dareshegoes – KLM Blog

Four years ago I decided to live like a goddess in France. Not permanently, but just for a few weeks. Six to be exact. Rented a miniscule apartment in the heart of Paris. Rue Beauregard. 2nd arrondissement. 5th floor. 18 square meters to live, shower, cook and sleep. Small. But with a view on the Sacre Coeur!

PS: For the ultimate Paris atmosphere, please listen to my Paris Playlist on Spotify.

This all to teach myself the beautiful French language. Every day 6 hours of French class. But also to enjoy. Armed with a travel guide on tour in city de L’amour. This is how I discovered my favorite little districts. Every district with its own charm. Its own story. On y va!

The small village within the big city
Montmartre. It’s here where you can just reminisce the history. I close my eyes. Here I feel the atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge, life on the streets. Edith Piaf. I enjoy the beautiful view over the city near the Sacre Coeur. Here you can really breathe-in Paris. Fall in Love. Have a delicious lunch at one of the cozy terraces. Shopping on rue des Abbesses.

Artistic and Mysterious
Like taking a journey thru a History book. That’s how St.Germain feels to me. I stop at a house, 14 rue des grands Augustins. The place where Picasso completed his masterpiece Guernica. Again I’m closing my eyes. Dreaming of his studio. That big canvas, several meters in length and hight. I smile. Wandering from St. Germain passed a small stretch of the Seine. Little stands with old Fashion magazines draw my attention. Buying a piece of histoire. Taking in the city, breathing-in the city. The Notre Dame towering besides the Seine.

From Le Marais to Bastille
I adore vintage & design and Le Marais is the perfect district to visit every time I am here. Countless boutiques. My inspiration being triggered. The busy rue des Rosiers, a beating heart of the Jewish district. Walking thru the breathtaking Place des Vosges to the Bastille. My stay in Paris isn’t complete without going to 13 rue de Charonne. In my best French I’m ordering an excellent wine. Glancing at the handwritten menu card. Delighted.

Every time when I arrive at CDG. Taking the train to Gare du Nord. Passing the Sacre Coeur, often with a clear blue sky, It feels like home. Paris suits me like a perfectly cut Chanel jacket. The atmosphere, dreaming, being there. I Just know….

Oui, Paris… Je t’aime.

In my work as a cabin attendant, I get to see some fantastic destinations. Many are well worth returning to in my own private time. I fly within Europe and intercontinentally. I love the combination. When I began working for KLM in 2002, we usually started by flying only within Europe. I remember my first week of Europe-hopping very well. Six days. Four night stops. One of those first night stops was in Madrid and I knew exactly what to do first.

Love of Art
I completed my studies in 1998. Art Academy. My final paper was about Guernica, one of Picasso’s masterpieces. But I only knew it from art books and slides in art history classes. Guernica is on display in one of Madrid’s most beautiful museums — the Reina Sofia.

I had an entire morning free. So, after breakfast, I was on the bus to the museum. Along the way, I saw just how beautiful the city was and how little time I had to enjoy it. I was at Reina at ten on the dot. I had that ‘first date’ feeling. It was a project into which I had poured my heart and soul in preparation for our meeting. Goose bumps. Impressive. It was as if I had found a part of myself. Beautiful memories sprang to mind. The benefits of my job. Back in time, if only for a moment.

My 'first date' with Picasso's Guernica

Love of Fashion
A year ago, on 3 January, I took my first private trip of 2012. There was a retrospective exhibition of the work of Yves Saint Laurent. In Madrid. I decided to go for four days with a friend. On the spot. Rented an apartment on the Puerta del Sol. Stand-by tickets. And I got to know this friendly city a little better.
More fantastic museums — Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Wonderful food and fantasies brought on by Flamenco dresses. Discovered lovely La Latina. Madrid is

Flamenco dresses

well organised and charming. Inspiring for dress-up parties and souvenirs. It has every right to call itself Spain’s capital.

Love of Travel
The new year has started. My roster is filled with beautiful trips inside Europe and over the oceans. Known and unknown cities yet to see. Some for my work. Some for my private life. Curious to see what will cross my path this year. The places where my passion for travel, art and music melt into one. Happy New Year!

PS: For the ultimate Madrid atmosphere, please listen to my Madrid Playlist on Spotify.

It had been on my wish list for some time. Preferably in winter. Atmospheric and challenging ;‑). True to our route schedule, we also fly a 737 to destinations just outside Europe. Destinations like this one where, after ten years of flying, I finally had the chance to visit for twenty-four hours: Moscow!

“Hey, Nikita, Is It Cold?”
Moscow is a different kind of city. Seemed inaccessible for a long time. I had a few ideas about it. I always had to think of Elton John’s song, “Nikita”. Beautiful woman, grey fur hat, grey weather. But a song that also warms your heart. A pleasant idea when it’s ten below outside. And which gets you in the mood to discover Moscow. I pull the warmest clothing from my suitcase. Pack my camera and ask for a map from reception.

On My Way!
It’s a quick metro ride to Red Square for just 28 rubles — about 50 euro cents. Easy as that. Many of Moscow’s metro stations are a feast for the eyes. I’ve heard that from colleagues. I’ve only seen a couple. But, now, I want to spend my time above ground. I’m outside now. Snow is falling. Temperature’s not too bad. The sun’s breaking through, slowly. Here’s Red Square. Location of the famous St Basil’s Cathedral. The square where you can visit Lenin’s tomb and then arrive at the Kremlin within ten minutes. Pretty special.

