Amerika camperreis deel 1 - Van San Francisco naar Elko

Een verslag van een fantastische reis met de camper van San Francisco naar Denver, via o.a. Yellowstone National Park.

Deel 1 gaat over de heenreis en de route vanaf San Francisco via Sacramento en Reno naar Elko.

De route van San Francisco naar Denver

2 september 2014

Om half 6 zes opstaan en om 6 uur rijden we weg.

We parkeren de auto in een voor ons gratis parkeergarage vlakbij Station Bijlmer. Vandaar pakken we de trein naar Schiphol.

Omdat het online inchecken niet is gelukt moet we nog wat werk verrichten op Schiphol. De automaat gebruiken lukt niet, bij de balie is ook niet duidelijk waarom het niet lukt. Misschien de naam van het eerste hotel verkeerd gespeld?

Precies op tijd vertrekken we om 11.15 uur vanaf de gate. Dit keer geen vertraging en ook weinig problemen op Washington Dullas Airport waar we Amerika binnenkomen. De immigration officer is vriendelijk en vertelt zelf in Holland te zijn geweest, met de vierdaagse in Nijmegen meegelopen te hebben. Tijd genoeg om de koffers te vinden, door de douane te gaan en ze weer op de volgende band te leggen. Ze zijn al gelabeld voor de uiteindelijke bestemming: San Francisco. In San Francisco met de hotelbus naar het airport hotel, de Red Roof Inn. Van deur naar deur zijn we 23 uur onder weg geweest.

Woensdag 3 september 2014

Vanwege de jetlag zij we natuurlijke veel te vroeg wakker en gaan we maar vast ontbijten, een stevige omelet.

Op de camping in West Sacramento

We nemen de hotelbus weer terug naar het vliegveld om vandaar met de trein naar San Leandro te gaan aan de andere kant van de baai van San Francisco. We zijn bijna een uur onderweg met de trein. Vanaf station San Leandro nemen we een taxi naar de Apollo RV verhuur. We zijn daar dan rond half 11 en nummer vijf op de wachtlijst; verwachte tijd ongeveer half een.

Het is zeker half twee voordat we van het terrein afrijden, op weg naar de dichtstbijzijnde supermarkt.

Het is na drieën als we uiteindelijk op weg kunnen gaan naar onze eerste KOA camping, in West Sacramento. We komen daar aan na zessen maar gelukkig hangt er een brief voor ons aan het bord met de plaats en nog wat aanwijzigingen (Wifi code enzo, erg belangrijk). Voor het eerst de slide-out naar buiten, de elektriciteit en het water aangesloten. We zijn gesetteld.

Donderdag 4 september 2014

Old Sacramento

California State Railroad Museum

Voordat we op weg gaan naar Reno gaan we eerst nog naar Old Sacramento, een "oude" binnenstad met leuke western style huizen en het California State Railroad Museum. Een prachtig museum met kolossale stoomtreinen en bijzondere vriendelijke mensen die je van alles willen uitleggen. Leuk om allemaal te zien.

De scenic route van Sacramento naar South Lake Tahoe

Vanaf Old Sacramento gaan we op weg naar Reno. De van te voren uitgestippelde route is een succes. We rijden de scenic route naar Lake Tahoe, met prachtige uitzichten. Onderweg bereiken we toch ook een zekere hoogte. We horen ineens een knal. Het blijkt een chipszak te zijn die op deze hoogte is geknald!

South Lake Tahoe is leuk om te zien met allemaal anders gebouwde huizen en hotels. Het blijkt ook een echt wintersportoord te zijn. Na Lake Tahoe zetten we koers naar Carson City en vandaar maken we de omweg via Virginia City, een soort Volendam maar dan in Western style, voor ons natuurlijk wel leuk om te zien. We komen weer na zessen aan op de camping maar ook hier hangt gelukkig voor ons iets aan het bord. Goed dat we vooraf hadden geboekt: Vol. Morgenochtend registeren.

