Jihaaa, a second Christmas in 6 months time! Thats always good.
Here in Aussie we have the ‘normal’ Christmas in our summer. That’s not right… So we just do it again in our real winter (that’s now)! So we went away for the weekend with the motorbike club. Great weather, great people and great food!
We met (with a small part of the group) at Winsor again at 11:30 and rode up to Dunman. Stopped for lunch at the Halfway House Restaurant. The ride was really nice, just look at this picture:

Some parts were still quite dry, but up North (were we went, towards Huntersvalley) they had lost of rain lately. Even some bad flooding. So some of the views were bright green (almost hurt the eyes, so green). Beautiful!!! Stopped a few times again to enjoy and take some pictures (I seem to be the only one doing that, the rest has been there many times already probably
We arrived at Dunman around 4pm, stayed at the Local Pub. Very nice building and a good shower (which I took first). Then, to the bar, well that’s the best thing you can do when you stay the night at a Pub So the alcohol flowed freely before 5 already. We sat down around 6:30-7pm to have dinner. But first the ‘Christmas-Crackers’… Jihaaaa (Luke and Natalie going on with it

Dinner was great! Really good. Not too much food, but all really good (very good vegies as well)! Then the dessert, jummy… (see photo’s below). After dinner I stayed a bit longer, and longer, and longer to talk to some I hadn’t really talked to that much before. That was good!! One of the guys (Ross) came all the way from Brisbane to be here. He’d been a former Clubman Tourers in Sydney and moved North.
Then I went to the Pool-room where the party seemed to be on We played against the Locals, very funny and played the JukeBox: good music guys. I had a ball, the Pub closed at 12, so not too late going to bed. Had to getup early, because brekkie was at 8am. Bed was awfull though, so it was not a problem to get out off, grinn…
Then again, off on the trip back home. Stopped twice for drinks and lunch. See picture below, our first stop. Lots, and lots, and lots of bikies…

Was great again being with my Motorbike friends! Had a great weekend, the pictures will prove that

Frieke asked me and her flatmate Kirsten to go on a Ghost Tour in the Rocks (kinda as a ‘thank you’ for ‘helping" her with her studies and being there for her). That’s so SWEET!

So… it was supposed to be scarry… And it was in the Rocks: one of the best places in Sydney!! Frieke booked the ‘Dark North Side Tour’… Well a good Tourguide would have been a good start. But… we didn’t have that. The lady was nice, but not good in story-telling. We all got a prop to put arround our necks, mine was very scarry (see photo below)! The Tour-guide was supposed to tell the stories via these props. But that was the problem: she didn’t really tell any stories. Just some of the sightings from other people on other tours.

This was my 3rd Ghost Tour, the best was the one at New Orleans (befor Katarina striked). An old man took us around the French Quaters and he was such a good story tellen. Brrr.. scarry! New Orleans is probably the best place to do a Ghost Tour (with all the Voodoo etc). The other Ghost Tour I did was at Port Arthur (Tasmania), that was also pretty good. Might be because I was all alone and had to get back to my lodge (where I was the onlyone) by myself at the almost empty camping……
So, this was not a very good Tour. Bummer, but we still had a great time though.

Finally a nice weekend on the motorbike!
Had to get up early to meet the group near Winsor again. It seemed to be a nice day (after all that rain these last days). They told me that it would be Cold in the country though, so I layerd-up! Lots of layers. My god, it was warm when I got on the bike (the weather in Sydney was getting nice and warm). I even bought some extra layers (neck-warmer-thing and winter gloves: was I happy about doing that).

So, again: way too warm the first two hours, but after that… It became much colder, freezing cold even. Think I knew about 50% of the group, although not all of them would come to Rylstone with us, some just came along for a day-ride. This weekend trip is a regular, so the Pub was a regular visit as well.

