Today Holland’s most influential (biggest) weblog posted a very bloody video in which a protester is shot through the head. The red Shirt protest in Bangkok (Thailand) is slowly starting to dominate the Dutch media. We wish all our friends in Thailand, especially those in the tourist industry, all the best! [video | article | related pictures]

“Dutch is an acronym for: Don’t Understand The Concept Here. That’s the accurate reflection of the Dutch approach to war. They are like highscool kids on schoolcamp.” (..) “The Taliban knows the difference between our uniforms. And they will go out to find the Dutch, because they know they will get result. The Dutch run away or be reluctant to go out. So they like fighting the Dutch.“

Enjoy [via]

Nice overview by BBC.

As some of you already know I’ve started a new website www.bangkoktalk.nl on which the Bangkok Talk Production Company of Christine Barnhard-Kappetijn and Peter Jan Rens will broadcast the Bangkok Talk Talk Show.

This show provides Thai/Dutch sport news and information. Supplying high-quality, multi-platform sport content to governing interesting entities, the media and customers worldwide. Premium entertainment, essential news and business information are some other features of the talk show.

Bangkok Talk Show is an International Talk show made for the Dutch speaking and Thai market. The host is Peter Jan Rens together with Thai/English/Dutch speaking Agnes Nieholt. Peter Jan is a movie producer, writer and TV Host of famous talk, children and game shows in Holland, Belgium and Germany. Winner of the ‘Gouden Televizierring.’
The guests are an international mix of celebrities, mainly coming from Thailand and the Netherlands. The show is broadcasted on the website www.bangkoktalk.nl and www.bangkoktalk.tv and is for sale for international television channel.

More information can be found here. An Englisch version will be launched soon on www.bangkoktalk.tv

Besides broadcasting the productions of the production company it is my aim to make this and the upcoming English website a meeting point for those who are interested in Thailand and the region. Provide useful information and insights and entertainment. Of course I will try to attract local bloggers to join me and make this blog a connection point between the South East Asian and Europe / USA.

It is my intention to leave Holland for a while (within a few months), and start to do some other interesting internet related stuff in Asia. More information will be provided very soon.

Vincent Barnhard

Now I just found the story online back again. The history just shows that speculating and fraude are not from yesterday.

The question remains if we wise up from it.
 
 
 

The year 2006 marks the 400th anniversary of Dutch contact with Australia. Both in Australia as well as in The Netherlands special attention will be paid to the wide ranging and friendly ties between the two countries.

In both countries an extensive program of activities will be organised. For example exhibitions, scientific symposia, and exchanges in the field of sport, culture and science are scheduled.

www.duyfken.com

Events in February

Salut! Baroque at the Multicultural Festival
January 9th 2006

Salut! Baroque will perform a special concert of music by Dutch composers at the Multicultural Festival. Salut! Baroque is one of Australia’s most dynamic early music ensembles. Many of the musicians have studied at one of the institutions in the Netherlands.

Organiser Multicultural Festival and Salut! Baroque
When 9 February
Where Canberra
Visitors info www.baroque.com.au

Dutch migration to Australia: The case of the Indisch Dutch
12 February 2006

A symposium and book launch of ‘Recalling the Indies: Colonial culture and postcolonial identities’ (eds Joost Coté and Loes Westerbeek) and ‘The Dutch Down Under 1606-2006′ (coordinating author Nonja Peters). The symposium explores the migration of Dutch people to Australia in general and specifically highlights the experiences of the Indisch Dutch (Dutch people from Indonesia) in Australia. Speakers will include the editors of these two new books on the Dutch in Australia.

Organiser: Erasmus Foundation
When: 12 February 2006
Where: Immigration Museum, Melbourne

Volvo Ocean Race stop over in Melbourne
January 20 till February 12

The expected date of arrival in Melbourne for the first ships in the Volvo Ocean Race is January 19. This is the second stop over in the 2006 race. Of course this date could change due to weather conditions. At the moment both ships sponsored by the Dutch ABN AMRO bank are likely to arrive with the first group in Melbourne. The Dutch community has been invited by Team ABN AMRO to visit their pavillion in the port in Melbourne.

