guangzhou. This was quite a trip with only (200 plus?) Chinese passengers on board without any forma communication in English. Via a translator from my project (see my blog here about my project) by phone I was able to get some information what was happening. Life is a journey! :-)
Guilin, Guangxi, China

Santiago Chili
Transit between Rio de Janeiro and Auckland. In the business lounge they had lovely Sushi :-)!
Santiago, Chili

Toronto
In August 2016 I have made with my wife and daughter a great trip in a camper in Ontario and Quebec. We drove 3500km and visited very beautiful places. The numerous crystal clear lakes, islands and open space will I never forget.
Please see below the route we drove.
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

CN Tower
View from the CN Tower, which I have visited in 1979 and 2016 (this city and the World has changed a lot!)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Montreal
Montreal, Québec, Canada

Mont Tremblant
Beautiful Mont Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada

Algonquin Park
Algonquin Park is one of the most beautiful parks I have seen! So lonely, so quiet and peaceful!!
Algonquin Provincial Park, Nipissing, Unorganized, South Part, Ontario, Canada

Seaplane above Manitoulin Island
30 minutes in a seaplane
Beautiful up there!
Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin District, Ontario, Canada

Tobermory
South Baymouth
Tobermory, Ontario, Canada

Belleville
For one week my oldest son Paul joint us to travel around with our camper. (from Belleville to Montreal)
Pick up my oldest son
Belleville, Ontario, Canada

Du Mont Orford national park
Lake Stukely
Lake Stucaly
Chemin du Mont Orford, Orford, Québec, Canada

Cascais
On 7 september 2016 I made a great helicopter flight around Cascais!
Cascais, Portugal

Cuzco to Puno
1989 Many hours in a train from Cuzco to Puno. What an impressive journey. At Puno I have been hijacked with 5 others by the so called Lightning Path. (Long story very short and extremely scary!!) I have immediately learned how relative live is....
Cuzco, Peru

Monument Valley
July 2017. A great trip to Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powel, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Tucson and back to Vegas.
Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah, Verenigde Staten

Tucson
Visited friends Joost and Karen to walk into the mountains, the Dutch F16 airforce base, bikes through the desert and much more.
Tucson, Arizona, Verenigde Staten

Page, Lake Powel
What is Lake Powel a beautiful area to see. We also took a boat tour at the lake.
Page, Arizona, Verenigde Staten

Sedona
Sedona where we also met Sasha :-)
Sedona, Arizona, Verenigde Staten

F1 Austria
Together with my best friend Pim we go every year to Formula 1 in Austria!
We have seen Max Verstappen twice to win this race!!
Red Bull Ring Straße, Spielberg bei Knittelfeld, Oostenrijk

Marmaris Turkey
Two weeks holiday and I read my first book about NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). which changed my life for good!! :-)
Marmaris, Muğla, Turkije

Barcelona
Several visits to this impressive city. A few (long weekend) holidays and several business congresses.
I love this city!!
Barcelona, Spanje

Diving in and around the blue hole
As part of the great Blue Hole skydiving event see my blog here I have been diving three times in this beautiful ocean!
Great Blue Hole, Belize City, Belize

Death Sea
I have been "swimming" in this extreme Salty Sea. The water was very cold, but I had my picture reading the newspaper while laying into the water on my back. :-)
Dead Sea

Masada
Please read the impressive story of Masada here
Walking around in the heat and with the story in my mind gave me goosebumps.
Masada National Park, Masada, Israël

Crete
A nice week with good friends to relax to escape autumn.
Crète, Griekenland

Three sisters
January 1994 Traveling with my wife and our 6 month old son. The blue mountains were (at that time) heavily destroyed by bushfires.
Came back in august 2019!
Three Sisters view point, Cliff Drive, Katoomba Nieuw-Zuid-Wales, Australië

Gold Coast AU
Traveling around with a campervan with our 6 months old son Paul in Jan/Feb 1994. 4 great weeks!
Gold Coast Queensland, Australië

Disneyland Paris
With my family and friends we have been several times in this lovely resort.
Disneyland Paris, Boulevard de Parc, Coupvray, Frankrijk

