Let me introduce my family!

From left to right: Yours truly, my children (10, 15, 16, 22) and my sister on a family trip in Cozumel.

Starting a website was a leap into the unknown for me, so I hope you'll bear with me as I navigate this new adventure. But before we dive into the journey ahead, I'd like to share a bit about myself. I believe that knowing each other a little better can make this experience feel more personal and less like 'just business.'

So here’s a little about me! My name is Miriam, and I was born and raised in the Netherlands. When I was 3 years old, my family moved to Germany, where I spent most of my childhood. We moved back to the Netherlands when I was 12, and that transition was a big challenge. Although we spoke Dutch at home, reading and writing in the language wasn’t a priority, so re-learning it took time. Adjusting to Dutch culture after living in Germany was another hurdle. I remember being shocked by how differently children behaved towards their parents—it was a true culture shock!

Eventually, the Netherlands started to feel more like home, but I often found myself yearning for the freedom we had in Germany. We lived in a rural area there, where my sister and I spent a lot of time outdoors, exploring the nearby forests and lakes or walking our dogs. In the Netherlands, city life required more caution—keeping an eye out for traffic and other hazards was a new norm for us.

Fast forward a few years...

After finishing my studies, I spent some time working in hospitality, but the travel bug soon took hold. My first solo trip, and my first time on a plane, was to Japan—a destination that wasn’t even on my immediate travel list, but life has a way of surprising us! The experience was unforgettable, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Not long after returning home, the travel bug struck again, leading me to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. What was meant to be a short three-month visit turned into a three-year adventure. I’ll share more about that in another post, but suffice it to say, those years changed my life. When I finally returned to the Netherlands, I experienced homesickness for the first time—not for my own country, but for Asia. I felt out of place in my own homeland, missing my friends and the life I had left behind.

Fast forward a bit more...

After a year in the Netherlands, I knew I had to leave again. I moved to St. Martin/St. Maarten and lived there for about 10 months. When hurricane season approached and my job became uncertain, I accepted an invitation to move to the US. I spent a month in New York City, another in Scottsdale, Arizona, and then settled in Las Vegas. My time there was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. I got married but by the time I was three months pregnant, our marriage was already failing. I decided to return to the Netherlands alone, where I gave birth to my eldest daughter. I later had three more children, lived in Ireland for ten years, and eventually moved with my kids to Mexico, where we’ve been for the past few years.

I’d love for you to join us on this journey as I share insights into our travels, offer tips, and provide valuable information. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss out!

Thank you for being here with us!

Miriam :)