5 more days till holiday

Today is Jos's Birthday, we had some friends and family over and the kids had a ball outside playing football and inside on the WII!!!! Plussssssssssssssss

Linda took Caden for a "cycle"around the block and he came back cycling without side wheels!!!
SOOOOOO cool.


Last week I took photo's at Pim and Ceciel's wedding and the unthinkable happend!

My camera stopped working. YES total stress just as they were saying I do. Luckily John was also taking photo's and I managed to sign to him that my camera was busted so he took the rest of the photo's. Then I got to use Pim's brother's camera for the rest of the day.

But life without a camera sucks.
Friday Elma gave birth to Jesper, a beautiful little boy with lots of dark hair, and cute small hands. I couldn't take any photo's
Saturday they finished the floor on the landing and our house is getting somewhere and looking super. I couldn't take any photo's
To-day is Jos's Birthday and the kids were having so much fun playing football with the guys and I couldn't take any photo's....

I hope they can fix it

things

Well I have been back from the USA for a couple of days now and am starting to get back into the swing of things.
Met a cool South African Dude in Charlotte, Reginald. He works at APM Terminals and did a fantastic job in helping set up the training rooms. Reginald if your reading this I am looking forward to you and Julie coming over to Holland, the spare room is almost ready.
For some reason I did not take many pictures in Houston and Charlotte, I guess I had way too much to do, with all the scrapping in Houston and then waiting for people to be trained in Charlotte, and not to forget my quest to find the WII............... and to think I spend so much time looking for all sorts of shops that may have one in stock without any luck. But my focus on the wii paid off. On sunday we went to see Jos's Brother's appartment cos they have new furniture (really nice I must say) and what do they have in the cupboard (UNTOUCHED) a WII!!!!!! Yes you read it correctly. They have one and they NEVER use it (I don't think it has ever even been unpacked. They have had it for almost 7 months) SO they said we could have it. HOW COOL ARE THEY!!!!!!!!! so now we have a wii..... and we are happy ;-)

Then the House, well it's like to movie a NEVER ENDING STORY!!!!! you would think that we are finished by now but you would be mistaken. I have deceide it's a TEST to see just how much I can handle and as I am about to break it will magically be done. Okay maybe not magically but with the help of loads of people. so no foto's this time I will post those the next time.

Laters

Cupboard

We are starting to get some where in our house. To-day they delivered a cupboard that we ordered yesterday. I am so happy with it.

So to-night I started to fill it with all sorts. They also put scurting boards in the lounge and dining room area so thing are on the move....

back Home

I arrived back thursday morning at about 11.15. Went straight to BED and slept till 14.00

Then off to pick up the boys from school. PLEASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE mom can we have friends over to play? Of course my angels if that makes you happy..... So fulled up the car with as many kids as possible and the rest came in a second car and off we went. They had a BALL outside building a house etc. very cute.

And then after everyone was gone, Riley tried on his Arabian outfit....... (so cute)

DUST

Well I never thought I would say this but they have WAY more dust here then I have in my house!!! And that is saying something. Everywhere you look they are building something.

After the training I took a short walk around the block and it's just building everywhere.

The hotel is about 5 min from the Harbour.

Of the 3 places I have just been I think I like Oman the most.

Business Friendly Bahrain

Well I was up around 3.15 this morning and considering the fact the I was "finished"cos I only managed to fall asleep round 00.30...........

Imagine my surprise and delight to find out that they had made a mistake so I was not in economy but in first class!

Well okay that makes up for the early morning.... so off I go to Doha, a flight of and hour and 20 min. Get there and am taken in a special "first class' bus huge posh chairs and carpets....

PLUS a terminal only for first class and business class passengers.

I went to the loo there and could not beleive my eyes!!! A jacuzzi, a sauna, "bed"rooms and a shower! WOW. could seriously get used to this life style ;-)

The plane was delayed so I sat in the lounge for ever waiting...... Finally we could go, we took off and were in the air, I unbuckeld went to the loo and the go back to your seat sign came up. I figured turbulance. Then the captains voice cabin crew please prepare for landing. WHAT already????? the was the shortest international flight I have ever been on, and they even tried to serve food!!!!

