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Tag: Parents

My mum: a true inspiration for giving me a healthy childhood

My mother: a true inspiration & my happy childhood

Ellis 4 Comments

Today, it´s 18 years ago that we lost a true inspiration and treasure on earth: my mother! Lately, I have…

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Posted in: Lifestyle, Work Abroad Filed under: Parents, Reflections, Safety Stop Book

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Recent Posts

Scuba diving with Nautico Dive Academy in Arguineguín on Gran Canaria
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

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ellisderkx on Veligandu Island Resort: the dream destination for a diving holiday in the Maldives
Caradonna Adventures on Veligandu Island Resort: the dream destination for a diving holiday in the Maldives
ellisderkx on Scuba Diving with Rasdhoo Dive Centre on Rasdhoo Island, Rasdhoo Atoll, Maldives

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I really like this new #grouperpainting in the mai

I really like this new #grouperpainting in the mainstreet of Arguineguín. It's huge (swipe left for more perspective) and colourful. It looks pretty real to me👌🏼

#grouperfish #mero #fishpaintings
#fishpaintingart #scubaart #wallpaintingstreet #wallpaintingsart #tandbaars #arguineguin #arguineguingrancanaria #visschilderij #meroart #meroarteam

New blog post on Splashpacker: Scuba diving with N

New blog post on Splashpacker: Scuba diving with Nautico Dive Academy in Arguineguín (the same dive centre as where I did my divemaster course 16 years ago 🙂 I write about that time in #safetystopbook)

https://www.splashpacker.com/travel-information/scuba-diving-with-nautico-dive-academy-in-arguineguin-on-gran-canaria/

If the above link doesn´t work, just go to splashpacker.com and it´s the most recent post anyway 🙂

@nautico_diveacademy

#scubadivinggrancanaria #grancanaria #arguineguin #scubadivingaddicts #grancanariascuba #grancanariadiving #splashpacker #divedestinations #duikengrancanaria #duiken #canarischeeilanden #BuceoGranCanaria #buceocanarias #arguineguincanarias #safetystopboek

Let´s talk about #barracudas! How much do you kno

Let´s talk about #barracudas! How much do you know about barracudas? . Did you know that the barracuda is swimming around planet earth´s oceans since 50 million years!? Do you know how old a barracuda can get? And do you know which barracuda swims alone and which ones swim in large groups?Check out the longer video on Splashpacker Youtube channel for some fun #barracudafacts 🙂 This huge school of barracudas is swimming above a nice little (sailboat) wreck divesite on Gran canaria. Read more about scuba diving on Gran Canaria on splashpacker.com

#happybubbles #barracuda #barracudafish #fishfacts #schoolofbarracudas #barracudaschool #atlanticoceanlife #divingrancanaria #duiken #buceocanarias #scubatravel #splashpacker #divetravel #divetravelblog #shedives #grancanaria #scubadiving #divedestinations #scubacanarias #duikbestemmingen #duikreisblog

If you go scuba diving by boat on the south-west c

If you go scuba diving by boat on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria, there´s a big chance to dive into one of these big schools of #roncadores (grunts).

This is the dive site called #arguineguin Reef, and this school of bastard grunts can almost be guaranteed here. ´Roncadores´ is the name used in #canarias because when this fish get caught by fishermen, they make a snoring sound. (roncadores translates to ´snorers´). But let´s forget about where the name is coming from, because the whole idea of these fish in a net make me a bit sad to be honest. Let´s enjoy them swimming around 🙂

More information about scuba diving on Gran Canaria on splashpacker.com and also there are longer video´s about #scubadivinggrancanaria on Splashpacker YouTube channel soon.

In 2006, I worked here as a divemaster and the fishlife has only improved and grown in this part of the world, over the last years. I think the good news should be shared too <3 After having worked and dived all around the world, I still LOVE to scuba dive in Canarias.

