“In Geel we have become victims of our own success”: ex-Antwerp striker Kevin Oris emigrates to Brazil (Geel)

Canoa Quebrada is a coastal town in northeastern Brazil, approximately 120 kilometers from Fortaleza airport, which in turn is an 8.5-hour flight from Paris or Amsterdam. It is not an obvious destination, but it will be the new home of Kevin Oris and his family.

The former Antwerp striker, and fifteen other teams, announced this this week in our podcast Dave & Patje. Oris, who turns 40 this year, told Patrick Goots and Dave Peters that he has sold De Worfthoeve, the B&B that he and his wife have been running in Geel for almost seven years, and that they are leaving for Brazil in September. “We have become victims of our own success in Geel,” said the striker. “Open seven days a week, always full, that doesn’t get in your way.”

Listen to the podcast here:

‘Casa Ananda’

In 2023, Kevin Oris had two new hips inserted. He has still not fully recovered and that made the work increasingly difficult. “And hiring additional staff is not affordable in Belgium,” he said in the podcast. “Here it costs 3,800 euros per month, there it is only 220 euros. And they work there six days a week, 10 hours a day.”

“The nature is beautiful, the weather is always good and it is carnival all year round”

Kevin Oris

Ex-Antwerp striker

Canoa Quebrada is a coastal village of 10,000 people, but every weekend there are about 100,000. Oris’s parents have been going on holiday there for 20 years, and they now live there part-time. Kevin and his family have been going there for more than 10 years. The permits for construction have just been received. The first stone was laid this week. Oris itself leaves for inspection on June 2. In the meantime, his father is monitoring everything on site.

Katrien, Kevin’s wife, chose the name Casa Ananda. Ananda was Buddha’s cousin. The name means ‘he who brings joy and pleasure’. She is a yoga teacher and also goes there retreats while their daughters Louise (13) and Feline (6) go to school. Kevin, who has been an avid fisherman since he was young, targets guests who want to go on adventurous fishing trips. “We sail into the ocean on a sailboat and catch fish of around 2 meters with the greatest of ease,” he said. “Rays, barracudas, tunas… And with us you can do that for half the price of what you pay in Florida.”

“The local garbage man walks around in women’s clothes and always has music on. It puts everyone in a good mood.”

Kevin Oris

Ex-Antwerp striker

Carnival all year round

Even for non-yogis or people with a fear of fish, the northeast coast of Brazil is a paradise on earth. “The nature is beautiful, the weather is always good and it is carnival all year round. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday it’s buzzing like a festival. And contrary to prejudices, it is not more dangerous than in Geel. Everyone is allowed to be who they are. The local garbage man walks around in women’s clothes and always has music on. It puts everyone in a good mood.”

The price also plays a big role. For a caipirinha you pay the equivalent of 1.6 euros. The Orissen will not offer food in their luxury hotel. “Why should we? There are plenty of restaurants and nowhere will you pay more than 15 euros for a kilo of lobster or cocktails and drinks à volonté.”