Me in Baguio, The Philippines!

A – Age you went on your first international trip

International trips are in the blood of most Europeans. I’m always surprised how some people have never traveled abroad even though they live in the continent where a border is never more than a few hours away. My first trip went down when I was a mere baby, unaware of the fact that I was traveling. At the age of number 1 my parents took me on a boat trip to England, where they spend a day shopping in York. Old York that is, New York was about 21 years away. By the time I was 6 I had already traveled to three countries; England, Luxembourg and France. Passing through Belgium not included.

B – Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where

Asking a Dutch person which foreign beer is best is like asking an American to… The best beer in my eyes will always be Hertog Jan. A Dutch brew that is strong, tasty and doesn’t give you a hangover. If you’re a connoisseur on beer, Hertog Jan is the caviar that is not limited to the elite. As for foreign beers, I have a personal connection with the Singaporean Tiger beer. Big buckets in KL filled with them remind me of a simpler, student time. I’d recommend Red Horse from The Philippines to most though! But beware, where Hertog Jan is perfect for the hangover-less Sunday, the Red Horse is perfect for a keep-you-in-bed-all-day-but-with-an-amazing-memory Sunday.

C – Cuisine (favorite)

Malay cuisine is by far the greatest cuisine in the world. Why? Because some say there is no such thing as Malaysian food, just Malay cuisine. It’s reason lie in the rich cultural immigration history of the country. The Malay cuisine is never just one country, it’s always more. Malay cuisine combines Indian, Chinese, Western, Thai and what not in a wonderful way. I shall always remember the French Fries with Indian Naan covered with American Special Chicken. Other than that, Malaysia is just all about food. Food comes first no matter what. No matter how important a meeting, no matter how busy it is at work, a lunch break is never skipped and love for food can actually be tasted on any street corner!

D – Destinations, favorite, least favorite and why

The beautiful Merlion in Singapore!

Singapore! Because it’s both a living, dynamic city and a peaceful getaway at the same time. Who doesn’t want to enjoy world-city nightlife while at the same time dining peacefully along the Singapore River. Or sunbathing on Sentosa Beach after shopping at Orchard? My least favorite destination is any resort located in the middle of nowhere. It’s just filled with the same people from home, doing the same thing, which is nothing, and nothing to be seen around. I want a vibrant and lively environment! Or a peaceful environment in its natural state, not man-made like a hotel that’s more like a prison than a place to rest.

E – Event you experienced abroad and made you say “wow”

When I was living in Malaysia the Black Eyed Peas were performing in the Sunway Lagoon on Arthur’s Day. It was by far an amazing concert! The entire lagoon, which is a huge swimming paradise, was drained. We were standing in a pool that would make the Sultan of Brunei jealous, enjoying the E.N.D.! I hadda feeling that that night was such a good night!

F – Favorite mode of transportation

Trains, by far! I love trains, ever since I was a kid. They’re comfortable, you catch a view, and their sounds are unique in every region. Try listening to the different subway sounds, you’ll never forget them when you return after a long time. My biggest dream is to do the Trans Siberian Express and even a bigger dream I have is to cross China by using a train! Plus as a European, the railroads become a part of your everyday life. The Netherlands has one of the densest rail networks in the world. Sometimes I can imagine all the delays.

G – Greatest feeling while traveling

The feeling of a plane taking off! Being pushed back in the seat as the plane starts to rise. A truly unique feeling that will always be connected to one certain event; taking a trip!

H – Hottest place you’ve traveled to

Antalya, Turkey. 46 Centigrade works great on your tan, but not on your stamina. Although it’s a lovely feeling to take a deep dive into a pool, drink a nice ice cold beer or take a quick shopping break in an air-conditioned mall to take a break from melting. I do love it though, the hot weather has always been attractive to me. It feels like a certain nostalgia that the cold weather can’t give you!

I – Incredible service you experienced and where

Laugh if you will but I’m proud of them; McDonald’s Asia! Or any fast food chain that is inspired by American restaurants that is. When I first finished a McDonald’s meal in Kuala Lumpur I aksed the cleaner ,,excuse me. Where can I dispose my tray?” They were looking at me rather annoyed. Like I was a touristy idiot. Than they took my tray and threw it away. So there you go! In an Asian McDonald’s, you leave your tray on the table when it’s finished and unlike in Europe, you don’t have to throw it away yourself! And it gets better. In Philippine fast food restaurants there’s usually someone opening the door for you as you come and go, smiling at you with the most heart warming smile. Their simple ,,good evening” and ,,thank you. See you again” always made my day!

J – Journey that took the longest

I once spent three days traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baharu on the Junglerailway. This is a railway that stretches all the way from the south to the north. It’s amazing to go through so many small locations and towns or even the middle of nowhere! People would occasionally hop on the train in the middle of nowhere, the closest house not even a mile in sight. Wonderful experience!