Paris
I love downtown Paris and have been there at least ten times or more....
Paris, Frankrijk

Ese Vilage
I love this old village on top of a mountain and overlooking the mediterranean. The 5 star hotel and restaurant on top is incredible beautiful.
Eze Village, Èze, Frankrijk

Plavecky Stvrtok, what a story!!
I found the grave of a lost skydiver. A story I will never forget: please see my blog here
Plavecký Štvrtok, Slowakije

Fox Glacier by Helicopter
In Jan 1994 I visited (by Camper) New Zealand and Australia with my half a year old son Paul. A great one month trip including two helicopter flights, bungy jumping and much more. I really love to travel as much as possible!! Below three pictures of the helicopter flight up the Fox Glacier.
Fox Glacier, Nieuw-Zeeland

Taupo bungy
January 1994. Two great bungy jumps!! During the first jump the camera was not working, so they offered me another one for free. The second jump was really scary. :-)
Taupo Bungy Spa Road, Taupo, Nieuw-Zeeland

Jaipur
Jaipur (the pink city). I love to travel around India, see some pictures below of this impressive city!

Agra and Taj Mahal
In 2004 and 2023 I have visited the Taj Mahal! What to tell more about Agra and the Taj Mahal!! See some pictures from both visits below! During these 19 years difference in time the Taj Mahal is even impressive, only the smog levels have unfortunately increased dramatically!!
Agra

Rishikesh
Another trip in this increadible country to the beautiful and holy cities Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Kathmandu
I stayed a few days (before heading into the Himalayas) in this great city. Full with a wealth and impressive culture! After Kathmandu we traveled by bus to Pakhara for our 14 days walking trip to the Annapurna Base Camp (nearly 5km height). One of my best holidays ever!!

Ponda
Impressive city with the Chinese fishermans nets (trap Fish) and the backwaters. Photos will follow.

Mijas
Another nice village we visited with my Mother on her last trip to Spain! Miss you Mama!!

Sevilla
Another beautiful city we visited with my Mother, where she showed us for the last time around..... (see also the stories of Cordoba and Mijas). Miss you mama!!

Riga
In January 2019 I drove together with my son Paul to Riga, Latvia. We drove 4000 km in only 3,5 days. It was a great trip via Germany, Poland and Lithowen with most of the time quite some snow. Most importantly we had a great, warm and positive energetic time together, with 40 hours in my car.
Riga Vidzeme, Latvia

Poznan
2019 On our way back to the Netherlands (with my son Paul) we stayed one night in Poznan. (see also the Riga icon) What a beautiful city!!
Poznań województwo wielkopolskie, Poland

Panevezys
On our way to Riga my son (paul) and I stopped for diner (Sushi, but not the best we have had haha) in Panevezys. The city was beautifully lightened. See for more info also the icon of Riga.
Panevezys Panevėžio apskritis, Lithuania

Svingvoll
December 2018 / January 2019. 5 great days in the middle of nowhere! What a basic trip, no water (we had to melt snow) and no toilet (only outside in a Utedo :-) ). We loved to fully relax in the incredible environment. What a trip: 1,5 hours by plane, 2 hours by train, 1 hour by car and than 20 minute by foot (snowshoes). Anne-Marie, Charlotte and I had a great time and new years evening in this simple and beautiful area.See here more info of this lovely house (in Dutch)
Svingvoll Oppland, Norway

Chinese wall at Simatai
A half a day drive by car (on the day before the Chinese New Year) to this very special wall. Due to this day we were the only ones at the wall. Very, very special!!
Great Wall of China 北京市, People\'s Republic of China

New York
April 2019. 5 great days in the BIG Apple. We had 5 lovely days in the city and visited dear friends in Rye (just north of NY).
New York New York, United States of America

New York Rye
During our trip to NY we visited friends in Rye.
Rye New York, United States of America

Jefferson to Bridgeport
The boat from Port Jefferson to Bridgeport.
Port Jefferson New York, United States of America