My Moscow
I walk up to St Basil’s Cathedral’s joyous towers. Seeing this cathedral up close gives me that real Moscow feeling. Endless photos being taken all around me. For Facebook, for wedding scenes, for private albums. My hands can’t take the cold, yet. I get warm by going into the cathedral and walking around. From here, I’ve got a great view of Red Square. Beautiful vistas. I can even hear singing. I smile and enjoy.

To complete my visit, I walk around the Kremlin. Still so much to see and do. You have to experience Moscow, even if only for twenty-four hours.

My first “meeting” this year with this new destination is now a fact. Check! I’ve set foot on Red Square. Moscow at its best. snowy and cold. And sun! Surrounded by people in fur hats and happy nesting dolls. Enjoyment! From Russia With Love. Spasiba!

Listen to my Spotify playlist ‘From Russia With Love’

The small things in life. The warmth of the sun. A smile from a fellow human being. These are things that can make me feel intensely happy. How privileged I am. Flying has made the world around me, in the broadest sense, bigger. More beautiful. More realistic. It keeps both my feet firmly on the ground. There are many destinations where I can do my bit. Where I can distribute clothes I have brought with me. Give a child a little love. Even if it is just for one day. The language of laughter is universal.

Gimme hope Jo’anna
Recently I flew to Johannesburg. I had just cleared out my wardrobe. Collected children’s clothes from friends. The largest suitcase I own was jam-packed with clothes, soft toys, even a small Christmas tree! Requested to fly with a friend of mine. On this trip we would have almost three free days in Johannesburg. Time together to enjoy nature’s finest wildlife and delicious South African specialities. Beyond these pleasant extras that flying brings, we also wanted to visit a township. I phoned Jeff. He lives in the township Alexandra. He organises bicycle tours of 2.5 or 4 hours. “We are a group of young, dynamic people who were born and raised here and we would like to introduce our friendly township to people willing to get to know us”….

I want to ride my bicycle
Cycling with Jeff and five enthusiastic colleagues through the township of Alexandra feels not only safe, but festive. Making contact with residents. Learning a piece of Mandela history. Enjoying a township lunch: chips on bread. Seeing traditions. Schools. Laughing, waving people. Cycling past cheerfully painted houses. We handed out all we had brought. From children’s clothes to sweets, baby things and toothbrushes. One of my old dolls got a new mummy. My comb went to a little girl with an enormous head of hair. There is an air of positive, optimistic peace about Alexandra. Lovely to feel.

Give a little bit
I am very proud of so many of my colleagues. Those who voluntarily do wonderful things en route. Who fill their cases with goodies and drag them across the world for people they don’t know. This too is what makes being a CA so special…Dare to care!

Jeff Mulaudzi, Thank you for this wonderful day.

Feel free to listen to my Jo’burg playlist:

Our request system works perfectly for me. I can almost always put together my own flight schedule. How amazing is that? Japan has to be one of my favourite destinations. It’s fascinating, and I sometimes find myself getting quite ‘lost’. I don’t speak the language. The alphabet looks like ‘hieroglyphics’ to me. But the feeling of being ‘lost’ is actually brilliant. A challenge. Chuffed with being assigned a five-day Osaka flight.

Feel free to listen to my Osaka playlist:

Gateway to Kyoto
Osaka is ideally situated. Perfect for exploring that ‘lost’ feeling. JR (Japan Railways) takes you to Kyoto Station from Osaka Station within 40 minutes. Kyoto is an absolute must see. It’s known as the Paris of Japan. And I agree. Gets you to places like Gion. The mysterious Geisha district. And amazing temples. I visit the impressive Kiyomizu-Dera temple. On arrival, I’m greeted with a ‘gift’. The ‘cherry blossom’ on the cake. Sakura in early bloom. How beautiful! The best time is end March/start April. I also test my luck: ‘number 2, very good fortune.’ If your fortune is bad, tie it in a bow at the temple. Keep your good fortune with you in your purse. Despite the crowd, I feel serenely at peace. The view is awesome.

Memoires of a Geisha
Chawan-Zaka (Teapot Lane) takes you through authentic neighbourhoods. Geisha look-a-likes come out to greet me. They look beautiful. Let me take photos of them with pleasure. I wander through the genuine Geisha district Gion. During the day, you won’t find any Geishas, only Geisha schools. The curriculum includes lessons in dancing, pouring tea and flirting. It’s unbelievable. The world of a Geisha. While meandering my way through the streets of Gion I come to rest every so often, entranced by the mystery of it all. That’s the beauty of Kyoto, each area has its own atmosphere. Downtown Kyoto is the same as in any big city. Tall buildings, loads of traffic. From here, I head towards Kyoto station. Take the train back to Osaka.

Osaka Castle
On my last day off I visit Osaka Castle, located in Castle Park. People cycling, picnicking, working out. The castle itself has a turbulent history. Destroyed and reconstructed several times. But this replica gives me a fantastic view of Osaka. The sun shines. Japan is extraordinary. Actually, I never feel ‘lost’. A good travel guide, sense of humour and a smile get you a long way. To a little piece of Magic on Earth.

