Keeping track of Matt Walter

Will You Marry Me?

2009-07-08T22:18:00.010+02:00

G'day All

I have some very exciting news ... Yesterday I asked Hester to marry me and she said YES ... Yipeeeee. We are now officially engaged!!!

I told her that we were going to centre of Delft (Hester's hometown) to have dinner with a friend of mine. I also convinced her that we take pictures through the centre of Delft to show my friends and family the city she was born in.

Well the weather yesterday was not good, we had storms in the morning and crazy wind and rain all day. I was carefully watching the rain clouds as we enjoyed a "Booster Juice" and Apple Flap (kind of an apple pie). I saw thick black clouds approaching so I "suggested" that we go into the market square to take pictures of the church and town hall.

We got into the market square and I was getting her to pose infront of the different buildings as I took pictures. I suggested to her that we take a picture infront of the Church together and she agreed. This is where the action happens!!!

Instead of pushing the 10 second timer on my camera I put it on VIDEO and pressed record. I ran beside her and pretended to pose for the 10 second timer. Immediately Hester noticed that the timer light wasn't flashing. I tried to convince her that it was and still kept posing for the "PICTURE".

Well after a few seconds I dropped to my knees and took her hands. She said to me "What are you doing, get up" and tried to pull me back to my feet. I said "I am serious now" and then I proposed to her. Well of course ... she was shocked!! She looked around, laughed and then finally said "YES ... of course I will marry you"!!

The rest is history ... we laughed and cuddled and kissed and laughed and cuddled and laughed again. It was so amazing!!! After that we went out for a romantic dinner at an Italian resturant before Hester's parents joined us to celebrate in the city with drinks at a cafe.

It was such an amazing day and I am so glad that I can be engaged to my best friend and soulmate ... my fiancée

Check out the video and pictures below!!

Thank you everyone for your kind congratulations and well wishes.

Cheers

Matt

The Proposal caught on Cam

Me Popping the question

A cuddle on a Delft Blue Pottery Seat

Hester with the Delft coat of arms

The Church which was the backdrop to my proposal

The City Hall

The ring I used for the proposal (we are getting a real one)

Celebrating with Hester's Parents later that night

My German Vacation

2009-07-01T16:58:00.017+02:00

G'day All,

Wow ... what a whirlwind!! I am back in Holland and have finally found some time to write a bit of a blog about my adventure. Without further ado I will get straight into it.

The path I took (2000 km)

On the 16th of June I picked up my "CRAZY CAMPER" from Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Oh boy ... it was crazier than I thought it would be!! It was painted VEGAS style and really got peoples heads turning, especially the police.

As I was crossing the German/Netherlands border I randomly had a nose bleed. Because I was running late I didn't bother stopping to clean it up but just kind let it dry naturally (disgusting I know). No longer than 10 mins after it had stopped bleeding a strange black car with dark windows pulled in front of me. Seconds later the car turned on a sign that said "Polezi --->".

I pulled over to find out that it was the undercover drug police. They suspect I was carrying drugs from Holland to Germany. I must admit it looked all very suspicous as I still had dry blood on my face, I was driving a vegas car with an Australian flag on the back.

Well I emptied all my pockets while they searched my bags and checked out the insides of the car. They came back to me and asked me if I had ever taken drugs in my life and I told them I hadn't. They were puzzled but convinced and they let me go again.

The Crazy Camper

Pfedelbach was beautiful, it is a nice little farming village surrounded by vineyards and fruit farms. It was very surreal to be at a village that my family lived in 144 years ago. I spent days just absorbing it all and doing my best to capture it on video and photo's.

Pfedelbach from Heuburg

I learnt some amazing things about my family and even visited some of the houses and places they lived and went to. It was fantastic!! I met a local historian called Mr Kruk who spoke no English but knew everything about Pfedelbach and many things about my family. Luckily local lady called Katja helped translate for me.

Later in my week there Katja and her husband Uli invited me to spend the day with them. It was great to meet some real Pfedelbachers and I had the best time with them. We enjoyed some local sights and ended the day with an amazing BBQ (enjoyed an amazing steak) with some other great local people.

I just spent the last couple of days just relaxing and enjoyed the village and the surrounding district. I made a trip to the famous Langeburg castle (relatives on the English royal family) with some Dutchies that I made friends with at the camping ground. It was really impressive and well preserved.