Cairns
A delta beautifully soaring 40Km North of Cairns
Delta North of Cairns
Cairns North Queensland, Australia

Rollingstone
Rollingstone Queensland, Australia

Whitsunday Island
Astonishing beautiful island!! Never seen this before!!
Whitsunday Island Queensland, Australia

Proston
To check out Kangaroos...and we saw lot's! :-)
Proston (disused) Queensland, Australia

Cape Tribulation
Beautiful and so love "empty"! The Netherlands is soooo crowded!
Cape Tribulation Queensland, Australia

Fraser Island
Another incredible beautiful location during our trip in August 2019!
Fraser Island Queensland, Australia

Quiberon
Summer holidays 2018! Lovely and beautiful place to be!
Quiberon Bretagne, France

Le Palais
August 2018 Boat trip and bike ride on this beautiful Island!
Le Palais Bretagne, France

Saint Malo
August 2018 What an impressive fortress city. The largest fortress city I have seen!
St-Malo Bretagne, France

Le Mont Saint Michel
August 2018 One of the most impressive (small) city I have seen! Soooooo beautiful!! I would love to fly over here with my Mosquito :-)
Le Mont-Saint-Michel Normandie, France

Les Beaurains
August 2018 Nice place for a sleep!
Les Beaurains Normandie, France

Lleida
September 2019 As the wind was too strong to fly my hang glider (see Ager) we went for a daytrip to this beautiful city! The castle was impressive,but to see the big Stork birds flying in the hot thermals was even more impressive.
Lleida Catalunya, Spain

Last trip of my lovely Mom to Terschelling
In May 2014 my lovely mom invited her family to this beautiful island. This turned out to be her last holiday as she passed away in July 2015...... Miss you mom!!!
Terschelling Fryslân, The Netherlands

Schiermonnikoog with a friend (Daniel) and 10 other friends of him
In December 2003 I was invited to by Daniel to have four days of party on this lovely island. A party (drinks and more....) we had.... :-)
Schiermonnikoog Fryslân, The Netherlands

With my son Niek we went to Isla Bella in lake Lago Maggiore
Together with my son Niek de Gier we visited two smalle and beautiful islands in Lake Maggiore. Isla Bella has a great story to tell, please check here.
Pino Lago Maggiore Lombardy, Italy

F1 Hockenheim
28 July 2019 Great Formula 1 race with my best friend Pim de Groot to see very special win of Max Verstappen. Rain race!!
Hockenheim Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Karpathos
What a lovely holiday in august 2021 on this warm and beautiful island! Great hotel (Alimounda Mare), friendly people, great views, blue see, lovely Caipirinha's and much more..... Happy to travel again after the COVID19 period.
Karpathos Island National Airport Περιφέρεια Νοτίου Αιγαίου, Greece

Saria, Islands of Pirates
We spend a full day (traveling by boat from Karpathos) on this islands of the Pirates. Around the year 1300 this island was home for over 60 pirates.
Karpathos Αιγαίο, Greece

Great hotel Belalp
August 2021 One of the best hotels were I have been and the view (over the Aletsch Glacier) was astonishing!! Several walks, great diners and more.....
Belalp Valais/Wallis, Switzerland

Lovely Zermatt
August 2021 A beautiful mountain with a way to expensive and over the top village below. Nice to have seen this area!
Zermatt Valais/Wallis, Switzerland

Montreux
August 2021 What a lovely town, lake an beautiful mountains around. The start of a great holiday in Switzerland!
Montreux Vaud, Switzerland

Skiing in Fulpmes
Feb. 2014 For the first time with Lotte and Anne-Marie we went skiing in the Alps (Fulpmes). We had a great time and Lotte really rocks at the slopes!!! :-)
Fulpmes Tirol, Austria

Skiing Grindelwald
From 2015 to 2020 and in 2022 to 2023 (8 years) we have been skiing in Grindelwald Switzerland. Most of the time with friends (Desiree, Marco and Anouk) and also with my son Paul. We cannot keep up anymore with Freestyle Lotte!!! haha
Grindelwald, Bahnhof Verwaltungsregion Oberland, Switzerland

