Who in the World is Louise?

 

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Hi! I’m Louise and I have traveled all over the world for most of my life.

I was born in The Netherlands (Holland, you know, where everyone walks around in wooden shoes NOT!). My mom used to fly us back to visit our grandparents every year until I was about 17. Of course, we weren’t seeing the world. We were visiting family. Real fun for a kid. But thanks to my partner-in-crime Roydio I caught the “adult” travel bug.

(Let me insert something here about Roydio, my husband, my travel partner. I guess technically we are a travel “couple” because we do travel most everywhere together. But this is my blog. I’ll attempt to get a few stories out of him of the places he’s gone without me. It is Roydio you will see in my pictures and I do refer to him a lot.)

We started traveling together on our honeymoon almost 32 years ago and haven’t stopped.

OK, I see that you’re doing the math.

Now you know I’m not a Gen Z-er or a Generation Y-er or a Millennial or a Xennial or even a Generation X-er for that matter. Sadly, I had to look those up just to educate myself as to which generations came after me. HA!

Yes, I’m a baby boomer and not your typical travel blogger, I know. As a matter of fact I probably won’t be taking you on a trek to Machu Picchu or Mt. Everest. My stories won’t consist of me rappelling down waterfalls or skydiving or jet boating (my daughter who’s also caught the travel bug just recently did all that in New Zealand so maybe I’ll ask her to come on as a guest contributor). Anyway, I’ll leave those kinds of adventures to the generations after me. I’m more inclined to go parasailing (like I did in Hawaii) than go skydiving, or to take the train (like I did in Cinque Terre) rather than hike a rugged trails.

You get it. 

Having said that, I’ll take you snorkeling in Belize, tobogganing in a basket down the hill from Monte in Madeira, we’ll climb the Great Wall of China near Beijing, we’ll take an elephant ride in Bangkok… Exotic adventures are just the ticket for this blogger and if you’re up for it I’ll take you with me in hopes that it inspires you to visit some of these exciting destinations for yourself.

I should tell you…

…the reason behind me writing this blog is at the urging of my family, friends and social media followers. After every trip I’ve taken I would document my stories, pictures and experiences on Facebook and even sometimes on Instagram. I found myself giving my followers advice, tips and tricks I’d learned in my travels and it seemed a natural progression for me to just go the next step and create a blog. So here I am!

I’m an ever-evolving amateur photographer.

Since Roydio sold my “real” camera last year (HA! it was a Nikon D60 so not that real), I’ve depended solely on my iPhone X for all of my digital archives. But it’s served me well, I think. Capturing the incredible architecture and history on [film] throughout the world has enhanced my love of travel. I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to all the textures in nature, structures, walls, streets, where I’m walking – you’ll see. I love to create images that will help emotionally draw you into the experience I’m having. I’m also a bit of an amateur foodie so that subject is sure to find its way into my posts, I love finding amazing cafes and out-of-the-way dining spots. And I love taking pictures of food!

I’m not in the best shape of my life that’s for sure.

There, I said it. But hey, I’m probably not the only one in the world having to admit it. And that should never be a reason NOT to go see the world! That’s my opinion anyway. Maybe my stories will resonate with you who like me may be content to finding a beautiful beach to lay on rather than go surfing.

Since I’ve done my share of traveling I’ve learned a lot of tricks and tips on saving money, time and aggravation. Some things I’ve learned the hard way and some I’ve learned by educating myself. Either way, in my posts I’ll be passing on to you all of my “secrets.” I won’t hold anything back. And I’m open to answering any and all questions you may have. Feel free leave comments on my posts. I welcome them.

When I’m not traveling I’m a mom and an Oma (Dutch for grandma). I love spending time with my family and love traveling with them.

And I love Jesus. He’s a pretty cool dude; if you haven’t ever met Him, I highly encourage it.

In any case, this is my life. I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little. Through my stories I know you will find out lots more about me as a woman, a wife, a mother, an Oma, a sister, a friend, a traveler. And I’d love to get to know you too!

So I hope you’ll come along with me on my adventures. Leave me comments, questions, suggestions. I’m so open to hearing from you! And I hope I will inspire you to do some exploring of your own. The world is such a big, beautiful place and there are so many fascinating things to see in it.

Thanks for joining me and finding Where in the World is Louise? (not Carmen Sandiego)