TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Yesterday was beautiful weather vacillating between 25C and 30C, an ideal day to stay outdoors. And like half of what the population in Holland would do, we grabbed our fiets (bikes) and pedaled ourselves under the warm rays of the sun. Heerlijk! (Nice!) We cycled to another town called Bunnik (in Utrecht) and visited a fort, a small castle, and a pancake restaurant. On the way to Fort Vechten with colossal trees festooned along the driveway. This is by the way, typical Dutch. The Dutch likes everything organized, and I mean everything, even the trees. FORT bij VECHTEN in Bunnik Before the Blitskrieg technology, the Dutch used the water together with the fort as a defense weapon in fighting against their enemies. I am not adept to explain further the details of their strategy but it said that they can submerge a whole area, for example Bunnik-Utrecht, with the use of the fortress and the waterline around it. The enemies will have to go through the water and capturing them would be...

I haven’t really started keyboard pushing for my Encounter with a Thai LadyBoy Part III , because I need to have the right enthusiasm to do the deed. It’s basically the pinnacle of encounters and I don’t want to disappoint anybody nor even myself. I have yet to regain my high moments, so please bear with me. On the other hand, Thailand had more surprising treats to scandalize the appetite in us. I know, I just gave an entry on my scrumptious home cooked cuisine... but let’s take the cat out of the bag. Khao San Road, October 2001 Ah, it brought me back memories, colorful memories of the hot hectic sweaty street scene, an experience that I will never forget, never ever. It was quite a sight. The whole long stretch of Khao San was filled with different colors of hair, from brunettes, to blonds, to reds. Basically it’s THE meeting point for a great number of tourists, the back packers and economy travelers. Standing there, I felt like I was uprooted from Asia to a western country whilst w...

My weekend was rustig (relaxed) because I didn’t do much. The Dutchman did as a matter of fact, most of the house chores except for cooking. He had always told me… and my relatives, his relatives, my friends, his friends, and yes, even acquaintances … that I, failed gratuitously in the housekeeping department. He will not even let me get near to the darn vacuum cleaner… “ J put that thing (vacuum cleaner) down! I don’t trust you with these things, you know nothing about cleaning ”, scolds the Dutchman. *Me pouting* “ Whatever you clean always has some traces left the next day! ” he continues. “ Alright, alright… you take care of cleaning the whole flat then! ” I muttered in resignation. On second thought, I think I am such a bloody lucky woman. Ah, life! What I need to do to make up for my domestic deficiency is to beseech his manly stomach. Amusingly though, the Dutchman thinks that food is just a matter of and for SURVIVAL. Don’t worry, I am currently evangelizing and sensitizing...

Is it coincidental that most women diagnosed with Breast Cancer are women in their 30’s? In today’s news, the petite and peppery Australian pop singer, Kylie Minogue , who’s also very popular in Europe, was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer . She’s 36 years old. Kylie has canceled her Australian tour and will soon start breast cancer treatments. For the full report, check this NEWS LINK . And by chance, this morning, I, together with the Dutchman just came from an appointment with our general doctor. I have a tiny lump in between my shoulders and breasts. I was not really worried about it, but I thought it was best to go see a doctor and have the little knob verified. And because of this, we had to cancel our Portugal holiday, which was supposedly planned this week, since we were not really sure if I would have to undergo further medical exams. Well, with much anticipation, we came out of the doctor’s office with a huge sigh of relief. The tiny lump was just a Sebaceous Cyst , a benig...

Yesterday Sunday and today Monday is the Dutch’s version of Pentecost Day, fondly called Pinksterdag in the Netherlands. I have no clue why it is called that way, nor does the Dutchman know. All I care is that we have NO WORK! A typical thing here in NL, which could be a European characteristic, Christian holidays are always celebrated 2x. We have FIRST Christmas Day and SECOND Christmas Day, FIRST Easter Day and SECOND Easter Day, and now, FIRST Pentecost Day and SECOND Pentecost Day. The explanation for this strange observance can be found HERE .It refers to certain articles of religious orders, but I dare not explain anything, it’s quite complicated for the non-religious me. When I asked Dutchman what the Dutch usually do on days like this, he casually said, “They go to attraction parks, to the home boulevard, visit friends and relatives, or go to concerts, such as PinkPop” PinkPop is a big concert event here in NL, some kind of a rock ritual celebrated during Pentecost, with the p...

I am lying low for a little bit *snicker*, ha-ha, just a little bit, because my blog has been greatly SEXED UP and INTOXICATED for this whole week. From ladyboy’s to hookers to dildo’s and live sex show poses in Amsterdam’s RLD. Man, just reading that makes some people sweat. It just gets better and better! Well, not that there’s anything wrong with that… but, my brains right now are clogged up to the 7th heaven from much stress at work. I need some light subject, such as --- FASHION. Long voluminous hair ... strappy platform wedges ... and check this out, the come back... Jackie O spectacles , they are in! I am a person who has no paramour loyalty to a specific brand. I buy any brand --- the never-heard-of-brand, the signature-brand of course, and the what-have-you-brand. To me, it doesn’t really matter what logo sticks out of my body. I am more particular with fashion justice, if the damn thing looks good on me. Spectacles, its real purpose is to screen myself from the sun but they ...

I am tired today, had a really lame day in the office. I wish I win the lotto so I don’t have to work. Anywho… am not in the mood to write, but would like to share some of the foodies I made last week. Enjoy the pictures! Mustard soup with toasted brown wheat bread Balsamic tortellini with broccoli Dry noodles, my version 2 servings of Greek salad Asian fried rice with chorizo and egg

A pre-view of what you will see…. Rik imported from Italy, Mrs. Frivolity from the U.K. and Me For more juicy tidbits, visit these sites: Rik’s Bella Italia The Frivolity File Snowflakes in NL

I still have a little bit of the hang-over from the Amsterdam Saturday night-out. Well, I mixed beer and wine. How stupid can that be? Anywho, I will let the pictures do the talking. I am sure, our very dear guests, Rik da Man and Mrs. Frivolity will do better with the coverage! (Check their blogs for MORE PICTURES and Graceys too!) So Euroweenies, here are the pics, I will not be emailing them anymore. Enjoy! THE MEET in Leidseplein We just need to grab some drinks first! Heineken rules! At the Heineken Hoek Bar & Café in Leidseplein. Me and Rik, aren’t we sweet? Haha. Cee with her luscious pouting lips! ON THE WAY In the streets of Amsterdam… got to walk faster, we are hungry. We want our Thai dinner! The Dutchman teasing me again with the camera… LET’S EAT! BANGKOK RESTAURANT The food was really good, but we had to sit in this long table and every time someone has to get out to pee… everyone has to stand up and get out of his seat. Ugh. Cee, lemme borrow Bill for a sec! The...