If you love adventure travel and travel prefer unorganized, it is wise you advance deeper in terms of stability and security

If you love adventure travel and travel prefer unorganized, it is wise you advance deeper in terms of stability and security extra good at your destination. I frequently get questions about "weird" destinations that I choose from ;-). And of course countries like India, Iran or shortly Rwanda be a different story than France or Italy. But my experience is really that you simply must use your common sense and should take into account local customs and circumstances. As long as you all keep in mind, chances are small that you end up in an unsafe situation.

Panama.

In recent weeks, the disappearance of Kris and Lisanne in Panama regularly in the news. And with the latest news about finding backpacks, shoes and now human remains of one of the girls, doubt creeps everyone to feel. Regularly I hear around me; why those girls then had to go Panama as a destination ?! Urge you not also such a situation about yourself? I want to scream! Regardless of what exactly happened in Panama, nobody raises something out of himself. Why not for a country like Panama can choose the right preparations? In Central America, it is even one of the countries with the lowest crime. Of course the figure is still much higher than in the Netherlands, but that does not change that you as a tourist should be good to go.


Open travel.

And so it is with many countries. India is really not drawn any wife of a tuktuk, Iran is certainly not the entire population against the Western world and in Rwanda has long been no more civil war. Yes, they are more adventurous destinations but it is also about all. Many of our imaging also has to do with what we just do not know and we may see what little open against 'other' destinations. Too bad right? My travel credo is: travel as open as possible and trust your gut feeling. Then everything will be alright!

Finally I have internet anywhere :-)! After more than two weeks Uganda, though equally delicious ennnnn I can finally drew and wrote an update on Trip Girl. Was about time! 2 hours ago we were in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, arrived. Tent with a nice hostel put on and then not doing anything after 8 hours of eating dust in the car ;-).

wen 1

Uganda so far.

There is so much that I would like to tell about Uganda! In detail there will be in the coming weeks, enough messages to appear on Travel Girl, but for now I can say that Uganda is truly FAN-TAS-TIC! I had already heard from some of you, but what a super beautiful country this is. In addition to the enormous natural beauty, vast national parks and the crazy wild life, people also look super sweet. Wherever we get the kids all of yards away running up the road and if we again look, there are no time dozens of people around us to help. I was there quite a different picture in advance, but you notice in certain places really there just is not great many tourists. Everything is a little unspoiled, authentic and pure. Exactly what I love :-).

wen 2

Finest moments.

After arriving at the airport in Entebbe, we have the next day immediately went to Kidepo. Kidepo is a national park in the far north of Uganda, at the border with South Sudan. Precisely for this reason, there are few tourists and those who did get there let them fly in a private plane. Well. Can. It is a long drive from no less than 14 hours over bad roads, but for me so very worth it! This was for me so far one of the best moments of our trip. We are more than three days left in Kidepo and I enjoyed every minute! Many wild super seen; even lions :-D literally 3 meters away! Crazy right ?! We stood alone with our mini tent in the middle of the park; I'm not going to forget. Anyway, I'll save the rest for a later article!

Further plans.

And now? Now we are to come in Rwanda. The idea is that we make tomorrow a day of sightseeing in and around Kigali and then quickly go out the city. Probably we go a little to the north, to the Virunga area. There you can do amazing treks where you climb volcanoes. Just something for me :-)! What we will do next, I do not know yet. I will keep you posted! For now lovingly from Africa and see you soon !!

If you Granada comes riding in, you first get through some slums and older neighborhoods

At Granada you think fast to that wonderful southern Spanish city. But there is another Granada, just a tad further 8-) home. In the west of Nicaragua fact is the lovely colonial Granada. During my trip to Nicaragua, I had really no expectations at Granada. It's an 'our pick' in the Lonely Planet, but I made it often. It just seemed like another big city. Error ;-)!

European atmosphere.
If you Granada comes riding in, you first get through some slums and older neighborhoods. But the closer you get to the center of this town, the more beautiful and classic is Granada. Until you get off at the Parque Colón, the main square in the city, and you gazes at the beautiful cathedral and colorful buildings. Old men flirt like they are 20, hip swaying women with baskets of fruit, and children playing with fallen palm leaves. Yes, you're in Central America :-). Granada does continue almost European with the churches, ancient cobblestones and colonial buildings. You really feel like somewhere in Spain. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere and it is the ideal base for a trip to Masaya volcano or the islands in Lake Nicaragua, Granada is located. Delicious!

