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An Announcement: The Trip of a Lifetime – 100Essential Travel Experiences

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It’s been quiet on Travel Cake these past few months. Some of you have been asking me where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to. Well, I can tell you this much: I haven’t been slacking!

I’ve moved from Ecuador to Belgium where I have been slaving away at a 9 to 5 desk job. Being back in my hometown has been wonderful in terms of reconnecting with friends, family and the city. You may have read the mini luxury guide to Ghent I wrote for travel blog “Hippie in Heels”. You may also have read what I had to say about travel photography in an article for “Voyager for life“.

waterfall mindo
saying my goodbyes to Ecuador

 

But most importantly, I’ve been preparing for the trip of a lifetime. A new adventure, greater than any I’ve ever been on before.

Destination?

Motherhood.

That’s right,I said motherhood.

The journey began 10 months ago in Iran and continued in Ecuador and Colombia. It took a turn in the US and passed by the Netherlands. It then continued to Belgium where our daughter was born. Our ‘Mini Travel Cake’ is a sweet and funny baby with a traveller’s spirit. How could it be any different, she is only a month old and has already been to 6 countries!

front-for-print

Does this mean Travel Cake is turning into a mommy blog?

No. Plain and simple. It’s just not my cup of tea. However, I’ll probably publish an article related to kids and travel every once in a while. But in general I plan on publishing the same kind of content as I have so far.

As my pregnancy came to an end, I was stuck indoors with a swollen face hiding from the summer heat. Knowing that my life will never be exactly the same again, I thought about my passed travels. Motherhood is probably the most intense and life changing adventure of them all and I’m THRILLED not to have rushed into it. Thrilled to have taken time to see and experience as much of the world as possible while being relatively carefree. That’s why, as a tribute to carefree travelling, I will be posting a countdown of my 100 most memorable, essential travel experiences.

Here goes part 1, in no particular order:

 

100. Driving miles and miles on the rooftops of Nepali busses. 

the best spot on the bus is the roof!
A drink, music blasting from your headphones and wind running through your hair… the best seats are in between the luggage on the roof of the bus!

 

99.  1001 nights in Morocco

trying to look the part sippin on an overpriced martini in one of Morocco's fancy riads.
Morocco’s riads are so romantic, so sophisticated and worth the occational splurge. I tried  looking the part sippin’ on an overpriced martini in one of Morocco’s fancy riads. Click on the title to read about my weekend in Fez, Morocco.

 

98. Floating through life on a houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala

waking up on the deck of our houseboat, having breakfast while we glide over the waterways
Waking up on the deck of our houseboat, having breakfast while we glide over the waterways, sigh…

 

97. Going nuts during Thingyan, Myanmar’s water festival

party at Black Culture
Water party in a pop-up day club
street scene
This is a common street scene in Yangon during the water festival. Click on the title to read about our experiences during Thingyan.

 

96. Trekking in the Himalayas

our first and very ill prepared trek, 4300m altitude. click on the title to read a post related the experience
Our first and very ill prepared trek at 4300m altitude. Click on the title to read a post related to trekking.

 

95. Rum cocktails in Castro’s Cuba

Cuba during Castro's reign was such a bizarre yet enchanting place for a visitor. Things may have changed now, but I'm sure the rum cocktails are still just as delicious!
Cuba during Castro’s reign was such a bizarre yet unique and enchanting place. At least for visitors. Things may have changed but I’m sure the rum cocktails are still just as delicious!

 

94. Hiking in Valbona, Albania

after a breathtaking hike, I reached the cabin of an Albanian family who welcomed me for tea and burek. Instant adoption.
After a breathtaking hike, I reached the cabin of an Albanian family who welcomed me for tea and burek. Instant adoption. Click on the title to read about my hike in the Albanian Alps.

 

93. Spending the night in the garden of Eden in the Democratic Republic of Congo

sunset in the garden of Eden
Watching the sun set after a long walk in what seemed like the garden of Eden. DRC has fantastic nature, I wish I could say the same for the political situation.

 

92. Seeing Tarsiers in the wild

tarsier back in his sleeping tree
A childhood dream came true when we spotted these cuties in the jungle of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Click on the title to read more about our time in Sulawesi.