In the final days of my Holiday I made my way up to Berlin to visit a great friend Matthias Walter (we share the same name). I spent a couple of nights staying at his appartment and enjoyed some of the local sights, including the Berlin wall & Brandenburg Gate (remnants of Germany's past).

The Berlin Wall (Iron Curtin)

All in all I had a fantastic time, I am still disbelief that I have actually walked the same ground as my ancestors. It's been an experience that I will certainly remember till the day I die. I am in the process of putting everything together and telling the story to my family (stay tuned).

Hope this blog finds you well and I look forward to seeing my Australian friends and family in just over two weeks (its going so fast).

See ya

Matt

The outskits of Pfedelbach

Mr Kruk the local Historian

Pfedelbach's Wine Cask (3rd largest in Germany)

View from Waldenburg Castle

Australian Garden in Ohringen

Pfedelbach Castle

Evangelical Church Pfedelbach

Brandenburg Gate Berlin

The end of the trip

2009-06-23T10:48:00.005+02:00

G'day Everyone,

I am nearing the end of my pilgrimage to find my roots and travelling through a bit of Germany. At the moment I am in Berlin (hence the reason I have internet access) visiting a good friend Matthias Walter.

I have had a great week so far tracing my roots, I've got plenty of pictures and stories which I will post when I get back to Holland. For the time being I will put up a few pics so you can get a taste of what I have been up to.

I'll be in touch again soon.

Cheers

Matt

Heading to Germany

2009-06-15T13:44:00.002+02:00

G'day Everyone,

Well ... the time has finally come. Tomorrow I am picking up my Crazy Campervan (painted in vegas style) and heading to Germany. I will be in Germany for 10 days checking out the village that my forefathers came from and visiting a good friend in Berlin.

It's gunna be some adventure and I am going to try and do at least 1 post while I am on the trip. When I get back I will be sure to put up lots of pictures and stories about how it all went.

A big hello to all my old work mates at DLA PIPER. Hope you are all doing well, miss working with ya all.

I'll be in touch again soon

See ya

Matt

Aussie meets Dutchie

2009-06-05T16:59:00.002+02:00

Almost 2 years ago a beautiful young Dutch girl (called Hester) ventured "Down Under" to visit her brother who was studying in Australia. As it happens that brother was my house mate as I was sharing a house with 4 Europeans (2 Dutch, a German and an Italian). Hester and I shared an amazing "click" in the 4 weeks that she was there but because of the circumstances and distance we never thought anything of it.

6 Months later I never forget that beautiful Dutch girl and the click we shared. I decided to email and Skype her and see what she was doing. Things went well and I decided I wanted to see what life was like off the big island (AKA Australia).

I worked hard and saved my Aussie dollars for another 6 months before I packed up my things and headed to Europe in July 08. I was looking forward to experiencing "culture" and "history" but was also keen to see the beautiful young Dutch girl.

Anyway to cut a long story short things went well and after being in Europe for 2 months we started an amazing relationship. I decided to stay in Holland for a full 12 months to experience her culture and enjoy our relationship without a 16,000 km distance between us. Soon after I decided that she is definately worth moving to Holland for so I decided to settle down a bit and get a job with the intentions of staying longer (possibly forever).

Well almost 1 year later plans have changed a little. Hester and I still share an amazing relationship but she is just finishing her bachelor of social work. After that she wants to come to Australia and experience life "Down Under" and see where I come from. So we are taking a 10 month trip to Australia to meet family, experience Aussie culture and see what life is like in Aus for us.

May next year we plan on returning to Holland for her brothers wedding. By this time we might also decided which country we want to settle down in (Australia or Holland). So the distant future is uncertain (where we will live) but we are living and enjoying each day as it comes.

Experiencing Dutch culture and meeting Hester has changed my life. I've learnt so much from the Dutch and have enjoyed 12 months here. I have so many stories and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

If you told me over 2 years ago that I would meet a Dutch girl, fall in love and live in Holland for 1 year I would have laughed. But 2 years later I can't imagine it any other way. Who would have thought my best friend and soul mate would be born and live in Holland.

