My name is Cécile Obertop but in order to prevent confusion I always use Cecilia in international situations (like the internet). I am 37 years old, born and raised in the Netherlands. I've been living in Amsterdam ever since 1998 and I'm not about to leave anytime soon. I love it here! (See my personal tips for visiting Amsterdam.)
For those of you who haven't noticed yet: I'm crazy about travelling. The world has so much to offer and to learn from.
I have an especially weak spot for developing countries and an inexplicable fascination for sub-saharan Africa in particular.
Other than travelling I love photography, writing, volleyball (preferably outside in the sunshine with my toes in the grass or sand), cycling, climbing, hanging out with friends, dancing, movies and documentaries, listening to music, British humour, etc. Basically enjoying life and trying to live by my motto Carpe Diem!
I lived in France (Bordeaux) for 5 months when I was 20, as part of a student exchange programme, and in the UK (Birmingham) for 5 months when I was 21, where I did practice for my college education. I then lived in Rotterdam while finishing my studies (economics and languages at a Business College) and working. After that I spent a year living in crappy hotel rooms, other people's houses, and a school building while I was trotting the globe (see Travel section). Shorter holidays in recent years took me to Malawi, Zambia, Portugal, Kenya, Tanzania, the Netherlands by bike, Brazil, Peru, Iceland, Laos, Thailand, Nicaragua, Spain.
I have been active in the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree (discussion board) for almost ten years now, helping people with questions about the Netherlands and other countries I've been to, and about travelling in general. This website started out merely as a list of travel tips (still to be found on this site) and has gradually developed into a place where people can see various photos and videos I made (home and away), and can read travelogues, articles and stories I wrote.
If you don't see the buttons on top
(Travel, Photos etc), click here
for my full homepage.
