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Tag: Gran Canaria

Natuurlijke thermaalbaden oftewel vulkanische warmwaterbronnen op de Azoren

Reflections to 2020 – the coronavirus and the changes in the world

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2020, the year in which we started to write a new chapter for the future history books. The…

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Posted in: Lifestyle, Work Abroad Filed under: Atlantic Ocean, Backpacking, Budget Travel, Coronavirus Safe Destination, Eco Conscious, Eco-Friendly Travel, Flashpacking, Gran Canaria, Hiking Destinations, Island Hopping, Madeira Island, Post Covid Travel Deal, Sao Miguel Island, Scuba Destinations, Solo Female Travel, Support Local Population, The Azores, Travel Europe, Travel Portugal

Giant Anemone El Cabron

Scuba Diving the marine reserve on Gran Canaria

ellisderkx 7 Comments

Marine Reserve ´El Cabron´ on Gran Canaria Scuba diving is probably not the first thing you think off when considering…

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Posted in: Canary Islands, Destinations, Dive & Travel, Gran Canaria, Scuba Dive Centres, Spain Filed under: Angel Sharks, Atlantic Ocean, Dive Information, Diving Holidays Europe, Flashpacking, Gran Canaria, Scuba Destinations, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving Vacations, Travel Europe, Wreck Diving

the real Canary Islands

ellisderkx 8 Comments

The ´Other Side´ of the Canary Islands People, in particular from Europe, sometimes ask me why I still go…

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Posted in: Canary Islands, Destinations, Spain Filed under: Backpacking, Budget Travel, Flashpacking, Gran Canaria, Island Hopping, Support Local Population, Travel Europe

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My mother: a true inspiration & my happy childhood
Veligandu Island Resort: the dream destination for a diving holiday in the Maldives
Scuba diving with the sharks at Madivaru Corner in the Maldives
Nikon Coolpix dive camera for underwater photos
Reflections to 2020 – the coronavirus and the changes in the world

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Pancakes breakfast always make me smile in the mor

Pancakes breakfast always make me smile in the morning 😁

These are wholegrain pancakes with honey, banana, kiwi and blueberries ❤

#fruitpancakes #pancakesbreakfast #pancakesmorning #pannekoek #ontbijtidee #panquequesintegrales #panquequessaludables #ontbijtpannenkoekjes #sundayfundaybrunch

'We're not human beings, having a spiritual experi

'We're not human beings, having a spiritual experience. But we're spiritual beings, having a human experience' -Wayne Dyer

When I lived in Byron Bay, Australia in 2013, my very first Wayne Dyer book came across my path, I found 'Real Magic' at the neighbour's garage sale.

After surviving serious psychosis in the Philippines, I read all his books. I became very confused about life, after losing my parents at a too young age. I was living my dream as a diving instructor but dying inside for answers.

Studying Wayne's books, and others incl. Marianne Williamson, ACIM, Ayurveda, Reiki, etc. changed me. It added something missing to my search. The books started to change the way I look at things (Wayne's words).

I believe, we're all on a spiritual journey whether we're aware of it or not. I started searching when I was 21 and my mum passed away of cancer, and meditating at age 24. One of the very first spiritual books I read was James Redfield.

Here's to the Maya's in Mexico (right-up, chichen itza) where I worked in 2009, to Bali with her Hinduism (left down), to growing up Catholic (right down) and to Sri Lanka (left up) where I did a buddist retreat (that lasted 24 hrs btw, I wasn't ready 🤣) in 2010 after working on the Maldives which is 100% islam.

I don't think there is a right or wrong way for any spiritual path, ancient philosophy or religion. The only wrong thing about it is when people start to fight about what is right.

Most religions and ancient teachings have the same basic principles: Forgiveness, carrying love in your heart and peace in your mind, love one another, don't judge, honesty, just to name a few. Also, Judaism, Christianity and Islam share the same roots. So let each other just be and walk whatever path is right for you.

