Category: Travel

  • Awesome Travel Budget Tracker: Trail Wallet

    Awesome Travel Budget Tracker: Trail Wallet

    When I travel, I like to keep track of my budget. It gives me insight and peace of mind, plus I can share some helpful insights later on with fellow travelers who are asking for advice.

    Track your travel budget wisely

    So far, I have always made due with the Notes or Excel app on my iPhone, and recently I checked out the XE Currency Converter app’s add-on for travel expenses.

    What that one offers that Trail Wallet doesn’t, is it automatically calculates the daily exchange rates and incorporates additional costs for your payment methods, such as when your bank charges you to withdraw foreign cash.

    What I love about Trail Wallet

    And the comparison ends there. Trail Wallet, to me, is the perfect app for keeping track of my travel expenses. It’s snappy, it’s easy, and it is beautiful.

    I love anything that makes task management look exciting. I love colorful diagrams automatically generated from my numbers. I love that my budget tracking now results in a cool infographic. No more boring excel sheets or dull notes for me :).

    Trail Wallet is designed to help you stick to your budget. It has categorization built in so you can easily see where your money is flowing. It remembers the settings for your last input so adding a new one is as easy as adding a number and if necessary switching the category.

    Before, I would remember all expenses and add them later in the day. With the app, it is easy to add a payment on the spot.

    Suggestions

    One thing that would come in handy: if the app would cache (remember) notes added to previous payments and automatically suggest them in a new item when typing the same letters.

    And another improvement that would come help those traveling together and sharing expenses: add travel buddies and enable a way to track who paid what.

    For now, you can solve the travel buddy thing by tweaking the existing tags option to show who paid what.

    Calculate the real price

    Helpful tip: if you pay by debit or credit card and your card issuer charges for those payments, or for the cash you withdraw while on your journey, be sure to incorporate those costs in the app’s settings where it prompts you to manually adjust the conversion rate.

    For example, if your bank charges 2% for cash withdrawal (like mine) and you pay mostly in cash (like me) then multiply the app’s suggested exchange rate with 1.02 and save that value in the settings.

    Who is it for?

    The Trail Wallet app comes in handy for people on business trips, digital nomads and backpackers alike. I like it so much that I’ll probably keep using it even when I’m not traveling.

    Free trial & premium version

    It is a premium app. You can install it, try it out for free and add up to 25 payments, giving you plenty of opportunity to see if it works for you. If you make short trips and delete data after each trip, you can even keep using it for free I guess. Otherwise, the $ 4.99 full version is definitely worth it.

    Happy budgeting!

  • Exploring new grounds: Costa Rica (I)

    Exploring new grounds: Costa Rica (I)

    Digital nomading in Costa Rica

    I landed in Costa Rica a few days ago, where I’ll be servicing my clients and creating new ways to make online income, as well as travel, see the country and get to know its people.

    Digital nomading has been my lifestyle for the past couple of years already, but this is the first time I’m going all by myself.

    I have wanted to travel alone since I was in high school. Today, I’m thirty five years old and finally doing it. It feels big and completely natural at the same time.

    Why Costa Rica

    The wonderful journey to Portugal (see all Summer in a VW Camper van posts) only a month or two ago, made me realize how happy and healthy I am when living close to nature. Costa Ricans (who like to call themselves ‘Ticos’) are supposedly masters of this lifestyle.

    La Pura Vida

    Their country is teaming with life, harbouring over 80% of all the world’s species of flora and fauna on its tiny surface.

    The people are among the happiest in the world and the country is one of the global ‘hotspots’ for longevity. That means there are a lot of men and women over a hundred years old here.

    How do they do that..? The answer lies in the country’s motto: La Pura Vida, the pure life. Keep things simple, keep moving, eat healthy foods, connect with others. Here, on the streets, it’s a way to say hi and bye: ‘pura vida!’.

    Are you sure..?

    Since I came here, I have also spoken to people who have a whole different experience with Costa Rica and some of its people.

    I’m about to find out for myself and will of course blog about my experiences.

    Get in touch

    Are you a nomad in Costa Rica right now..? Feel free to connect!