“Would you like an aisle seat or a window seat?” my colleague on the ground asks. “An aisle seat, please.” I board KL437 for a week’s holiday — a destination where I no longer fly to: Abu Dhabi. A dear friend of mine lives there with her family. We were friends as teenagers. We did crazy things together. We lost contact, but found each other again through social media. I visited her for the first time, last year, after twenty-some years, here in the United Arab Emirates.

Dazzling Beauty
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is high on my “to-see” list. The largest mosque in the UAE and the eighth-largest in the world. Every day except Friday, they offer highly informative tours for free. An absolute must. The mosque is truly beautiful. Like the tale of A Thousand and One Nights. Marble, gold, amazing chandeliers. Walking barefoot on the world’s largest flowered carpet. Dazzling beauty.

Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi continues to grow. One great new part is Saadiyat Island. Here is where you find the most beautiful beaches. I’m going to spend a long morning on the beach near the St. Regis. With a little luck, you’ll see dolphins and sea turtles here. It’s a small nature preserve. It’s also a true paradise on the Persian Gulf for golf lovers.
At lunch, the view over the azure sea is beautiful. The temperature is over 40 degrees (105° F). I’m going to look for some coolness under a parasol. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Feel an oasis of rest.

Magic carpet ride
“Valerie, you look like a Princess!” That’s what my friend’s daughters, Mia and Sophie, age 5 and 3, say. I’m wearing a long summer dress. I have to laugh at their disarming honesty. Not so very long ago, someone called me “Princess of Arabia” after seeing my profile picture. And that’s how I felt during this break. My friends took perfect care of me. I saw magical culture. Enjoyed delicious Arab dishes. Slept near the beautiful blue Persian Gulf. I board KL438 headed for Amsterdam. A princess for a week.

Life can be a magic carpet ride. Climb on, fly away and enjoy the ride! (meanwhile listening to my Abu Dhabi playlist!)

It was my birthday last week. Yet another wonderful year has literally and figuratively flown by. A year in which I discovered new destinations, some of which I had often dreamt about. Cities you really should see at least once in your life. Cities that make you break into dance, shake your hips, smile and role your shoulders. The mere mention of the name casts a spell on you. I fell in love with the city of Ipanema and Copacabana, of the samba and the bossa: Rio de Janeiro.

The First Encounter
The first encounter with a new city is always a bit tense. What should you see? What are you going to do? And, above all, is it going to live up to your ideal? Are all those fabulous songs right? Is the statue on the Corcovado really so impressive? I have a 48-hour layover. Enough time to gain an impression. If you don’t know the city, a guide of some kind is a necessity. I went on a guided tour with some colleagues led by a Dutch-Brazilian who lives in Rio. With just a few small clouds in the sky, we started our tour at the statue of Jesus Christ. One of the seven wonders of the modern world. The Christ statue is to Rio, what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Everyone wants their photograph taken with it. I was no exception, but my patience was tested. The clouds were not kind to us, so we postponed our visit.

Colourful Steps
On to Lapa. The colourful steps of the Selerón. I loved the exuberance of all the little tiles from all over the world, gathered together in a single part of Rio. From Lapa we went on to Santa Teresa. This area is also known as the Montmartre of Rio de Janeiro. Murals, narrow streets, artists. And, wow, suddenly there was “Cristo Redentor” in all his glory. My patience had been rewarded. Onwards and upwards to Corcovado for my photo opportunity!

As I walk up the steps, the statue is the only thing I can see. It gives me goose bumps. A real “Been there, done that!” moment. The view is astounding. Copacabana, Ipanema and Sugarloaf Mountain, all at a single glance!

Suddenly, I break into a dance. People laugh. I laugh back. I want to stay longer. Dance more. Sunbathe on the heavenly beaches.

I’ve been back twice since then. Each time I land in Rio, I feel as if I’m returning home. I could write about it for hours, but first impressions are often the most special. It was definitely love at first sight!

Please feel free to listen my Rio playlist!

“I got your card!” my mother says happily over the phone. For as long as I’ve been flying, I’ve sent my parents cards from around the world. My mother keeps them all. She even numbers them. It makes for a great travel story. I visit some destinations more often than others. Each card is a different story — a memory — as is every trip. Each destination. New people. New adventures.

In my list of most-visited destinations, Singapore is at the top. It’s about a twelve-hour flight from Amsterdam. The temperature there is always pleasant when I arrive. A kind of warm blanket that caresses you. City of beaches, culture and nightlife. Because the crew travels from Singapore on to Bali, the trips vary from five to nine days in length. The seven-day and nine-day trips are my favourites. I like visiting Singapore best together with friends. Discovering and experiencing things anew. It’s why I like it best when I can travel together with my colleague and friend Petra to this multifaceted destination.

Life is a Beach
A day on Sentosa Island is always on the programme — as long as it doesn’t rain. It’s easy to take a taxi and then hang out at any of the beach clubs on Siloso or Tanjong Beach. The sunsets are beautiful there. That’s followed by a bite to eat at any of the food stalls such as Newton Circus or Lau Pa Sat. Or a seat at one of the outdoor cafés on the river at Boat Quay or Clarke Quay. Then we go dancing at high altitude. The Marina Bay Sands’ Ku Dé Ta or 1-Altitude are our favourites — you mustn’t miss them. Great views of Singapore’s skyline.

