Fun & Famous

Carolien's fast lane life

Yes, another fresh weekday diary from our Carolien. Because you know: she never sits still…

This week my post is all about Curaçao! Marly and I have been asked for a very special photoshoot (more info to follow…) in the Caribbean and of course she couldn't leave her husband and child behind in cold Netherlands. Unfortunately, my husband had to work the whole week, so this sweet trip was taken away from him. After a long flight, we arrived at the Chogogo Resort at Jan Thiel Bay and our fatigue disappeared like snow in the delightful sun. It will be a week of swimming, good food, and a little bit of work. Did I already mention that I have the best job ever?

The next morning, the first activity was immediately on the program where Marly's dream came true: snorkeling with dolphins in open water! This is possible in only three places in the world, so if you visit Curaçao, this is an absolute must. The dolphins first swim from the pool through locks to the open sea, where we were eagerly waiting for them. The sea was quite rough, but when you looked underwater with your snorkel, you were immediately in another world. They swam past us, made high jumps at a hand's throw distance, and we were even allowed to pet them. Then we swam back into the pool with the dolphins. This experience can be checked off our bucket list.

During my Marie Kondo session, I literally threw away all my bikinis in a decluttering frenzy. Not entirely unjustified, as most were completely stretched out. It's also quite embarrassing when you see your bikini bottom floating back after swimming a lap. But why do I have to be so drastic again? So when I heard that swimwear would become my daily outfit in two weeks, I went online shopping like crazy. The result: a suitcase full of amazing bikinis from brands like Beachlife and Lingadore. Now I literally have a new one to parade with every day. Too bad they don't really give tips at Marie Kondo on how to keep your closet so tidy and empty, instead of being stuffed full again in no time...

When I was in Mauritius at the end of January for a shoot with LINDA., I didn't know how quickly I had to lie flat in the sun. The result: the skin was peeling on my back and for two days it hurt when I put on my bikini bottom. We're going to tackle this differently this time. Besides the fact that I shouldn't get too tanned because I'm in the middle of filming the series “Brussel” and it would be quite strange if I'm pale in one scene and the next scene so tanned as if I've been lying in a sandwich maker for two weeks, I had decided to apply factor 50 all week. The result: very gradually, but beautifully evenly tanned. This Guinot factor 50 oil will now always come along on trips.

We have received so many amazing tips for this island that we hardly know where to start. Since we are of course out and about with little Sammy-Rose, it is of course most important that we visit places where she can play in the water without huge rocks and sit on the beach where there is plenty of shade. Since our resort is located at Jan Thiel Bay, it made sense that our beach tour started there. And immediately a great success: ZEST has lovely beds under a large thatched roof where there is plenty of shade. The beach is also very child-friendly. In the evening we dined with our feet in the sand at the barbecue. More tips to follow next week!