  • Wild camping in Serra da Estrela, Portugal 2016 (Summer in a VW campervan VI)

    Wild camping in Serra da Estrela, Portugal 2016 (Summer in a VW campervan VI)

    After the amazing Boom Festival 2016, it was time again for silence. Whoever thought silence and nature are boring, think again.

    Huge rocks, the ice cold air, the vast darkness of the night, the thin morning clouds and a few hours later the burning hot sun: they all speak their own language and to me it seems if you listen well, they reveal cosmic secrets.

    We parked the van at a viewpoint up near the highest point of Portugal, took as many blankets and sweaters as we could carry and headed out into the rocky wilderness of Serra da Estrela (the Star Mountains), a nature reserve with absolutely stunning views.

    We prepared food, played music, slept under the starry sky and woke up with sore backs but deeply impressed by the vastness of nature around us.

    This is Life.

  • Boom Festival 2016 (Summer in a VW campervan V)

    Boom Festival 2016 (Summer in a VW campervan V)

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]After Santiago de Compostela, we headed further down south to Portugal. The center of our journey was the amazingly beautiful Boom Festival, every second year in the month of August near Lisbon.

    We spent over a week on the Boomland, and met with so many old and new friends. Marco, Anna, Alexander (who made the lead photo of this article), Michael and Ann, Julia, Robin, Shari, Marijke, Mark, Dave, our neighborly Dutch co-campers, so many others and of course all the ones whose name I never got to know… I am so grateful to have met you.[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Boom is a psychedelic festival, meaning most people there will have some experience or another with consciousness expansion, opening up their minds to the unimaginable, the unspeakable.

    What often happens then, is you become aware of a connecting, infinite ‘force’ or source that unites everything and all of us. In my work with Ayahuasca and also speaking to many people from Boom, these experiences and the insights they bring, prove to have the potential to change lives.

    They inspire people to consume less and connect more to nature, to the silence within and to other people. To create artwork and make music. To let go of judgments or prejudice. And that is really just the beginning.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text](Artwork exhibited at Boom Festival 2016: “Pyroclastic Blow” by Keerych Luminokaya)[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Boom is meant to be a tribal gathering of kindred spirits who wish to make a change for the better on this Earth. And truly, this spirit is felt throughout the festival, in (almost) every pair of eyes you meet.

    I left Boom again with a ton of inspiration, spiritual as well as super practical. New energy for work and health and loads of energy to get it all done.

    What struck me most this year, was the many spontaneous music jams. Just bring your guitar and people will come up and ask to play together. So many people, so many voices. It was always simply beautiful, and often amazing what happened when we just allowed the moment to create its own sound. It really helped me to open up with my own playing and singing as well.

    Thank you, wonderful brothers and sisters of Boom <3.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Santiago de Compostela (Summer in a VW campervan IV)

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]After Bilbao, we roamed around in Santiago de Compostela for a few days.

    The Camino de Santiago (Latin: Peregrinatio Compostellana, Galician: Camiño de Santiago), also known by the English names Way of St. James, St. James’s Way, St. James’s Path, St. James’s Trail, Route of Santiago de Compostela,[1] and Road to Santiago,[2] is the name of any of the pilgrimage routes, known as pilgrim ways, to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwesternSpain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many take up this route as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth.

    (Source: Wikipedia)[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

    Driving up to the pilgrim’s town, we already saw many people walking up and down the surrounding hills, packed with backpacks. A natural sense of calm and contemplation came over me and I felt again what I’ve thought a few times before in my life: I’d love to walk the Camino. Alone. When the time comes.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]About the town: it is a bit touristy of course, but what a lovely atmosphere! I really liked it. So many churches, parks, squares and such beautiful surroundings! There is a calmness in the town that really appealed to me.

    We played guitar in the parks, walked the streets among the many pilgrims and visited some of the churches and chapels.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]We parked the campervan alongside a stream with crystal clear water. There, we met a Ukrainian guy who hardly spoke English but generously gifted us arms full of cucumbers and zucchini. We invited him to help eat it all but he kindly refused, so we ate zucchini for dinner, breakfast and lunch :D.

