Birthdays Abroad

The past 7 years I’ve been so lucky to celebrate the start of a new life year abroad, either doing something exciting or lazing in the shade of a coconut tree. Because this year was so different, I thought I’d look back on those past birthdays.

 

Turning…

…22! Stargazing in Liechtenstein’s Alps

As wild camping is legal in Liechtenstein, my then boyfriend and I made our way to the Alps. We pitched a tent in a beautiful meadow and spent the evening celebrating under the stars with bubbles and smoked salmon. It was my first time camping in the wild and I loved being totally isolated in nature. Though I must admit, there were moments at night where I was convinced a mad serial killer was scratching our tent… Tsss, city girls…

the Alps...
the Alps…
bubbles and salmon
bubbles and salmon
"bathing" in nature
“bathing” in nature

 

…23! Exploring Marrakech and its bazaars

A birthday in the old city of Marrakech was a perfect ending to a two week trip through South Morocco and Western Sahara. We exchanged our dusty desert clothes for urban wear and spent the evening bargaining in the souk and sampling Moroccan wines on rooftop bars.

Djema el-Fna from rooftop
Djema el-Fna from rooftop
the damage
the damage

 

…24! Solo in Egypt

Instead of flying straight home after a conference in Egypt, I prolonged my stay to see as much of the country as I possibly could. Birthdays are usually spent with friends and/or family, but that time, it was just me. I was proud to be a 24-year-old assertive and mature enough to ‘survive’ the chaos of Caïro. I was proud to be fit enough to climb Mount Sinai for the sunrise. I was proud to be brave enough to travel solo in an unknown, male-dominant country. I felt lucky to have the freedom to do what I was doing.

fighting touts around the pyramids
fighting off touts around the pyramids
loving solo travel
loving solo travel
Holy mount Sinai
Holy Mount Sinai

 

…25! On a 40 hour train ride across India

Being crammed on a stuffy Indian train might be one of my most unglamorous birthdays . A group of Indian men sitting on the bed opposite mine, staring at my every move. Rats sprinting across the wagon, passengers loudly clearing their noses by spitting everywhere, toilet floors inundated with urine… It wasn’t much of a celebration, but rather an extremely long two days to get through. After the 40 hour ride, I was treated to a huge cake and beautiful views over Udaipur.

I can stare right back...
I can stare right back…
delicious personalised birthday cake
Udaipur
Udaipur

 

…26! Searching for the best “pasteis” and Port in Portugal

What a road trip; driving from city to city and around the country side, sampling on all the goodness Portugal has to offer. Learning about the Portuguese cuisine and culture was my gift to myself.

Port wine, fine cheese, portugal
Port wine served with a selection of fine cheeses
pasteis for the road
pasteis for the road
Belèm
Belèm

 

…27! Love Cake in Kathmandu

We stalled our big hike in the Himalayas to get mentally ready for the trek. So I spent this birthday in Kathmandu visualising myself on the top of a mountain. I can’t remember specific details about that day except… Except the love cake… A famous chocolate cake that has been mentioned as a must-try since the 70’s hippie trail. I wasn’t expecting much -as usual when it comes to chocolate anything outside of Western Europe- but my mind was blown. I was utterly quiet for a few minutes, couldn’t believe I just tasted what I did. Pure bliss! I must admit, my opinion might have been influenced by the fact that I had been eating nothing but flavourless “dahl bhat” and instant noodles for two weeks, but either way, to this day I still think of the Love cake as my favourite chocolate cake EVER!

Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Love Cake
Love Cake

…28! By the pool in Myanmar

With temperatures reaching 40°C, there wasn’t much else to do than lie by the pool in Bagan. Temple visits in the mornings and evenings, cooling off in the swimming pool during the day. A lazy 28th. I was surprised with a gorgeous and elaborate cake… with zero flavour -unless ‘fat’ counts as a flavour. I ended up splitting donating the entire cake to the staff members.

dealing with heat
the only way to deal with heat
misleading cake
misleading cake
enjoying life
enjoying a good view

 

…29! Cheese and wine with family

This year no palm trees, no temples and no exotic food, but something that’s at least just as good, maybe even better: stinky cheese and red wine with my family in Belgium. It might not be a dream destination, but it’s exactly where I want to be!

kaas

What about you, is celebrating your birthday at home a “must”? 

The post “Birthdays Abroad” first appeared on Travel Cake.

 

Comments

13 responses to “Birthdays Abroad”

  1. Pauline Avatar

    That’s amazing 🙂 I should follow your footsteps and start celebrating my birthday outside of the country. I am a November baby, after all, and November is a great shoulder season to travel in!

    Last but not least, Happy Birthday!! Wishing you everything great and amazing in your 29th year! Cheers!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      It’s a fun tradition although I never did it intentionally! November is a great off season period indeed… Something to consider 😀
      Thanks for the birthday wishes!!

  2. Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans Avatar

    You’re so fortunate to have spent so many fabulous bdays abroad. I’ve only celebrated 2 bdays traveling – once in NYC with my girlfriends and again in Jamaica also with my friends. During the trip to Jamaica, I met Jave the day after my bday! 🙂 Anyway, bdays at home are just as great. Wishing you a very happy bday and a lifetime of travels!!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Waw, Meeting your loved one is a fab birthday gift! 😀 both NYC and Jamaica and TOP celebration places, must have been good! Thank you for the birthday wishes!

  3. kim Avatar

    wauw.. I will be spending my first birthday abroad this year (hopefully.. in June my 23th) and I hope I can have a list like yours 6 years from now! What a wonderful birthdays you have had in such amazing countries. Good to celebrate it with your family too I guess 🙂 Happy (belated) Birthday!

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thanks Kim! I hope your first birthday abroad will be memorable! Looking forward to reading the story! 😀

  4. Chanel @ La Viajera Morena Avatar

    You have had some really interesting birthdays abroad! I have only celebrated two overseas : 24 in South Korea and 27 in London. This year, for 28 I will be traveling from Prague to Munich 😀

    1. Chanel @ La Viajera Morena Avatar

      Also, happy belated! 🙂

      1. frecklesoup Avatar
        frecklesoup

        Thank you! 😀

    2. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Sounds like an exciting birthday trip! Looking forward to reading about it!

  5. Ceri Avatar

    Wow. You’ve been everywhere! I haven’t had the greatest birthdays in recent years – Something always seems to go wrong but I’m hoping the next one will put a stop to that. Happy Belated! 😀

    1. frecklesoup Avatar
      frecklesoup

      Thank you! I’m sure Your luck will turn! I’ve also had my share of crappy birthdays. Haven’t we all? 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *