M/S Dylan

So, that is where I am at.  Will stay working till at least the end of the year.  I have been staying at my sisters place, commuting by train and bike to work.  I am now starting to look around for a place to rent.  Hoping to find something at a nice bike ride from the office, where I have not yet figured out what the right length of that bike ride is (guess that really depends on the amount of rain).

The circumnavigation is now paused. But instead I intend to sail back and forth in South East Asia.  There are still plenty of places to  discover.

West-Friese zeedijk, Noord-Holland.

Floating bridge across a canal in Sint-Maartensvlotbrug.

A rain storm came over from the North Sea while we were at the beach at Sint-Maartenszee.

Rain bow above Petten.

The WESP, read about it here.

The end of the day: sunset.

Levi Leipheimer on the Erasmusbrug.

Vinokourov did not make a top ten.

The Erasmusbrug and the crowds.

At the foot of the Erasmusbrug, at the end of the loop, was probably the nastiest turn in the wet conditions. The riders stategies in taking this turn were interesting to watch. This rider takes the motor racer approuch (pointing knee into the turn).

The Erasmusbrug, nicknamed as the swan.

Fresh Dutch road champion Niki Terpstra was the best Dutch finisher.

Andy Schleck, a contender for the overall classification, had a bit of an off day.

Denis Menchov was not the top Rabo finisher.

Cadel Evans did not impress today.

Crowds on the Koninginnebrug.

Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso.

Juan Antonio Flecha.

The Boss, Lance Armstrong, on his way to the 4th time.

Eventual winner Fabio Cancellara, averaging better than 53 kmh! To avoid bad luck he pinned on his number (13) upside down.

Two time tour winner Alberto Contador, not spectacular with 6th.

The Willemsbrug, one of the theer bridges in the course.

Boat being towed out of the Berendrechtsluis (the Berendrechtsluis is the biggest in the world).

Tug boat.

Next boat came out of the locks on its own power (using bow thruster).

The open bridge.

My mum next to one of the tires that are mounted on the walls (to make the impact a little smaller when a boat hits the wall).

The container terminal on the outside of the locks.

The nuclear power plant of Doel. These towers can be seen from the top floor of my parents old house.

Looking over the river Schelde and the industrial area around it.

And in between all this, the old port of Lilo Fort. Low tide. Not a great place for your fin keel racer.

The Scaldis Yacht Club has seen better days (also in Lilo).

Flower bed.

One of the cafes in Lilo, note the beer signs: De Koninck and Duvel, two of my favorites.

That is the grinding stone of an old wind mill.

A Westmalle trappist on draft. Unfortunately it was way too cold (the beer that is), killing all the taste.

Apocalypse now!

My parents new house.

The old city hall on the main square of my home town.

The church tower as seen from the Molendijk.

My old home on the Molendijk, where I was born.

Sailing vessels on the Oosterschelde near Gorishoek.

Geese (roganzen).

Lepelaars and other birds.

The neat harbor of Stavenisse.

Blue heron ready to catch.

The new windmills in Holland, to generate electricity.

Canal locks (Kreekraksluizen).

A sunny day, people having lunch on the square in front of the Dutch parliament buildings.

The snow as it drops from a blossoming tree.

Clipper entering the Suez Canal at Suez.

Bow wave of a big container ship.

Local fishing boats on Bitter Lake.

Mosque on the Sinai side of the Suez canal.

Sun rise in Ismalia, half way the Suez Canal.

Another clipper in the canal.

Suez Canal bridge pilon.

Suez Canal bridge.

Ever Useful under the bridge.

Maersk container vessel and a sailing yacht under the bridge.

Traditional minaret (?) along the canal.

Port Said mosque just before sun set. Time to get rid of the annoying pilot.

Last sun rise of the trip.

Land is getting near, bird paying us a visit (a Kingfisher?).

Land HO! The Turkish coast, after 8 weeks and a few hours.

Magnet med-moored in Yacht Marina, Marmaris.

Turkish fisherman at work.

Family reunion at Schiphol airport, Saturday morning 03:20, coffee with stroopwafels. This was a surprise arrival committee, thanx! It is cold out here.

Have been taking it easy, just having some leasure time, walk around town, ride a bike to the sea.  Watch some Giro d’Italia.

My parent’s computer is too old to do anything with, and the one in the public library has too many restrictions to have any fun with.  So you will have to have some patience before I can upload any more pictures.

This week I hope to finalize the details about Magnet’s delivery.  Also need to travel to The Hague to do my passport application.  For the rest it is just social visits and a little bit of feeling around what the job market is like.

This whole area was done by the yard to plug a 25mm hole.

First sunset of a 5000nm trip.

A big school of dolphins chased behind a school of fish in line formation. Wild!

Working on a batten repair.

Sri Lankese fishermen, they are very nice but like to come dangerously close to ask for cigarettes (or even beer).

Closest view we had of Sri Lanka.

Waterspout!

Lakshadweep, the unsuccessful fuel stop in Indian islands.

How becalmed can you get in the Arabian Sea in March?

First coalition war ship on the horizon (to keep the pirates out of the Gulf of Aden).

Container port of Salalah, Oman.

Sunset over Omani desert coast.

Another sunset over the slick Gulf of Aden.

Pilot whales!

Close to land you get tired land birds spend the night on the boat.

Jemeni fishermen.

Jumping dolphins.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just before sun rise.

The bunker barge who gave us 400l of diesel in Jeddah for tips only.

Coast of Sinai, along Gulf of Suez.

Port of Suez!

Next plan is: arrange for travel to The Netherlands by the end of the week.  I will visit for at least a few weeks, but anyone with good paying temporary job opportunities should get in touch with me.  I am flexible and can stay longer of the pay is worth it.