Where are you from?

I am from The Netherlands

When did you start your interest in exploration?

In my third year when I was allowed to play alone on the farm of my parents' farm.

What is a brief understanding of your background story up until you started seeking adventure?

Born in 1967, I grew up on the farm of my parents with cows which were fed by vegetables from our land. There I learned that balance and circles are important. Between people and in resources. There was not a lot of food for the animals and for us as a family of 5. But we had enough, were happy and there was progression.

My learning skills were good, so I went to university and studied Spatial Planning. For the first time in my life, I went on holiday. And outside The Netherlands I was seeking adventure in the mountains of Great Britain, Europe, India, Nepal, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

In 1992 I started to work at the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Housing and Environment. After that at a county government and a city government. Most of the time I was integrating subjects, connecting people and showing solutions during excursions outdoors.

In 2013 I decided to work as an independent consultant in my own company. Now I have more time to invest in what the real problems are and how to solve them. Exploring and expeditions all over the world are an important part of that.

What special skills do you have to help with your explorations?

I am curious why people live like they live, what the landscape offers them and how things work. 

When there are problems in a social or technical way, I can investigate and find solutions.

In my head seems to be a GPS or something, because I always feel where to go for a destination. With that I can just dwell around somewhere, find interesting things and people and always come back or forward.

Where have you explored so far?

Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Swiss, Italy, Austria, India, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, China, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, USA, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, South-Africa, Namibia.

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

Landscapes are different and people adapt in a very interesting way. I have seen and learned a lot about other tribes about great solutions for big (actual) problems. Usually old habits and techniques, so "everything old is new again". 

I saw this all over the world, except in western countries. There people try to transform the landscape to the needs of people in a hurry. And even import as much as possible from far away. But when you inspire western people how to "go back to better", they solve their problems by themselves. That is why I call my adventures "Expedition Beautiful World".

What are the top three destinations you hope to explore next, and why?

1. Pakistan (third time), because it is the third ice pool of the world and has fantastic mountains of 8611 meters.
2. Uganda, because of endangered gorillas.
3. India Ladakh, because it is so peaceful.

Where would you recommend others visit?

Just where you feel you want to go. It might be your home country or far away.

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

Land Rover Defender 110, 2.4tdci, built in 2008.

Modifications:

1. Popuproof (PSP-expeditioncampers.nl) for sleeping 2 above and 2 downstairs.
2. True drinkwaterfilter (AquaLogic.nl), so I can even use my pee to drink.
3. Ceramic cooker on diesel (Webasto X100), so no searching for gasbottles or wood needed.

What are five pieces of equipment that you always travel with?

1. Drinkwater bottle
2. Raincoat
3. Good walking boots
4. Wound purifiër
5. Rope

What inspires you to explore more?

Enjoy more landscapes, more tribes, more ways of living on earth in a balance with her. 

Meanwhile there are now serious problems on earth, which need solutions. For example climate change, food shortage and damage to biodiversity. So I am also inspired to explore new solutions for these, so I can inspire others with all that "Beautiful World".

How do you engage with others?

Usually I just walk slowly or sit and enjoy the scene. I can easily talk with anybody, whether a cleaner, streetmaker, builder, engineer, nurse, doctor, teacher, governmental employee or politician.

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

Every culture has its worthwhile things. It is interesting to hear about, respect and maybe learn from each other. For me as a young student, travelling and other cultures were already a lesson for life. You find true solutions with that, whether it is the technique or the way people work together. Now in my 58 years, embracing global cultures is still inspiring me.

What are your goals when you explore?

See more landscapes, more tribes, more ways of living on earth in a balance with her. 

Look for true sustainable and social solutions for serious problems on earth. And share them with others. 

For example heating buildings without gas and wood, with other types of heat pumps and solar panels than commonly known. So not the air-water-heatpumps with ventilator-source and PV-solarpanels, but water-water-heatpumps with PVT-panelsource. The "T" is thermic, which is a radiator behind the PV-solar and where air flows along naturally. So heat from the air can be transferred to fluid and this works also when it is dark and freezes. With this type of heating & cooling 50-90% less solar fields and wind turbines and power grid are needed.

The farmers need all the actual fields to lower the intensity of food production, to solve nutrient problems.  This is important for the health of people, plants and animals.

Another example is that with the meltwater of glaciers, people can build icetowers. This helps against floods and sea level rising.

Also protection of several plants and animals is important.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

• Getting stuck with Land Rover in the mud in The Netherlands, the heat and no drinkwater in Albania, getting through deserts in Iran, climbing to 5000 meter on 120 km long glaciers in Pakistan.
• Inspire and get things done with the government and politicians. They like to listen to you, but true sustainable and social projects can take long. You need to hold on.

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

When climbing in Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains, I saw at 4000 meters height, locals who do not cause heating of the earth at all and live with 4 hours electricity per day, bring meltwater of glaciers via tubes on the glacier again. There it freezes into huge icetowers. These remain in summer so the glaciers are growing again, temperature drops a little and less floods will occur. Also the sea level rising will be less.

How has exploration changed you?

It widens my knowledge, my type of friends, shows me new cultures and solutions.

What is the number one lesson that you have learnt through your exploration?

Always look at how other tribes solved a problem.

How do you explore locally?

I go for a walk in my city and fortunately I can easily walk to the countryside.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

By being open for other landscapes and cultures, you can appreciate and learn solutions to live on this beautiful planet in a balance with her.

What advice would you give to others who are seeking life changing adventure?

Just go somewhere where you were not raised and see if you like it. Maybe you learn something and maybe you can inspire.