Vrijdag 5 september 2014

Luchtbalonnen wedstrijd bij Reno

Na een ochtendwandeling naar het toilet zie ik op de terugweg ineens allemaal luchtballonnen. Er blijkt al vroeg een wedstrijd begonnen te zijn. Een Canadees echtpaar kan het ons allemaal uitleggen. Het mooiste komt echter morgenochtend en binnenkort in Reno nog een airshow en iets met motorfietsen... We zullen het niet meer meemaken, maar die ballonnen nu in allerlei vormen zijn wel leuk om te zien. Zo vlak bij de heuvels zijn er kennelijk allemaal verschillende luchtstromen want ze moeten een soort route afleggen. Een 200 meter verschil in hoogte maakt al veel uit en ze zijn blijkbaar in staat om op deze manier zelfs heen en weer te vliegen en op een bepaald punt weer te landen. Indrukwekkend.

Na de registratie gaan we op pad, vandaag naar Elko. De route loopt dwars door de woestijnen van Nevada. Kilometers lang. Wel wat minder afwisselend dus, maar toch wel bijzonder die eindeloze droge vlaktes met rondom wat kale bergen. Elko is en klein stadje in de woestijn. De Iron Horse camping lijkt redelijk nieuw en is mooi aangelegd. Wat grasveldjes en boompjes. En dat in de woestijn... Er is geen barbecue en dus maar wat hamburgers uit de pan. Probleempje is wel dat de pan eigenlijk niet warm genoeg wordt en het bakken wat meer op koken lijkt. Niet getreurd, toch lekkere hamburgers met een glaasje wijn... De camping in Elko heet trouwens Iron Horse. Zaterdag 6 september 2014

Iron Horse, Iron Horse. Ineens weten we het. Dat slaat natuurlijk op de treinen die er vlak langs rijden. Niet ongemerkt. Er wordt luid getoeterd. Iedere keer. De gehele nacht...

Elko blijkt op 1500 meter hoogte te liggen. Ondanks (of misschien wel dankzij) de wederom strak blauwe lucht is het 's morgens wel frisjes. Worden we tenminste echt wakker na een moeizame nacht...

Iron Horse

Ga naar deel 2 - Craters Of The Moon

The Hunting Experience! (The making of)

Controversial? Yes.
Senseless killing? No.
Initial trigger? The Hunting Expo Belgium 2014, the fair for hunters with a passion for the wild, for the hunt and for nature.
Broader perspective? Hunting in general, outdoor life and the love for nature that feeds us with stunning impressions and enjoyable food and beverages.
Goal? A film showing all these aspects and to open up this world, not just for the 'happy few'.

Making a film on a short term notice is not an easy task. Shooting footage about hunting requires a lot of time. So, what are the possibilities? How is it possible to make such a film within only two weeks time?

The initiator for this film is TOPAZ, (Marketingwise Communications)-entrepreneur Cor Denneman Heilscher. Apart from entrepreneur and personal friend, Cor is also a passionate hunter. So, let's start with hunting (or at least pretend we are). While driving through the Dutch forest we can also do some filming of the vehicle best suited for these type of outdoor activities, the Land Rover.

Actual hunting is not possible on this day. We create a setting and are ready to fake the shooting. Not necessary. Cor fires his shotgun anyway...
To complete this part of the story we must have a slow motion of the removal of an empty shell.

With no time for all kind of real nature and hunting filming I have to have images of the wild. If not in video then I have to use photos. I come into contact with Ruud van den Heuvel who spent a lot of time in the Oostvaardersplassen, making wonderful pictures of the wild life in this area. Using some of these will save the day for me...

Shooting wild life does certainly not mean wasting it. Of course, you can prepare your own meals (as lots of hunters do and not without merit), I prefer a quality restaurant, specialised in wild and Restaurant De Pronckheer in Cothen (NL) seems to be the perfect place. It must be said, properly prepared wild accompanied by a great wine and good friends, in one word, it is a feast.

What precedes is the preparation of wild, making it ready for consumption, starting with the skinning. Arjan Smit from De Pronckheer shows us how he can undo a roe deer from its coat. The camera is still rolling and so we can add a few other topics to our film: the preparation of wild and the very enjoyable part of eating it and drinking.


