The Riding Dutchman

Posted by T.R.D. on May 6, 2012

The Things I Miss Most About South East Asia

Last night I was dreaming. I was at a train station in The Philippines, which altogether made no sense because I had never been on a train in The Philippines. Researching this morning I noticed two national railways had been opened. More and more am I having these moments. It’s weird because I have only lived in South East Asia for six months, but its impact remains. Every now and than I hate that I...

Posted by T.R.D. on May 1, 2012

Two Hundred and Seventy-Two Steps at Malaysia’s Most Famous Attraction

Just outside of Kuala Lumpur lies an attraction everybody goes to. And for reason! The Batu Caves have long been a holy place for many pilgrims and soul searchers across the world. The golden statue in front of the staggering 272 steps dominates the image people have of Malaysia. I walked there, lots of steps! Made sure I brought enough water at the time, although I would make a mistake later on in...

Posted by T.R.D. on Mar 14, 2012

Swimming With the Sharks in Pulau Perhentian

Paradise always seemed harder to find than the self confidence within. But sometimes, it takes paradise to retrieve it. I was freaking out as I walked from the jungle onto the beach. But I did my best not to show it. To not show my fears and disguise it as a healthy nervousness. I was new here, knew nobody and wanted to do my best not to become the partypooper. So instead of the party, I pooped my...

Posted by T.R.D. on Jan 3, 2012

Industrial Nature off the Road in Tilburg

Since about a month I have myself a new job in Tilburg, The Netherlands. As a result, I now travel 150 kilometers to and from work each day, straight across the southern farmlands of Holland to my hometown and world port city of Rotterdam. Every now and than I cross parts of the country I had never seen before, and they offer me a traditional insight in a traditional region. Tilburg will probably become...

Posted by T.R.D. on Sep 6, 2011

Monkeys of the Bali Monkey Forest

When I came home from Asia and showed my 4.000 pictures in random order to my family they kept saying one thing; Aren’t there any other pictures than just those of monkeys? And they were right, I have so many pictures of monkeys cause well, they are everywhere in Asia! My first encounter with monkeys was in Melaka, where they would sit on the side of the street, eating fruits in a tree. Bali takes...

Posted by T.R.D. on Aug 3, 2011

Pulau Besar, Where I Fell in Love with the Island Life

In my whole life I had never visited an island. Well, I’ve been to Great Britain which technically is a big island, but I never visited any small ones. Even the Wadden Islands of The Netherlands were unknown to me. There is something about living an island lifestyle. It’s like people who are born and raised on an island have a more laid-back vibe. Maybe it’s because of the isolation...