    Blessings :).[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Bilbao & North Spain coast (Summer in a VW campervan III)

    Bilbao & North Spain coast (Summer in a VW campervan III)

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]After having visited Ton in France, we went on to the Spanish coast near Bilbao and met up with my childhood friend Joris and his wonderful wife Eider and kids. In the evening, we found the perfect beach and cooked dinner by the sunset.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]The hot Summer temperatures make for extreme droughts in Southern Europe. One should be very wise and careful when working with fire. A bit further down the journey, in Portugal, we have already seen huge forest fires. Camp wisely..[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Every night so far on our journey, we find lovely parking spots right by the beach, a river or park. The views are stunning and the city or a nice local bar are always just a few minutes away. So far we have hardly paid any parking costs and stayed at top locations. A hotel just behind us may charge premium prices for the same view… priceless :).[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • France is for friendship (Summer in a VW campervan II)

    France is for friendship (Summer in a VW campervan II)

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Finally, after more than a week of hard work on the VW campervan (Jan) and this new website (me, Judith) we headed south. Starting from the upper north of Germany and with still a long journey ahead of us, we soon reconfirmed that truly the journey IS the destination.

    The van is awesome, life rocks and I can not count the times we laughed a big happy smile at each other, just enjoying being on the road.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

    Two days later, dear friend Ton received us with open arms in his mountain house in the Dordogne, Southern France. We spent a wonderful couple of days with him.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]I love to cook outside and Ton’s place is just perfect for that. We had great grilled veggies and cheese with rosemary, garlic and olive oil. I hope to post the recipe soon :). Next day, Ton prepared pasta with a sauce made of home grown ingredients.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Jan took the opportunity to tweak the van a bit further and finish a sliding kitchen cabinet.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”24px” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]It’s often the simplest things in life that fill me with gratitude the most. Plants. Friendship without words. The cool shade of a tree. The sounds of frogs and crickets in the night. Making a campfire together. Sharing a cup of tea. Love and trust. Simplicity and knowing we can have everything, and need almost nothing.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Emden, Northern Germany (Summer in a VW campervan I)

    Emden, Northern Germany (Summer in a VW campervan I)

    Moin! I’m in Emden, Ost-Friesland, Northern Germany and here, ‘Moin!’ is the way to say hi.

    Update

    Life has been wild and deep and the blog has been silent for the last couple of months. A new love has entered my life and I’ve spent quite some time here in Germany and roaming different places in The Netherlands, looking out for a steady place to live and meanwhile enjoying the location independent lifestyle.

    Nomading

    Sometimes, I really long to live somewhere steady, just to have a ‘basecamp’. However, the apartments I applied for so far have not yet turned out to be a match and although my mind sometimes feels sorry about that, my heart is calm and knows everything is alright and life is providing everything that is needed in just the right time.

    As a direct example, this roaming lifestyle enables me to pay off my debt faster than I could have otherwise and frankly, feeling that weight slowly but steadily being lifted off my shoulders is huge.

    Hit the road again

    After six months of profound work, the hurt of the breakup still being felt, some exciting website jobs, a couple of ceremonial workshops, and five different houses I’ve taken care of or stayed at, the time has come for me to hit the road again.

    Love Jan has bought a Volkswagen T5 van and is turning it into a comfortable campervan. He is a carpenter and works miracles with wood, making everything in here fit the curves of the bus just perfectly.

    Meanwhile, I am working on a brand new look and functionality for this website using the van as my office. We expect to both be ready in a few days.

    judith-jan-campervan-emden

    Volkswagen T5 campervan makeover

    Some highlights of the work he is getting done: a big bed annex chill area, optimal storage space, a multifunctional mini kitchen to be used inside or outside of the vehicle and ‘swivel seats’, meaning we can turn around the driver and passenger seats to create a spacious and comfy home using the full length of the van.

    He is getting all that done AND making us lovely breakfast each morning in his mother’s ‘Cafétje’, too!

    What’s next

    We’re almost done: Jan with the van, and I with the website. I’m totally excited about putting that live and then roadtripping down south, through Belgium, to France, Spain and Portugal. I’ve recently picked up playing guitar and expect to add a few songs to my songbook along the way, visit faraway friends and get some work done in the meantime as well.

    I’m ready to find out what living in a campervan is really like… and will of course keep you posted whenever I can! If you have ever traveled this way, please do share your experience in the comments. Or, if you have questions about the VW campervan makeover, those are welcome as well!