Anways ... This is getting really long and a bit too intimate for a blog :p

I've met some amazing people and made some great friends here in Holland. I hope to stay in touch in the months ahead. Keep an eye on this blog for more details of our adventure in Australia.

Keep on smiling ... See ya

Matt Walter

Writing history and finding my "roots"

2009-06-01T13:15:00.010+02:00

G'day Everyone,

Some time ago (while sitting behind a computer in Australia) I thought about the fact that I am Australian. As you will know I am not a native Australian (Aboriginal), so somewhere in the distant past my ancestors must have come from somewhere else in the world. This sparked an interest in tracing back my family tree to see how I became Australian.

As many of you would know Australia is a British colony. At one stage Britain sent thousands of prisoners to Australia because they were having problems containing them in their own country. I am happy to say that to this point I haven't discovered any of my relatives to be "criminal".

As I spent countless hours tracing back names and dates I have made some amazing discoveries. I have seen how a dozen or so families have endured hardships and trials, in order to have better future for themselves and their families. I have seen them leave family and loved ones in Europe and make the often fatal 3 month journey to Australia, often losing family to disease on the boats over.

I have also read stories of success and triumph as these people started life in a foreign country. Through lots hard work and perseverance many of them became successful, often pioneering different regions in parts of Australia. In doing this they wrote history and laid the foundation for future generations to build on.

These people and their stories are the roots of the very tree to which I belong. All the victories and hardships that they endured helped to give me the life I enjoy today. They are all part of the past which helps provide me with the present I enjoy now and the future I enjoy tomorrow.

The present (today) I am living and enjoying now is also significant. I am writing history!! My life is writing the story that future generations will read about. Each day and every choice are becoming part of the roots that will nourish the tree for my future generations.

Every day is a gift, a new opportunity to add a new page to the story. What an amazing opportunity as each of us has. We are holding the very pen that will tell the story of our families’ history. Even if we can't bear biological children of our own we can still choose to provide roots that will nourish the tree for future generations.

Our lives are a living story that can touch and change the lives of people in the future. The trials and success that you face today will provide inspiration and a future for generations to come.

What story are you writing today? It's never too late to write a happy ending!!

Cheers

Matt

My Great Great Grandparents James & Anna Mary Curtis with their family

James migrated from England to Australia by himself when he was 17 years old.
He married Anna Mary Pedersen and had many children. One of which was my Great
Grandfather John Curtis. John grew up and went on to start a successful sawmill in
the Wide Bay Distract of Queensland, Australia.

Anna Mary is the daughter of Jens Pedersen who migrated from Denmark. Jens
lost both his wife and his only child on that trip to Australia. Later Jens remarried
after meeting another Danish immigrant called Mathilde Margrete
(the mother of Anna Mary)

Jens went on to become a succesful farmer in Wide Bay region of Queensland,
Australia. Members of his family still own and operate the farm today.

Work trip to Italy, Milan

2009-05-24T21:22:00.010+02:00

Recently I got an opportunity to go to Milan in Italy for work. It was a great time to check out a bit of the city. Here a few pictures I took while there. Enjoy.

Matt

Queens Birthday in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2009-05-02T10:12:00.023+02:00

Hey Everyone,

Just dropping a line to update you all on what's news over here in Holland.

Recently (2 days ago in fact) it was the Queens birthday public holiday here in Holland. I don't think I have ever seen a country go so crazy over a Queens birthday.

The whole nation dresses themselves in Orange (the national colour) and they then take to the streets. There are street markets everywhere with people selling their second hand junk on every square inch of pavement. In between all the junk are children doing tricks, singing, playing instruments and selling home made food.

I live in Amsterdams which holds the largest celebration in the whole country. Close to 800,000 people packed the streets (and they are small streets) of the city. Each plein (park) was filled with people dancing to live music that was cranked to full volume.

I walked through Leidseplein, Museumplein and Vondelpark to get a small taste of the way the Dutch celebrate this day. A crowd of Orange people continually flowed through Leidselplein like a river. People singing, shouting and drinking!! There was a small stage but the main attraction was the cafes and resturants with their outdoor dining.

I dove into this stream of people and made my way to Museumplein which is perhaps the most popular place to be. A crowd of 100,000 people packed the park. There was a MASSIVE stage that cranked out all the typical Dutch songs (it's alot different to Aussie music). After about an hour of just taking it all I decided to make my way to the famous Vondelpark.

