HMP

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One of the things I will definitely miss will be my weekly sessions with Saul over coffee or beer. It's always great to get together and talk, complain and discuss world politics and other pressing (or non-pressing) matters. Time really flies. He invited me for a farewell dinner before a go to the best French restaurant in town called "Impeccable"..... I certainly hope that the place lives up to its name. He was surpised to having received a substantial bonus even from the University here and he's spending some of it on me. I even get to invite friends......Wow.

Went to Fukuoka this monday to pick up Hans, Marco and Pim from the "Beetle-ferry" from Pusan, Korea. The ferry was 15 minutes late (highly unusual in Japan) and of course being the foreigners they had to unpack everything in order to clear customs. White middle aged Dutch men are more likely to smuggle drugs into Japan then any Japanese or Korean of course.

It was great fun to see my friends again after such a long time. The moment they came through the doors we just chatted non-stop, got shown all the pictures from their (H & P) Trans-sibérian rail trip and after a couple of beers and a delish ramen at the Raumen-Stadium (Don't know why they call it raumen instead of ramen) we ended up wit more beers in our room in the hotel having a Pyjama Party dressed in the silly, way to tight, blue cotton hotel coats. But it felt like being 20 all over again........

The weather in Amsterdam has reached tropical temperatures and people are swimming in the IJ-haven in front of our house in Amsterdam plus sailing all day on the canals with plenty of booze and finger food. I'm so looking forward to get back on my boat again in august.. can't wait.