 Granada Hostel 2

Hospedaje.
A finding affordable hostel is not very easy in Granada. I'm not the only one who could live so Granada ;-) and you have the price mark. Where Nicaragua is also quite cheap for Western tourists, Granada is clearly a tad more expensive. During our stay in Granada, we slept in Hospedaje La Pergola ; a small mini-hotel meets hostel +, consisting of 11 rooms and an awesome courtyard. Complete with swings and hammocks. The rooms are huge, fresh and all have air conditioning. La Pergola is also within walking distance of Parque Colón, so you walk in the evening as a terrace to. What really is a must! A double costs around $ 50.

In Mongolia you may think quickly to dull, monotonous and vast steppe landscapes. However, the country is very diverse! Within one day you can from your old, probably Russian jeep different landscapes you go by. Of the known endless steppes to immense rock formations and meandering rivers. And what do you think of 'singing dunes' :-D? In the middle of the Gobi desert you will find dunes Khongoryn; zoghete the singing dunes so. The area is about 12 kilometers wide and 100 kilometers long. The highest dunes in front you see in the pictures are around 200 meters high. While climbing the dunes shifting sand and it looks like it sings. Hence the magical name. This photo was taken just before sunset. From the villagers where you can sleep, I walked up on my own in about an hour. It seems simple, if you walk so reluctant, but make no mistake. At every step you take, you slip back a half step. But once you're up and you look over an area that seems to clear by the setting sun to the minute of colors, you realize once again how special it is to be able to travel the world. Nothing but emptiness, wind and typical singing sound. No cell phones, no internet, no traffic, no hustle and bustle of the city. And when night falls, you experience what really complete silence.

Travel tip.

Be on time for the sunset, but then wait not too long walk back. By the time I walked back to the ger, it was already dark. The ger was directly in front of me, I could'm still see in my memory. But once it was dark, and I was probably walked right past the camp, I was lost. Fortunately, I heard voices that I could go off and I liked the way back. Otherwise you can get here in serious trouble

If you think of a fine far away destination with pearly white beaches, azure waters and swaying palms

If you think of a fine far away destination with pearly white beaches, azure waters and swaying palms, Thailand is probably one of the destinations that comes to you. From backpacking to über luxury all inclusive holidays; there's something for everyone. That combined with the lovely people and delicious food, Thailand surely make a hit. Until recently ...

Coup in Thailand.

namely the army has committed a coup on May 22 of this year and now officially governs the land of the eternal smile. That is not passed any chances. It seems that the Thai years were unhappy with the way the government Yingluck led the country. Especially corruption, where always the most vulnerable people back from becoming victims. Last November wandered about all rather out of hand, after it became clear that the rice farmers could whistle for a grant. That they are not caught and the revolt spread rapidly out. Meanwhile, the struggle especially in Bangkok very clear. I like the pictures on the news must believe you'll see quite a few military parade. And what about a curfew ?! Which is therefore also set. Bit unfortunate if you like to come with your backpack in Bangkok.


Travel to Thailand.

At this time, the travel advice from our government negative. Well. Apart from that I do understand from a government, I am 't disagree ;-). Of course you should avoid demonstrations, you follow the rules and keep a close eye on the local news, but if you do all you can go to Thailand just fine to me. Remember that the Thais have nothing against tourists. In fact; In some tourist areas, the curfew has been lifted, because they do not want to damage tourism. I traveled often to countries that had a negative travel advice and believe me, every time it was my conclusion that that opinion was greatly exaggerated. As long as you have a little extra on your guard and trust your (travel) feeling is very much possible. Also in Thailand ;-).

