Have you ever tried a Lemon Meringue Croissant?? Well, I haven’t either. Until I stumbled upon this one. Hi, I’m Poptasi. A Cookie Hunter. I hear you wonder, what the … is a Cookie Hunter? I understand. It’s actually the best challenge you could wish for. But don’t take my word for it. It is the most effective too. It will make you feel good for sure. Don’t worry about the negative side. Darkness and light are not the opposites of each other. No no. One doesn’t rule out the other. That’s a misconception. They exist next to each other.

Let’s face it, life sucks. That’s why I need cookies.

Cookie Hunter

What it’s not

Cookie Hunter is not the name of a new shop. It is not the cookie that every website sneaks into your computer once you visit it. It might be the cookie tho, that you munch when craving for sweets. But it’s not just that. It’s all kind of cookies that make you feel great. Let’s call them the hidden gems of life. The Cookies of Life. Welcome in the world of cookies.

Is Cookie Hunting for you?

Maybe the question shouldn’t be if Cookie Hunting is for you. But for who isn’t it? Because it’s good for everyone. Whether you need some distraction, motivation or inspiration. Cookie Hunting is here for you. Worldwide.

About me

Now you probably wonder, who am I? Well, I’m Poptasi and I LOVE cookies! I am addicted to them. And not ashamed of it. I love to indulge myself. But I also love baking them. I have baked loads of cookies in my life. I started at a young age. But it gets better. I’ve baked more than a million macarons! And I ate thousands of them. Really? Yes really.

So why Cookie Hunting? Well, I’ve done many different things in my life. I had many different jobs. Good and not so good ones. I have to be honest, not all of them were great. But whether good or bad, I learned a lot from each and every one of them.

The psychology of communication

Most of my career I’ve worked in the international world of advertising. As an art director. The psychology of communication. But I’ve also worked as a construction worker, a manager at McDonald’s, a guest teacher at the school of photography, a snowboard instructor in the Alps, a taxi driver for people in wheelchairs and as an international DJ. Yes I told you I’ve done many different things.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

Walt Disney

I also worked as a pastry chef. In 2012 I opened the first macaronshop in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam. But before you rush into Google to find the address, I have to tell you, don’t bother. Because I had to close it in 2017. Unfortunately. Now you understand why I baked more than a million French macarons. And ate so many of them.

Addicts only

I even wrote a book about cookie addiction. Actually about macaron addiction. Called Macaroine. For addicts only. I wrote all the text en recipes. I designed the fonts, illustrations, layout, I also did the production and published it myself. Heck I even designed the stamps!

So I dare to say that I’m a cookie expert. But nothing is more important that your personal favourite flavour. Because everyone has a different taste. And they are all good. That’s why they are personal. Nevertheless, I’d love to guide you through the world of cookies. Hence Cookie Hunting.

Anyways, I’ve collected all this knowledge.

Have you ever had the feeling, that you cannot do it all by yourself..? Or maybe have you ever considered therapy..? It’s not easy in this selfie-ish society that we live in. Personally I’m the best example of how NOT to do it. Personally i never ask for help. Because I know how difficult it can be.

Why so serious?

Who doesn’t love cookies, right? Whether you call it hunting or coaching. It doesn’t really matter. Coz it’s all about what the cookie means to you. What it does to you.

I invite you

I invite you to join me. Travel with me to discover all the cookies around the world. I will take you there. The distance, estimated time, elevation gain and difficulty is yet to be determined. What matters is to find your intrinsic cookie.

Anything and everything is possible. There are no limits. Except the ones you put onto yourself. So keep an open mind and go with it.

Everything starts with an idea.

Let’s get personal

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a high energy level. I can be a bouncy ball. Once I get excited, it only gets worse. So it’s no secret that I have Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Better known asADHD.

It is no secret either that I am blessed with the curse of perfectionism. I have mentioned that often enough in my blogs. But did you also know that I am HSP? Which stands for Highly Sensitive Person. Hypersensitive. I can sense people’s moods. But also of spaces.

