"Survivor"

In the summer of 2005 I participated in the Dutch / Belgian "Survivor" series, which we know as Expeditie Robinson 2005.

I survived two weeks in a deserted cave in Malaysia, with one other participant, the Belgian Marnix, who later won the program. After this time spent in isolation, we had to build a raft and swim to the other participants.

We were both appointed leaders of a group of participants we had never met.

My group resisted the idea of a "new" person joining them after two weeks and protested my leadership. They did not even believe we had spent all this time in a cave!

The following 10 days were very difficult and I felt very lonely. I tried to stay open, positive and friendly, but that wasn't always easy! After I was voted out, I decided to go on with my life and try to forget those last 10 days. But when the broadcasts started, I received so much support, that the whole thing was worth it after all!

In my book "Wat is jouw excuus?" I describe this one-in-a-lifetime experience and  what happens behind the scenes of Survivor. For example how we stole food from the camera crew.

As a hobby, I am now organizing "Survivor Experience" afternoon excursions on the Caribbean island of Curacao. Make fire, open coconuts, feel like a real "Robinson Crusoe", learn about survival and about Survivor! Please contact me if you are interested.

Most of the media clippings about the TV program are in Dutch.