On the Queens birthday Vondelpark becomes the "childrens park". Kids fill every corner of the park selling their second hand junk, singing, doing circus tricks and pretty much trying to get your to give them 1 euro. Parents lovingly support them as the try and do the latest pop song justice or fumble their way through some classical piece of music. Either way it is cute and entertaining and I am sure some of them will grow to be great performers, musicians or singers.

After getting sick of the massive crowd I took a side exit out of the park and found myself on a street near my house (ta da ... it was amazing). I still couldn't escape the children who were still selling second hand goods, singing, dancing and playing music instruments. A couple of young girls approached me and offered to paint my hair orange. I didn't agree to it (I am mean i know) but gave them 1 euro and told them to paint the next two peoples hair for free.

I finally made it home and switched on the TV while I ate lunch. I found out that some made Dutchman had attempted to attack the royal family in his small car. He missed the royal family but plowed through the crowed and killed 6 people and injured about 14 others. It was really sickening and really ruined a great day. Crazy how one messed up individual can ruin a whole day for a nation. The celebrations closed early as people dealt with the initial shock.

But all in all I must admit the day was a great celebration. If you are ever in Holland on April 30 I encourage you to check it out.

Hope this blog finds you all well, until next time

Later

Matt

Going back to the roots

2009-04-12T15:56:00.005+02:00

G'day Everyone,

A Happy Easter to you all!! Hope you are all doing well and haven't eaten too many easter eggs (I miss the Cadbury bunnies). Well I just got back from an awesome church service and thought I'd wrote a quick blog. Recently Hester and I started attending C3 in Amsterdam. It's a church plant of Christian City Church from Sydney Australia. The Pastors are from Australia but have become Dutch. So Hester and I feel at home here and its great that the service is both in English and Dutch.

Well as I said in an earlier blog I am planning another trip just before I come back to Australia in July. Over the past couple of months I have been working hard on tracing the Walter roots. I've spent many hours researching the place where our Walter ancestors come from and finally I traced the root back to Pfedelbach, Germany.

Pfedelbach is a small village in the southern part of Germany close to the French boarder. Nesting in the midst of vineyards and winery's Pfedelbach and its 8000 residents remain mostly untouched from the commecercial influences of tourism.

I don't expect to be wowed by the latest and greatest attractions but am not looking for that. I'm searching for history and tracing the footsteps of my ancestors who lived there 144 years ago. I have contacted the local evangelical church (who in those days kept the records) and they have found records of my early ancestors Christoph & Friedrich Christian Walter.

Needless to say I'm very excited and looking forward to what things I could discover. Keep an eye on the blog for some more updates.

Well I better sign out and make the most of the sunshine I can see out my window. I'm thinking about you all and look forward to seeing you in the not to distant future.

Take care

Matt

Pfedelbach from a surrounding vineyard, Germany

Pfedelbach from the sky, Germany

I.T. day out for Work

2009-04-06T16:37:00.019+02:00

Howdy Strangers,Sorry its been quite some time since I updated you all.

Well life is continuing to roll along here in Holland. The LOOOOONG winter is finally starting to end and the signs of spring are upon us. We've had our first week of sunshine since ... since ... well a LONG time. It was BEAUTIFUL. The temperature is starting to climb back into double digits in the max although the minimum is still 4-6 degrees.Anyways to more important matters!!

Recently the company I work for had an I.T. day out. I'm sure you are thinking we played chess or did something really geeky but you'd be wrong. Work organised an afternoon out at a driving course called "Traffic Control".

All us petrolheads got a chance to let loose on some pretty cool pieces of machinery. For me it was great because it is my only chance to drive here again in Holland as the government refuses to recognise my Australian drivers license after 6 months of driving on Dutch roads.Anyway ... check out the pics and videos of our day out.

I hope to put another update up soon about some of my future plans.

Stay tuned.

Cheers

Matt

Hunt for the Bicycle

2009-01-03T16:40:00.001+01:00

Hey All,

Well I just found the bicycle that a work mate gave me.

Check out the video below for a bit of a laugh.