 

91. Fishing, sunbathing and drinking on a catamaran in Los Roques, Venezuela

Los-Roques
My first time on a caribbean beach, I was overwhelmed by the high tropical factor

 

90. Traveling by train in Russia

RUSSIA
I got to know my cabin mates by communicating with signs on a 40 hour train ride to the Russian Arctic

 

89. Hiking the Cocora valley in Colombia

COCORA
Another long time travel dream come true! Click on the title to read about our hike in the Cocora Valley.

 

88. Discovering the architectural jewels of Iran

IRAN2
Feeling tiny amongst Iranian architectural masterpieces

 

87. Camping on a beach in Oman and finding nestling turtles

click on the title to read about my road trip in Oman.
Camping on a deserted beach in southern Oman.
up close and personal with the sea turtles
We stumbled upon some sea turtles laying their eggs in the sand. Click on the title to read about my road trip to Oman.

 

86. Learning to scuba dive

ready for discovery
Wreck diving in the Philippines, a new world opening up…
scuba diving in Zanzibar
My first open water dive in Zanzibar, one of many more to come.

 

85. Trying to understand the Israeli-Palestinan conflict

quiet streets of the old city
The more I talked to local people on both sides of the conflict, the more confused I was on the issues. No matter how much I hung out in the old streets of Jerusalem. Read more about my trip to Israel.
on my way to Palestine
Crossing the horrendous border to Palestine. Click on the title to read more about my findings in Palestine.

 

84. Motorcycling through India

South to North India by Royal enfield
An epic drive from South to North India on a 30 year old Royal Enfield. Click on the titel to read about out motorcycle trip through India.

 

83. Unexpectedly ending up in Paris and attending a crazy party in “la Machine du Moulin Rouge” 

the evening took an expected turn and I found myself in Paris. Wearing pink fur and a white wig...
The evening took an unexpected turn and I found myself in Paris. Wearing pink fur and a white wig…

 

82. Travelling solo 

traveling solo through Turkey. Click on the title to read why I travel solo even when I'm in a relationship.
I find traveling solo extremely liberating and enriching. Everybody should try it at least once in their life! Click on the title to read why I travel solo even when I’m in a relationship.

 

81. Trying to catch a glimpse of Nessie in Loch Ness in the Scottish highlands

in the Scottish Highlands
Nessie not found.

 

So much for part 1 of my favourite travel experiences. Continue reading part 2, part 3, part4, part 5 and part 6!

Which of these experiences would you want to read more about? 

The post “An Announcement: The Trip of a Lifetime – 100Essential Travel Experiences” first appeared on Travel Cake.

 

Comments

31 responses to “An Announcement: The Trip of a Lifetime – 100Essential Travel Experiences”

  1. Douglas Avatar
    Douglas

    Motorcycle in India!
    Iran

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Duly noted!

  2. Janneke W Avatar
    Janneke W

    Seriously loving this article Sarah, great announcement! What amazing adventures you’ve had and they are all so diverse!

    Would love to read more on all of them but if I’d really have to pick I’d go for India and Oman!

    xxx

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Janneke! There is already a post on Oman but that country is so incredible, it definitely deserves at least a second one!

  3. Sofie Hougaard Avatar
    Sofie Hougaard

    Crazy night in Paris!
    And motorcycle trip in India. And also Eden gardens. Arrghh, can’t choose 😉
    Lovely post!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Why am I not surprised you would want to hear about the crazy night in Paris?! 😉

  4. dana Avatar
    dana

    Congrats to you and Baby Travel Cake! Such exciting news!! I’m sure that the fact that you didn’t rush will help you to appreciate motherhood that much more. There are just too many experiences to choose from here, and you’re only at #81! So far, my vote is for Iran. Ok, Iran, Oman, and Cuba. 🙂

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Dana! Iran, oman and Cuba… noted! 🙂

  5. Stef Avatar
    Stef

    Floating through life on a houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala 🙂

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      I’m secretly hoping that one wins, I really want to share that story! 🙂 Thanks for voting Stef!