Organiser ABN AMRO and the Embassy
When the pavillion is opened from January 20 till February 12 unless there are private functions
Where Melbourne
Visitors info www.team.abnamro.com

Exhibition: Ruudt Peters
28 January - 25 February 2006

SCA Galleries present three of a series of exhibitions organised across Sydney in association with the JMGA On Location: Making Stories conference. This exhibition by Ruudt Peters is titled: Thirty years of objects and jewellery by Ruudt Peters.

Organiser Sydney College of the Arts
When 28 January - 25 February 2006
Where SCA Gallery
Visitors info www.usyd.edu.au/sca/

Dutch Dare
throughout the year

Dutch Dare is a contemporary multidisciplinary art programme from the Netherlands in the framework of 1606 - 2006 Netherlands - Australia. The Dutch Dare activities will take place during existing festivals and in established cultural venues. The programmes includes dance, contemporary, classical and jazz music, theatre, architecture, literature, design, film and visual art.

Organiser Dutch cultural funds
When throughout the year
Where several venues in Australia

Exhibition: Rian de Jong
21 January - 19 March

The works of renowned Dutch jeweller Rian de Jong become intimate travelling companions through life. Her poetic wooden objects and jewellery are gorgeous to view when ’still’, but truly come to life when worn.

Organiser Object Gallery
When 21 January - 19 March
Where Sydney Opera House
Visitors info http://www.object.com.au/pages/current.html

More information and events

Other events (click here) throughout 2006:

More information and all events on:

Website Dutch Australian Culture Centre: www.dacc.com.au
Website Netherlands: www.netherlands-australia2006.com

Barnhard.nl proudly presents the first translated “Troonrede” podcast (click free) . You can find the spoken speech text here.

The ‘Troonrede’ (a kind of ’state of the Union’ (USA)) is read by the Queen every third Tuesday of September (since 1904).

You may note that we have used for this podcast “Sayz me” software.

Knowledge about the language and the business cultures are necessary to succeed in China. United Far East can accompany and advise you professionally to make your production expansion in China a real success.

United Far East has the experience with business in China for many years already. Our experience and knowledge about the country and culture can improve your business possibilities and reduce the risks.

Besides business support United Far East also delivers translation services for companies and privat persons.

Thijs Verdegaal

By participating in a Dutch company in the early nineties, involved in imports from China into Europe of many technical and non-technical products, he visited China on a regular basis and establised a foothold in Hong Kong to smoothen the export from China. Through this company he invested in several production facilities in China to make patented and other products. He introduced several investors to production facilities in China with great succes in the recent years.

He works mainly with local people in Hong Kong and China and prevent you to fall into pitholes in China andknows about the business mentality of the Chinese as no other. Apart from professional advise with your expansion into the Far East region he can assist you in translation from and to the different Chinese languages.

Website: www.unitedfareast.com

WereldExpat.nl is een interactieve website van de Wereldomroep voor en door Nederlandse expats.

De site geeft een levendig, journalistiek beeld van het leven van Nederlanders in het buitenland. Soms schrijft de redactie een artikel, maar vaak schrijven expats zelf over hun leven in den vreemde. Bovendien bieden we de mogelijkheid op al onze artikelen te reageren.

Ook bieden we praktische informatie over expatthema’s, zoals bijvoorbeeld voorbereiden op vertrek, Nederlands onderwijs in het buitenland, werken over de landsgrenzen en omgaan met cultuurverschillen.

Regelmatig publiceren we specials: één onderwerp of één land komt daarin uitgebreid aan de orde.

Website: WereldExpat van www.rnw.nl

In spring 1606, the VOC sent a ship from Batavia to map the unknown areas south of the Dutch Indies and to find new trading partners. The ship was called Duyfken. The ‘unknown South Land’ that it visited as the first European ship, was Australia.

www.duyfken.com

The year 2006 marks the 400th anniversary of Dutch contact with Australia. Both in Australia as well as in The Netherlands special attention will be paid to the wide ranging and friendly ties between the two countries.

