Travel Photos: Kuala Lumpur
I love to take photos of the cities I travel to. And usually, they are not general tourist photos. I like to capture moments, culture, people, and daily life. So you will find my photos maybe not so Kuala Lumpur,…
Travel Photos: People in the Philippines
There came a moment in my travels that I started to take photos from people. Street images, random faces which caught my eye. I’d never done that before. Usually, I find people a distraction in my photos. But the Filipino…
The Art of Sweet Talk in Mexico
Sweet talk or piropos, there is a little confusion on the internet about what the real meaning of the word piropos is, some say it is pick-up lines, others say it is innocent flirting. But I know it confused me…
The beggar and your travel budget – 5 tips how to deal with beggars
It breaks my heart sometimes: children in oversized Tees without any underwear sleeping in the streets, hair all tangled up and so dirty. Their parents look no different, yet they look not mall nourished. The other night I saw an…
What does it take to become an entrepreneur?
I interviewed Arnan de Gans, a young Dutch entrepreneur and developer of the famous AdRotate for WordPress plugin. What started as a (still available) free product for WordPress users became a business that helped him to fulfill his dream: a…
Live your dreams and follow your heart
Throwing away my life is not always well accepted by people I shared my story way back in 2015 when I prepared to leave the Netherlands for good. Because that’s how they see it: I’m throwing away my life. I’m…
Is the Philippines the right country for you to live?
I have lived for 3 years and 3 months in the archipelago of 7107 islands. I have seen a lot, visited many places and learned a lot. I lived among Filipinos and I think it is fair to say I…
Telling lies in a Relationship
Living in the Philippines is dealing with a lot of lying. In daily life, about prices and about service, availability of products and sometimes even government services. It is a cultural difference in interpretation I guess and sometimes rules and…
6 Signs Your Date Likes your Money
Dating in a developing country can be tricky. With all the stories of scams going on and people only dating you for your money, it is hard to rule out that underlying doubt whether or not your date really likes…
Character of the Filipino man
After dating a few Filipino’s and comparing them to Western men I dare to say the Filipino man is quite a challenge. He is a confusing mix between dominance, narcissistic and hen-pecked, and I consider them being selfish and caring…
Building a banca in the Philippines
While cruising on my motorbike through the mountains I would have never thought of stumbling upon a banca (boat, native vessel) builder. But I did. A quiet man, building a boat, with some help of friends. He had a bet…
Visiting a Faith Healer on Siquijor Island
Siquijor is known for its healing powers. The Spanish already acknowledged that fact by building the largest convent in Asia in Lazi after noticing that every priest they send there was healed of all of his illnesses. And instead of…
How NOT to behave when applying for a Visa in the Philippines
During my stay in the Philippines, I’ve been in and out immigration offices on several occasions and every time I was impressed with the incredible patience of the immigration officers handling the numerous request from demanding visitors. Sometimes I felt…