Holidays in Pisa
July 2007 we (Anne-Marie, Paul, Niek and !) went for a lovely trip to Italy. Pisa was for sure a must to see. We had so much fun driving the four wheel bike! :-)
Pisa Toscana, Italy

Holidays Lucca
July 2007 Like Pisa, Lucca was part of this great trip with so much fun!! What an astonishing village!! Paul, Niek, Anne-Marie and I. Niek played already very well piano here. Soon thereafter he became a piano (and other instruments) musical rockstar!!!
Lucca Toscana, Italy

Holidays Sienna
July 2007. Like Pisa and Lucca, part of a wonderful trip! Lovely weather and lovely holidays!!
In september 2022 I visited Niek (now he is a grown up man and 26 years old) during his study Italian. What a gift to be with him 1-2-1!!
Siena Toscana, Italy

Holidays Florance
July 2007 Part of the same lovely trip!!
Florence Toscana, Italy

Holidays Vinci
July 2007 Holidays Italy and of course I had to see the hang-glider of Leonardo da Vinci! :-)
Vinci Toscana, Italy

Holidays La Plagne
+/- 1977 La Plagne. When I was around 13 years old I have been with my lovely Mom and Dad (miss you both so much.....!!!!) and my sister Liesbeth to this ski resort. No skiing, as we were here during our Summer holidays. I already loved these great great mountains sooooooo much! :-) At that time I was not aware that over 30 years later I would start hang gliding as one of my biggest passions in my life!!! :-)
Aime-la-Plagne Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Holidays Membre sur Somois
1974 When I was around 12 years old we have been to Membre sur Somois with my Mom and Dad (miss you!!!!) and my sisters Rita, Liesbeth and Cora. Still remember this trip as it was my first holiday outside the Netherlands. :-)
Membre Wallonie, Belgium

Jasper and around
August 2022. What a great trip we had!! These were the final three days (around Jasper) of our lovely adventure in Western Canada! We saw 4 bears eating a moose at the river, great mountains and much more. I really wanna be back soon!!
Jasper Alberta, Canada

Ferry to Vancouver Island
August 2022. On our way to beautiful Vancouver Island. We still having goosebumps about all we experienced!
We only arrived to late, so we had to sleep in a small town. :-)
Vancouver British Columbia, Canada

Port Renfrew
August 2022. Vancouver Island and the sights from "high-way" 14 specifically is astonishing beautiful!! The pictures are self-explaining!!
Port Renfrew British Columbia, Canada

Edmonton
August 2022. On our way to pick-up and drop-off our lovely campervan! And of course “some” shopping for the ladies. :-)
Edmonton Alberta, Canada

Ziplines Whistler
August 2022. Impressive ziplining close to this lovely village. What great ziplines (4!!) of several KM's we had!!
Whistler British Columbia, Canada

Campbell River
August 2022
Campbell river has been the most Northern point we visited at Vancouver Island!

Qualicum Beach
August 2022
Beautiful Qualicum Beach and of course Lotte asked to rent a paddle boat.Haha! First Lotte and I went at the water and afterwards Sophie too!

Capetown
February 2023 I had two days in Capetown before heading to Mosselbay to skydive with my buddy Edwin Lebrun. What a great city and of course we had te maken a helicopter flight! :-)

Cape Good Hope
One day trip from Capetown to Cape Good Hope. What a lovely place to visit!!

Cebu stopover from Manila to Boracay
November 2010 We flew in one day a.) from Manila to Cebu and b.) from Cebu to Boracay. On our way to a Shangri La Resort (paradise!). What a gift to fly here over the incredible beautiful Philippines with our 1,5 years old daughter Charlotte! :-)
Cebu

Florida Key Largo
December 2011 Two weeks in Florida. One week here in Key Largo and one week in Fort Meyers. Lovely sunny weeks and Lotte is only twp years old!
Key Largo

Florida Fort Meyers
December 2011 another lovely week in Florida. In Fort Meyers we rented a full house and travelled around by car! Strange to see Christmas tress in the full sun! :-)
Fort Meyers