The drive was really nice!! Beautiful even… It was only about 7 degrees land inwards. So got really cold hands and feet. But the rest was warm enough! Nice those mountains (the Blue Mountains off course) but the ‘backland’ was even more beautiful…

After this beautiful ride we arrived at the Rylstone Pub. Nice Pub and good rooms. Must admit: great shower!! Really needed a warm good shower, so was happy it was a good one: great one even
Then a drink (soda first), before the meal. Diner was a Pubmeal: but very good (again). Then, back to the bar, where we had some life music from a Country and Western zinger (Rod Dowsett). Ok, must admit he was good. We even danced, did some real dancing with Neville. (not too good for my arm though

Around 12:30 to bed. I was in a room with one of the other ladies, so no snoring guys: very good!
Had to get up early, because I had to be at the airport to say goodbye to Frauke (she was leaving Australia). Margaret and Mike had to getup early as well, even left earlier than me! It was SO cold… Wow, there was even ice on the bike. But the sun was out already, so that was good. It only took me 1,5 hours though to be frozen. Really needed to stop and get warm. It was that bad that I stopped at a McDonalds to get a hot Chocolate…

Had to get petrol twice and Sydney was really busy. So was kinda back late. Had to hurry to see Frauke still at the airport. But made it!!

It was a sad day, today: 27/06/2007

It was the farewell party from Frieke and Frauke. It is a sort of graduation party. But the real graduation party is a few month later. We as International students don’t have a visa until then though. So the International Office throws this Farewell party for us Internationals!!
Both ladies had to get their dresses and ‘hats’. Looked good on them… (see pictures).

Very serious these ladies on the photo that is (not irl, grinn)! We had a lot of laughs, especially when taking the pictures.
Frieke had her Farewell party first at 10:00 am. The students were sitting at one side of the room and all the family and friends (not too many, as they were all international students) on the other side… We first had a talk from some of the professors and then the ‘diplomas’ were given. Well, actually not really. It was only a handshake. The diploma will be send to their homes later. We had lunch after that and about 2 pm it was Fraukes time to shine Same thing…
After that: ALCOHOL, grinn… We went to the SAM bar (the Uni-bar) and had some drinks with a few more Master students. After that we went to the city with a smaller group (Frieke, Lena + friend and Martin). Can’t remember the name of the cafe/restaurant, but it was in the CBD (city centre). It was one of those turning restaurant (takes about 1 hour to get around). Great views of the whole city centre. Great cocktails as well…

I (finally) got a pet! Two even, don’t believe me? Here is the truth:

We have these here everywhere!! They are gorgeous… Also have a lot of Cockatoos, and the grey and pink Galahs. Cool!! They are usually at the neighbours’ balcony. But the other day they came to our balcony. They were SO cute and very sadly chirping. I just couldn’t resist and gave them some bread. They loved it. I know its not that good for them, but should be fine for once (ssttt… can’t tell my flatmate, he probably doesn’t approve Right Garth)… But just look at them:

So cute. Ah well, just for once would be oke I thought. Until they came back a few days later:

Ahhh…. even cuter and very wet (rained for a few days already). They were SO said (really…). And yes, I gave them some more bread (as you can see). They even took the bread out of my hand. They were not scarred at all, or too gready… Very sweet!

Today was the first real tour on my new Motorbike!! I bought the bike when I was in Jervis Bay (with a lot of help from my Aussie Bikerfriends: Thanx Greg!!). I had already used it twise to get to Uni, but that is just 10 min away (through the city). This was a reall ride, with nice curves etc…

Me being very proud of my new motor: Honda Dominator NX650

Doesn’t the bike look cool So, this was a Brekkie Run. We metup near Windsor at a petrol station (which is about 40min drive from my place and just outside of Sydney – Yeah, again: Sydney is huge!). We met there at 9:00 am. Greg gave me perfect direction to get to the meeting place (and I had looked it up on the internet as well, as it is easyer when you have seen it as well). I found it in 1 go!! We drove for about an hour when we came to a Roadhouse, where we had our breakfast. Oke, the Aussie brekkie is very similar to the UK brekkie: cooked brekkie – JUG . Not my thing, who wants sausages in the morning? So I had a nice sandwich with cheese and avocado… (and a Hot Coco, as it was a bit chilly).
After brekkie (which took quit long and was very relaxing (the weather was great) some of the group went on to do a bit more riding. I went home (with 3 more) to get back to studying…
It was a great first ride though. The Blue Mountains are so near and the riding is great there! And the views even more amazing… Should do this more often…

It has been a while ago, but I’ve been back home to the Netherlands for 3 weeks in April/May. I wasn’t planning to go back home while studying here, but my sister decided to get married. Although, it might not have been her, but my new brother-in-law He asked her on Christmas day. They have already been together about 13 years and have 2 kids. They first said they didn’t want to go all the way with the wedding, but…. They kinda did The wedding was on the 28th of April. So, return flight for Holland was bought…