Still, not enough material to fill at least three minutes with interesting stuff about hunting and the outdoor life...


Especially to promote the various hunting exhibitions and fairs I need more material. Again, Cor comes into action. This time hunting for footage to show what it is like on for instance the Belgium Hunting Expo.

Plattelands TV (Belgium) has done a wonderful job in creating attractive impressions of such events.

Everybody knows how hard it is to get permission for using other peoples copyrighted material. With special thanks to Patrick Vaernewijck of PlattelandsTV, Cor manages to make a deal and I can use some of their impressive 'shootings'.

What is left? What is a film about hunting without real hunting and without viewing real wild life? Although I can use the photos from Ruud van de Heuvel I of course prefer real action.
Talking about a real hunting film, I am jealous of the excellent quality and marvellous pictures in the 'Blaser R8 Professional Success'-film. After we have seen the Blaser film several times I challenge Cor by betting that he will not be able to aquire permission to use some of the material from this film. I lost. And I am very much impressed about the networking and partnering capabilities of Cor. We get permission to use the content of this film and (bad news for Ruud van den Heuvel) I no longer have to use the static photos.

I am not going to rewrite the Blaser film. We have our own goals and a lot of people will find the end of the Blaser film to shocking. I choose to let the viewer of my film know what will happen in the end to the deer without witnessing the inevitable...

'The Hunting Experience!' is a co-production of TOPAZ - Tolllogic Creative Productions. It shows various aspects of HUNTING-EXPO, the ultimate meeting place for true hunters. It is all about carefulness and responsibility for nature. With vibrant 'shots' of 4 x 4 driving through hunting fields, cosy hunting lodges, smart field constructions, clothing, optics, weapons, ammunition and accessories as to observing and shooting. Also extra facilities for optimising hunting results. Putting people first, you can see remarkable views at the exhibition area, indoor and outdoor, simulating and stimulating sustainable activities in the fields. Worldwide... Observing passionate hunters and other nature lovers, assisted by their close companions such as: fellow-hunters & beaters, dogs, horses, birds of prey and ferrets. Having in mind respect and sustainability, you can enjoy quality of life including healthy food and beverages.

The Temples of Anuradhapura

For a lot of the people in Sri Lanka religion is not something to celebrate on Sundays, to think about before or after dinner, or to deal with before going to sleep. No, it is part of their daily life. Two third of the people of Sri Lanka are Buddhist. Buddhism formed the character of these people and their ideal world of peace, tolerance, kindness, hospitality and love for all living things. The Buddhist monks practice this lifestyle, only possessing what they are wearing. Buddhists have lots of places to worship. They have their Buddha statues, stupa's and temples everywhere, from small to huge.

When making a tour over the island of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, it is impossible to miss the city of Anuradhapura, or more particularly, the temples of Anuradhapura. Looking over one of the artificial lakes, called tanks - fresh water reservoirs dating from as far back as the 12th century, you can't ignore the view on the two giant stupa's, standing out high above everything else on the horizon.

As said, if you come along Anuradhapura, you can't miss these stupa's. Some of them are really huge and as part of a tour through the sacred city, you will see them all. At least, it feels like the guide is trying to show all of them, which is practically impossible since the number of temples in Anuradhapura is countless, I think. Anyway, some of these temples are definitely worth visiting, although not for the faint of heart. You will have to climb the stairs, you will have to give away your shoes - only temporarily and take my advice: wear socks because the soil is bloody hot - and you will have to take off your hat. You are not allowed to have anything on your head! If you do not have much of your own on your head - no hair, just like me - try not to get a sunstroke. Always use anti-sunburn and if they allow you, just use your umbrella (like the monk).

And you will will be rewarded. The views from the top are just stunning.

Frankly speaking, we started with the most beautiful stupa of Mihintale. After that, for us it gets a bit less interesting and after a stupa or 8 you might start to think you have seen them all, which is of course far from the truth. Some of the stupa's are really in use as a temple, eye blinding white in the sunshine and receiving lots of locals to worship. Others are not painted, just brown stone, but still huge. Not many visitors.