I'm a little gezondheidmoe. If you know me a little, you know that this statement does not really suit me, but it is so. All those self-appointed experts who claim that you have all the way back to prehistoric times to be truly healthy, get me a little throat out. Not even to mention the Nutrition Center, which suddenly finds necessary to broadcast commercials sad about bread and soda. "We know what is good for you." Well. Now I have absolutely no high opinion of the Nutrition Center. With me so they can already do much good ;-), but the smear campaign that is going on right now to do everything that a few years ago kilos ate captivated, me going to take some away.
Bread, there's a good point. You know him yet, slogan? With me is' t is ingrained in each case. And let's be honest. Previously at anyone yet 2x daily bread? In the morning, waiting for a Bammetje with cheese and a cup of tea and lunchtime there were again two or three on me. Sneak Killers if you need some nutritionists believe now. Because, corn is no longer what it once was. The sooner our population grew, the more grain was needed and so the more people that rock-solid grain is tampering to increase the yield per hectare. And that not as healthy cereal made our sandwiches. Thus far can I still go along. But there is now a run originated on everything "spells" or "rye" is capable of bread under the spell? Shoot me. That the bread you buy at the bakery is not as nutritious as decades ago will, but that does not mean a whole sandwich is suddenly bad for you.
Everything in moderation.
As with everything I do keep very much in size, vary what you eat and listen to your body. For example, I get prone to milk and I eat so little. But not because milk is also on the no go list, but simply because it is not nice to me. The same is true with packets and jars; I cook prefers fresh and pure, but just because it feels nicer for my body. And I 't find better :-). Not because I believe that all containers must either be super bad banned. I think that is the best way to diet to go and just enjoy delicious of. Overall, I think we might be a little bit too far to be beaten by our homemade mayonnaise, homemade spelled bread and tough goji berries. Fine to eat and may also all very well, but let's also good life and enjoying food. With brown bread with cheese.

Not my cup of tea, but unfortunately it just does anything better to do when you go to Africa

Recently I wrote an article about swallowing malaria pills. Not my cup of tea, but unfortunately it just does anything better to do when you go to Africa. A pitch of the malaria mosquito tropicana fluttering around there you would rather not deal with. And so I behaved last night made my second malaria pill. This time I still chose lariam after long doubting. I know, the nasty stories surrounding this pill are not frugal, but I wanted to try it at that. Especially since it is a lot cheaper than malarone and you are also only 1x per week to have to think. Another advantage is that you should start lariam 3 weeks before departure, so if I get bothered by those nasty side effects may I still transfer to malarone. I must say that I am a bit sick after a meal and intense dream, but otherwise I see nothing. Keep it like that! Regardless of whether you do or not going to malaria, anyway it is important to take other antimalarial measures. Goal: do not put :-).


Mosquito net!
Big time. I would, especially if you go to Africa, really take. In the middle and slightly more expensive hotels, you will undoubtedly find a mosquito net, but especially in hostels you can not forget. The mosquito only lights in the evening and at night, just so it is important that you protect yourself properly. And now all dressed to crawl into bed is not really in the hot Africa an option ;-).


Long Sleeves.
evening course, you want to enjoy delicious your food or on a terrace a game of cards down. No matter how tempting, do not in your shorts and camisole. I always have some of those simple longsleeves with me and some harem pants. Is nice and airy and yet you completely covered. Mosquitoes indeed coming at dark and bright colors; So better to wear white or soft pastels.


DEET.
Well, then the offending DEET. Dirty sticky stuff. But very effective. Mosquitoes hate it. And therefore also in this trip to Uganda a bottle of DEET in my toiletry bag. Actually, this kind of anti-mosquito measures are more important than swallowing malaria pills. You can include as yet add up, how obediently swallowed them too. And it is always necessary to get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Chengdu. Chances are you've never heard of. I did not before I accidentally ended up on a trip to Tibet. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan; a province in southwestern China. It is one of the metropolises in China, where we have never heard often in the West. And next to you so you can take the train to Tibet, do not have a lot of reasons to linger in Chengdu. It's a big, grimy town with a lot of Chinese ;-). Yet, you can entertain you at least 24 hours. With what?


Panda Bears.
Panda bears are cute anyway :-)? Unfortunately it is an endangered species worldwide, but Chengdu is a unique collection and research center where you can see these pandas in person. It's obviously not the real thing, but they do everything to imitate here as closely as possible the natural living conditions of pandas. At present there are approximately 50 pandas in Chengdu; very worth to visit if you're there.

