An ice-cold glass of water within reach and a refreshing breeze brushing against our backs. It’s 9 PM (3 AM Dutch time), about 27 degrees Celsius, and we’re lying on the couch with our legs up. It’s much needed after an intense day of renovations. We’ve been on Bonaire for a month now, and it’s been an absolute rollercoaster.
Filling Shipping Containers
The last months in the Netherlands were surreal and intense. In mid-February, our belongings were shipped in two large sea containers. We loaded one of the containers ourselves, thankfully with help from family and a few friends, because it was an enormous task. At 5 PM, we felt like giving up—about a third of the container (12 meters long) still needed to be filled, and we’d been at it since the morning. After a few more hours of hard work, we finally managed to close the doors, just barely. Almost everything was inside, and the rest could go in the container already at the shipping company. Huge respect for everyone who helped carry those heavy loads—it was a grueling task.
We borrowed some mattresses, chairs, and lamps, but the house was otherwise mostly empty. It wasn’t ideal, but we could sleep and had a functioning kitchen and bathroom, so it worked fine. Plus, all that space came in handy for the farewell party. 😊
Caribbean-Style Party
The party, Caribbean-style of course, was fantastic. Friends and family surrounded us, and we spent the evening chatting, laughing, drinking, shedding a few tears, and accepting heartfelt words and funny gifts. You realize you won’t see a lot of these people for a long time, which is tough, but we mostly enjoyed the moment. It hit us even more then: we’re really about to leave…
Three days before departure, we handed over our house to its new owners—another milestone. Fortunately, some dear friends let us stay in their home for those last few days. It felt strange not returning to our own house and seeing the new owners starting renovations, but it was also okay.
With eight large, heavy suitcases packed with about 100 kg of luggage, we headed to Schiphol on Tuesday after a restless night with little sleep. More goodbyes, and this time for real. Phew, it was tough—really tough.
We’re Here!
And then, after a 9.5-hour flight, we arrived at Flamingo Airport—it’s almost unbelievable. We’re really doing it: we’re moving to Bonaire! The first few days in a little apartment felt a bit like a holiday, especially for the kids, who enjoyed swimming. Of course, we had some tasks to handle, like applying for our residence permits (kind of important 😉), but we also made time to relax.
Finally, on Friday, it was time for the notary appointment and the official transfer of the property. However, there was a slight disappointment—we got the keys, but because the termite treatment was done too late, we couldn’t move in right away.
The next day, when we finally could move in, we discovered the water had been turned off (and wouldn’t be back for two days because it was Saturday). It felt like camping 2.0. Back to basics in a house with a 40-year-old kitchen and bathroom (in a delightful shade of pink!) and desperately in need of a deep clean. It was a big adjustment—a tough pill to swallow. The next few weeks would definitely test us. Thankfully, we could provide the kids with a good place to sleep, room to play, and a beach just around the corner.
Why Are We Doing This Again?
The first weeks in our new house, neighborhood, and country were awkward and far outside our comfort zone. Emotionally, it’s been incredibly challenging, and more than once, we’ve found ourselves asking: What the heck are we doing here? It’s a lot—really a lot of work. Even though we knew that going in, living it, without the support of familiar people and with grueling physical labor in 30-degree heat, isn’t fun (and sometimes downright miserable). Especially when you realize it could take another six months. At those moments, our old life in the Netherlands, even at 10 degrees Celsius, seems pretty appealing.
After a slow start to the renovations, we’ve gathered more good people around us to help, and our confidence is growing. We cherish small moments of joy as a family when we take a break to do something fun, and we’re finding more structure and routine. We’re eagerly looking forward to completing the first project (kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom)—hopefully within the next two weeks. Step by step, we’re working towards our dream home!