More about all those experiences in Safety Stop book (#safetystopbook #safetystopboek)

#differentreligions
#waynedyer #waynedyerwednesday
#waynedyerquotes #spiritualbooks #balitemples🙏 #chichenitzamexico🇲🇽 #buddhasrilanka #christiancross #spiritualbookshelf #drwaynedyerwisdom #hayhousebooks #spirituelezoektocht #splashpacker #spiritualsearch #hayhousewriterscommunity #reisboeken #travelmemoir #travelmemoirs

An old classic, a dish I cooked so often during my

An old classic, a dish I cooked so often during my student time in Breda whilst sharing a flat with three other girls (de pretflat 😅) when I was 18 years till about 23, a long-long time ago 🙈 Over the years, I only left out the minced meat and add spinach instead but other than that I think it's still pretty much the same 'Spagetti a la El' recipe. I still like it and it still sometimes reminds me of the good memories to that time. Bon appetit 😁

#vegetarianspagetti #studenttimes #umimemories #spagettitomatosauce #spagetti-a-la-el #vegetarischespaghetti #espageti #pastavegetariana #studententijd

'It's the journey that matters, not the destiny' (

'It's the journey that matters, not the destiny' (quote)

#safetystopbook #splashpacker #safetystopboek #travelgirlsvibe #ecoconscioustravel #enjoytheridebaby #ecoactivities

Greek salad (with feta cheese, garlic marinated ol

Greek salad (with feta cheese, garlic marinated olives and pear tomato). accompanied with Italian pasta pesto and grilled zuchini (still cooking) and red wine in the 'copa'. Vegetarian is not boring! #mediteraneanstyle

#greeksalads #grieksesalade
#ensaladagriega #lovefeta #veggieideas #mediteraneküche #vegetarischkoken #vegetariandinners #veggielovers #saladideas #mediterraneansalad #saladrecipesfordinner
#mediterranees

We've waited 3 years, but here we are again 😁

We've waited 3 years, but here we are again 😁

Hemos esperado 3 años (creo) pero ya estamos de nuevo 😁🎶🎷🍻

#soulfestival #relaxsunandsoul #sanaugustin #maspalomasgrancanaria #festivaltimes #soulmusicfestival #grancanariahome

I'm also growing lemon tree from seed 😅 When yo

I'm also growing lemon tree from seed 😅 When you eat or juice a lemon, first undo the little peel, then keep the seeds in wet tissues or cotton pads in a closed container for some weeks, till they start to sprout (swipe left again).

Not sure how long it takes before you get a tree out of it, but like the avocado tree (previous post), at some point I'll just give them away 😁 I just like to do it 🌿🌱💚

Next up is apple tree from seed 🍏

#happygardeninglife🌿🌱🌼

#growlemons #growlemonfromseed
#citroenboompje #arboldelimon #groenevingerskweken #happygardening🌱 #citroenen #plantenergetics
#tuiniereninpotten

I'm growing an avocado tree and seeing its progres

I'm growing an avocado tree and seeing its progress can make me really happy 😅 (swipe left). You need a bit of patience though cause I think I kept it on water for more than a month before the roots started to grow. And I figured out it will grow avocado's in about 7 years 🤣

#growavocado #growavocadofromseed #growavocados #growavocadogrow #avocadoboom #avocadokweken #lovegardening🌺 #groenevingerskunjekweken #arboldeaguacate

No nesecitamos ningun filtro We don't need any fil

No nesecitamos ningun filtro
We don't need any filter 😅
#fiestadelcarmen #fiestadelcarmen2022
#carmenarguineguin #festivoarguineguin #plazaarguineguin #fiestaarguineguin
#geenfilternodig
#noneedforfilter #nonesecitamosfiltro

Gracias chicas 💕🎉🎊 I had a really good.t

Gracias chicas 💕🎉🎊

I had a really good.time celebrating my 21st 😅 Uuuhm.40 😊

OMG, suddenly I am 40 years old 🙈
Dios mio de repente tengo 40 años 😅
Wow ineens heb je het.... Je bent veeeeeeeertig jaar 🤣