 Chengdu 2

Buddha of Leshan.
This is really a must. About 1.5 hours away by car is the village of Leshan. The village itself a joke, but there are quite a lot of tourists away. And for the 71 meter high Buddhas can you can see here. The Buddhas can is carved into the rock and caustic visible and symmetrical. Very cool to see! You can walk through a beautiful walk all the way to the top of the Buddha and finally descend on the other side. Then you can really see how big the thing is. Super nice trip!

 Chengdu 3

Night Chinese opera.
And it's nice evenings at step 8). In Chinese opera! Quite an experience and so completely different from what we call a night. Even if you do not understand a ball of Chinese, it is still worth visiting a Chinese opera. The music, facial expressions in the faces, beautiful costumes and special atmosphere ensure that you will not soon forget. Chinese opera seems you something? Ask at your hostel or they can arrange tickets for you, surely succeed!


And then you 24 hours have passed in Chengdu. Unless you are sleeping at night sticks then eh ;-). You can of course still linger a day, but honestly, my advice would not it be. Then there is lots to see another beautiful in China! Have you ever been to China? If so where?

It is now already more than 1.5 month since I ran the Rotterdam Marathon

It is now already more than 1.5 month since I ran the Rotterdam Marathon. And I must confess that I have not run since more serious distance ;-). However, many shorter pieces and always as warm up before strength training, but there 's remains therefore better for it. No idea which actually. Which 42.2 kilometers have fallen with me, the recovery has gone well and I have not even bales of running. I'm just glad to work with weights lately. Did you know that strength training just works very well for runners? I have also noticed it myself several times with that crazy leg injury from me. Especially core stability training works well! These are my favorite exercises.

 Core plank final

Shelves with that bite!
Shelves always seems so easy, does not it? Until you do it yourself. I'm not a minute planker I can tell you ;-), but this exercise is there by default at me. The fine on boards is that you use your whole body; almost every muscle is committed to. Behold the reason why it's so spicy. A nice variation on the usual shelf is sideways. Basically the same, only your support but on one foot and elbow. Raise your other arm outstretched in the air; that helps to keep your body tightened.

 Core diaphragm final

Buttocks tighten it!
In this exercise, there are two options: the more static version where you just lift your hips up and tighten your buttocks. Not only good for your core, but also for nice tight butt on the beach 8-). If you do want a little more work on your core stability, you can extend the same exercise with your legs one by one to lift and hold the 15 count. May seem easy, but it is dirty to. When I worked with core stability training began this exercise for shit me; I was so unstable as hell. This exercise allows your core really stable.

 Core abdominal

Good old abs.
In all variations and exercises. Always good. Also for your core, because it is of course not only on the back of your body :-). Mind you with training your abdominal muscles that you continue to excite them. 4 times a week doing exactly the same tunes will stop working at any given time. Therefore it is good to vary in both exercises as numbers.

In less than a week I'm in Africa 8-). Yoohoo! As I recently wrote , this is a slightly different journey than normally. Also because there are a number of issues in advance had to be arranged. Visa for Rwanda permit for the mountain gorillas in Uganda and at the last minute also went extra vaccinations for a walk with chimpanzees. The past few days I made the final preparations:

 Uganda preps 1

Handy stuff.
Well. Basket full at Etos and Kruidvat :-). Just those handy things; minis, Labello, acetaminophen and some food. The latter should never forget that. I'm just which Elizabeth Hurley from that Snickers advertising. If I do not eat too long I get itchy and I'm not very nice anymore. What better strips and Fast Freddy's note so but.


 Uganda preps 2

Yo baby!
Look at me with that hat :-P. I was still looking for a new hat. Like I always sit when the sun shines brightly. I love not only of caps with a big mark on it and light colored cases are not very useful if you backpackt. I found this simple cap at H & M. However, in the men's department, but who cares ?!


 Uganda preps 3

But blogging!
As a child I was always with a notebook and pen around. Write, write, write. Now Trip Girl increasingly beginning to be, I was looking for a small book where I can lose some practical things to share with you ;-). Cost of a small tour, experience at a hostel, fun facts of a particular village; those kind of things. HEMA I found this cute little book. Inside the backpack!


