Mike and Maayke had already taken into account that it would not be easy. Still, they say they never expected it to be such a rollercoaster. “Despite the tough start with a lot of unforeseen costs, hidden defects and a lockdown, we quickly started to feel at home. Our girls have been going to a Spanish school in the village for a little over a year now and already speak good Spanish,’ writes Mike on the site of I leave.
–
The couple thought it was important from the start that they would integrate as well as possible and that seems to have worked out quite well. ‘Contact with the parents of the school and the local arranging of building materials and handymen helps us with our integration. This is important to us and we notice that the locals appreciate that we make the effort. We feel welcome in the village and have already built up a nice circle of friends outside the village.’
–
Mike says that they can look back on a lot of highlights. ‘We have been able to realize our dream by planting vegetable gardens, eating from our own garden, working ecologically with our orchard and making plans for future eco-projects. Our two apartments are also ready and even more beautiful than we had hoped.’ After the opening of the finca, however, they also had to deal with the necessary setbacks. ‘In the weeks after the opening, Maayke mainly went downhill, which resulted in health problems. That was an eye opener for all of us and from that moment on we slowed down. Our health and happiness are now paramount.’
–
Unfortunately, the mango trees are not doing so well yet. ‘Thanks to our Spanish neighbors and people from the village, we were able to patch up our trees over the past year. They had been badly neglected due to water shortage. Unfortunately, our trees are not in the best condition at the moment due to the water shortage this summer. Fortunately, a water storage will be installed soon so that we will have enough water next summer.’
–
Because the family has barely had time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and each other, they want to find a better balance between work and leisure in the future. And of course they hope that the rental will go well. ‘Now that the apartments are ready, we are also receiving the first bookings, which is great fun and exciting! We already have a few bookings in November, December and January.’
I leave can be seen every Thursday around 8.30 p.m. on NPO1.
–