Welcome to Miami
In addition to the well-known neighbourhoods such as Little India, Chinatown and the charming Arab Street, we also discovered a new area — Tiong Bahru. A real “Welcome to Miami” feeling, certainly in terms of the architecture. The Art Deco buildings serve as the backdrop for fun restaurants and unique shops. Tiong Bahru is protected by the National Heritage Board. We get an extensive information booklet from the Visitors’ Centre and go for a history walk. Spending an afternoon here is like opening an unexpected present. I’m amazed! In other words: Go!

Rituals and Stories
Work and free time combines well in Singapore. Before leaving for home, I buy a card to send to my parents. In my hotel room I describe the highlights to them. It has become a kind of ritual. I post the card at hotel reception. Ready to fly home. We get into the crew bus. Riding past the Marina Bay Sands, the Botanical Gardens, the ArtScience Museum and other places. One last, happy look on our ride to Changi Airport. On our way to new people. New stories. New and different destinations.

My personal tips:

Drink a Singapore Sling
Go shopping on Orchard Road
Go out to 1-Altitude or Ku De Ta for the best views of the city
Get some sun at one of the beach clubs on Sentosa Island
The metro and bus are cheap, safe and easy
Visit the ArtScience Museum in Marina Bay Sands, build in the form of a lotus flower
Listen to my playlist DareSheGoes Singapore on Spotify!

World cities have a magical effect on me. They inspire me. They energise me in an indescribable way. They fill me with warmth. It feels a little bit like love — a kind of welcome-to-my-world feeling. That’s why I fly at least once a year to my BFF of all destinations: New York City! About three weeks ago, I returned to the Big Apple. Not a long visit but long enough do a few things — shop, meet up with some people. I was looking forward to seeing Bleecker Street and walking along the High Line again. Not a bad combination for a twenty-four hour stopover.

Friendly Energy
From the moment I board the plane, it’s clear this will be a special flight. Many people seem to be on a mission of some kind. The Dare: the New York Marathon. There’s a delicious kind of energy on board. Enthusiastic discussions, new aims being shared and supported. One more item that can be checked off bucket list. And one nice detail — our CEO Camiel Eurlings is also on board. He’s running the Marathon, too! Impressive! This flight, full of positive energy, makes my arrival in New York all the more pleasant. I’m so happy to meet up with an old friend from Amsterdam. He’s been living on the Upper West Side for two years, now. We go out for drinks in Midtown Manhattan. Grab a burger and take some pictures. Tired but deeply satisfied I go to sleep, only to wake up much too early. Hello jet lag!

Walk the Line
What a beautiful day! I walk to West 30th Street and 10th Avenue — the northernmost point of the High Line. This elevated freight rail line, which had long since fallen into disuse, has been transformed into a veritable oasis of peace on the edge of this energetic city. It’s a beautiful walkway that takes in art, street scenes, and nature. In a thirty-minute walk, it carries you through New York’s old Meat Packing District and offers wonderful views of the Hudson River. The High Line is one of my favourite spots in New York! After a short stop for coffee on Gansevoort Street, I head over to Bleecker Street. Most of Bleecker Street is in the West Village — the western half of Greenwich Village. The area is chock full of designer shops. I stop along the way to buy a few gifts and treat myself to the city’s most delicious cupcake at the Magnolia Bakery. Then on to the subway to 34th Street and Broadway. Duty calls.
New York, New York
I arrive home on the day of the Marathon and watch it, full of admiration, on TV. I think of those amazing passengers who are now running. “If they can make it Dare, they can make it anywhere.” New York gives you something you’ll never forget. Certainly in the month to come, who doesn’t want to take in the Christmas atmosphere or celebrate New Year’s Eve at Times Square? So Dare to fly — and Heart New York!

Passengers often ask: what’s your favourite destination? I always chuckle. Rio, Paris, Singapore, New York, South Africa – I love all these places. But Amsterdam is still my absolute favourite. The feeling begins on the homebound flight to Amsterdam. On the train from Schiphol, and then on Tram 1 to my doorstep. Home sweet home. En route to my own house, my own bed. Here are some travel tips Amsterdam for you.

Touchdown
21 November, touchdown. Four weeks of holiday to look forward to. No flights. A chance to be at home. No plans. That is, apart from a deadline for this blog. Lots of ideas. How amazing to close this year at a destination where all KLM passengers arrive, board connecting flights or take a short break as part of their journey. An absolute must-see, steeped in history, just waiting to be discovered. And that’s why I hopped on my bicycle last week. Took my camera and headed off on my favourite route.

Vondel and art
Amsterdam has so much more to offer than most people think. I live near the centre in the Oud West neighbourhood. The Vondelpark is a minute’s walk away. Ideal for a morning run. Did you know the park has a Picasso statue? I’ll leave it for you as a present. There’s also a blue tearoom. It’s one of my favourite outdoor cafés in the city. From the Vondelpark, you can walk to the museum district in practically no time. Like Three Musketeers, the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum inhabit Museumplein. It’s amazing to live so close to all these masterworks.