  • How to inspire people into action and start living the life of your dreams

    How to inspire people into action and start living the life of your dreams

    Update 2021: I wrote this post several years ago. By now, I have a much more nuanced view. Then, I was on a Thai island, surrounded with online entrepreneurs, ‘living the life’. I was into traditional online marketing then, and the whole post now sounds a bit grotesque and manipulative to me. Still, there is also a lot of truth to what I wrote: stories do inspire. Your story does matter. And ‘we’ who aim to have a positive, peaceful, wholesome impact, have important stories of transformation to share, especially in this time. So I decided to leave this post up. Take from it what is in line with your deepest intentions and highest aspirations.

    Are you an entrepreneur, or are you thinking of becoming one? Do you want to put your talents to work and make the world a shinier place? Does the PROMISE of your business make you feel energized, light, fulfilled, happy and strong?

    If you’re like many entrepreneurs i know, you may at times feel that the reality of your business is different. It may feel heavier. It is dragging you along, or you are dragging IT along. You’re putting IN more energy than you are getting out of it. You may feel like you’re only working to pay your bills, relieved with any client who says yes…

    If you believe it shouldn’t have to be that way, you are right. Here’s what I have found:
    There is a way to lead a life of inspiration and share it in such a way that people will be ASKING to do business with you. ASKING you to share your ideas on their issues. ASKING you to create a service for their needs that they are willing to pay for.

    The way, put very simply, is this: be authentic, unapologetic and compassionate. Act from your deepest values, and share you story.

    Imagine what your world will look like if you live your life and run your business like this!

    You will be living consciously, following your purpose.
    People will want to learn from you, because we naturally get drawn to those who live authentic lives.
    Your sales conversations will be informal, effortless and fun.
    You will be doing business touching lives,
    and you will be doing so with ease and in flow.

    In this blogpost, I will explain one way to make this happen.

    It takes courage, but I know from experience that if you apply this, it will TRANSFORM your business, your life and the way you feel about yourself and your work. It will impact how you walk this Earth, what you bring into it and how others will benefit. It’s true, because it’s TRUE.

    Let me tell you a personal story:

    Six years ago, I was going through a really rough time. I was working as a consultant for a well-known training company and although there were many parts of the work that I loved, I remember crying every morning in the car on my way to work. Until one day, I cracked. I panicked at work and went in fright mode. Heart racing, cold sweat, nausea, mind in overdrive, unstoppable tears. Exhausted.

    While I was at home, unable to go back to the work place, I slowly started doing things that I loved: cooking, writing, sharing recipes. I read many blogs and… started my own. I taught myself how to work with WordPress.

    I was thrilled by how fun and easy it was to create WordPress websites and by the time I had regained the energy and confidence to get back to work, I knew I wanted to start a business to show people how easily they could make themselves heard and seen online.

    My hardship had given me a tremendous present: a new skill I could use to help people shine.

    I brought a new concept into the market, launching peoples’ website within one intense day of 1-on-1 coaching and instruction. It was unique in its approach and soon it got copied by fellow website creators.

    In those five years I have worked with over 200 entrepreneurs.
    I invited clients to ask their questions freely and I would answer them on my blog, for everybody to benefit. This hugely improved the conversion of my sales conversations: people who called were already enthusiastic. They already knew me and knew what to expect from me.

    There are MANY website creators around, some working at ridiculously low rates, and in this very competitive market, I have built the business of my own dreams: a location independent business which enables me to work whenever, wherever.

    I have traveled all over Europe and to Malaysia, India, Thailand enjoying this life of freedom. I have found inspiration everywhere and have shared all about it on my blogs.
    Wherever I go, many people end up checking out my blog and magically… I get daily REQUESTS from people to work with THEM.

    Why am I telling you all this? To show you a few things. I’m sure you have seen them in your life already:

    1. Any life experience is an invitation for you to learn.
    You may resolve old patterns and make space for the lighter, healthier, more open and powerful you.
    2. Anything you have learned, any process you have lived through, can be of benefit to others.
    You can draw countless advices from your own experiences!

    And now here’s a big one which may really shift your mindset:
    3. Anything which is of benefit to others, has a value which can be expressed in money.