 Uganda preps 4

Nice walk.
Ok, not sexy. I know. But what walk my new sandals from Merrell heeeeeeeerlijk. Until now I always have my year old Teva's walking around, but it was about time for a new pair. By chance I heard of this brand. Despite being obviously still not Blahniks, you see that they are trying to give these sandals a little feminine touch. Well. I am in any case wonder how they walk in Uganda!


 Uganda preps 5

Forest Walk with chimpanzees.
Ow this is really great! Namely, we literally go hiking with small chimpanzees. Not just the jungle and hope they ridicule you, but really holding hands walking :-D. In the Victoria Lake is Ngamba Island in Uganda; an island where about 42 chimpanzee orphans live. The young ones let them integrate slowly into the larger group by making a so-called forest walk with them in the morning. And so we come into the picture. Here we only have some extra vaccinations and stamps needed; fixed it!

Those were the final preparations. Now I'm going Sunday clothes to pack up, here some washing and Hatsa: I'm ready! Next week is a bit hurry up on my work so that's why I'm all nice idea would have done. Keep you posted!

Buttons to operate the cruise control and speed limiter are on steering wheel mounted underneath the buttons that the onboard computer is operated

Last Monday I had to hand my VW Touran for end lease. My replacement car was delivered at the point of return (temporary car). This proved to be a Ford Focus.

After 3.5 years ago once made a test drive in a Focus, I had great expectations. In addition, it is a beautiful color, namely Magnetic, a dark gray color.

This is a Ford Focus 1.5 CDTi 95 hp in the Trend version. In addition, this car features the Technology Pack, which inter alia includes an embedded touchscreen navigation system with voice control, Bluetooth, front center armrest and rear parking sensors.

After a few days away (about 700 km), drop me a number of things.

1. Pleasant navigation

Besides a fine control (via touch screen or via voice control), the screen display is clear and pleasant. Where many navigation systems from bird's eye view toggle to lane assist, the system displays it in split screen both again. Also nice that the voice (route guidance) can be plotted. Moreover, the system also displays traffic information.

2. No comfortable chairs

I sit on average 2 times a day 1 or 1.25 hours in the car. So far I got even with back pain and pain in my knee after every ride. The seats are not very nice, are far from comfortable.

3. Turn blink first or third time?

Today, every car has it; a small movement of the turn and the lights flash three times. But what strikes me is that when you go to the right one time to three times flashed be, but sometimes once. I can not figure out what is the cause.

4. Hill Hold?

This feature is "on" in the menu, however, I notice there is very little of it. Or maybe this system works only with steeper slopes? All in all I would not attach too much importance to this feature, as at a traffic light you just roll backwards (or forwards) ...

5. Illogical place control cruise control

Buttons to operate the cruise control and speed limiter are on steering wheel mounted underneath the buttons that the onboard computer is operated. This place is very illogical and impractical. Will operate only when you either get your eyes off the road, or you have more or less "ready" put your fingers over the keys. You can not "feel" what key is.

6. Short armrest

You can actually call any armrest more ... At best, your elbow resting just this. Too bad they have made it no longer, or movable (so you can slide it forward).

7. Little storage

Well VW Touran naturally excels in the number of storage compartments, but this focus has very little. Except in the doors and the glove box, there is a very small space on the left under the steering wheel (for coins ...?) And a compartment under the armrest where just some small things may. No subjects in the headlining, no boxes under the seats. Rear trunk no compartments under the loading floor (where the spare tire and further can not help with is), only two boxes behind the wheel arches, which are not much larger than the size of the instruction booklets ...

8. Annoying squeak by lamps / door

Earlier many people built a beeper or buzzer in the car in order to avoid that you would leave the lights on when you leave the car. Nowadays automatically go to (almost) all the cars off the lights. At the Ford Focus as well, but if you set the switch to "lights on", you get the key from the ignition and opens the door, there is a squeaker until you close the door again. Very annoying, especially you know that the lights do go out by itself.

9. Consumption

I estimate that I make about 75% to 80% highway mileage, but there also some kilometers daily spend in a traffic jam. Nevertheless, I recorded an average consumption of 4.9 l / 100km in recent days. At least that gives the onboard computer on. Perhaps this also differs from reality, so that the actual consumption will be higher. The manufacturer is not feasible for that you have to drive continuous highway 90 km / h without traffic jams or congestion.