Vintage treasures
Still, the most popular museum is located at Prinsengracht 263: the Anne Frank House (KLM delftware miniature no. 47). Long queues, but well worth the wait. If you visit the same canal on a Monday morning, a short walk along the canal side will take you to the Noordermarkt. This market offers loads of vintage treasures and other exceptional wares. And you’ll find the most delicious apple pie in Amsterdam at Winkel. Highly recommended.

Heading home, I stop at Keizersgracht 609. FOAM (photographic exhibitions) with a charming museum cafe. Canal boats bob along the water. In summer, I like to join my friends on the boat Raep. You get the best impression of my home port from the water. Then back home again, cycling under the Rijksmuseum. Tourists take snaps at the IAmsterdam sign. This is my home town. For more than 12 years now. Full of art, beautiful canals, culture, bicycles and a wide array of different people. That’s why I’ve made this Spotify playlist Home (Amsterdam) for everyone on their way home.

Because… there’s no place like home.

Personal Favourites
- Catch a film at Cinecenter or EYE
- Vondelpark open air theatre in the summer months – free performances
- From Amsterdam, it’s a 40 minute train journey directly to the beach at Zandvoort aan Zee
- An evening’s entertainment from the Amsterdam theatre group in the city theatre on Leidseplein (on Thursdays, the shows often have English subtitles)
- Take a boat trip on the canals!
- Eat a traditional treacle waffle
- Visit the most amazing museums on Museumplein
- shopping in the Nine Streets neighbourhood
- FOAM >> William Klein expo till 12/03/2014 #mustsee
- Gay Pride canal parade 2 Aug 2014
- Run around the Vondelpark
- Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam, catwalk shows 23 Jan – 27 Jan 2014
- A cup of fresh mint tea at the blue tearoom in the sun
- Cycling or hitch a ride on the carrier through the city along the canals
- Sunday market at the Westergasterrein location
- Paradiso concert hall

William Klein expo till 12/03/2014

Hooray, an unexpected jaunt on my schedule – a 48-hour stop in Mexico City! I haven’t been there in a while, so I’m really thrilled. It’s a different world altogether. A place of dreams and wonderful experiences. Truly inspiring and enjoyable. An intimate place, too, where Mexican art history was written; where Frida Kahlo was born, where she fell in love with Diego Rivera and created magnificent art, suffered pain and frustration, and eventually died. Let me take you along to a special place: her Casa Azul.

Together with two crewmates, I take the taxi from our hotel to the Coyoacán district, one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of Mexico City. “Londres 247, Casa Azul, Senõr!” In the taxi, I share my love for Frida Kahlo and her work. Having flown all over the world, I’ve had a chance to see her work at various museums and exhibitions, from New York to Berlin. It never ceases to fascinate me. After a half hour’s drive, we stop outside the eye-catching blue house. The sun is shining. I get goose bumps when I step inside. The tranquillity, joy and creativity overwhelm me every time. It seems unreal. A different world.

I buy an extra ticket so that I can take photos. We take a leisurely stroll through all the rooms and halls, adorned with her wonderful narrative self-portraits, all of which confirm that this was a woman for whom life was a struggle. The works contrast with the colourful interior, making them all the more intense. We finish our visit with a drink on the terrace outside the Frida Café. There’s so much positive energy about this place.

Mexico City is full of buildings devoted to culture, with the Zócolo at the centre, topped with an enormous Mexican flag. At the foot of the cathedral – entertainment, music and street artists. There are lovely little markets everywhere, with stalls full of Frida souvenirs, hundreds of different sombreros. The friendliness of Mexicans is infectious. I sit back and enjoy the last of the sun with a big smile on my face.

Frida once said: ‘Who needs feet? I’ve got wings to fly.’

My Personal Favourites:
- Watch the Oscar-winning film ‘Frida’ from 2002, featuring Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo;
- Spend an evening enjoying Mariachi bands;
- Visit one of the roof terraces with magnificent views of the Zócolo. (e.g. Holiday Inn Hotel, where you can also have lunch at affordable rates);
- Visit the cathedral;
- Take a tour on a hop-on-hop-off bus;
- Buy souvenirs at one of the little markets;
- Enjoy the many different street artists;
- Get in the mood with my Spotify Playlist DareSheGoes Mexico;
- And visit my favourite place in Mexico City! The Frida Kahlo Museum at Londres 247, Col.del Carmen, Coyoacán.

Music makes me smile. It makes me want to dance. It gives me travel fever!

I usually compile my DareSheGoes Spotify Playlist after I return from a trip, but this time round it was ready to rock before my schedule was confirmed. I knew I was tempting fate, but I’d started getting songs together the night before the trip was confirmed, secretly dreaming of the City of Angels, the Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica Boulevard and Rodeo Drive – LAX! Los Angeles, baby!

While I was packing my suitcase, the Los Angeles playlist was blasting from the speakers. Sunglasses, camera, summer outfits – “bikinis on top!” (California Gurls | Katy Perry).

I fly with a different crew every time. This was a fun group. A great mix of men and women, a couple of familiar faces, and some fresh new ones. During the flight, we came up with the idea to rent a car together. Road trippin’! Be a star for a day in LA!