Cheers

Matt

Walking on Water

2009-01-02T22:10:00.000+01:00

A video of me making my first attempt at walking on a frozen canal

New Years Eve

2009-01-02T22:06:00.002+01:00

Video of us celebrating the New Year Dutch Style

New Years Dive

2009-01-02T11:21:00.000+01:00

Hey All,

Happy New Year to everyone and I wish you all the best for 2009.

Hope you are all safe and well! I look forward to seeing many of you at Jess and Isaacs wedding in a few weeks.

I have put 2 videos of the "NEW YEARS DIVE" that I did on the 1st of January. Every year many dutch brave teh freezing cold conditions to jump into the freeze cold ocean. This year I joined them and represented the Aussies in the New Years Dive ... Check out the 2 videos I uploaded below. Stay tuned for more new years videos on the way shortly.

Cheers

Matt

P.S. Those of you who are reading this by email you actually need to click the link "Keeping track of Matt Walter" at the bottom of this email to view the videos and the blog. ;)

Chrissy Pics

2008-12-28T11:08:00.007+01:00

Christmas in Holland

2008-12-28T11:05:00.001+01:00

A bit of a video compilation of Christmas time in Holland

More snow

2008-12-07T15:17:00.001+01:00

Bithday Celebrations

2008-12-07T10:27:00.008+01:00

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!

2008-11-23T11:06:00.002+01:00

Got an awesome job

2008-11-21T20:00:00.002+01:00

Hey Everyone,

Wow ... It's been a while since I updated this thing! Hope you are all doing well!

Well I'm doing great, I've finally completed the last thing I needed to achieve to settle in a bit here in Holland. Last Wednesday I started my new job at DLA Piper. It's really an awesome job, DLA Piper are a really big international law firm and the office in Amsterdam (where I work) is the head office for IT support for Western Europe.

I work with a heap of great dutch people and a few people from England (my manager being one of them). I'm really enjoying myself and love every aspect of the work accept the travel. Hollands traffic jams ('file' as they call them) are horrific. I travel only 61 Km to work but sometimes it can take me 2.5 hours to drive but on average it will take me 1 hour and 15 mins. It's a real shock to the system coming for Aus but I am adjusting.

Well everything else on all other fronts is going well! I'm adjusting to the very limited time I have left before and after work so I'm pretty much just living to work at the moment (which is good to get some money back in the bank).

Ok ... I'll sign it off here i can smell my pizza burning.

Keep smiling

Matt W

A Dutch Drum Kit

2008-10-25T12:28:00.001+02:00

Heej Allemaal (Hey Everyone),

Hoe gaat het met jij (how are you going?) ... OK so there you go ... your first lesson in Dutch.

I'm feeling very blog inspired and lots of good things are happening in my life at the moment so I am keeping the blogs coming thick and fast. Well ... I have been blessed beyond my imagination. Niko and Nynke have generously given me a drumkit as a birthday and moving out present to share with Lau. WHAT A BLESSING!!!

As you can see in the pictures below its an awesome Pearl Forum kit and it has been kept in great condition. Lau and I have already integrated it into the studio and I've already played hours on it (i hope the neighbours aren't sick of me yet).

So ... there you go ... A drumk kit!! I am still on shock. Thanks Nico and Nynke!!

Until next time

Matt

Niko, Nynke, Myself and the new Kit

The Kit

From Delft to 's-Gravenzande

2008-10-22T17:39:00.000+02:00

Hey Everyone,

It's been a little while since I've dropped a blog up here so today is the day. Hmmmm ... where to start?? Well alot is going on but perhaps the biggest things is that on the weekend I moved houses. I no longer live in the beautiful city of Delft but have moved to "Westlands" to a village called 's-Gravenzande.

's-Gravenzande is known for its greenhouses and agricultural lifestyle. So the atmosphere is quite different here, it's a slower pace of life and a little more spread out (largely due to all the greenhouses. It's a lovely place and I'm starting to feel at home already (just 2 days into it).

On other news I'm still searching for a job! It has been more difficult than I first thought largely due to the face that I can't speak enough Dutch. But God in his faithfulness has provided me with 2 great opportunities. The most positive of them is 1.5 hours drive away (it's a change from 10 mins back in Oz). I'm really desperate to get work as all my savings and money has been spent on purchasing a car and surviving for the past 2 months.

