Our Portugal Holiday

In July, Alex and I, along with my in-laws, Ray and Di, and the Collins family (Kim, Granville, Dylan and Nicholas) rented a villa in the Algarve region of Portugal, returning to the same area that we'd visited two years before and absolutely wanted to return. We rented Vila Mila in Ohlos D'Agua, a short walk from the town's center and beach.

We arrived at our new temporary home a few hours before my in-laws, welcomed by Victor and Maria, the couple who took care of the house, pool and garden. Victor gave us the "lay of the land" and we settled into the spacious villa and shopped for some basic supplies - eggs, bacon, bread, drinking water and the all important beer. Once Ray and Di arrived we had a relaxing afternoon walking to the local beach for a beer and a lovely evening with Alex cooking on the outdoor grill.

The week consisted of too many bacon and egg sarnis (sandwiches), some delicous meals in town, including lots of piri piri chicken, my first phal dish at a local indian restaurant (offered only in a handful of curry houses). Phal is hotter than the dish usually considered as the hottest, a vindaloo. I loved it, and had another later in the week. And I look forward to finding and having it again. I do recommend having a King Fisher beer nearby if you decide to try it yourself!


We rented a car early in the week, quite handy for toting gallons of bottled drinking water from the market to the villa (you can't drink or use the tap water for cooking, so on foot carrying one bottle makes it quite a workout in the heat, and uphill.) We also took advantage of our wheels and drove to the western part of the Algarve, returning to "the end of the world" - Capo de St. Vincete - the western most tip of Europe. On our first visit to this spot two years ago, an eerie fog had rolled in (everywhere else we'd been was clear and hot) and we couldn't even see the lighthouse which was literally right in front of us. This visit allowed us to see clearly the amazing views - and the reason that this high-cliffed area has been fatal to many fishermen. It was still quite cool and windy - and if you aren't prepared, some of the market stalls sell shalls, ponchos and fleece jackets!


Here is a film that covers this first week at Vila Mila. Next up, the Collins family arrives for week two!

Another drug bust!

Well, you might remember that soon after we moved to Wassenaar, a cannabis (marijuana) farm was found in a neighboring flat - right across the street from us. A few days ago my doorbell rang - it was the police - explaining that they'd found "soft drugs" in the house and asking if we'd seen anyone or anything that would help them locate those reponsible. It was THE SAME HOUSE! Pictures would be the same - lots of officers, both uniformed and plain clothed, and the trucks from the removal company that takes all the equipment and plants from the house.

Who knows when the perpetrators returned - they likely have been operating for a while....

"Soft drugs" include marijuana, hashish and other "organic" drugs. It used to include hallucinogenic mushrooms - which were declared prohibited in 2007. Soft drugs are not technically legal in the Netherlands, but they are 'tolerated' and small amounts for personal use are allowed. The policy came about as a result of a serious heroine probolem in the 1970's.

Cannabis remains a controlled substance in the Netherlands and both possession and production for personal use are still misdemeanos, punishable by fine. Coffee shops are also technically illegal according to the statutes but, are flourishing nonetheless. According to current gedoogbeleid (the Dutch "tolerance law") the possession of a maximum amount of five grams cannabis for personal use is not prosecuted. A maximum of five Cannabis sativa plants may be grown without prosecution, although they have to be handed over upon discovery. So, the house contained mor than five plants...

Wassenaar may be considered "the Beverly Hills of Holland" (not accurate!). Granted, in South Wassenaar there are some HUGE and very expensive homes and much of Wassenaar is quite posh, and there are quite a few residents with bags of money - but it certainly doesn't mean there isn't organized crime here (which is who I suspect runs the ring here).

I'm working on the photos from Portugal where we spent time with the in-laws and the Collins family (now living in Houston). Stay tuned!

A walk in Duindorp

In late June, I participated in another event hosted by The Hague Bridge Project. Members of the AWC were invited by Hannelore Taal from The Hague's Hospitality Centre. Along with friends Yoka, Marilee, Eileen, Emily and Dan and a group of about twenty others we enjoyed a gorgeous sunny morning in an area of The Hague I hadn't known existed and it was lovely.

The city of The Hague is renowned as the International City of Peace and Justice. It is home to some 40,000 expats. During the four or five years that expats tend to spend in The Hague, they do not necessarily have to integrate. They do, however, need to get to know the city. The Hague Bridge Project addresses that need. Every few months, a different district of The Hague is in the spotlight.

Scheveningen was the first district in the spotlight and had the pleasure of being invited on a guided walk through a very special part of town - Duindorp. This unique, almost isolated little village, enclosed on three sides by sand dunes, is just a minute from the sea.

We were welcomed by Willem Post, international advisor to the City of The Hague
and Danielle Harthoorn, branch manager of community centre ‘Trefpunt’ in Duindorp.

This interesting walk included a visit to the annual Duindorp Fair and the seawater thermal power plant - the only one in the world! We ended this historical tour at a beautiful beach house restaurant with lunch and an open discussion about life in Scheveningen / The Hague with Mrs. Van Aartsen (wife of the mayor of The Hague).

It is very obvious from all of the Oranjegetke (the "orange craze" - that occurs during Queen's Day and during football and other major sporting events), and the ubiquitous Hup Holland (Go Holland!) message that World Cup fever is hot in Holland. There are also signs that this is the end of the school year, with back packs and school bags hanging on flag poles indicating that the student has passed his or her exams.)

Below is a film with pics from the day...

A downside of Expat life

Well, the past couple of years have been full of fun adventures and new experiences, and some very special bonds of friendship.

This film is from a party we had to celebrate with friends to spend some time with them, say goodbye and wish them well before they move on to their next adventure. This past couple of years has been particularly tough as the economy has meant that more friends than usual are moving around the globe and assignments tend to be shortened so everyone's future is always a bit uncertain.

I wish all the best to Marilee & Tony who will be moving to Moscow very shortly; to Terry & Mark who are returning to Texas; to Phoebe & Gary moving to Maryland; Kathy & Jack who will be repatriating to Kentucky; to Terry & Joe, also moving back to the States.