Happy Bubbles 🙂 Safe Travels <3

#splashpacker #grancanariadiving #divedestinations #arguineguinreef #girlsthatscuba #shedives #divetravel #happybubbles #schoolsoffish #divinglife #travelblogger #divetravelblog #duiken #canarischeeilanden #buceocanarias #scubacanarias #divinggrancanaria #grancanaria #travelcanarias #atlanticoceanlife

Little sailboat wreck to be found boat diving on t

Little sailboat wreck to be found boat diving on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria. This little wreck attracts big schools of roncadores and barracudas and is located at a depth of 30-32 metres. Stay tuned on Splashpacker for more dive travel to Gran Canaria. Happy bubbles 😁 Enjoy splashpacking 👌🏼

#sailboatwreck #divinggrancanaria #splashpacker #wreckdivingphotography #grancanariadiving #divedestinations #duikbestemmingen #duikreizen #divetravelblog #diveholidays #duikenmagazine #wrakduiken #divingcanarias

Folllow up on the previous post 🙂 Here´s the li

Folllow up on the previous post 🙂 Here´s the little sailboat wreck, where this huge school of barracudas has made their home. I am working on a blog post and video about boat diving on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria. A big thanks to @nautico_diveacademy for taking me there 🙂 <3

#sailboatwreck #scubadivinggrancanaria #wrecksgrancanaria #deepdive #splashpacker #scubadivingarguineguin #grancanariadivesites #grancanariascuba #divedestinations #atlanticoceandiving #grancanaria #divetravel #divingholidays #happybubbles

Pretty amazing barracuda show, scuba diving on the

Pretty amazing barracuda show, scuba diving on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria. Those photos are taken at the little sailboat wreck dive (see next post). I am working on some blog posts and video´s, one includes fun barracudas facts 🙂 If you would like to go diving here, I recommend to book your diving with Nautico Dive Academy in Arguineguín (*promotion). They are very conscious and this most lovely friendly family, running the dive center, make you come as a guest and leave as a friend 🙂

BTW - Gran Canaria is one of those rare places on earth where fish life is growing and improving, I am just comparing it to 15 years ago <3

#barracudas #scubadivinggrancanaria #splashpacker #arguineguingrancanaria #grancanariadivesites #grancanariascuba #divedestinations #barracudaschool #losingcountofthenumbers #atlanticoceanslife

@nautico_diveacademy

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

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YouTube Video UCnwGAs37gvBD--hC-4P12iA_7JsDmCjeoWs

Little wide-eyed flounder whilst scuba diving on Gran Canaria. The wide-eyed flounder is also called Bothus Podas. The wide eyed flounder is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean but also to be found in the Caribbean.

Stay tuned by subscribing to this channel or to subscribe to the mailing list on https://www.splashpacker.com for more information about scuba diving, dive destinations, dive travel, (also non-dive travel), female solo travel tips, working as a dive instructor and eco-conscious travel and sustainable tourism.

More information about scuba diving on Gran Canaria, boat diving on the south-west coast, dive spots and diving sites on this part of the island, can be found on Splashpacker here:

https://www.splashpacker.com/category/travel-information/spain/canary-islands/gran-canaria/

You can also book your scuba diving on Gran Canaria in advance with Get Your Guide, I do receive a small commission if you book by clicking through on the link below:

https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Gran%20Canaria,%20scuba%20diving&searchSource=3&partner_id=M5CWGCB&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=%22other%22

Happy Bubbles!
Safe Travels

#wideeyedflounder #flounder #fishfacts #scubadiving #grancanaria #atlanticocean #splashpacker #scubadestinations #travelbloggersonyoutube #sustainabletourism #divetravel #buceo #islascanarias #pescescanarias #atlanticoceanlife #shorts

This video takes you scuba diving to a little sailboat wreck in the south-west coast of Gran Canaria, where you can find huge schools of barracudas. There are many different scuba dive sites to be done in the form of boat diving on this site the Canary Island. This videos includes some barracuda facts. Did you know barracuda´s are swimming in planet earth´s oceans since 15 million years? Do you know how old barracuda´s can get? Did you know that smaller barracuda´s often swim in groups and bigger ones usually alone? Some little fun facts like this, are to be found in this video.

Futhermore, it gives you a good impression of this dive siteoin the Canary Islands. Next to the giant school of barracuda´s, you can see another school of fish and the little sailboat wreck laying at a depth of about 30 metres.