Barbara (my sis), me and mom, ready for the marriage…

The wedding was REALLY great! They got married in a ‘Burcht’ in Rijswijk (near the Hague). A ‘Burcht’ is an old building usually with water nearby and a big garden. Really nice thus… The weather was great, very lucky. Sunny and around 25 degrees Celsius. They got married outside. The wedding ceremony was beautiful, I even had to speech (brr… scary! And I forgot half of my story)… The wedding vowes were very cute and romantic. My sister even had one of the first notes that Robert wrote for her (saying he loves her). It was all ripped, and she kept it in her wallet. Isn’t that just ROMANTIC Roberts sister and me were the photographers on the day, but we also had loads of fun… We took some wedding-pictures in the garden of the ‘Burcht’:

Still in love and looking great (all) together…

After the ceremony we had some champagne and strawberries (then took the pictures in the garden). The kids were then brought back home to the sitter and we could EAT… Good food and some very funny speeches and games. Fun to hear about my sis and Robert in their student time . Then the PARTY… They got a good band and we danced all night. Was really good (one of the girls had been on Idols)!!

It was even better at the end!! Her friends arranged a COOL ride home. They thought they’d be going to the bridal suit by taxi. But his was a bit different!! We all went outside to form a ‘hedge’ and had firestars, at the end there was a Taxi-bus. Not just a Taxi-bus, a Karaoke-bus. Very funny and very tacky Barbara and Robert sang all the way back to the bridal suit… Good ending of a great day…

After the wedding I had a tight schedule to try to see all my friends, and I even had my B-day… The first week was in the west of the country (The Hague, Utrecht and Amersfoort with my girly-friends). We had a High-tea for my Birthday on the 6th of May – Yeah, my B-day is on the 7th). Was great seeing them all…

My girlies: Eline, Roxanne, Angelica, Hedwig and me.

Another pictures:

Eline, me and Roxanne

After the week in the west I went to the North (where I’d lived for the last few weeks). I met my friends and my Motorbike friends. Had a great time again. Here my Motorbike-mates:

The Motor-forum group (with the "Mascha-thumbs up"

Me at Jervis Bay!!

I had a Fieldwork week (mid April) for one of my Units: Environmental Measurements and Analyses. We don’t have any classes, just this Fieldwork. And it was super fun!!! We all had to arrange our own rides out (3 hours drive South of Sydney). I was in a car with Randy (American), Jim (Australian, he his car) and Brandice (also American)… We had great fun…
Jervis Bay is a very nice Bay area. Quite touristy, but still gorgeous!! We had lunch in Berrie, a very cute little town near Jervis Bay

We arrived around 15:00 at the Canberra Fieldstation were we would stay the whole week (bunkbeds, but good en clean). We already had our first class around 16:00 and had to go out to Plantation Point (nice)… And got a class from a Marine Park Ranger:

First ‘lecture’ from Marine Park Ranger: Fran…

We were divided in different groups (a day-group and a night-group). My day group was the best. We had such a good time!!! Our day would look something like this:
7:00 out of bed
8:00 finished with breakfast
8:00 on our way to do some research
17:00/18:00 back from the day research
18:00 till 19:00 dinner
19:30 x96 late (22:00/23:00) working with our night-groep (analysis)

It was no holiday as we hoped it would be Although we had a great time. We had to research if the current Foreshore management was accurate.

The different days we had were:
Management day (with teacher Ross). Had to do interviews with Governments, Rangers, Indigenous people and small business. We had a very long interview with the Ranger of the Australian Navy, very cool!!

Lachlan, Sarah, Ross, Jorge, Greg en Andrea

Aquatic Ecology day with Kirsten as our teacherals onze lerares. Not a lot of pictures of this day. Had too much fun with snorkling Had to do species abundance research. Not too bad!!

The transect line was a bit entangled

This is were we did our Aquatic research

Next was the Social Analysis day, with Jeniffer as teacher. We divided ourselves up in 2 groups and my group went to the beach to interview people. Not bad with this great weather!!

Greenfield beach, were we did some of the Social interviews!