#40años #40years #40jaar #happybirthday #verjaardag #cumpleaños #feliz40 #happy40 #40jaar #fijneverjaardag #gefeliciteerd🎉 #verjaardagsfeest #stillyoung #foreverypung

And I feel like 21🤣 OMG, suddenly I am 40 year

And I feel like 21🤣

OMG, suddenly I am 40 years old 🙈
Madre mia de repente tengo 40 años 😅
Wow ineens heb je het.... Je bent veeeeeeeertig jaar 🤣

#40años #40years #40jaar #happybirthday #verjaardag #cumpleaños #feliz40 #happy40 #40jaar #fijneverjaardag #gefeliciteerd🎉 #verjaardagsfeest #stillyoung #foreverypung

OMG, suddenly I am 40 years old 🙈 Madre mia de

OMG, suddenly I am 40 years old 🙈
Madre mia de repente tengo 40 años 😅
Wow ineens heb je het.... Je bent veeeeeeeertig jaar 🤣

#40años #40years #40jaar #happybirthday #verjaardag #cumpleaños #feliz40 #happy40 #40jaar #fijneverjaardag #gefeliciteerd🎉 #verjaardagsfeest #stillyoung #foreveryoung

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Splashpacker

YouTube Video UCnwGAs37gvBD--hC-4P12iA_C1mKIuNN3r0

This is an introduction video to the book I am currently writing.

More information is to be found on:
https://www.splashpacker.com/safety-stop/

#travelmemoir #scubagirls #diveinstructor #waynedyer #followyourdreams #safetystop #splashpacker

The city of Funchal, on Madeira Island, invests a lot in Christmas lights every year. Also, the fireworks have been noted in the Guinness Book of Records. Here is a little impression of the 2020 Christmas decorations in town. Recorded in December 2020.

Here is the link to the blogpost with reflections tot 2020:

https://www.splashpacker.com/lifestyle/reflections-to-2020-the-coronavirus-and-the-changes-in-the-world/

More information about travelling Madeira is already on Splashpacker and there is still more to come about Madeira Island and the Azores.

Happy Newyear from Splashpacker!!

#funchal #christmas2020 #madeira #happynewyear2021 #bye2020 #reflections #splashpacker #travelblog #travelblogger #travelvlogger

The dive site called ´Madivaru Corner´ on Rasdhoo Atoll in the Maldives is famous because of the white tip sharks & grey reef sharks. Seeing them can be guaranteed during this shark dive.

In 2010 I worked here as a scuba diving instructor and I returned 8 years later to dive this amazing scuba dive site on the Maldives again. If you like to go there to dive with the sharks, I wrote a blog post about staying on the local island of Rasdhoo:

https://www.splashpacker.com/travel-information/travel-information-for-rasdhoo-island-on-the-maldives/

I write about my return to Veligandu Island Resort on this post:

https://www.splashpacker.com/splashpacker-travel-blog/splashpacker-dive-travel-blog-7-reflections-on-my-return-to-the-maldives/

Or follow this link with more post (and more to come) about scuba diving on the Maldives:

https://www.splashpacker.com/category/travel-information/maldives/

You can also subscribe to my channel because I will create more video´s about the scuba diving in general and other dive spots on Rasdhoo Atoll in the Maldives!

#sharkdive #scubadivingmaldives #indianocean #scubadiving #madivarucorner #rasdhoomaldives #rasdhooatoll #maldivessharks #splashpacker #themaldives #travelblog #scubadive #travelvlog #divetravel

My first levada walk on Madeira Island was a mountain hike from the peak Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. In this video, I share my experience with some tips for your mountain walk to the highest point of Madeira. (Pico do Arieiro is sometimes also called Pico de Areeiro). The highest point of Madeira is 1862 meters above sea level.