More information about scuba diving on Gran Canaria, boat diving on the south-west coast and dive spots and diving sites on this part of the island, can be found on Splashpacker:

https://www.splashpacker.com/category/travel-information/spain/canary-islands/gran-canaria/

You can also book your scuba diving on Gran Canaria in advance with Get Your Guide, I do receive a small commission if you book by clicking through on the link below:

https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Gran%20Canaria,%20scuba%20diving&searchSource=3&partner_id=M5CWGCB&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=%22other%22

Stay tuned by subscribing to this channel or to subscribe to the mailing list on https://www.splashpacker.com for more information about travelling, scuba diving, dive destinations, dive travel, also ´non-dive´ travel like hiking, female solo travel tips, working as a dive instructor and eco-conscious travel and sustainable tourism.

Happy Bubbles!
Safe Travels!

#barracudas #divesites #grancanaria #scubadivinggirls #scubadivingtrip #grancanarias #barracuda #barracudafacts #scubadiving #atlanticocean #splashpacker #scubadiver #travelbloggersonyoutube #sustainabletourism #divetravel #buceo #islascanarias #pescescanarias

If you go scuba diving on Gran Canaria, especially if you go boat diving to certain dive sites like Arguineguín Reef, you are almost guaranteed to see those big school of bastard grunts. In the local Spanish dialect of the Canary Island, they call this fish ´Roncadores´. Literally translated, it means ´snorers´, because apparently when fishermen caught them in the nets they make the snoring sound. I do become a bit sad by the idea of those fish in nets though 🙁 But that´s where the name comes from.

More information about scuba diving on Gran Canaria, boat diving on the south-west coast and dive spots and diving sites on this part of the island, on Splashpacker:

https://www.splashpacker.com/category/travel-information/spain/canary-islands/gran-canaria/

You can also book your scuba diving on Gran Canaria in advance with Get Your Guide, I do receive a small commission if you book by clicking through on the link below:

https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Gran%20Canaria,%20scuba%20diving&searchSource=3&partner_id=M5CWGCB&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=%22other%22

Stay tuned by subscribing to this channel or to subscribe to the mailinglist on https://www.splashpacker.com for more information about scuba diving, dive destination, dive travel, also non-dive travel, female solo travel tips, working as a dive instructor and eco- conscious travel and sustainable tourism.

Happy Bubbles!
Safe Travels

#scubadivinggirls #scubadivingtrip #grancanarias #arguineguin #scubadiving #grancanaria #atlanticocean #splashpacker #scubadiver #travelbloggersonyoutube #sustainabletourism #divetravel #buceo #islascanarias #pescescanarias #shorts

This is an introduction video to the book, called Safety Stop, that I am currently writing. Safety Stop is a motivational narrative travel memoir in which dreams and adventures are combined with life lessons and spiritual insights. Here is a little description of the hook of this non-fiction travel memoir:

After her mother´s death, a young woman takes off to work and travel all over the world as a diving instructor. For almost a decade, she chases her dream whilst applying the universal spiritual principles. But when her dad also passes away at a too young age, things start to go downwards.Then she goes missing in the Philippines.

Safety Stop starts with the loss of my mum of cancer. I´m only 21 years old at the time and it´s a wake-up call to me that I should not wait to live my dreams. Not happy with an office job in the Netherlands, I decide to follow my passion of scuba diving. I start to work very hard, sometimes taking on double jobs, to make my dream come true of working all around the world. I soon realize that everything is possible with the right intentions and by believing in it. Although many times I stumble upon crossroads or become stuck on the road towards my goals, somehow solutions and help always come my path. No matter if this is in the way of books, people, signs, synchronicities or learning something from local religions or philosophies from the country I am finding myself living or traveling in. I also discover that something is always guiding us on our life path. The places where I live and work include the Netherlands (my home country), the Canary Islands in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Maldives, New Zealand and Australia. The reader is also taken on travels or stopovers to Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Indonesia (Bali) and the Philippines. When I´m 29 years old, my dad dies of cancer too. After an intense time back home, I return to Australia and start an office job in Byron Bay. However, after almost a year, I miss the ocean and I decide to return to the Philippines to work as a scuba dive instructor again. After two days of walking through the streets of Cebu, with no belongings left and dressed in a dress but without wearing flip-flops or even a bra, I find myself waking up in a very poor local mental hospital. With my hands and feet cuffed and bound to a bed frame without a mattress, I wonder where I am. A few days later I am found back thanks to a huge Facebook search action. My sister and her husband finally rescue me there. I experienced severe psychosis.

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

#travelmemoir #safetystop #scubagirl #memoir
#diveinstructor #followyourdreams #splashpacker #travelgirls #travelgirl #workabroad

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

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