Did I mention already the ubiquitous monkeys? Well, they are almost everywhere and it is fun to watch them. The youngsters playing and teasing the elderly, as we ourselves maybe would like to do but do not do.

Of course, the monkeys are wild animals, but we have not witnessed any aggression, theft, or any other type of inappropriate behavior. At least, when you do not consider holding your baby upside down as such.

Among the visitors you also see a lot of monks in their orange outfit. We were even interviewed by a monk, apparently exercising his English and an attempt not getting unworldly. And this is, apart from stunning views, the real reward you will get. For us, western people, this is such a colourful and unknown world. Be prepared to immerse in this ocean of new experiences.


There is so much to see, feel, hear and smell. In Sri Lanka you will use all of your senses to get a taste of this wonderful country.


Watch the video of a visit to the Temples of Anuradhapura:

Safe h(e)aven for roofless elderly in Sri Lanka

Sri lanka is a wonderful country, with amazing wild life, nature, and extraordinary friendly people.

Sri Lanka is second only to the Maldives in the South Asian region in terms of 'per capita income'. It recorded a GDP growth of 8.3% in 2011 (thanks to Wikipedia).

However, as always and everywhere, wealth is not shared equally. Some are extremely rich and a lot are more poor than others. Very poor. This is especially true for the elderly, not having any offspring who can take care off them.

In 1979 Herman Steur, a very successful Dutch businessman, arrived in Sri Lanka to establish a shrimp exporting company in the free trade zone. In stead, he became a great philanthropist, helping the poorest of the poor throughout Sri Lanka. He founded the Family Help Programme, Holland - Sri Lanka.

The apple of his eye is the Netherlands Welcome Village for Roofless Elders, especially those living on the streets. The Welcome Village provides care, food, accommodation and a totally new life free of charge to roofless elders. Currently having an inmate population of 250 elders, a total of over 1500 such elders have benefited of his support since the inception of the Village in 1996.

Sadly, Herman Steur passed away at the age of 82 on March 24th, 2012.

The legacy of Herman Steur to the people of Sri Lanka is very much alive. The houses in the Netherlands Welcome Village are a (kind of) copy of the Dutch houses in Monnickendam, a small fishermen town where you expect the residents to wear traditional costumes (partially true).

Each house in "the Village" has two rooms providing space for two to four people. Men and women live in separate houses.

There is a small hospital and a "closed area" for people suffering from dementia. Nurses are sorting out the medicines and taking care of the people. 

At noon the clock on the central square is calling for lunch. The kitchen looks modern and has a large fridge to keep everything cool. The lunch is being served to the approximately 250 people. They have a roof, get food, are taken care of and have each others company. Likely, a much better place to stay than at the side of the road. People seem to be reasonably happy with their fate. 

When visiting Sri Lanka it might be a good idea to just visit the Netherlands Welcome Village. When you inform them in advance you are welcomed with a cup of tea and you will be shown around.

If you like you can even support them. For instance by "adopting a granny". Although certainly not equivalent, for me it sounds like "adopting a chicken" and a webcam to to see how things go. You can however also "buy" a piece of the land. Although you will never know if the same piece isn't sold twice (which doesn't matter after all), it is nice to receive a map indicating where "your piece" is located. The fun is of course being there and trying to locate it...

A wonderful place in a wonderful country. A safe h(e)aven for roofless elderly.

Watch the video of a visit to the Netherlands Welcome Village in Sri Lanka:

Panasonic DMC-TZ40 video capabilities review

I already have a Panasonic DMC-FZ200, so why bothering to buy another camera? Well, first of all, it is for my wife to take pictures when we are on holiday. And secondly, if we are not on holiday (which unfortunately is still most of the time), then I like to have a very small camera which I can easily take with me to my professional occupations (after all, I have to earn money to spend it on camera's). Then, why this Panasonic? Because I am quite happy with my FZ200. The 2.8 aperture over the whole range of the lens (25 - 600mm equivalent on a 35mm camera) is a very good start. The 24x optical zoom is not the best but really good. But what I am really fond off is the optical stabilization in this FZ200 camera.
So, what is in it for the TZ40? It is very small, so I can take it with me in my coat. Still a 20x optical zoom. Not bad for such a small camera. 1080P - 50fps. But what I really hoped for is an optical stabilization as good as in the FZ200. Well, I am certainly not disappointed. This good optical stabilization means that it gets a lot harder for my wife to take a worthless picture. And for me? I still like to record video. Everywhere.

