Ieniemienie holiday

Ah, the bush. It was very lovely to spend time at Lombadina community, the bush feel is something special indeed. Joy has had a great time, playing with everybody who felt like being dressed up as a fairy, going out for a few hours with the rangers and visiting beautiful spots like a creek nearby and the hatchery (real Nemo's and turtles!). She has entertained all staff beautifying them with star, moon and sunny stickers and by writing her first words on the whiteboard in the middle of a meeting. Vis and Aap, she worked it out herself. As I had to work Tue-Thu I had less free time, but enjoyed the meetings and spending time with the remote staff.
Friday Joy and I left for Koolaman at Cape Leveque and stayed the night. The safari hut was nice and the beaches stunning. Unfortunately Hunters Creek is off limits these days, but we enjoyed ourselves nevertheless. On our way back home on Saturday we stopped over at Mudnunn to say hi to a friend of Prabs. Also we have visited Willie Creek. The pearl farm and show room were closed, but the creek is so beautiful and luring... till you notice the warning sign for salties and then you are happy not to swim. Joy had a play and I had a rest. When we arrived back in Broome we really felt like we have had a proper break. And we are already making plans for the future: we might head for Bali or elsewhere in Asia and meet up with some Dutch friends during our winter and your summer holidays. We'll see...

Gone fishing

Next week we will be at a staff meeting. Joy can come as partners and children are welcome to enjoy this week with employees of our Land and Sea management unit. So we will travel up to Lombadina Monday next to spend the afternoon in a beautiful bay. The days after will be full of meetings, not exceeding office hours of course. As there are more kids (another 4 year old and two 10 year old girls) we probably take turns in attending and looking after kids. What a job, it is real suffering I can tell you that. Lunches and dinners are provided, accommodation as well. Friday morning kayaking as team building activity. And then we really need to relax and have a sunny leisurous holiday I reckon. So Joy and I will move up to Kooljaman (google if you can handle it) and stay in the Safari Hut for two nights. This is the place where the A4 photo's originate from; the ones many of you have seen for years in my appartment in Amsterdam.
This will be our first official little holiday ever. Doesn't really bring tears to the eyes does it, if you know that our lives are mainly fun and play. But to me it is a first step to relax more and even more so to allow myself/us to enjoy the good things in life without always considering budgets. We will let you know how we enjoyed and we will bring the camera so we can share the beauty a little bit.
We will be in touch, much love

Christmas in Broome: cyclone or sizzling heat

Ah, Christmas. THE thing to get into a spirit when you really wonder how to do it. Considering you spend your days in 36 degrees on average and laying on a beautiful tropical beach just about every other day. Never wearing more then two pieces of clothing, but usually down to one even if the aircon at work is at full blast. No Christmas trees anywhere near, except for the plastic variety packed in boxes, stacked in the supermarket. And snow not predicted by the merry wheather men for another century. Lack of family and friends does not help. So what to do. THE recipe, even in Holland when there is snow in the air, freezing cold winds, bare trees and plenty of X-mas spirit around you but not IN you, THE thing is music. So when Joy started dancing around singing 'Santa Claus is wearing his shorts, Santa Claus is wearing his shorts, to-ni-hight', we put on 'Knuffelkerst' volume 1 & 2 and it was done. We are ready for it. Let's have it. Let's rock. X-mas 2008, here we come!

No movement

Hello all,
No movement so far. We have been told we can stay here, and that would be wonderful. We haven't been informed on the new lease contract yet, so I keep looking just in case. At a lower pace though.
Meanwhile I have quit my job and now work as the units secretary, officially, hold on, Land and Sea Management Unit Project Administration Officer - ha, the easier the job the longer the title! It is good, comfortable and quite fun to play secretary again and luckily my efforts are very appreciated. Busy enough but way less to no stress. Perfect for now. By the looks of it this might be until March/April and then we will have to see if another position arises.
So although there are some insecurities I am pretty relaxed about it now and confident that it will all work out.
We'll keep you posted.
Cheers

Time out

De komende weken ben ik weer op huizenjacht. Ik merk nu al dat ik in 'safe mode' ga en minder op de buitenwereld gefocust ben. Het is vermoeiend: zoeken, afwegen, beslissingen nemen en dan verhuizen, schoonmaken, wennen aan een nieuwe plek. Als jullie de komende weken weinig of niets horen, dan weet je waar het aan ligt. XXX