Culture

Through our travels we have seen a lot of countries, the USA, Samoa, Borneo, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Brazil, Hawaii etc. During the trips we have met and gotten to know many colleagues. Often they invited us into their homes and in this way we have a lot of friends all over the world but learned some new skills which we took with us and apply in our own studio.

Brazil
In 1995 we met Alex Chapman in Brazil. He invite us to his home in the united states where we have been several times now. During that time we were present at a tattoo convention in Sao Paulo. Among many others we met Igor of Seputura, the group unfortunately no longer exists.



Paulo Suluape
We met Paulo Suluape for the First time in 1998, somewhere at an airport. The reason why we met was because he carried a small suitcase with the word ‘tattoo’ plastered over it. This got us curious and we got talking. He invited us to the first official Tattoo conference in Samoa. We went there in November of 1999 Shortly after Paulo passed away. We did go the Samoa for the next conference in 2001. This was also to have the traditional Samoan tattoo, which Paulo had started, get finished by this brother Petelo Suluape. In 2009 we went back to Samoa for the memorial ceremony and convention in memory of Paulo Suluape, who died 10 years earlier.

Worldtrip 2001
Our journey started in October. We left Amsterdam with its Autumn showers behind and headed for LA, where we had booked a hotel and had arranged to meet up with Dave Siegle, a photographer whom we had gotten to know during the conventions in Hollywood (the famous Ink Slingers’ Ball). He picked us up and took us out for a meal at the Spaghetti Factory, a superb Italian restaurant.

Of the few days we spent in LA we also spent two days with Bob Baxter, the editor of Skin ’n Ink. Together with him we visited just about all the know studios in LA, we could not have wished for a better guide! Look him up on Facebook, Bob Baxter and his Tattoo road trip.

After 4 days we went on to Hawaii, what a culture shock! The people in LA are generally far from n LA, on Hawaii the people are a hack of a lot friendlier! Keone Nunes’ wife picked us up from the airport and we had a fantastic week with them!

Via a transfer in Auckland, New Zealand we carried on to our ultimate goal, the Tattoo Convention of Samoa 2001. We had a very enjoyable time, unfortunately we were often too busy to enjoy the scenery. The island is just beautiful and the people are so nice. We know now what we are missing in Europe, we might be rich and skilful, but we have lost touch with the essence of life. Friendliness and helping each other does not cost a thing!

After a stay of 10 days we flew back to Auckland. Living in a local ‘fale’ it was a real pleasure having a shower! We were part of the convention on the campus of the University of Auckland, after which we drove to Wellington where we were part of another convention for another three days. It was pretty full on. At the end of the convention we had a really cool barbeque on board of a boat on the Wellington Harbour. The next day we boarded a plane to Thailand and enjoyed ten days holiday.

We can say that we have seen a lot and look back at a fantastic trip together with Monique and Bart from the OK Corral in Amersfoort.

Oceania 2009
As you may have read we went once more to Samoa in 2009 for another tattoo convention en to celebrate the life of Paulo Suluape. Since it is such a long journey and we do not get to see our friends and colleagues from New Zealand we decided to spent some time in New Zealand. We went to the Huka Falls and saw some hot pools in Rotorua.
During the convention in Samoa, Peter Suluape, the son of Paulo, was present as a speaker. A special factor during this trip was the fact that we could see the effects of the tsunami with our own eyes. What we could also see was the bond between the people on the island. We have seen a performance by street kids who all had been affected by the tsunami. Unknown to each other but through song and dance about tradional stories they found each other. This was once again a very special experience and a beautiful trip to look back upon!