You can find more practical information on:
https://www.splashpacker.com

But the tips for hiking the mountain walk to the highest point of Madeira Island, are:

- wear shoes with a good grip
- bring sun protection ánd rain protection
- wear or bring clothes for cold ánd hot weather (everything is possible on Madeira Island)
- bring a torch for the tunnels if you go on your own (if you book a guided tour with a tour company they usually provide you with a waterproof torch)

- extra tip if you don´t like to book this hike as a guided walking tour: it is NOT a circular hike. So if you go there by renting a car, you either have to walk the 13 km back again or organise transport back to your car at the end of your hike. Some tour companies can organise the transport to the hiking trail without guiding you, so you can still walk independently.

Check www.splashpacker.com for more information about either a guided tour, transport to the hiking trails, car rental options or other island tours on Madeira.

#madeiraisland #hikingadventures #levadawalk #madeirahikes #peakchallenge #picodoarieiro #picoruivo #traveltips #islandpeaks #islandhopping #macaronesia #travelblog #travelvlog #hikingtips #splashpacker

In this video, I share 3 small a packing list tip about 3 small electronics I always take on my travels but especially like whilst working abroad, travelling alone or for long travels and for a longer time. And of course I explain why I benefit from these 3 electronics on my solo travels, working abroad or long journeys.

You can read more information in the blogpost:
https://www.splashpacker.com/scuba-dive-travel/packing-list-3-small-electronics-in-my-backpack-for-solo-travel-or-working-abroad/

#packinglist #solotravel #workinabroad #inmybag #livingabroad #traveltips #solotravelling #solotraveller #backpacking #smallelectronics #travelpacking

Travel with me to Madeira Island, where we go on a tour called Madeira West Tour. Sightseeing will be combined with a road trip to the most beautiful places, view points and attractions on this side of the island.

As a solo traveler, I preferred to book a tour like this over renting a car. One of the reason was to meet some other travelers and another reason was that I did not feel very confident driving a car on Madeira Island!

You can find more information about Madeira Island on my blog:

https://www.splashpacker.com/category/travel-information/portugal/madeira-porto-santo-island/
(a specific blog post for this tour is still to come)

And here you can read more about Splashpacker (me):

https://www.splashpacker.com/about/

Also, there are many more video´s and blogposts to come about my travels to Madeira Island. Feel free to subscribe to this YouTube channel or to the mailing list on my website!

In the video I visit the following places on Madeira Island:

- Camara de Lobos
- Cabo Girao
- Ribeira Brava
- Encumeada Pass
- Encumeada view point
- Sao Vicente
- Brides Veil
- Ilheus da Ribeira & Janela
- Porto Moñiz
- Paul da Serra plateau
- Short levada walk on Paul da Serra
- Ponta da Sol

#madeiraisland #madeira #islandtour #travelblogger #solotravel #travelvlog #femaletravelblog #roadtrip #madeiratours #traveltips #islandhopping #splashpacker

During my first days on Madeira Island, I stayed in Funchal and visited the Botanical Garden & Monte Palace Gardens. It´s hard to choose which gardens are the nicest, so I compare the two in this video.

It´s my first video on the road (as you can see), so I am still learning to make better videos.

Here is the most useful & practical information for your visit to the Botanical Gardens & Monte Palace Gardens in Funchal:

https://www.splashpacker.com/travel-information/botanical-garden-monte-palace-tropical-gardens-in-funchal-on-madeira/

I bought a combined ticket to go by local bus to the botanical garden, entrance to the gardens, continue by cable car to Monte Palace Garden and the total return price is €18,75. This excludes the entrance to Monte Palace Garden (€12,50).