The day after we had Water Quality with Brian as teacher. That was a great day. We went to different streams, rivers and outlets to sample the water! Great weather again and Sarah and I even went into the sea to sample the water their as well So already being in the water: we swam a little as well! Great way to spend our day (studying

Me not at work as you can see , Lachlan and Greg are working hard, with Sarah writing everything down

At our last day we had Terestrial vegetation with teacher John. John is kinda exentric, grinn… But we had lots of fun and didn’t have to work too hard, because most of the research was already done (not bad)… The most interesting was the encrouchement that we encountered. That’s when landowners take in a bit of governmetn land (enlarge the garden, put the garbage, park a car/caravan etc). Tere were even people who killed and chopped down trees and vegetation on the dunes (so that they would have a better view of the sea). The bad thing is that it makes the dunes unstable and thus with storms and searise might damage the houses (grinn, their own fault then .

Friday was our last day and we all had to do our presentation! So lots to do… It all went quite well and everybody really happy that it all was over: and we could go to the PUB in Huskissen to get our first drink (and buy some extra for the night. Then: BBQ time!! And after that the last campfire!!

Brandice and Sarah, at the Husky Pub (the USA ladies)

Saturday we had to clean-up (bummer) and then it was all over So back to Sydney it was. Again in the car with Jim, Brandice and Randy. We decided to go to Honeymoon Bay first for a last snorkle (although it was only Jim and I that went in the water). And… not so nice as we heard, it was swamped with jelly-fish. They did sting a bit when touching, but wasn’t too bad. Although went we got out of the water is became worse… Jaiks… Not too bad though… We did see 2 sting-rays (wow, nice) and lots of little fish.

Randy, me and Jim: Having lunch at Berrie (again) before hadding to Sydney!!

And then… a few more days and on my way to Holland…

Frieke at the Easter Show

I went to the Easter Show with Frieke on Tuesday April the 10th. The Easter Show is like a combination of a Fair with rides & stuf and a Animal/Agriculture show. Lots of food as well . I think they do it to get the outback to the city people… But… It was totally great. We arrived around 13:00 and left with one of the last busses at 22:30. But it was still too short. Too much to see and do.

Game of Wood-chopping

The wood-chopping contests were really funny. They came from all over Australia and even New Zealand! The audiance was funny to watch as well, they were very in-to-it… These farmer boys (and man, up to >50+) had to be very fit…

Combination of a ride and the countryside

We also went on this ride (see above) and it was great. You could see quite far and we thought we even saw the Harbour Bridge (but weren’t sure We had to buy 8 tickets each for this ride. Very weird? Because it was only for 1 ride… So we asked the lady why that was, but she didn’t even knew. Maybe because you can use them for other rides as well (rides that are worth less tickets)? No idea…

We were not even allowed to keep one of them for our scrapbook:-(

From 19:00 hour there was a Rodeo Show, and they even needed the ambulance to come. But they said the guy was oke (lets hope so)… After the Rodeo (not really my thing, poor horses and bulls) there was another show (more my thing … A car and motorbike show. First with 2 Holden V6′s (nice sound) and then some jumping of the motorbikers: ‘The Extreme MotorShow’. This is one of the little movies I made (you can hear Frieke scream

Wasn’t the sound of the cars great!!!
It was a great day and if I could, I would loved to go next year:

But I’ll be gone by then

Ok, ok… Don’t be frightened It’s only me… grinn… I won some photo-shoot (although I still had to pay for some of the pictures). I scanned the pictures at a frieds place. Here they are…
First one: "the girl next door"

On the real picture you can still see my skirt

It was actually great fun to do. There were two girls there. One doing my hair and makeup and the other taking the pictures. They were both professionals (worked for TV and stuff). We just had a great time!!
The second… I think I should use this one for my first book (uhh, am I writing a book: no not really, but you never know)…

I am wearing my very cute shoes (which are fisible in the real pic).

With this next one I really like my eyes. Took the colour of my eyes for the border of the picture. So, they are really green(ish) …

And the last… Thats of me being an Angel, grinn… Yeah, I know (maybe more a little devil

Am I fit for an Angel?

Ok, that was it… I had fun with the shoot. And am quite proud of the pictures, never knew I could look so nice (Oke, I know I had LOTS of make up on)…

(And for who is wandering, I wasn’t naked on that picture… ha, ha, ha…)