    You may share you life’s transformations and turn them into a mini-course, either in a video or a blog post or a worksheet or an ebook…
    You could then share it for money or in exchange for people’s email address, for example, so you can build a personal relationship. But I am jumping ahead of myself.

    Today I want to share with you one way of attracting the business and clients that are perfect for you, right now:

    Inspire people into action by sharing your story

    INSPIRE people into ACTION. Live by example and empower people to step into their own strength.

    How to do that?

    One thing that inspires people, is when you SHARE your STORY. People have been telling each other stories for ages. We all understand the concept of a journey. We are all the hero in our own story, or we want to be. We have all faced obstacles and overcome them. Stories are elegant ways of conveying a message.

    This is one super strong way in which you can inspire people: by sharing your story of personal transformation and growth.

    But don’t let it end there! Your next step is… to help people take the next step!
    You want to inspire people INTO ACTION. You can help people see that this change can happen for them, too. Paint the picture of where they are now and where they will be when they take the action you propose.

    How to inspire people into action

    1. Share your story in a lively way
    2. Distill your method
    3. Tell people their action
    4. Show them their transformation (use all of the senses)

    1. Share your story

    Old situation – something happened – new situation

    In colorful details, using all of the senses, describe where you were at the beginning of your story. Then, shortly describe what happened that made the difference. And finally, describe your transformation. Try to answer these questions:

    What were the results?
    How did you feel?
    What went differently from then on?

    2. Distill your method

    Take your “something happened” and distill it into actionable steps. Tell them that in a simplified way, this is what you did.

    3. Tell people their action

    Make it simple. Tell them: if you are in this situation, you need to take THESE STEPS.

    4. Show them their transformation

    Show exactly how happy, relieved, fulfilled, open, energized and/or grounded you felt having lived this transformation. Really bring it to life! And help them imagine how they would feel in your shoes.

    Bring it to life in a way that people get to see the real you. Use informal language. Imagine you are talking to your best friend or your family. Use the words you would be using with them. This way, you connect with people on a personal level.

    You will open people up to the possibility that they can have the same result as you… and they can! Have you ever seen the light that shines in people’s eyes when they feel inspired? This is the light that shines in each of us.

    It can be anything

    Now – you may feel you don’t have a lot to share. But remember that you can literally take the smallest successes in your life and draw from ANY life experience. There is always someone with the same problem.

    Search for the smallest bits of experience that you can find. When i work with clients, we use a structured process to find how THEY can inspire people into action and trust me, the options are countless.

    Over to you

    Want to share your story in the comments? Please do! Don’t forget to mention the transformation you saw in your life and which your clients may see in theirs. I’m looking forward!

  • Settled in Thailand: gratitude

    Settled in Thailand: gratitude

    November 18th was my birthday and so a few days ago, i was going to thank my Facebook friends and followers for their wonderful good wishes. It also turned into a much appreciated Thailand update and so i’m sharing it with you here:

    Wowzers! To everyone who wished me a happy birthday yesterday, on Facebook or Skype or through Whatsapp or iMessage or in spirit or even not at all (probably only now that you’re reading this – it happens to me a lot): THANK YOU!

    Update: we’re all settled in a lovely beach hut. Fresh fruits, a coconut and meditation in the morning, then we hop on our motor cycle to find a nice and cool WiFi spot to… yes, work. In some respects, nothing changed.

    So from the most awesome office in the world: thanks for all the cheers. Not just for my birthday but all of them. We both deeply appreciate your likes and shoutouts. You support us, teach us and inspire us.*

    We’re back to working fulltime, and our much improved lifestyle is empowering us both to lift some heavy-weight stones. It’s like clearing the shed and honestly we’re facing up to a lot of our own rubbish lying around here. In the process of dealing with that, we’re finding new ways to do business and live our lifestyle full of love and adventure.

    This little paradise is amazingly beautiful and already a life changer in many respects. We’re doing great, especially in fully supporting and celebrating each other in whatever comes up. We’ll keep sending updates so you’ll know what’s going on.

    To follow and support our work, head over to our Facebook pages:

    https://www.facebook.com/marcoreeuwijkphotography
    https://www.facebook.com/juuth.catering.websites

    Again, thank you! You rock, really: we feel so blessed.

    * Update: life goes on, things change and Judith and Marco are no longer together as a couple. We are still close friends.