Does it help? Sure it does. For taking video it works incredibly well. For instance, filming from inside a moving car will introduce a constant moving of the camera. Will it make the footage shaky? No. What you will see is that the foreground (you car's dashboard and window) is moving up and down, but the outside world is not. Amazing to see. Just take a look at the video I took during my flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to London Heathrow, just going over the centre of The City. You will notice that the window and especially the dirt on the window will move constantly while the subject, the outside world, is reasonably shock free and far from shaky. However, be careful with a horizontal pan. Because of the optical stabilization the camera tries to prevent this, causing small jumps in the panning.

Buying a camera depends on what you like to spend on it, but equally important on what you like to achieve with it. I can now record quit good video. Always. Everywhere.

Flight KL1006 over The City (of London)

Emirates Airbus A380-800 flight from Amsterdam to Dubai

Flying with Emirates from Amsterdam to Dubai in a brand-new Airbus A380-800 is an experience. A pleasant experience.
All luxury on board: shower spa, lounges and even a private suite!
Ok, ok. The Economy class is not bad either. With more space for your legs and less noise than other commercial aircrafts, travelling with this A380 is much more relaxed. The inflight entertainment system is comprehensive and the seat in front of you contains connection points for a headphone, USB and even 110V, enabling me to load the battery of my tablet (not possible via USB).
This A380 is equipped with three outside video
cameras from which you can select the view on your own monitor screen: a view from the front, from the bottom and from the tail. The downwards view is interesting, particularly during take off and landing. The front view is like the view from the cockpit. Looking at the view from the tail of this aircraft you get a feeling of how huge this aircraft is, especially when taxying towards the terminal building.
Despite its size and powerful engines, the noise level of the A380 meets the strict new ICAO Stage Four noise level standards (meaning less noise) and the A380 burns up to 20% less fuel per seat than its nearest competitor, given the seat capacity for between 489 and 517 passengers. A very impressive and, above all, convenient aircraft.

See Emirates A380 for more information.

Watch the video of the take off from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the ascending over Amsterdam city:

What load is handled by a Telehandler?

One of my companies (JointSystems) is specialised in on-board scale solutions for commercial and agriculture vehicles, but also for wheel loaders and telehandlers. While others in this company know everything about the nuts and bolts of those vehicles I am specialised in the bits and bytes of the micro processors we use. With proper sensors you can measure pressure and calculate a weight. With intelligent software you can turn weight into business information.

Now for the part of the software, low level input of sensors is required, collected data is processed and communicated between processors and stored in non-volatile memory. A dedicated PC program can download the data from the micro processor into a database, enabling reports based on period, vehicle, customer and load type. You see, this goes far beyond just a scale and weight.

The nice thing of such a versatile product is that it can be used by so many different types of businesses and visiting such companies enriches my world. This week we did an installation of a JointSystems LoadController on a telescopic handler, or telehandler. Looking at the pictures you get the idea. The company is involved in fertiliser, transport, distribution and all kinds of agriculture related contracting. Agriculture is a bit differing from my (computer) world so I was amazed by the different types and size of some of the agricultural vehicles. For instance, in the Netherlands it is not allowed anymore to just spread fertiliser over the soil, but it must be injected into the soil. Other vehicles are used for the flipping and collecting of hay, or the collection and processing of grain. For some more pictures of these vehicles look here.

Anyway, we did a great job with the supply of a new on-board weighing system in a telehandler. All their trucks are already accommodated with a JointSystems solution, but now we can welcome a happy driver in a telehandler as well.

See the video where the telehandler vehicle is calibrated and the driver is trying out the new installation: