The adventure has started..

Seems the spanish stewardesses has something with Bram... they moved him up in first / business class for the long leg between Madrid and Quito. Chair with buttons to fold down in bedposition, up again, all kinds of gadgets, champagne and lobster, a wine tasting event, great entertainment on your screen... The 13 hr flight turned into a relaxing stretch with full service. Some people are really lucky... the 2m tall and 90 kg fridge size Tim was not so lucky.. he sat folded up in monkey class, wondering when Bram would show up and swop for a couple of hours. Strangest thing happened... Bram never showed ;-) Bram says he went in the back a couple of times, but found Tim sleeping, and didn't want to wake him up. Hm, don't you think this story stinks?

Anyhow, with an hour delay they arrived safe and sound in Quito. A scary airport right smack in the middle of the town. Grabbing a taxi on the street, they could almost touch the big planes roaring in over them. One of those places you just don't want to have an accident. Hudson river is better... Is probably not a pilot favourite landing spot, since Quito often deals with winds, rain and thunderstorms.

Off they went to the hotel, nice place. Even a kareoke thing going on in the bar (if that is a +..). A quick tour downtown to grab and bite and a beer in pouring rain and then trying to get some sleep. Not so succesful... altitude kicks in and you're all hyped and sleep doesn't come easy.

Morning presented great weather, but no time for sighseeing. Just enough for breakfast and packing a smaller rugsack for the 4-day trip to the tropical Amazonas. The rest of the stuff they left behind, since they're coming back to stay for a few days after the jungle tour. Taxi to the airport and airborne in one of those small jumpy planes not looking too friendly... An hour flight takes you to Lago Agrio, (a haven for colombian refugees and guerillas) where they're met up by car for a further drive into the jungle. From there on... by canoe! Tim brought his swimgear along (not sure Bram did??), cause there's opportunity to swim with the piranhas. Yes, you heard me. I mean, who wants to swim with them?????

Better check Bram's willy when he gets home, if it's still there ;-) Tim might be luckier with his swimtrunks. I know for sure that Bram will go in the water. This is the guy who still dreams of diving with sharks. Well, well... what can I say. Nada.
I'm not so sure about the camping arrangements, but Brigitte thinks they are sleeping in tents. Must be so exciting with an environment full of exotic sounds, crazy animals and a nature so green your eyes hurt. Can't wait to hear about it upon their return, scheduled for tuesday. No wifi or other connection possibility where they are. They're disconnected from the modern world. Awesome!

I had a great birthday, with Bo and Anette staying over for the weekend, making my day with champagne and birthday gifts. We had a real fun night, great dinner and talks. This morning we had a lovely long walk in the vineyards, enjoying a pre-spring day with no wind and birds singing. Fantastic! Thank you everybody for you calls and greetings!!! I wasn't home late afternoon since I had a birthday apero set up in the stables with my friends.. but I've listened to all those lovely voices singing happy birthday on my answering machine. Wonderful really !!

Tomorroz I will present to you... the Uuden family. That is Tim and his big gang. Meet the Fokkers... haha

That's all for me for now, have to get the housework done with the kids, cook some dinner and put them in bed in good time, last night was late. But that's the way it should be when you have a party! Stay tuned...

xxx Jen