“The ocean is blue and the weather is fine” (Windsurfin’ | The Surfers). We set off at 9.00 a.m. The sun’s up and we’re on our way to the beach for breakfast, fun and games. We drive to Santa Monica via Redondo Beach. Palm trees line the streets. You see things best from you car. We park at the beach.

We can already see the Pacific Wheel at Santa Monica Pier. What a superb view! We have breakfast at KafeK, a fun place on Main Street. Then we head off to the centre, where you can shop till you drop – one of LA’s other great perks. We go up in the Pacific Wheel and catch the fabulous view. Then we head back to the car, via the beach, on our way to the Walk of Fame.

“There’s something in the air in Hollywood” (Hollywood | Madonna) We’re driving along Hollywood Boulevard. I stand up in the sunroof and shoot a couple of photos. People wave. Hollywood is a must-see.

We stroll along the Walk of Fame, checking out the handprints and signatures outside the Chinese Theatre. We see the Hollywood sign up in the Hills. We head over to the Griffith Observatory, where you get a spectacular view of night falling over LA.

And to round things off, we have dinner at the famous Ivy restaurant. We drive back to the hotel with “California Love” fuelling the car. “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”

Music and travel – my perfect soul mates. Enjoy!

What’s your wish? I have lots of them. Mostly wishes for other people, but I wouldn’t mind a seaside cottage. My other wish is to keep exploring new countries, like Taiwan. I always buy a travel guide, because I expect to travel alone, although there’s usually someone in the crew who wants to join me. And that was the case this time round.

I worked a galley with two fun stewards and on the outbound trip we’d already started making plans for our weeklong layover in Taipei, helped along by tips from colleagues and my nice, new guide. We were also joined by a stewardess who was keen to discover Happy Taiwan.

Make a wish in Pingxi
The metro makes for fast, cheap and easy travel in Taipei, with good connections to local and express trains. We’re on our way to the picturesque mountain village of Pingxi, where beautifully coloured and decorated wishing balloons constantly take to the air. It takes us about an hour to get there. So beautiful, so cheerful. Pingxi isn’t very big, so you can easily see it all in an afternoon. We drink tea at a café that’s less than a metre from the railway track, and we take photos and buy cards and other souvenirs. When evening falls, we decorate our own wishing balloons. We paint all our personal wishes onto our balloons and then release them. May our wishes come true.

Paper pandas
Our visit to the Memorial Hall quickly turns into a unexpected encounter with 1,600 paper pandas designed by French artist Paulo Graneon for the WWF’s Pandas on Tour Exhibition. Great fun for young and old.

Which brings me to the Eastern part of Taipei, which has wonderful little shops (take the Zhongxiao Fuxing metro line), but also amusing themed cafés like Hello Kitty Sweets and the Barbie Café. No matter how old you are, you’ll be swept along by the fun, watching waitresses in their honey-sweet outfits, Bubblegum Pop, eating Hello Kitty burgers and cupcakes or Barbie macaroons. An unforgettable experience.

Maokong Gondola
To end off, we took a trip with the Maokong Gondola (Taipei Zoo metro station). We pass over the green landscape, with wonderful views of Taipei and the 101 Tower. In Maokong, we visit a traditional tea house.

What surprised me most was the Taiwanese themselves. So friendly and helpful, and they all speak English. For me, this first encounter was more than I could ever have hoped for. Happy moments. All made in Taiwan.

Want to see more pictures of Taipei/Taiwan? Check out our Pinterest board.

PS: For the ultimate Paris atmosphere, please listen to my Paris Playlist on Spotify.

The small village within the big city
Montmartre. It’s here where you can just reminisce the history. I close my eyes. Here I feel the atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge, life on the streets. Edith Piaf. I enjoy the beautiful view over the city near the Sacre Coeur. Here you can really breathe-in Paris. Fall in Love. Have a delicious lunch at one of the cozy terraces. Shopping on rue des Abbesses.

Oui, Paris… Je t’aime.

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Music makes me smile. It makes me want to dance. It gives me travel fever!

While I was packing my suitcase, the Los Angeles playlist was blasting from the speakers. Sunglasses, camera, summer outfits – “bikinis on top!” (California Gurls | Katy Perry).

Music and travel – my perfect soul mates. Enjoy!

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Alongside my work as a cabin attendant, I also work in the world of fashion. For instance, I take portfolio photos for people registered at casting agencies. And, twice a year, I work for the Amsterdam International Fashion Week, where I coordinate designer meetings, help out at the front desk, or work backstage. Because I work at KLM, I have the privilege of visiting great fashion shows, both privately and en route.

Fashion Flights
One weekend, for instance, I flew to Madrid to see an Yves Saint Laurent retrospective exhibition. I’ve also been to Paris Fashion Week, where I saw my first catwalk featuring the work of Yohji Yamamoto. London has also served to inspire me. It was during an internship there while I was at university that I fell in love with fashion. I enjoyed seeing the wonderful shop windows in Kensington and I love strolling through Camden Market. In 2012 I visited the London Fashion Week. Thanks to connections of a friend, I got a front row seat for the show of the Dutch sisters, Spijkers and Spijkers. For a fashion lover, that’s a moment of true happiness.