Landed looked for the dude that was supposed to pick me up. COuldn't find him so went to a counter where they looked for him and found him, but he also had to pick up others so I had to wait again....... finally at 12 I was at my hotel. yes I travelled for 8 hours and the a direct flight would have been 3 and a half hours of traveling

I am in a 5 star hotel but I think the people that work here don't know that;-)

Bahrain is FULL compare to Muscat, and it all big buildings I just don't have the energy to go out ....... maybe after my training tomorrow

soooooooooooooooooooooooo here is the view from my hotel window

Oman

Well to-day was my last day in Oman, tomorrow morning early (4am I need to go to the airpoort) so after the training, I dropped off my stuff at the hotel and went to the bazaar.

It was cool just walking around they have some stunning roof top's. I was taking some photo's of it and got talking to one of the local's. Nice guy. He told me that there were 85 glass windows in the roof and that it took them the longest to make. He was saying there are mountains about 3 hours from here and while it is now 45 degree here now it would be about 17 in the mountains.

hmmmmmmm He had a spice stall (actually his dad's) had been in the family for generations. He had a chilli spice mix (really good) and a thyme mix. He showed me how to prepare the thyme mix for meat or fish, warm it in your hand and then add to food, or oil really cool. I could also use it to make tea. Supposed to relax you.... I will test it when I get home ;-)

Now I will pack and get ready for the next training.......

Laters

some shots from Muscat

I arrived here on saturday morning. After a sleep I went to see the Saltan's palace. I never knew but Oman is the harbour where Sinbad, came from.

The palace is surrounded by 4 gates. Really pretty....After that I went to the bazar, where I bought some beautiful little bottle of parfume. The make / have all sorts here.

Then to bed. To-day I went to the office to make sure that the connection and beamer was working. Loaded the sim player on to the laptops.

Here they close everything between 12 and 16.30 and then open from 16.30 to about 22.30.

So when I finished at 16 everything was just opening ;- )

So I took a walk along the beach, then had a coffee at Starbucks

A taxi to the Grand Moskee (where I couldn't go in but I have the photo's from outside)

Then the drive talked me into going to muscat center. I figured yeah you know what why not, I have time and it would be nice to take some nice photo's of the city centrum........

So off we go. Here we are madam.........

(I thinking...... so where are the buildings, the bazaar????) So I ask. Center ? Yes big shopping mall is the center...... OKAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Not what i was expecting or wanted but ok maybe it won't be too bad.

Picture Amstelveen mall but then bigger and Arabs walking around.....

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm no not to-day!

Walk back to the taxi ( he would wait for me) I had left a Starbuck mug in the car, cos Caroline saves them. I didn't feel like taking it in. Deal we waits and I will come back. He give his cell number so that I can call him. An hour later I have really had enough of Zara, Sunglasses hut etc. So I head back to the taxi. He was not there...... I phone get the message that his phone is switched off! hmmmm okay walk around and look to see if i could find him. Nope, 15 min later I phone again Still switched off! Hmmmmmmmmm wait another 5 min. okay the is not cooooooooooooool. I am hungry and tired and I want to go back to my hotel. 1 more call. NO LUCK. so i wrote him a note and took another cab. Caroline i hope I get your mug back, but if I don't I'm sorry!!!!!!

Tomorrow I teach again. but for now here are some images of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

and Then there was Oman!

Well what a difference, I didn't see beggers on the street. in the bazaar, they were asking you to come in a buy but not at ALL like in Mumbai.

here are two view's from my hotel room. One is Muscat and one is Mumbai

photo's and more

Oh my goodness, what a nightmare to get out of India. Internet check in Never heard of it!!!!!!

1 hours drive to the airport, and then in the que to get you luggage that is going in cargo scanned. I know why....... The other day they found a person in a suitcase! Seriously..... he has been smuggled to some where it was in Hindi so i couldn't follow but you saw them taking him out of the suitcase and he was weak etc. So after that again in the que to check in. Then in the que to go through immigration (I understand why you need to be there at least 2 hours in advance.) I did not have to take my laptop out of the bag, and men go one side women otherside (less women so that went reasonably quickly.) Then a new row for the passpoort check. On the tags of my bag I got a stamp, 2twice one at each place and in my passpoort..... Then FINALLY through and wait for the plane. Advantage was I didn't have to wait too long. We were half an hour late.

The plane was PACKED and te smell welllllllllllll Luckily it was only 2 and 1/2 hour flight.

Arrived in Oman, okay lets get the visa. Madam that will be 6 rial, okay can I pay with credit card I don't have any cash. Sure no problem. Visa .... in the machine hmmmmm NOPE dosn't work, and now???? Can I pin somewhere? Yes after passport control. hahahahahaha......