K – Keepsake from your travels

I try to bring something local from any place. The thing that I keep closest to my heart though is a five peso coin from the Philippines. If you’ve ever driven a Jeepney you know it can get pretty crowded. I had a five peso coin I had gotten earlier that morning in Baguio and I couldn’t put it in my pocket because of the crowd. The ride back was pretty wild but I felt like I had an angel on my shoulders. That coin always reminds me of that day.

L – Let-down sight and where

The Empire State Building! I spend three hours trying to climb the thing through three elevators, a 45 minute ‘sky ride’ and a race against the early dawn because of my not-so-good-in-the-dark-camera. Final score, no photos and too crowded for a view. I guess I shouldn’t have went after the Thanksgiving Parade.

M – Moment where you fell in love with traveling

After working five months in Malaysia I had a three week holiday. It was then I realized how much I was going to miss taking a plane on Friday and flying back on Sunday. Even with little money, you can travel so much in South East Asia. I made myself a promise I would do the same when I got back to Europe. Though the euro crisis is giving me a hard time with that, I have never given up my travel dream and my love for it will always remain embedded in my soul. Some travel dreams become reality, others go to waste. Some might always stay in my head but whatever it is, I just can’t stop traveling.

N – Nicest hotel you’ve stayed in

Hong Kong Rambler Oasis Hotel! I don’t know what rooms normally cost but I got one at no more than 40 dollars! And the view was right on the port which, as a logistics person, is a-mazing!

O – Obsession – what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling

Where did that hamster go?

Monkeys! When I first got home from my first big trip I showed my family my pictures. Even though the slideshow was on shuffle my uncle couldn’t resist but to ask me, do you have anything else than monkeys? I started realizing he had a point, I made a lot of monkey pictures. I love them, they are awesome! Search any monkey on Google and you’ll know what I mean!

P – Passport stamps, how many and from where

53 stamps and 5 visa stickers! Might be 55, there are two stamps that look washed off or something like that. My visa stamps come mostly from Asia, as in Europe I don’t get a lot of stamps. Thank you European citizenship… I do have two from Turkey as well and I got a stamp from the States.

Q – Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where

We once had roasted cow in Cambodia. They put literally the whole cow on the BBQ, spinning it around like a pig. Poor thing, but it was nevertheless delicious!

R – Recommended sight, event or experience

How to answer this one haha! There are so many things I recommend but the experience that changed my life was when I went snorkeling for the first time ever. We were in Pulau Perhentian and I swam with sharks, turtles and tried to find Nemo. This was one of my first experiences in Asia and it opened my mind so much to things I was previously closed off from. The old me would never swim with sharks, but I felt like I should do it and I did. Now I always try to say yes to a new experience, no matter how much I chicken out, or how badly I think it would be. Of course, common sense always helps a little.

S – Splurge; something you have no problem forking for over money while traveling

New experiences! No further need for explanation.

T – Touristy thing you’ve done

A great way to explore a new city is by metro, bus or tram. But when I was in London we decided to jump on a hop on, hop off bus. Though it helps you spot the touristy attractions, it doesn’t really add any value to any experience. Most of the touristy things are widespread on the internet anyway. Nowadays, trying to find the non-touristy spots is more my thing!

U – Unforgettable travel memory

Working in Malaysia is an unforgettable memory on itself. They are all unforgettable no matter where in the world I’ve been! That’s why I can’t think of one, so many cross my mind. Sometimes I miss walking along the Singapore River, sometimes I remember the Jungle Railway or my stay in Tayabas, The Philippines. I won’t forget dancing in the rain in Riga and I won’t forget celebrating my birthday on the Southstreet Seaport in New York. Travel. It’s supposed to be unforgettable.

V – Visas, how many and for where

Two. I have an EU citizenship so I can practically work in any European country. I don’t know why I haven’t decided to apply yet… My second one is an expired work visa from Malaysia. But right now I would do anything for a work visa anywhere else but in Europe! Traveling to another continent seems like a part of my travel desires.

W – Wine, best glass of wine while traveling and where

Not a wine fan, sorry.

X – eXcellent view and from where

Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of my favorites! If you feel like you need some inspiration this is where you should go. It always worked for me. When I read back the things I wrote when I was sitting there I feel connected to myself in a way I hardly ever feel in Holland. Even though some emotions back than were rough, I was just getting over my ex girlfriend, the connection I felt to the city helped me move on.

Y – Years spent traveling

Since I was one. So 21 years.

Z – Zealous sports fans and where

Feyenoord Rotterdam! And of course, every match of our national football team of Holland is worth watching. I celebrated many Dutch football events abroad and you can find fans everywhere, dress up in orange, decorate the streets, bars and cities in orange, and have a nice beer. Being angry when we lose and ecstatic when we win!

After this, I want to hear the full ABC’s of the following wonderful travel bloggers, who have always inspired me!

Teresa of That Spunglish Girl

Amer of Tend To Travel

Nisa & Ulli of Cookiesound is Traveling

Mica of Senyorita

 Flip of Flipnomad