Bowie is a true style icon
Last year during a stopover in London, I got to see the “David Bowie Is” show in the Victoria and Albert Museum. In addition to being a legendary singer, Bowie is a true style icon. He’s a real chameleon. Each of his albums has shown him portraying a new and different image. The “David Bowie Is” show is now on tour. (See the tips, below.) Spring 2015 (March 14) the Victoria and Albert Museum will be showing “Savage Beauty,” an homage to British designer Alexander McQueen. I got to see that show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2011. That was the most beautiful fashion show on display I have ever seen. Combined with a visit to London, it’s certainly worth it. Right now, you can see “The World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” in the Barbican Art Gallery, also in London. It was in the Netherlands last year and a must-see for fashion lovers. While in London, you can also see the first exhibit of Jean Paul Gaultier’s graphic design in the Fashion Space Gallery.

KLM and Dutch Fashion
Being something of a fashionista myself, I’m so proud that KLM works with a variety of Dutch fashion designers. Female KLM staff wears a uniform created by Mart Visser. On several occasions, the work of my favorite fashion illustrator Piet Paris has adorned the cover of our on-board magazine Holland Herald. And our Business Class passengers always receive an amenities bag designed by Viktor&Rolf. Check out the ‘go see’ list for my favourite fashion events. You can also listen to my new Spotify playlist, “With a Touch of Fashion”.

"Don't forget: Everyday is a fashion show and the world is your runway."

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Valerie (@DareSheGoes)
KLM crew member

Go see:

“The World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” at the Barbican Art Gallery, London.
“Jean Paul Gaultier: Be my Guest” The Fashion Space Gallery, London until 25 August.
“Savage Beauty” at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
“David Bowie Is” on tour.
FashionWeek Nederland, 4-14 July 2014.
London Fashion Week, 12-16 September.
More Fashion Week dates for Paris, New York and Milan.

Music with a touch of fashion

The post From One Runway to Another appeared first on KLM Blog.

At least twice a year I’m on standby for all KLM Flights. For a period of a fortnight, I have no idea where I’ll be flying off to next. It’s one big surprise. Exciting, but still a bit nerve-wracking, even after ten years.

Curious how 14 days standby look? Here we go!

Day 1

My suitcase is already packed with the basics. Clothes for warm and sunny destinations on one side, and for colder, rainier destinations on the other. Being on standby means you can be assigned to any kind of flight. It might be a 24-hour roundtrip, or a nine-day trip to Singapore!

6:00 AM. I wake up and post a tweet with destinations I would like to go to. #onduty

7:15 AM. My phone rings. “Good Morning Valerie, this is Crew Control.” “Oh, Hello! Didn’t expect you so soon”, I reply. Sometimes you sit at home waiting for two or three days before you receive a call. “I have a flight for you. KL1671 to Barcelona with a night stop.” The woman from crew control also gives me my schedule for the rest of the fortnight and tells me I have to report for duty at 9:15. That’s not too bad. Sometimes you have to be at the airport within an hour… On my way!

9:00 AM. Checking the gate for the flight – less than two hours to Barcelona! Sunny Barcelona is waiting for me!

Day 2

Home early morning with a whole day off.

Day 3

Evening flight to Aberdeen, where we spend the night.

Day 4

After breakfast, a morning walk along the Scottish coastline of Aberdeen. A workout in the gym before getting ready to fly back to Amsterdam. It’s like a quick Kiss & Fly with Schiphol Airport. I take Ellis – an unaccompanied minor – to the Junior Jet Lounge. While we’re walking along, I tell him about writing for the KLM Blog every month. Excitedly, he asks me to take a picture of him, “I want to become famous”. And so I did, when we said goodbye.
In an hour we board for my final flight and night stop in Manchester!

Day 5

KL1094 takes me home in the evening. We always use a crew baggage sticker with flight numbers, to make sure our suitcases go on the right aircraft or arrive at Schiphol.

Day 6-7-8

Three days off.

Day 9

9:35 AM. Reporting time for my flight to Paramaribo. It’s been 11 years since I was last there. It’s a smooth flight with cheerful people. I even got some cute assistance from 6-year old Jarrelin. I asked her if she would like to become a cabin attendant and help me. Of course, she said. So I dressed her in my jacket and scarf. She was smiling from ear to ear. In the galley she said, “You know what I like the most of all? This makes me so happy!” For me, this was the cherry on the cake of a lovely flight.

Day 10 – 11

Rainy days in fun Paramaribo. Gym, delicious food and happy vibes.

Day 12

8:00 AM. All the passengers have disembarked. From my crew seat at door number 15, I look out of the window and take a picture: Home Sweet Home. These two weeks were just perfect. I worked with fun crews, met lovely kids and rediscovered destinations.

Day 13-14

Time off. Standby: Mission completed!

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Milestones deserve to be celebrated. I turned 30 in New York in 2004. When the clock struck midnight in the Netherlands I was up at the top of the Empire State Building, where it was 6 pm. A memorable moment. To me, New York is the capital of energy and creative inspiration. Looking back on the past 10 years, that milestone moment has brought me lots of energy and creativity. That was when DareSheGoes began.

PS: For the ultimate Paris atmosphere, please listen to my Paris Playlist on Spotify.