In both countries an extensive program of activities will be organised. For example exhibitions, scientific symposia, and exchanges in the field of sport, culture and science are scheduled.

Their website: www.netherlands-australia2006.com

Website Dutch Australian Culture Centre: www.dacc.com.au

There are two mayor Airlines flying to all destinations within Australia, Qantas the national airliner and Virgin Blue.

Virgin Blue ticket prices can be compared with Ryan Air and Easy Jet. You can order plane tickets at almost all the travel agencies, or order them online by paying with your credit card.

Websites to order tickets online:

www.skywest.com.au (for western Australia)
www.flightcentre.com.au
www.freedomair.com.au
www.airparadise.com.au
www.airnewzealand.com.au (for New-Zeeland)
www.qantas.com.au
www.virginblue.com.au
www.globenettravel.com.au

Please note: Our family is not affiliated with the authors of these pages nor responsible for its content

The Queensland Gold Coast is Australia’s leading tourist destination. Millions of tourist visit the Coast each year from around the world. It has great sandy beaches and lovely Hinterland for bush walking and sightseeing. The Gold Coast has 70 kilometres of coast and 446 kilometres of canals and rivers. This is Australia’s largest expanse of calm water, and you can swim and surf safely all year at 35 patrolled beaches.

There are also many fine restaurants catering for all tastes, great shopping, sporting and entertainment facilities. The Gold Coast has a pleasant climate all year round and caters particularly well to the varied needs of all travellers. The Gold Coast has 3,500 shops, open seven days a week! Beachside retailers and huge shopping centres stock colourful fashions and gifts, and 20 markets flourish on the beachfront and hinterland.

The Gold Coast has long held its reputation as a top family destination. Themed attractions and safe, clean beaches are ideal for children, and wildlife sanctuaries offer simple delights for all ages.

Climate

Sub-tropical, with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.

Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) - average temperature 20-28C (67-83F)
Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) - average temperature 18-25C (57-77F)
Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) - average temperature 21C (52-70F)
Spring September, October November average temperature 15-25C (57-57F).

Accommodation

It should not be a problem to find an accommodation in this part of Australia, since tourism is one of the main industries of Queensland. We advice you to book in advance at your local travelagent or online at one of the following websites:
The Australia Gold Coast Guide | Breakfree | YHA |

Airports

International Airport:
Brisbane Airport approximately 85km from Surfers Paradise. From the Brisbane airport you can either go by limousine (approx. $170 one-way), rail (Airtrain) approx. $25, or catch shuttle bus to your accommodation facility, approx. $33.

Local Domestic Airport:
Gold Coast Airport is approximately 22 km from Surfers Paradise. From the Gold Coast airport to city centre by taxi is approximately $35. Shuttle bus service approx. $20.

Beaches

The Gold Coast has 35 kilometres of beaches starting from the Queensland border. The beaches are world renowned for their beauty, cleanliness and fine surfing conditions, and are probably the Gold Coast’s biggest attraction.

Surfing is a major sport on the Gold Coast, attracting some of the world’s best competitors. Duranbah, Burleigh Point, Kirra and South Stradbroke are just four of the many great surfing spots, providing pumping surf and great barrels. The Gold Coast has played host to international championships such as the Billabong Pro. The Gold Coast also hosts the national surf lifesaving titles every year, attracting more than 5000 competitors and providing some fierce competition at Kurrawa beach. With more than 20 surf lifesaving clubs on the Gold Coast and many of the country’s top ironmen and women living and training here, there is always plenty of action at weekend carnivals.

Please follow the beach safety rules which you can find on this website.

Events and Entertainment

There are also many fine restaurants catering for all tastes, great shopping, sporting and entertainment facilities. The Gold Coast has a pleasant climate all year round and caters particularly well to the varied needs of all travellers. The Gold Coast has 3,500 shops, open seven days a week! Beachside retailers and huge shopping centres stock colourful fashions and gifts, and 20 markets flourish on the beachfront and hinterland.