Well Jos always laughs at me cos I keep secret stashes of cash (hiden in pocket etc) I had already used the stash I had for India cos there they didn't have a ATM at the airpoort either;-( So I start to go through all my pockets etc and YES I have 15 euro's still. That is enough! YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH. So visa in hand I can go through. THe taxi is waiting and luckily already paid for by APM so that helps.

Walked outside and the HEAT hit me! WOW now this is HOT. I was still in Indian mode so imagen my surprise at the fact the all the roads are paved and there are BEAUTIFUL lamp posts, and buildings, no shacks along the road. Totally opposite!

Got to the hotel (expecting less extravagance then in India, cos the Hotel in India was REALLY upperclass) I was wrong. Huge rooms stunning view and QUIET! I didn't think I would have missed the quiet as much as I had. When they drive here the don't hoot! there is no need there is enough space and they all have stunning cars. After talking to Jos and the boys, I went for a walk along the beach. Had lunch next to the pool (under the umbrella) then went to ask the reception where the "good" spots were. They said that everything would be closed till 16.30. Hmmmmmm

Okay that was my excuse. I went back to my room and slept till 16.15. Guess i really needed it.

Once I woke up I took a cab to the palace and the surrounding fort, took some picture and then went to the BAzaar. WOW now I kinda wish I had come here before going to India! They have loads of shawls (cheaper) and lots of other fun stuff. I got the boys Oman football shirts.

Then took the cab back to the hotel. Just had a lovely dinner. They do not worship cows here so I could have a STEAK, with veggies.YUM. I love curry but after a week of only curry I enjoyed the "normal"food again.

Now I will look for some photo's to post.

last photo's of India

Well this morning (actually in the middle of the night) I left India to fly to Oman.

Culture SHOCK I would say YES!!!!!!

Here are some photo's of India that I took last night, and guess who asked me for some rice and milk for her baby for the 3rd time....... And yes i have a photoof her and her "son" only I would say it's a daughter ;-) But son was beter for her at the time cos...... I have 2 boys......

This is taking longer then I though so sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy but the sun is shining and I am only here for a few days so i am going to see what Oman has ;-)

I will tell stories and post photo's to-night.

And it is so quite here!!!! I do not hear any hooting!!!! Which btw was really starting to drive me CRAZY. Even tho in the beginning I found it charming...... I gues you can only take so much noise in 1 week ;-)

last day India

I only had 3 people in my class to-day and we started at 8am, so we were finished on time.

After a tour around the terminal, which was totally cool cos I got to try the simulator. I had to pick up a container from the ship and move it to the lorry waiting for it. They gave me wind, they gave me fog, rain and a fire on board but that didn't stop me ;-) I put the container safely where it was meant to be....... Ahhhhh another one of my hiden talents I could be a crane operator........

After that I took the ferry back to shore instead of the speed boat cos other wise I would have to wait for about 2 hours, so together with the students we took the ferry. It was nice and relaxing.

Every morning the circumstances of getting on to the boat have been a bit of a challenge........ The first day was easy, step/jump from the steps to the boat. Second day first on to a ferry and from there on to the boat. Third day cross 2 ferry boats first then on to the boat...... who see where this is heading...... Fourth day..... YES 2 ferry boat. SO this morning I figured hey 4???? But no we were back to 2. So when the ferry arrived back this afternoon, who can image my smile when yes....... I had to cross 4 ferry boats to get to the other side ;-)

I had time to walk around a bit and take some photo's. On they way I was asked by a few of the ladies for noooo not money but food...... hmmmmm I done that one before ;-) Not to day sorry.

Then a guy who wanted to know if I wanted to play in a Bollywood movie cos they needed european actors HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA yeah right. He decided to walk with me (not a bad thing cos that meant the ladies tried to find another victum) Then we bumped into my friend Dilip (the tea and spices guy) he is going to organise a taxi for me tomorrow morning.

I carry on walking all the while with the Bollywood "producer"hot on my heals. So what are you going to do to-night he asks. I am going to pack and do some work ( I have noticed they respect that and let you then it on with it. I am not working to-night I have had enough of work for one week....... tomorrow is another day )

Almost at the Taj (my hotel) and he asks if I want a massage. YEAH RIGHT I DONT THINK SO. he could do more...... hmmmmmm SERIOUSLY NO!!!!! Finially he decides he is got going to get any where ( and I think he see the cops and decides to go find his next victum)

I am finally left alone to take photo's. I have load to upload so they will come soon..... I shot my photo's in raw. so i need to convert them first