Tuk tuk in Bangkok
1. Tell us about your site and how you started travel blogging.
My site is called ‘Act of Traveling’. Two years ago I had never even thought about writing about traveling. Blogging was always a thing for someone else. I started with LinkedIn and Twitter and very soon engaged with other passionate travelers. One thing led to another after Mei from Cumi & Ciki blog invited me to write about our first family trip. So I did! It was a big success and she really convinced to start my own blog. It was launched in March 2010.
I started writing about our travels: where we have been and what we have seen. But, sentimental as I am, I wanted to write about the true meaning of traveling. Why do we want to travel and what is it we discover when we travel? It’s a bit of a different perspective but I guess these kinds of stories are the essence of my blog.
On bikes crossing Manhattan
2. You and your family have had some pretty incredible travel experiences together. Can you share a bit about your travels with your kids?
With our children we traveled to Morocco, Thailand, New York City and Bali. Me and my wife were passionate travelers before we got kids (traveling from Cuba and Peru to Japan and India, and not forgetting the ancient European capitals like Budapest, Paris and Rome). When our youngest turned 4 we dared to take up the travel challenge again!
It is great to travel with children, as they own a different kind of curiosity. It’s the kind that you can (and have to) adapt to. For those who fear the traveling with children to the far corners of the world, I can re-assure them. We never ever had any serious problems adapting to local cultures, climate or food. There is always a solution just around the corner and people are very much willing to help a young family!
- Dades valley in Morocco
3. How has travel changed for you since having children?
Of course travel changed. When you travel with children you have to do things differently. What do I mean? Well, for example, you have to limit the (geographical) scope of your trip. You cannot see the whole country, that’s too tiring for the children. Focus instead on a specific (smaller) part of the country. And that’s actually no bad news as it allows you to dive deeper into certain areas, allowing more time for real discovery.
Also, don’t rush from one place to another. Take your time and spend more days at one place than you would normally do. Children need time to relax, play and recover from all the things they have seen.
Next to that, when you travel with children doors are opened that normally stay closed. People value the fact that you take your whole family to their country. They are more willingly to help, offer you the best seats in the restaurant or are more receptive to a talk. That are real benefits!
- Temple grounds in Bali
4. What places have surprised you and why?
I can be surprised by many things, even the smallest details or the most simple places. But if you would ask me one place, I would say India. India is the most extreme country that we have visited: the colors, the differences between rich and poor, the beauty of people, religious habits, it’s just amazing. From the Pink City to Jaipur, to the ghats in Varanasi and the Taj Mahal in Agra: a world apart that you will not very quickly (like never) forget.
Camel Ride in Morocco
5. How do you think traveling has influenced your kids?
How travel influenced my kids? It’s a teacher for them. They learn about the many different people living on this globe. They see differences in lifestyle, culture, food, environment, etc. In Morocco they asked me why the women wore clothes when they were swimming. They asked us why the people sat on the ground and moved their head towards the ground (these people were praying, but our kids believed they were looking through a hole in the ground!). We just want them to encounter different cultures early in life. Their roots (their home base) are important, but we want to give them wings to become global citizens as well.
Playing soccer with local kids
6. You are from the Netherlands, a country I have visited twice and admire for its tolerance and quality of life. Where in your country would you suggest people visit and why?
There are many great places in the Netherlands! The more historic places are very much worth a visit. Next to Amsterdam you can travel to Delft, Alkmaar and don’t forget my hometown Deventer! Giethoorn is a great place, we call it Venice of the Low Lands. If you are a nature lover I would recommend the Hoge Veluwe (you can borrow bikes and cycle the amazing area) or the Wadden Islands up north. With kids you can visit a great castle, called Haarzuylens.
7. What is one way that you can make a positive difference in the world while traveling?
To open up ourselves to other cultures. To show there is no single culture or group better than the other. When we travel, we have to show interest, ask questions and learn!
Fishermen in Essaouira, Morocco
8. What are your specific hopes for your future travels?
Slow travel, diving even deeper into local cultures. Next year we want to go backpacking with our kids, no itinerary but just let Serendipity guide us. Stay in places longer if we feel like it, if we want to discover more. No itinerary. Maybe some volunteering work to show our kids that lots of people need help and we can give that to them.
Cycling in Bangkok
9. How about sharing a favorite book or movie?
Sure! My favorite book is You Shall Know Our Velocity by Dave Eggers. Two friends suddenly come into a big sum of money and decide to give it all away. They plan to travel around the world visiting obscure countries and give all the money away to people they decide deserve it the most. They end up in Sierra Leone, Morocco, Estonia … it’s hilarious! If you want to know about my favorite movie, just go and click here…
Bangkok, Thailand
10. Do you ever think about moving to another country? If you did, where would you live and why?
Being travelers, we have thought about moving to another country lots of times. But moving somewhere is quite a different issue compared to traveling. Our base is the Netherlands where we have a strong bond with our family. We have seriously discussed moving to Japan once, I even went for a job interview. If we would decide to move, it would surely be Asia: Japan, Thailand, Vietnam…who knows, maybe someday?
You can find Emiel on his blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Dear Jenna,
Thank you for featuring our traveling family! It’s always a pleasure to see your own words and pictures together on one page, especially if they are combined with a wonderful introduction!
Thank you!
Emiel
What an inspiring interview, I couldn’t agree more that traveling is a teacher for your children, they are definitely growing up with an experience and an openness to other cultures that will be their very precious background in the future. Many parents should read this interview, traveling children will certainly be better adults. Happy travels!
Whole-heartedly agree, of course
Children add an entirely new dimension to travel.
How cool to be that young and see the world!! Great interview. I don’t have kids, but I’d like to think I’d take them to do cool things if I did. When I first go to Costa Rica I was a couple and their 4-year-old. It made everything more fun and exciting.
one of my favorite blogs, I love act of traveling!
Monique, you are so kind!
Those who travel with their families are so inspiring. As a child, I grew up traveling and I can’t stress how much it has impacted me. It’s funny, I always hear India described as a land of extremes. I would love to go someday.
Suzy, India is indeed a land of extremes. As a matter of fact we are now seriously discussing if we should travel there next year with our kids.
Enjoyed the interview with Emiel and hearing about his family’s experiences. It’s always wonderful to see families traveling with children of all ages. I’ve traveled since I was a child and I’m so grateful to my parents for that.
Glad you enjoyed the interview Cathy. Since I joined the social networks I have done indeed amazing discoveries: families traveling around the world with their children, homeschooling, etc.
GREAT interview!!
I LOVE your optimism and view of the world, Emiel. You’re a true inspiration!
Isn’t he an inspiration?
Thank you Michelle and Jenna! You all make me blush here…:)