You can add autism to that list too. I’m not just any ordinary autist. Nor am I one like in the movie Rainman. No. I’m a master autist. That’s why I understand people with autism so well. And ADHD- plus HSP people. But also empaths. Because I am a super empath myself. In psychology, these characteristics are often called disorders. I call them qualities. Qualities exist to explore.

Everything is connected

Back to Cookie Hunting. Coz I’m loosing track here. Although, actually I’m not. Because everything is connected. Everything happens for a reason. As you know by now, cookie therapy is not about the cookie. But for the pleasure it gives. The great feeling.

How can I put it better to words? It’s more about the recipe, the joy of the taste and the preparation. Am I going to share recipes with you then? Nope. But wait… actually yes. Because I’ll write a book about it too.

It will be the sequel. But consider the recipe more as the method. The route. The journey. Finding EEB. The way. Maybe that’s the right description for now. To go on your way. To inspire you. Find your intrinsic you.

Some of you might think, but you already did this with your shop and your blog. Maybe yes. But this time it’s going to be next level. And with next level comes a new name. Cookie Hunting.(Previously ‘Cookie Therapy’)

You only live once. If you do it right, once is enough.

New chapters

Look forward to open new chapters. And be ready to close old ones. You can reach any level. Any destination. Not as the final one. No. Always go for the next one. Because it’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey.

Where to start?

Where you are, or will be is yet to be determined. The planet is your playground. Do you have any favourite destinations in your mind? Personally i don’t. Because there is still so much to discover and experience in the world. I can only say, let’s go!

Did you know…

• Earth isn’t actually round.
• Coral reefs are Earth’s largest living structure.
• Atacama is the driest place on Earth. 

I bet you didn’t know that. Neither did i! =8]

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What is the best (or the worst) cookie of the Philippines..? Travel with me to find out. It is on my short list. But I haven’t visited it yet. Cookie hunting Philippines.

Republic of the Philippines

The Philippines,[f] officially the Republic of the Philippines,[g] is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. In the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of 7,641 islands, with a total area of 300,000 square kilometers,[17] which are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Philippines is bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south. It shares maritime borders with Taiwan to the north, Japan to the northeast, Palau to the east and southeast, Indonesia to the south, Malaysia to the southwest, Vietnam to the west, and China to the northwest. It is the world’s twelfth-most-populous country, with diverse ethnicities and cultures. Manila is the country’s capital, and its most populated city is Quezon City. Both are within Metro Manila.

Climate

The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate which is usually hot and humid. There are three seasons: a hot dry season from March to May, a rainy season from June to November, and a cool dry season from December to February. The southwest monsoon (known as the habagat) lasts from May to October, and the northeast monsoon (amihan) lasts from November to April: 24–25  The coolest month is January, and the warmest is May.

Temperatures at sea level across the Philippines tend to be in the same range, regardless of latitude; average annual temperature is around 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) but is 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in Baguio, 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) above sea level.[266] The country’s average humidity is 82 percent.24–25  Annual rainfall is as high as 5,000 millimeters (200 in) on the mountainous east coast, but less than 1,000 millimeters (39 in) in some sheltered valleys (wikipedia.com). Cookie Hunting Philippines.

Philippines celebrate next level Christmas, from September till January.

Location

The Philippines is in the South Chinese- and Philippines sea. Between Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. Above Australia and Papua New Guinea. It has 7641 islands, 18 regions, 81 provinces, 145 cities, 1,489 municipalities, and 42,029 districts.

• 7.641 islands 
• 170 dialects
• Next level Christmas celebration: from September till January

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What is the best and the worst cookie of Thailand..? Travel with me to find out. My hunt for Thai cookies started in October 2024. I arrived in Bangkok. Then travelled to the island Koh Samui. From there I went to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang in Krabi. Ready for Cookie Hunting Thailand.

