Author: Jouke Gaastra
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My SAS EuroBonus Credit Card Application: The Expat Credit Conundrum
I recently cancelled my Dutch American Express Platinum card and mentioned that I was planning to switch to the SAS EuroBonus Mastercard as my primary travel card. Well, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as I’d hoped. The Application Process After weighing my options (which you can read about in my Best Norwegian Credit Card for Flight Bonuses post),…
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OpenRisk – A Free Online Tool for Creating Bowtie Diagrams
Since last summer, I’ve been working with Presight on a new software tool called OpenRisk. It’s basically a web-based platform for creating bowtie diagrams, and after months of testing and improvements, we have launched. So now is the perfect time to share my thoughts on it. Quick Bowtie Refresher For those who haven’t come across…
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900 Days of Duolingo Norwegian: Was It Worth It?
As I celebrate my 900-day streak learning Norwegian on Duolingo, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on whether this daily habit has actually improved my language skills. After living in Norway for two years and using Norwegian regularly in my daily life, I can offer some perspective on the app’s effectiveness as part…
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Review: Fjordline Ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals with EV Charging 2025
I recently went back to the Netherlands, so it was time for another ferry ride. Having previously written about my Fjordline experiences, I was excited to take the ferry again, this time with a few differences. We recently switched to an electric car, and I was curious about the onboard charging experience that Fjordline offers.…
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Why I’m Cancelling My Dutch Amex Platinum Card
After three years with my American Express Platinum card, I’ve decided to call it quits. The Good Old Days When I first got the card, it made perfect sense. I was frequently flying between Amsterdam and Oslo, and having access to airport lounges was a game-changer. Instead of sitting in crowded terminals, I could actually…
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Frequently Asked Questions about Risk: Answers to the Most Searched Questions
My keyword research revealed questions about risk management that remain unanswered online. For some of the questions that did have answers, I didn;t fully agree with explanations I found. There where also questions to which I had no idea what the answer was, even after studying and working with safety and risk for over 10…
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My Experience Using Rayyan for Systematic Literature Reviews
For my thesis work, I’ve been using the paid version of Rayyan to conduct a scoping review of existing literature. It’s a cloud-based platform designed specifically for systematic literature reviews that helps researchers organise and manage their review process. After using the tool for several months, I thought I’d share my thoughts on its strengths…
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7 Risk Management Book Recommendations
I was looking for some new books to read and thought I would take this opportunity to put together a list of the best books on risk management. This list focuses on infotainment books—informative but also fun to read.
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Is Scandinavia Becoming a More Popular Vacation Destination?
As a longtime fan of all things Scandinavian, I’ve noticed that Scandinavia seems to be becoming a more popular holiday destination. I’ve read articles about people escaping the heatwaves of southern Europe during the summer and choosing the colder Scandinavian ski resorts over the poor snow conditions found in the Alps. However, I do wonder…
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A Weekend at the DNT Cabin Grautheller: The Last Snow of the Season in Sirdal
Our cabin trip to Grautheller last week was a perfect early spring getaway in the mountains. After navigating the tricky parking situation in the village of Suleskard, we made our way along the private road that leads to the cabin. Though supposedly reserved for kraftstasjon workers, there were quite a few cars on the road.…
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Hiking the Randaberg Coastline: A Rainy but Rewarding 20km Hike
Last weekend, we kicked off our first proper training for the Four Day Marches with a 20km coastal hike around Randaberg. As expected, the weather was far from ideal—rain, wind, and the classic Stavanger grey sky. Despite that, it was a great hike. With a mix of farmland, rugged coastline, historical sites, and beaches, this…
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Ferry between Netherlands and Norway: Where are we at?
As someone who has experienced firsthand the convenience of ferry travel between the Netherlands and Norway, I’m cautiously optimistic about this new development. The previous disappointment with Holland Norway Lines still stings, but Njordic Ferry Lines appears to have learned lessons from HNL. I’ll follow developments closely and share updates on my blog as this…
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Review: Fjordline Ferry from Stavanger to Hirtshals
The Fjordline ferry provides a convenient connection between Norway and Denmark, with comfortable facilities and good amenities. What I like about the overnight ferries is that your holiday starts right away, and you can start fresh on your drive if you travel further into central Europe. However, the cabin booking system could be more transparent.
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How to make a Traditional Quantitative Risk Matrix from Scratch
Risk matrices are liked because of their simplicity. However, this simplicity comes at a high cost in terms of model error, potentially leading to worse-than-useless decision support. They should therefore be used and constructed with care.
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Rainy Day Activities in Stavanger: Having Fun When It Pours
Living in Stavanger means accepting a simple truth: Rainy days are the default, and sunny days are the exception. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do that don’t feel like a compromise but become better on a rainy day.
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Review: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
In a world of quick-fix solutions and viral productivity hacks, “The 7 Habits” stands out for its comprehensive, principle-centered approach. It’s not just about being more productive – it’s about becoming more effective in every role you play.
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Sapiens: A Brilliant History with Some Debatable Claims
If you’ve spent any time around me lately, you’ve probably heard me talk about Yuval Noah Harari’s “Sapiens.” It’s a book that makes you look at humanity through an entirely different lens. While I found it brilliant overall, there are some points where I think Harari’s arguments could use a friendly challenge.
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EuroBonus Calculator: Find the Value of Your Points
Determining the value of your Eurobonus points can be tricky. Reward programs are made to give the impression that you are receiving a lot of value, even though this is often not the case. In this post, you will find a calculator to quickly and easily determine the value of your points.
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Exploring Data Analysis with R on Coursera: A Personal Review
Coursera provides a low-risk, high-quality learning environment. The free trial period offers a perfect opportunity to test the waters before committing time and resources to a full program
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Finding Value in Bluntness: A Review Of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”
You know those moments when someone tells you something you kind of already knew, but somehow hearing it from them makes it click differently? That’s pretty much my experience with Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” The book starts with what feels like unnecessary shock value. Manson comes in hot with…