Tour de Montmartre

A month ago, I celebrated my 40th birthday in Paris, the capital of romance. Paris was the first city to feature in my KLM blog. I know the city very well. I love it, and it loves me back. I arrive at Gare du Nord with two close friends around noon, the day before my birthday. I’ve rented a lovely apartment for us on Rue Lepic (Résidence Blanche) next to The Moulin Rouge. Montmartre is one of my favourite quarters. The sun is shining and we quickly change into our summer outfits. From Rue Lepic we stroll in Rue des Abbesses, where we buy a delicious flower-shaped ice-cream at Amorino. At Place des Abbesses, we visit the “Mur des je t’aime”, which is wonderful. Via the Rue des 3 Frères, we find the steep stairway leading up to the Place du Tetre, where you will find Chez Plumeau with its glorious terrace on the left. There’s lots of lovely shade, and we order an onion soup and a bottle of wine. The atmosphere is superb. After viewing the artists at Place du Tetre, we visit the Sacre Coeur, before heading back down to the Rue des Abbesses, where we take a load off our feet at Le Nazir.

Bastille’s best

Evening falls. After a quick change, it’s “on y va” to catch the metro to Bastille. I’ve booked a table at my favourite restaurant: Chez Paul. A delightful French bistro. The steaks are formidable and the tarte tatin is the best in town! At midnight, we toast to my new milestone with a Kir Royale, in the City of Love.

Sur Seine

My birthday gets off to a great start with a French breakfast at Café des Deux Moulins, which features in the film “Amélie”. Via Place de la Concorde, we head to the Seine. I buy a lock at Passerelle Léopold-Sedar-Senghor. As a reminder I write “40 in Paris” on it, accompanied by a heart. I hang the lock on the bridge, where it has a grand view of the Musee D’Orsay. My heart is full of laughter. We walk along the Seine towards Pont Alexandre III and make a wonderful discovery on the banks of the river: Les Berges! You can rent, for example, sea containers with a small garden and cushions for free here, for an hour and a half! Best to book in advance via www.lesberges.paris.fr. And later we danced to our own playlist under the Pont de la Concorde. So much fun. We end a wonderful afternoon at the “urban beaches” Rosa Bonheur sur Seine and Flow. At 19.30, we’re back at Gare du Nord. Catching the train back home. There we go: “on my way to the Forties”. Will they bring me love? It doesn’t matter…

"We'll always have Paris"

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“Should we take tango lessons together?” I asked a friend at a party. “Yes, tango lessons with you would be fun!” he immediately reply. The lessons put me under the spell of the Gotan Project – tango music with a mysterious, sexy, upbeat edge. I can dream and dance to it for hours. When I heard that KLM would resume service to Buenos Aires, my heart skipped a beat as it filled with yearning desire. I had to go there!

PS: For the ultimate Buenos Aires atmosphere, please listen to my Buenos Aires Playlist on Spotify.

Mini Bucket List

I don’t know about you, but whenever I head to a new destination, I make a sort of mini bucket list of things I really want to do and see while I’m there.

This was my bucket list for Buenos Aires:

Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour, first impression of the city.
Buy tango shoes.
Tango lessons/dance in San Telmo.
Evita Perron’s grave (Recoleta).
MALBA museum.
Eat Argentinian steak.
Guided tour of Teatro Colón.
Coloured houses of La Boca.

Hop-On-Hop-Off tour

I managed to cross No. 1 off my list straight away. The Hop-On-Hop-Off tour, lasting almost four hours, gave me a good sense of how the city fits together. The tour also meant I could cross No. 8 off my list, although I do want to take a closer look at these typical colourful houses some other time. I also discovered the Palermo district. Where I hope to do some more exploring. After the city tour, we headed to San Telmo. A “warm welcome” with live music on the Plaza Dorrego. The Bandoneon is a wonderful instrument, so atmospheric. No. 6 was yummy and could be crossed off the list at dinner. Not a bad score for the first day.

Tango on Plaza Dorrego

There’s an antiques market in the San Telmodistrict every Sunday. I could feel the passion smouldering. Specially when I watched the couples tango dancing on the Plaza Dorrego. I want to do that too! So beautiful and passionate. So intense. Accompanied by two colleagues, I ambled through this lovely neighbourhood. I told them about my list and I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered VB Tango Shoes (Av. Independencia 389 San Telmo). There they were: not too high and the perfect fit. I crossed No. 2 off my list.

Latin American Art

Because the MALBA museum is closed on Tuesdays, we went to this amazingly varied museum on the Monday, after our shuttle flight to Santiago de Chili. What a wonderful collection of Latin American 20th-Century Art. My personal favourites were Frida Kahlo and a surprising work by Maria Martins “The Impossible” (1945). No. 5: check.

Grave of Eva Perron

My last day in Buenos Aires began with a visit to the grave of Eva Perron in Recoleta. I spent the afternoon in Palermo, which wasn’t on my bucket list, but proved to be an ideal place to spend a rainy day in Buenos Aires. Lots of shops and plenty of trendy cafes and bars!

Buenos Aires is so full of passion, music and wonderful cultural sites. Writing this blog has ignited a longing to return. Fortunately, I still have some items to cross off my list:

"I’ve bought the shoes, next time I'm gonna dance!"

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Hasta la Próxima X

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