Any how, life on all other fronts is going really well. I'm enjoying sharing my life with my beautiful girlfriend Hester Post. I'm continually amazed at how wonderful of a women she is. I see God working in and through our relationship so much and that is such an awesome sight.

I've also picked up the sticks over here in Holland and am playing drums at church and for the youth band. I'm really enjoying being able to serve in the church over here and use the gifts and abilities God has given me (especially since it requires no knowledge of Dutch).

Well I miss you all ... Trust this blog finds you well.

Bless ya

Matt Walter

The view from my room in Delft

The view from my room in 's-Gravenzande

The view from my room in 's-Gravenzande

The canal outside my window

The house in 's-Gravenzande

The latest addition to my Car

What the ???

Matt & Lau and the new house

The boys at the new house

Drumming in Church

My new car ... WOOT WOOT!!

2008-10-11T16:51:00.000+02:00

A beautiful young dutch lady ...

2008-10-03T11:32:00.000+02:00

Hey Everyone,

I have some very special news to share with everyone! As some of you already know I met a beautiful young Dutch lady over 12 months ago in Australia. We really got on well on her visit to Australia but at that stage didn't didn't think there was any possibility of ever seeing each other again.

After finishing bible college I really was curious about where and what the beautiful young dutch lady was doing. I couldn't forget about the times I was with her (while she visited her brother at bible college) in Australia. So I decided to email her and find out how she was doing?

Well needless to say one email turned into many and then emails progressed into chats on MSN and chats on MSN progressed into video conversations. There were many late nights and early mornings for us both as we developed and grew a special friendship. We continually fought the 8 hours time difference but every minute was a worthy investment.

Emails, SMS, MSN & video chats fueled our friendship for 6 months in the lead up to my trip to Europe. July 20th at approximately 6 to 7 pm marks the time that we saw each other face to face (in real) for the frist time in almost 10 months. I remember being a little nervous and very excited about seeing her again. It was an amazing moment when we could actually speak in person.

The weeks to come was a great time for us to get to know each other more. As a group we saw the sights of Holland and enjoyed so many good times. Our friendship grew and grew as we enjoyed the pleasure of each others company more and more.

Since returning from a 3 week tour of western europe and returning to Holland our friendship has really taken big leaps and bounds. I feel like I have known this beautiful young lady for years and I can really relate to her in every level. I have never met someone with such a beautiful heart. She selflessly pours out love for people, touching the lives of people she comes into contact with each day.

I really love to be with her and watch her as she lives her life straight from her heart. I love the way she expresses herself through her heart and through her beautiful personality. I can honestly say that she captivated me with who she is.

Well I guess you want to meet her?? Well before I go on I'd love to introduce you to my best friend and girl friend ... Hester Post!!

In addition to all the great things I just described to you about who Hester is I'd love to share a few more things.

Hester is currently doing her final year of a Bachelor in Social Work. She works a part time job in a special facility for blind people with mental and physical disabilities. Hester works with a group of guys between the ages of 20 and 30 and provides care and support for them in every aspect of their life.

When she is not studying and working Hester sings and play flute for church and many youth events. Hanging out with her friends and family, baking, dancing, taking walks in the park, journaling and having LOTS of fun are just a few of her other favorite activities.

Wow ... it's really easy for me to keep going on but I am sure one day you will meet her for yourself. I wanted to let you guys know and share the joy with you. I really love Hester and am grateful for the God given opportunity I have to share life with such a great women. She is truly one of a kind ...

Well ... I better sign off this blog ... Until next time!!

See ya

Matt (and Hester)

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures ....

2008-09-29T19:36:00.000+02:00

Hey Folks,

Well ... I thought its about time for another BLOG. I must say I am not much of a blogger but it seems like such a great way to keep in touch with you all that I going to commit to this thing.

