The Dutch national, who is a carpenter, has trekked on almost all popular trekking routes in Nepal. He likes Nepal´s natural serenity so much that he frequents the "land of honest and humble people" almost every month. The last time he traveled to Nepal was in November.Arie has given up trekking on long routes since 2003 following a knee problem. He has limited his eternal voyage only in and around the city of lakes. "I still long to trek," he told Republica, adding, "I become nostalgic whenever I recollect memories of places I trekked through."
In 1983, Arie trekked all the way to Manang from Dumre of Tanahun. As for Arie, Langtang is the most beautiful route of trekking. Arie incurred recurring pain in his knees in this very trekking route. In 2003, while trekking to Langtang, he had to put an end to his trekking hobby for once and all.
"I have trekked from Dhunche to Langtang more than 20 times," he says. "I am not fed up of this beautiful route yet. I still pine to tread this trail." He has trekked to base camps of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna a dozen times.
"I got so familiar with local folks in all routes that they recognized me from a distance," he recounts. "I was Arie grandpa for all of them."
Until 27 years ago, Arie had never heard of Nepal. It was in 1982 when he saw an aircraft bearing Nepali national flag. Then only did he start thinking about a country, which never existed in his knowledge until then. "After so many years, I still find Nepal attractive," he says. "I want to come to Nepal so long as my health allows."
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