Saturday

Jeroen Ensink of Hoogeveen The NETHERLANDS

14. Featured Traveller 

Jeroen Ensink
Product Manager : Traveller



(Hoogeveen, The Netherlands)
                               
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

My early days in Sydney Australia
Jeroenos, as he is fondly called, is a frequent traveller and a virtual friend of this writer.

He has travelled to many parts of the world with the following places worth mentioning; U.S.A., Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Suriname, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Thailand, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, Republic of Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Andorra and Liechtenstein. Aside from these countries, he has plans of exploring Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico and Poland, to name a few.

Flag of The Netherlands
Jeroen travels with his two kids from the very beginning. "Iris and Sam became used to it rather fast and have always been easy to get and travel along with", he says. He makes sure a car is available and don't have to waste time waiting for a ride.

Jeroen has many interesting travel stories to tell.  I am sure it will serve as an inspiration to all fellow travellers especially those who travel with children.

Read on.....
Why do I travel and what have I learned from it?
In one of my travels with Iris and Sam
Today, I reached the respectable age of 40 and it strikes me as a moment of looking back at my life. What have I done and what have I achieved so far? Not only in my business career, but maybe more important in my own personal life.

I have lived in The Netherlands in 4 different cities and learned from each of them. Maybe my most dynamic part in my life was in Groningen during my study of Business Economy, but I am most proud of my two beautiful kids.

My life also gave me a divorce, but after a certain period of time, I fell in love again and I can honestly say that there’s nothing more enthralling than a new relationship on the move. 

Rafting in France Pyrenees ~ Jeroen, 3rd from left
Where does my passion for travelling come from?  Maybe it is my Dutch blood, because already from the 17th century the Dutch travelled all over the world and 350 years of mutual heritage has left a significant cultural mark on The Netherlands. Practically each town in The Netherlands has a 'Toko' (Dutch Indonesian Shop) or Indonesian restaurant and many 'Pasar Malam' (Night market in Malaysia / Indonesian) fairs are organized throughout the year.

My passion for traveling has been passed by through my parents? Wherever they go … they took me along, no matter the age. It gave me the opportunity to cherish some beautiful childhood memories of breathtaking places I have been to, like:
  • Feeling like a prince in the palace and gardens of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna;
  • Admire the many well preserved half-timbered houses of Bernkastel Keus;
  • Skiing at the high and rough Totes Gebirge in the Austrian Alps;
  • Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean at the rocky coasts of France;
  • Enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Plitvice National Park in Croatia.
The passion of my parents has only intensified my passion for travelling and I do want to continue this tradition by passing it over to my kids. People keep asking me on my most memorable travel moments, so I will take this opportunity to fill you all in with my top destinations:


Hinterstoder AUSTRIA

Hinterstoder is one of those places in the world I have a very special bond with. You probably have those spots yourself as well. It's my family's holiday destination for ages and my great grandfather's first, many years ago. I came here the first time when I was 4 years young with my parents during a summer holiday. Ever since I have visited this magnificent place over 10 times. Both during the summer and winter time.
On top of the HutteerHose AUSTRIA


If you are in search of a village in the mountains where everything is like it is supposed to be – genuinely authentic - Well, do undertake a trip to Hinterstoder. It is situated in the southern part of Upper Austria and is quite a modern resort, surrounded by lovely mountain pastures and forests. The “Totes Gebirge”- Mountains overshadows Hinterstoder at 504 to 2,514 meters above sea level. It is quite a simple place.


We sometimes do seek peace and therefore we find ourselves visiting Hinterstoder regularly.

And why?

Well, it's backed by apparently endless hiking trails as well as numerous summer and winter sports. Hinterstoder possesses modern pistes with world cup quality!

In addition, Hinterstoder’s charm lies in the peaceful Stoder Valley with its cozy rest stops and taverns. Hinterstoder represents our longing for recovery in the mountains because it is, purely and simply, what it is. 


San Francisco U.S.A.

San Francisco is the most European city of America. In the three days that I was in the city I was not able to see everything I wanted. It still made a great impression on me anyway, so I will be back!

Twin Peaks overlooking San Francisco
So, where does this love for San Francisco come from?

Well, let me say it this way … the city of San Francisco is built on 45 hills and you're able to see the entire city by walking around and being a Dutch it just suits me. During my three day stay, I kind of visited the ultimate highlights as a whirlwind. I drove all three famous lines of the Cable Cars, visited Alcatraz and the ultimate tourist trap Fisherman’s Wharf. I passed the “Dragon’s Gate” of the entrance of Chinatown and had a relaxing picnic in the landmark park of Union Square. Besides that I had some off the beaten path destinations like Twin Peaks with the most beautiful views at the city and walking over the Golden Gate Bridge. So, still a lot to discover here!

Reading at the beach ~ Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez

Southern Europe ~ Mediterranean Sea

The last few years, I am focused on visiting and exploring the region of the Mediterranean Sea.

For my children, this is quite a great place to visit, but as an explorer, the hinterland of these regions are always beautiful and full of history. For example, the small city of Tarragona which has preserved many remnants of its Roman past and as the capital of Tarraconensis, the Romans used it as a base for the conquest of the peninsula.

We also visited Narbonne with its  old medieval core and lively streets. The Pont du Gard, an amazing ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gard River is something else. Destinations like Venice that was built on 117 small islands, 150 canals and 409 bridges is an experience not to be missed.

The Greek islands are equally amazing and truly unforgettable. There is too much to tell and even more to discover.


In Winterberg
Being a passionate traveller, I can look back at all my great visits to American National Parks, deserted areas in Australia, the well hidden gems of Europe and the huge metropoles all over the world.

As memories sometimes fade away, I also like to write blogs or diaries about my travels.

Travel lovers do not just blog. If they only blog, they are called bloggers but not travellers. Travel lovers love reading travelogues too. My time is also spent on reading other travel blogs and magazines. It’s the reading and seeing that drives me to want to explore more and more.

But I also realize that there are so many more places to discover and I will use the next 40 years to fulfill this wish list that I have. And am not waiting till my retirement, so, I will keep on going ... and going as I understand that one day, I will not see the world anymore, but I will make sure I see the places on top of my wish list.

I will be writing about my travel experiences here in this blog as a Travel Contributor.  Stay tuned if you are interested to read more about travelling with my kids as a single parent.  There are other ways to connect with me though. You will be able to find me on Facebook and Twitter.  Also, you are free to check my website if you get the chance.  See you there!


From the desk of: 
Freddie Miranda
A blogger and a Canada-based freelance writer. He shares the value of his travel experiences and discoveries with his friends and fellow travellers. Share your passion, join and visit him. Send a message @ fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail(dot)com.

The Hague

With my best friends ~ Emirates Stadium in London ENGLAND
Hiking at Hinterstoder

Scheveningen Beach ~ The Hague (The NETHERLANDS)

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Are you a traveller who would like to share your travel story with our blog and our readers?  Then, I'd love to hear from you! 
Please email me at fromatravellersdesk@gmail.com

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They all have been travelling for many years and I can guarantee that all of them have travel tips that all of us can learn and benefit from.  I have to thank all other fellow travellers who have responded to my invite.  I will definitely publish your stories as soon as I have completed the details.


3 comments:

  1. He is so lucky to be able to go to so many places! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Grysh. Thanks for your visit and finding time to comment. Oh yes, Jeroen started travelling at a very young age and as he was saying,maybe it's because of his being a Dutch. The Dutch have been travelling all over the world many centuries ago. Cheers!

      Delete
    2. that is what my dream was telling me to travel around despite of the busy schedule... thanks for sharing

      Delete

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