Theme parks

The Gold Coast is Australia’s theme park capital, with 21 themed attractions and heart-thumping rides at four major parks. For the more unusual, meet some of Australia’s unique animals and marine life.

Warner Bros. Movie World
Sea World
Wet’ n’ Wild Water World
Dreamworld

Events

A premier spot for fun, the Gold Coast has something happening all year-round. Leading events include the Magic Millions horse races and the Honda Indy 300. Major surfing, marathon, Iron Men and Women events draw the crowds to the streets and bring the coast alive with fever. For a different flavour, the Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival and other gourmet weekends offer vibrant social gatherings while you try out the best of the coast’s chefs.

The Honda Indy 300

Hinterland

The Gold Coast has a magnificant back-drop of a vast mountainous region of national parks, subtropical rainforests, waterfalls, deep valleys and rolling plains just behind the Gold Coast.

Mount Tamborine
Mount Tamborine with its large residential area offers all the conveniences but is only a stone’s throw away from rainforest walks, gurgling creeks and waterfalls. Tamborine Mountain is a lush plateau offering spectacular views of the hinterland ranges and the Gold Coast, from which it is a scenic 30 minutes drive.The Mountain is renowned for its produce, particularly rhubarb, avocados, kiwifruit and flowers, grown in its deep, rich, volcanic, red soil. It boasts no less than nine National Parks, including Witches Falls, providing refreshing sub-tropical rainforest walks with numerous accessible waterfalls.

There is a large range of attractions to delight visitors-numerous nurseries (many with Tea Houses), craft shops, art galleries and excellent restaurants. The visitor to this area can spend many hours in most pleasant surroundings exploring the many attractions this area has to offer.The Visitors Centre in Doughty Park, North Tamborine, operated by the Natural History Association should be your first stop.

There is a large range of attractions to delight visitors-numerous nurseries (many with Tea Houses), craft shops, art galleries and excellent restaurants. The visitor to this area can spend many hours in most pleasant surroundings exploring the many attractions this area has to offer. The Visitors Centre in Doughty Park, North Tamborine, operated by the Natural History Association should be your first stop.

Things to do in the Park:
Picnic at Cedar Creek, The Knoll, MacDonald Park, Palm Grove and Witches Falls. Palm Grove picnic area has great views of the Gold Coast. Look out over the Scenic Rim across the road from Witches Falls. Birdwatch, study nature, take a scenic drive.

Best time to visit:
In summer, the park offers a cool retreat (average daytime temperature 25deg.). At 525m above sea level, Tamborine plateau is consistently three degrees cooler than nearby lowland areas. However, it can also be wet. The area averages 1500mm of rain a year, most falling from December to April. Winter is drier but also cooler (average daytime temperature 17deg.). Bring a jacket and raincoat whenever you visit.

The McPherson Ranges

The McPherson Ranges, which mark the Queensland/New South Wales border are home to Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park. There are some 160kms of graded walking tracks where one can explore volcanic caves, rock pools, rainforest and scenic lookouts. This Park is the largest preserved natural stand of sub-tropical rainforest in Australia.With its 160kms of graded walking tracks it is easy walking to many of the features in the park, including Mt Merino, Echo Point, Coomera Gorge, Elebana Falls and Picnic Rock. First class accommodation and facilities are available for visitors to the popular Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s Mountain Resort.

For more information please also visit the following website Queensland University Walking Tracks

The Hinterland offers a range of first class facilities and country style hospitality accompanied by some of the most beautiful flora and fauna found anywhere in Australia.A one hour drive takes visitors out of the nearby cities into a vast region of mountains, rain forests, valleys and rolling plains enriched by the Albert and Logan River systems. Down On The Farm - Learn to milk a cow and shear a sheep or go horse trail riding at one of the many farm resort attractions located in the Gold Coast’s Hinterland.

