Finally back in Melbourne, Australia, after a rather engaging 10 days in Europe. Highlights:

• In 10 days, was in Noordwijk, Holland - two weekends; La Villa, Dolomites, Italy - three days; and Rome, Italy - three days.
• Surprised my mom by visiting her, she was not aware of my plans - which were well coordinated with my dad.
  
• Weather was awesome, 30 degrees everywhere, except the Dolomites (20's and refreshing)
• Spent a total of 56 hours travelling on various planes (including transfers)
  
• Nightmare: return trip, Amsterdam - Kuala Lumpur, 9PM flight was cancelled after two hours on the ground. Plane had mechanical failure, so they put us up in hotels for the night near Amsterdam airport (I lucked out, thanks to platinum level with KLM: Sheraton).
• Bonus for last point's headache - got business class at no extra cost for the Kuala Lumpur - Melbourne flight.
• 10 days trip for 1.5 days meeting in Rome, Italy. Ridiculous - but who am I to make those decisions...
  
• No kitesurfing :(
  

The weekend before flying back to Australia, had a rather *memorable* time: Saturday, first went to an open-air dance party called "Paradise Island" (thanks Vanessa - had a great time!), followed by a birthday barbeque from Bas (Happy Birthday), then a party at Cees', then finishing it all off at my house. It was a loooong day, but we all had fun, that's for sure. For everyone back home in Holland, and my parents - it was great seeing you!















Paradise Island event - from a distance

Aike!

Joppert! Check how sweaty he is. Yuck.

Party at Cees

After Paradise Island, after the barbeque...party at Cees.

Bas & Bas.

Birthday Man Bas - very excited.

Haarlem Spaarnwoude. Why this pic: because I got off at the wrong stop, and had nothing better to do for half an hour.

Amsterdam Central station - this pic is for the Ozzies.

Paradise Island dance event

Paradise Island dance event

Paradise Island dance event

Paradise Island dance event

Paradise Island dance event - me and Vanessa

Paradise Island dance event

Paradise Island dance event

Rome, Italy

Me and a good friend of mine, Tommaso - pilot for Alitalia. Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy - typical scenery: scooters, people, noise, and historical architecture everywhere.

Alta Badia, Italy - ski resort

Scenery - Dolomites, Italy. Really beautiful, like a postcard.

Me and my parents, Dolomites, Itay

My dad and I, Dolomites, Italy

Me in Las Vegas (not!)

My Mom and I, Dolomites, Italy

My parents, enjoying their annual vacation in the Dolomites, Italy

Baby ski-lift in La Villa, Alta Badia, Italy

La Villa - Alta Badia Italy

La Villa - Alta Badia Italy

Currently in Europe, here for meetings in Rome, Italy - towards the end of this week. Took advantage of the trip to stop by and check on things back at my home in Holland. Great time to be here, warm weather, everyone outdoors, awesome. Was great to catch up with all my friends of course, always so full of energy...

Now I am in Italy visiting my parents who are vacationing in the Italian Alps (Dolomiti), will post some pics next weekend.

Friday back to Holland for an "engaging" weekend (hahaha), then Sundayfly back to Melbourne.

Sun & beach in Holland - if only it were like this "just" 8 months a year...instead of hmmmm...2.

Awesome weather at my former home in Holland these days.

Beachparty in front of my house in Noordwijk, we had a great time, warm weather, music, etc.

The latest news....

One week ago moved into my new apartment in Melbourne, St. Kilda - really like it: right in front of the beach/kitespot, gym also right in front, Fitzroy St. (bars, cafes, restaurants, nightlife...) right around the corner, tram in front (transport to office), seaviews, etc. Perfect. Now all we need is summer, just a few more weeks and it is gonna be awesome!

And now spent the past 4 days in Perth on business, met up with Ashleigh who is now working on some remote island off the great barrier reef, population maybe 12 people (good luck hahaha!).

More news: business trip to Europe next week! So from Saturday 15 July-Wednesday 19 July, at home in Noordwijk yeehhaa! Then 19-21 July Rome for meetings, then back in Holland until the 23rd, and then fly back to Australia. Super hectic, toooo many hours on a plane for basically 1.5 days of meetings, but hey I wasn't the one that decided this. Look forward to seeing everyone back "home" (where's home these days?).

Views from my apartment

Living room

Living room

Main bedroom

Kitchen