Cookies of Thailand

To find typical Thai cookies wasn’t easy. I mean, there are plenty of pastry shops. But most of them are owned by foreign investors. Thus foreign bakers or pastry chefs. Croissants, Brioches, Danish, Paris-Brest, and even macarons. Not many, but still. The quality I found was fantastic. But like I said, they were not traditional Thai bakeries.

7-Eleven is everywhere

You can find 7-Eleven everywhere in Thailand. They are popular by travellers. Because besides supermarket products you can get easy hot meals and drinks. But they have pastry too. Not all shops have the same selection. But if you’re lucky their shelves offer plenty to choose from. Cheese cake, chocolate cake, lava cake. Some even have macarons. The quality of their pastry is actually pretty good. And it’s really cheap.

If you go to 7-Eleven you have to try their Cheese cake. I like it the most. The Chocolate- and lava cake I liked too. I wasn’t a big fan of their Crepes cake. But their macarons weren’t even that bad.

Thai French Pastry Koh Phangan

I met a French pastry chef on Koh Phangan island. He was a true traditional French pastry chef. He had a small but cosy shop. When I entered his shop, his vitrine was almost empty. But the chef assured me it would be filled tomorrow again. He told me to come back tomorrow.

He did have macarons though. Three flavours. When I told him that I’m a pastry chef too specialised in French macarons, he immediately gave me one to try. A yellow lemon one.

To be honest, the macaron was a bit dry. To me it was an old macaron. So I asked the chef tactically when these were made. Tactically he answered with many words, without telling me the date.

He also had Paris Brest in his vitrine. I had to try it. It was delicious. Altho to my taste there was a bit too much cream compared to the pastry. But hey, that’s me.

The next day I went back. To try his freshly baked products. I tried his strawberry tartelet and a chocolate one. They were quite simple but very delicious!

Thai French Market Koh Tao

On the island of Koh Tao I met a French pastry chef owning two shops. One was The French Market. Which had several shops combined. The other was Croissant&Ko. I visited them both.

If you are in one of the shops you forget that you are in Thailand. They look so modern and great. I tried several different things. All of them were delicious. Definitely a place to check out if you’re on Koh Tao. One tip: go after 16:00. Because they have Happy Hour. Meaning you get two pastries for the price of one!

Pastry on Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a mega touristic island. The more touristic the more difficult it is to find local pastry. But hey, local also means the kind of cookies and pastry I find on the spot. So far I’ve only found pastry at the 7-Eleven. There are so many of them here.

Pastry Ao Nang, Krabi

Krabi is on the main land. As I’m writing this, I’m still travelling here. Cookie Hunting Thailand

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.

Martin Buber

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The Kingdom of Norway

Norway, formally the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of Norway.[note 5] Bouvet Island, located in the Subantarctic, is a dependency; Norway also claims the Antarctic territories of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land. The capital and largest city in Norway is Oslo.

Climate

Because of the Gulf Stream and prevailing westerlies, Norway experiences higher temperatures and more precipitation than expected at such northern latitudes, especially along the coast. The mainland experiences four distinct seasons, with colder winters and less precipitation inland.

The northernmost part has a mostly maritime Subarctic climate, while Svalbard has an Arctic tundra climate. The southern and western parts of Norway, fully exposed to Atlantic storm fronts, experience more precipitation and have milder winters than the eastern and far northern parts. Areas to the east of the coastal mountains are in a rain shadow, and have lower rain and snow totals than the west. The lowlands around Oslo have the warmest summers, but also cold weather and snow in wintertime.

The Norwegians founded Dublin, Ireland, in A.D. 836.

The sunniest weather is along the south coast, but sometimes even the coast far north can be very sunny – the sunniest month with 430 sun hours was recorded in Tromsø.[97][98] Because of Norway’s high latitude, there are large seasonal variations in daylight.

From late May to late July, the sun never completely descends beneath the horizon in areas north of the Arctic Circle, and the rest of the country experiences up to 20 hours of daylight per day. Conversely, from late November to late January, the sun never rises above the horizon in the north, and daylight hours are very short in the rest of the country (wikipedia.org). Cookie therapy Norway.

Location

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