Ok ... So a lot of stuff has happened in the last two months and its almost impossible to put it all into blogs. But luckily Bevan captured most of the highlights on his camera. Some of you may already be aware that I have uploaded the choicest pics on facebook. For those of you who don't have a facebook account you can view the pics at the links below:

Euro Trip – Part 1 http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32348&l=e1227&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Part 2 http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32562&l=76a4a&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Part 3 (Holland) http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32563&l=256a3&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Part 4 (Holland) http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35558&l=6446d&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Part 5 (Holland) http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36042&l=e9389&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Germany http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35696&l=c6a84&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Austria http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36036&l=1af7e&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Italy http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36058&l=7d770&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Switzerland http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36060&l=e6ad9&id=677181864

Euro Trip – France http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37374&l=c3f34&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Luxembourg http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37477&l=67926&id=677181864

Euro Trip – Coming back to Holland http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37478&l=1f8b7&id=677181864

I hope that you can get a small taste of what we experienced the past weeks in our many adventures. I also created a 2.5 hour long DVD of video footage I took from our trip. If you talk to Bevan and Mel (my brother in law and sister) you may be able to have a look.

Well on to some more recent news ... In the coming weeks I am moving from the beautiful city of Delft into the quiet farmlands of 's Gravenzande. Laurens has found a sweet little bachelor pad amongst the greenhouses of the "Westlands". So in about 3 weeks I'll be making the move.

Well people ... I better keep going. I have placed some more pics at the end of this blog for your enjoyment.

Bless ya

Matt Walter

Google Map of where I am moving from and to

Doing the dishes with Laurens in the new house

Lounge room of the new house

Man to man chat on the lounge in the new house

The early stages of Laurens's studio he is putting together in the new house

A big hello from Holland ...

2008-09-24T20:27:00.000+02:00

Hello Everybody,

Well ... As some of you know I am currently staying/living in Holland!! 6 Months ago I decided to see the world outside of Australia since I am young, single and free of major responsibilities. And so began the pilgrimage ... On July 19th 2008 Bevan, Mel and myself flew out of Australia to the Netherlands (via Tokyo Japan) to "see the world".

Since that time I've seen and done so much! The first 2 weeks of my time in Europe I spent staying with the Post family (family of a flatmate from bible college). They really looked after us and showed us the sights of Holland. We've seen everything from the beautiful windmills and open green paddocks to the dark dingy redlight district in Amsterdam (commonly refered to as sin city).

After two amazing weeks in Holland we set up on a 3 week racing tour of some of western europe in an amazing large camper van. The 3 weeks was so over whelming we saw Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. I still can't believe that I've been to all those countries but I have the photos, videos and memories to prove it.

After the 3 week tour we made our way back "home" to the Post's family. They once again showed us such love and generosity by caring and providing for us in every possible way. After a few days rest Bevan and Mel set off on their 3 week journey via Belgium and France to the UK. Meanwhile it was time for me to start looking for work and organise to stay 12 months in Holland.

It was amazing how God provided, the doors opened up for me to work with Matthijs Post (the brother of my flatmate Laurens). Matthijs owns/started a landscaping company a few months ago and needs help. So from Semptember 2008 I have officially become an "Hovenier" (Gardener/Landscaper in English). It's definately a change to fixing comptuers but I am enjoying being a bit more physical.

At present I am living with the Post family in Delft but in a few weeks will be moving out with Laurens to Naaldwijk (about 30 mins from Delft). I am looking forward to reliving the bible college days with Laurens and really getting into "life" in Holland. I am currently searching for a cheap/reliable little car and a job that will cover the cost of living independently.

Wow ... There is so much else to tell but I think I will save some things for the coming blogs. I must apologise for being so quiet since being over here. I had previously attempted to do some blogs on my website www.sanctumonline.com.au (which you can check out) but found it too difficult to capture it all in detail (i would still be writing).

I will attach a few pictures to the end of this blog to hopefully give you a snippet of some of the things I've seen and done.

I hope this blog finds you all well ...

Doei Doei (Bye Bye)

Matt Walter

Flying out of Aus at Brisbane Airport

Overnight stop in Japan

Canal in Delft, Holland

Gondala ride in Venice, Italy

Riding a tandom bike at the Kinderdijk, Holland

The camper van we hired for our trip around Western Europe

My new ride I found in Germany

Innsbruck, Austria

Leaning tower of Pisa, Italy

Florence City, Italy

Cinque Terre, Italy

16,500 Km away from Sydney Australia

Holland Style

"Public" toilets in Ede, Holland

Lunch at Kinderdijk, Holland

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Freaking out on the German/France border

Joungfraujoch (Top of Europe), Switzerland

Interlarken, Switzerland

Some small village, Switzerland