Golf On The Gold Coast

The Gold Coast offers visitors more than 40 resort and championship courses designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus, plus the spectacle of major international tournaments. Amateur and professional golfers come to the Coast to play on international courses with the best facilities, services and golfing experience found anywhere in the world.

Premier golfing venues, many designed around fully integrated resorts, include Royal Pines Resort, the Palms at Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Robina Woods, Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Club, Gainsborough Greens, Parkwood International, Lakelands, the Glades Golf Club, Kooralbyn Resort, Emerald Lakes, Palm Meadows and Paradise Springs.

Royal Pines is home to the Australian Ladies Masters held each year in February. Other courses ranked among Australia’s best are the links-style course of Hope Island where superbly landscaped hectares are dissected by deep waterways, Sanctuary Cove’s Palms course featuring groves of ancient cabbage palms and the newly-opened Glades course at Robina.

For a truly Australian experience, combine a leisurely drive in the country with a round of golf at Boomerang Farm Golf Course. Located a 20-minute drive past Beaudesert, Kooralbyn offers excellent conditions for hard hitters plus close encounters with the area’s ‘pretty-face’ wallabies.

Among the region’s picturesque championship courses are the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Club overlooking the ancient Tweed river, Robina Woods which is virtually waterproof all year round and the magnificent Jack Nicklaus signature course, Lakelands Golf Club.

Exclusive courses open to members include host venue of the 2001 Australian Open, the Grand Golf Club and Arundel Hills Country Club. The Pines at Sanctuary Cove is for use by Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove guests and members of the Country Club. Beginners are able to hone their skills at the Nike Golf Learning Centre located at Paradise Springs Golf Course while private tuition by resident professionals is available at most clubs and resort courses. A fabulous day-night driving range on the Coast is found at Emerald Lakes Golf Course.

The Gold Coast Tourism Bureau publishes a comprehensive guide to the region’s golfing facilities. Order your copy by telephone +61 (07) 5592 2699 or via www.goldcoasttourism.com.au

Golf excursions and bookings

The Gold Coast is without a doubt one of the best locations for golf all year round anywhere in the world and has some great golf courses. Some of Australia’s leading PGA professionals, example Greg Norman, Karrie Webb, Ian Baker-Finch and Wayne Grady all started their golf in Queensland. The Gold Coast also has some of the finest PGA teaching professionals as well.

If you are thinking of a golfing holiday on the Gold Coast, Australia’s No1 holiday area, The Australia Gold Coast Guide has a selection of top championship golf courses with accommodation at the course or very close by. Most of the golf courses (except for Gainsborough Greens & Parkwood) are all within 15-20 minutes of the beautiful beaches, hinterland, main shopping facilities, accommodation facilities etc.

Visit their website: The Australia Goldcoast Guide

Bond University

Bond University is Australia’s only privately funded, independent university and consists of six academic units: the Schools of Business, Health Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, Information Technology, and Law as well as the Institute for Learning Communities. Bond University also has its own English Language Institute on campus (CRICOS Code 00666B) which provides intensive academic English language courses to enable international students to prepare for University entrance.

The University is situated on a beautiful campus on the Gold Coast, about one hour’s drive away from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Instruction is in small groups by highly-qualified staff committed to quality in teaching. The smaller classes enable students to receive more individualised instruction and personal assistance with their work. The smaller student numbers provide more access to facilities for individual students. They admit students on the basis of a comprehensive assessment, including tertiary entrance scores, school results, extracurricular activities, references, and more importantly, personal interviews. Bond have students who have come to study in Australia from over 60 countries making up approximately half of the student population. Bond University runs three semesters each year, starting in January, May and September. It is thus possible for a six-semester program to be completed in two years and an eight-semester program in two years and eight months. A number of three-semester coursework Masters programs can be completed in twelve months. Bond University is very proud of the fact that our graduates are not only able to find work upon graduation but are actively sought after by a number of prestigious national and international employers and recruitment agencies.

For more information visit their website www.bond.edu.au