  6. Colleen Brynn Avatar
    Colleen Brynn

    You have one of the most amazing travel lists I’ve ever seen. Bravo, and CONGRATS on baby!!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Colleen! 😀

  7. Papke Avatar
    Papke

    For now, I’d pick “98. Floating through life on a houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala” (brings back some souvenirs) but I can’t wait to read and see the remaining 80!
    Love, papke

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks papke! That’s Kerala’s second vote! 🙂

  8. Karlijn Travels Avatar
    Karlijn Travels

    Gefeliciteerd Sarah, wat een geweldig nieuws! En wat een verrassing 🙂 Zoals altijd vind ik dit ook weer een geweldige blog. Een perfecte manier om dit grote nieuws aan te kondigen en echt: wat heb je toch een indrukwekkend reis-CV 🙂 Ik kijk al uit naar de rest van de countdown!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Bedankt Karlijn! Ik kan me wel voorstellen dat het een verrassing is! Het is allemaal begonnen net nadat we elkaar ontmoet hebben! 🙂

  9. Farrah Avatar
    Farrah

    Hi Sarah,

    Hope you are enjoying your exceptional destination! ☺

    It’s incedible that this scoop is only one fifth of the – undoubtably – dazzeling list! So far, Motorcycling through India is my favorite. It has a ballsy ring to it. I would defenitely like to read more about this adventure in India. E.g., was this your planned choice of transportation or did it just happen to work out that way? The enforced undersized luggage aside, I can’t think of any drawbacks to it. Are there any other technicalities to chew over before cruising right true India – or any other country – on two wheels? The dodgy stories about India and the magical ones I’ve heard have reached the middle ground so I’m curious to read about your appraisal of the Taj Mahal and such. ☺

    Looking forward to the next tip off on 100Essential Travel Experiences!

    Also: Major kudos for the whole blog!

    X
    Farrah

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Farrah! The story about motorcycling in India seems to be in high demand, so I might just answer all of your questions in a following post! 😀

  10. Caroline Achieng Otieno Avatar
    Caroline Achieng Otieno

    Congratulations Sarah! A big welcome to the little new traveler..hope she’s enjoying earth thus far! We will definitely give a shout out when we’re headed to Belgium, would love to visit!
    I have so many favorites on your page that the mind boggles..definitely Iran, D.R.C and Colombia are there…looking forward to the next post..had missed you too! Welcome back to blogging and enjoy this destination because motherhood is so rewarding!

  11. joel Avatar
    joel

    On the 54 bus back home…. loving this read! X

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Joel!

  12. Chanel | Cultural Xplorer Avatar
    Chanel | Cultural Xplorer

    Congratulations on the mini travel cake and what an amazing post about your experiences pre-baby. Can’t wait to see your future adventures!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Chanel! 😀

  13. Britt Avatar
    Britt

    Congratulations on the new addition! xx

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Britt! 😀

  14. Amanda | Chasing My Sunshine Avatar
    Amanda | Chasing My Sunshine

    I have just stumbled upon your blog, but a thousand congratulations to you! I can’t imagine how much more involved planning has to be now, but I think your countdown/tribute is such a fantastic way to highlight carefree travel. It really inspires me! Congrats again!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Amanda! Glad you’re liking the countdown! “Only” 80 left 😉

  15. Anet AK Avatar
    Anet AK

    Wow, congratulations! I love to read about your advantures and trips! You are able to transfer the atmosphere of all these places to the readers livingrooms 🙂 I wish you and the family all the best and I´m looking forward to the mama traveling stories 🙂

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Anet! That’s such a great compliment! 😀

  16. I Wish I Wanted the Normal Path | nola to everywhere

    […] When I was in Southeast Asia, I noticed that there were plenty of European families traveling with kids. These families were adorable, and it appeared relatively effortless to travel with their children, but I don’t know if that’s for me—and amount of vacation time is a factor here. I want to be able to wander aimlessly around town, have unexpectedly crazy nights out, and laze around on the beach for hours. All of these things become harder when you’re traveling with little humans. Travel Cake is one of my favorite blogs, and is one of the best travel blogs out there in my humble opinion. For the past ten years or so, Sarah has balanced solo travel with travel with her partner. She just recently had a beautiful baby girl. I see how she is able to balance marriage, motherhood, independence, and travel through her posts. I can physically SEE how someone has made it all work, so why can’t I envision it working out in the same way for myself? (Side note: Sarah has a great series of posts that detail the 100 most memorable travel experiences that she was grateful to have before becoming a mom. All I can say is wow. These experiences will leave you inspired, that’s for sure. The first post in the series is here). […]

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