You can also take the cable car from Funchal up to the Monte Palace Garden ( I did this in March) and then continue by another cable car to the Botanical Garden. The total price for this is €31,40 (this includes the return cable car route & entrance to the botanical garden)

If you like to go by yourself, the entrance to the Botanical Garden is €6,-

Cable car from Funchal to Monte Palace Garden opens at 09.00 am and the last boarding to go down from Monte Palace Garden to Funchal is at 17.45 / 5.45 pm The cable car between Monte Palace Garden & the Botanical Garden opens at 10.30 am and the last boarding is at 16.20 / 04.20 pm

(*information last updated in October 2020)

Recommended hotel in Funchal: Hotel Sirius: from about €30,- per night, including breakfast. Clean, comfortable rooms and simple breakfast included at walking distance from most places in Funchal downtown. (close to the old part of town & farmers market)

https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/sirius.en.html?aid=1651346&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

Or, another nice place to stay (I stayed here in March), and which also offers apartments with kitchen for a very affordable price and also at walking distance to downtown and to the marina:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/residencial-colombo.en.html?aid=1651347&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

Or, search yourself on https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=1651347

Tip to find your best flight deal: https://12go.co/?z=1036409

(if you use the links provided here I receive a small commission)

In regards to the information which was a bit confusing in the end. You won´t have this problem if you take the cable car from Funchal to Monte Palace Garden and then the other cable car down to Botanical garden because you go then through the Botanical Garden and find the bus stop down there (or this route v.v.). The only way you´ll have this problem is, if you buy a return ticket by bus & cable car up and return in the same way as you came. If you plan to do it this way, I took a photo of the bus time table up at the Botanical Garden and will include this in my blog post You can find (soon) more information on https://www.splashpacker.com

#madeira #madeiraisland #botanicalgarden #montepalacegarden #funchal #travelduringcovid #travelduringcovid19 #safedestinations #cablecar #travelblogger #travelvlog #traveltips #travelvlogger #travelvlogging #travelblog

An impression of the scuba dive on the diving spot ´Manta Point´ on Rasdhoo Atoll in the Maldives. When I worked as an instructor in this part of the world, I left the island just before the manta season started. When I returned, 8 years later, I arrived at the right time to see the manta rays!

You can check out a couple of posts with more scuba diving & travel information on Rasdhoo Atoll on Splashpacker website here:

https://www.splashpacker.com/category/travel-information/maldives/

Or, for more personal travel blog posts, I reflect upon returning to the Maldives in this post:

https://www.splashpacker.com/splashpacker-travel-blog/splashpacker-dive-travel-blog-7-reflections-on-my-return-to-the-maldives/

Keep an eye on Splashpacker, or if interested you can subscribe to the mailinglist on the website to receive an e-mail once a week, because I am working on more posts about scuba diving, travel information and personal reflections on the Maldives. I will write about staying on an local island as well as staying in the luxury Veligandu Island Resort.

You can also subscribe to this YouTube channel if you like travel video´s above & under water.

Happy Splashpacking!

#mantaray #scubadiving #scubadivingmaldives #maldives #scubadive #maldivesholidays #maldivestrip #indianocean #splashpacker #travelblog #travelblogger #maldivesresorts #maldivesbudgettrip

In this video, I share plastic recycling projects which the environmentally conscious scuba dive centre, Blue View Divers in Thailand, is involved with. The eco-friendly recycle ideas & responsible concepts can be applied anywhere in the world.

Trash Hero & Blue Viewers are doing an amazing sustainable job on Koh Phi Phi Islands. They make a big difference for the local people, the environment and to protect the oceans. I became so enthusiastic about them that I wrote a full blog post about those eco projects. Click on the link below for more explanation & details about all the things they are doing to protect & serve the environment:

https://www.splashpacker.com/lifestyle/environmentally-conscious-eco-friendly/sustainable-eco-projects-on-koh-phi-phi-islands/

You can also read a post about my experience scuba diving with them in another blog post:

https://www.splashpacker.com/scuba-dive-travel/scuba-diving-with-blue-view-divers-on-koh-phi-phi/

Feel free to subscribe to this YouTube channel if you´re interested in travelling & scuba diving in general, how to become a scuba diving instructor but also for more ideas about responsible scuba diving and conscious travelling.

#sustainabletourism #ecotraveller #ecotourism #plasticrecycling #scubadiving #supportlocals #scubaadvice #protecttheplanet #responsibletourism #protecttheocean #scuba #phiphiislands #plasticrecycle

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