All in all I'm somewhat disappointed in the Focus, I had expected more. In particular, the seats are tremendously against me. A few weeks ago I had a few days a VW Polo for a repair to my previous car, which even were a lot better chairs. If Ford would sometimes put better seats in the car, the Focus would definitely be a consideration in selecting the next car. Now I would just all these to drop off the chairs.

When the new Twingo knew came from my wife very quickly that it's replacement should be of the shopping car

Since the beginning of the beginning of November we own a new Twingo. We have traded our old Twingo, this came from the year 2000. We have 5 years without much trouble driven.

When the new Twingo knew came from my wife very quickly that it's replacement should be of the shopping car. And then there was only looking at the outside.

With this new (shopping) car is the aim that we are more used to make and that we show some more the other car at weekends. The car was purchased to transport two adults with the ability to make occasional short pieces with 4 people. If you put two growing children back then you upfront what more slide forward, a ride of 100km can then fine, but really much further you have to go. With his 2-and this is indeed fine, he gives you the feeling that you're in a bigger car than you would expect if this has to do with us this with the old Twingo did so quickly.

We opted for the 90hp version, with Sport Pack and R-Link. Nice sporty, even though we still do regularly to the ECO button. He always goes out when we have to go to merge onto the highway, you'll get like a (much) spicier car.
Consumption now hovers around 6.3 l / 100km, it must be something more economical.

The first few weeks we have had some problems with RLINK, but after a factory reset, we have not had problems since late November and he is doing fine work. The RLINK we also have a reversing camera and to get used to, but one time used, it is easier to park in reverse ... Even with this small car is convenient.

The driving characteristics are fine for this little car, the tight turning circle is getting used to, especially if you want to parallel parking in a garage to a concrete pole is pay attention.

In recent stormy days you have to be careful with crosswinds and gusts. With two hands on the wheel is better, but he is sensitive to side winds.

More later ...
after 10,000 km is still a wonderful car (10,000 km)

We have now passed the 10,000 km, in our previous old Twingo we drove out much. If we now have two or three-and-go away and it is often with this car. This also has to do that we want to save our other cars in km, in October, we expect our new Captur. But not only that, the Twingo is just "fun to ride". He has all the luxury to get some there is. The handling is good, even though we would during the summer storm let him stand and with great rooms. He suffers from crosswinds, but really it did not bother to normal weather (no wind 9).

In terms of space, he is doing fine, even though it is this way and if you come with two adolescent (long) children would sit in the back, then you had more space in the back in the first Twingo.

The first few thousand kilometers we drove in ECO mode, but that sense we stepped from. With 90 hp on board is much more fun and enjoyable ride without the ECO button. I feel he is much more economical in that position. Partly because we need more air con you should not leave ECO him in the summer, he cools a lot less!

He goes Tuesday ashes back to the garage for a recall. The shock absorbers are replaced .. We have not noticed a problem, but the Renault letter was clear: In the garage for inspection.


For the rest, we have no problems.

On to the next 10,000!
5000km further (15,100 km)

Actually, not to mention a lot of news, the first overhaul has been a few months ago. Here was nothing special than regular maintenance.

He still drives like new, it's still a great car. We have the 90hp version, which is really nice and sporty driving. Eco mode off he goes wonderfully smooth on.

Since an August stay at the refueling, we drive an average 1l on 16,75km or 5.97 liters per 100km. For such a small car may not be very efficient, but it is mainly used in and around the village. Most destinations are within 30 km from our house.
On the highway this car feels reasonably well at home, but if it blows hard, we still prefer to take the big car. He is quite sensitive to side winds. If you keep both hands on the handlebars saves it, but wind is not his friend.

The said short distances can be quite reasonable drive with 4 adults, go longer distances than drive it starts to get bored after an hour and you come with stiff legs out of the car. Our previous Twingo had only 3 doors, these five and that is a big plus!

We got an offer last week of the Renault dealer to exchange it (luxury) Twingo for a new, much less luxurious, Twingo. We only had € 2,800 = payable on, we have the offer but declined. We are still some time away in this fun car.