Little Bonaire Island
In 1989 I had my Padi diving lessons (Open Water) and we also made a nice trip to this small, hot and beautiful Island (Klein Bonaire)!
Little Bonaire

Panama Tocumen airport
I have been 4 times (until 2023) to Panama Tocumen Airport. Twice on my way to Costa Rica, ones on my way to Colombia and once a week to visit Panama itself. We love the Sushi here! :-)

Colombia Cali
May 2023. We visited Colombia, Cali for only 5 days as we had the wedding of my best friend Pim and his wife Marling. Lovely and very short trip! These pictures, including best friends of Marlign (Claudia and Edward from Canada), were made at and close to there house. We have been together with Edward and Claudia (what a lovely couple) to help us in and around Cali.
This was a nice part, but we also saw and experienced a different Cali.....

Colombia, Cali, hotel Spiwak
May 2023. We stayed for 5 nights in this hotel for the wedding of Pim and Marlign. Hotel was good and the shopping mall around even better (specifically for Charlotte and Anne-Marie haha). We also met Edward and Claudia from Canada, what a lovely and inspiring couple!

Colombia, Cali the wedding!!
20 may 2023. What a wedding!! (of my best friend Pim and Marlign) and what a party!! We (Anne-Marie, Charlotte and I) had a wonderful 5 days here in Cali with an amazing Wedding and Party. The family and friends of Marlign have (of course) Salsa in their genes. We as Europeans have no clue how to even match their energy! :-) Enjoy life!!

Skiing Ischgl
March 2023
4 Lovely days of skiing with mij two best friends Tom and Michel in Ischgl. Just three months before my enormous 61 skydives in one day challenge! (14th of June) So I had to stay in a very good shape, meaning not that much drinking :-):-)!
Ischgl

Skiing St Anton am Arlberg
In 2014 and 2018 I have been skiing with my best friend Tom in st Anton am Arlberg. What great days and parties (hahaha) we had!!! :-)

Skiing Kirchberg 2006
In February 2006 I have been skiing with my two lovely sons Paul en Niek in Kirchberg, Austria. Paul was13 and Niek 11 at that time. (I was 43). They learned to ski much better and we had so much fun!!! Three boys on the road! :-)

Skiing Zell am See
In 2003 we had a great week in the snow of Zell am See! What a lovely week of skiing we had. So much laughs and smiling energy!!

Skiing Hinterglemm
In feb 2022 we had a great time with friends her in Saalbach Hinterglemm in the Austrian snow. This year for 8 years in a row not in Grindelwald. Lotte skies like a professional and cannot stop to mention that she would like to become a ski instructor ASAP!! :-)

Amazing wedding @Samode Palace!!
November 2023 Samode Palace. What an amazing wedding we have experienced!! We were invited by our Indian friends Reshmi and Anil for their 254th wedding anniversary. In three days we have had several impressive and warm Indian ceremonies, dresscodes, parties etc. in this very beautiful and luxurious palace! An experience I (we) will NEVER forget!!! Enjoy life and smile to the World!!!

Stepwells, Abhaneri
November 2023, On our way from Jaipur to Agra we visited the most famous Stepwell in India. Chand Bori, Abhaneri is 30 meters deep and has 3500 steps. This stepwell has been build between the 7th and the 8th century. Next to this stepwell there is the Harshat Mata Temple! So beautiful and we are grateful being here! We also bought a large blanket, which just fitted in our suitcases.....:-)

From Jaipur to Agra
November 2023. From Jaipur to Agra by private Taxi, with our lovely driver Yogi!! Driving around India is so special! Also Lotte and Anne-Marie love India and I wish this could last forever.......!!

From Agra to Delhi and back home
November 2023. Again a beautiful trip with a taxi and our lovely driver Yogi! Form Agra to Delhi was a lovely day on the road!! We all would love to stay much longer here..... (only the smog levels in Delhi were way to much and a bit dangerous! (over level 500!!) :-( In NL it's normally around 25.

Doha
March 2024 One night in Doha from the Seychelles back to the Netherlands. What an extreme rich country!!