While preparing for my solo trip to Timor Leste, I noticed there was barley any online information on tourism and travel in East Timor. Though I was desperately hoping to find some inspiration from other travellers to prepare my journey, I found it exhilarating not to be in the know. I had no expectations and let everything surprise me.
Since those fruitless google searches, I’ve told myself I’d share everything I could about my travel experiences in East Timor. It’s a destination that deserves some more attention and that is worth a visit. I’ve already written an article on how travelling in East Timor can be quite challenging. I’ve also shared my bizarre culinary experience in Timor Leste, but since it’s not a cookie-cutter destination, you may need some visual information to help you take the plunge.
East Timor is a great stop over for a seasoned traveler looking for a little edge
Though I’m far from being an expert on East Timor and the issues the country is facing, I found it to be a particularly interesting travel destination. One that doesn’t just inspire “ooh’s and ahh’s” but rather makes you question global politics and forces you to reflect on human nature. Traveling in East Timor was a reality check reminding me of the basics in travel as well as the basics in life. I know, that sounds like pretty heavy shizzle for a weeklong stint but then again, isn’t that the whole point of travel?
As heavy hearted or challenging as travel in East Timor can be, there is plenty of light and colour waiting to be discovered.
Here is travel in East Timor in a few of my favourite snaps
Cristo rei, a giant statue of Jesus Christ standing on a globe overlooking Dili’s bay. Ascend the hill for some mild exercise and a face to face with JC.
The view from Cristo Rei is worth the climb. Cape Fatucama (pictured below) offers white sand beach and clear waters.
Cruising by Dili’s seafront.
Making friends with local beachgoers while hanging out at the beaches just outside the centre,
The market, as always, one of the most colourful spots to pick up the local vibe.
At times, the people in East Timor may seem a little grumpy but once you connect with them, the facade drops and magic happens.
A day trip from Dili or overnight stint to Atauro island flashes you to another era. Back to basics. It’s also a superb scuba diving location.
On the road to Maubisse we traversed winding roads over steep hills dotted with coffee plantations.
The centre of Maubisse has a certain charm to it. Why, I can’t quite put a finger on.
Colour and creativity are features I appreciate in my means of transport.
A local sunset beach activity: foraging shellfish at low tide.
Have you travelled to a destination you knew next to nothing about? Where was it?
I’m not a vegan but the recent “clean eating craze”, has left me fascinated by the trending dietary belief systems. Gluten free, low GI, macrobiotic, vegan… I wanted to learn more. Particularly about vegan food.
Growing up with the Belgian/French food culture, I’ve always been a little sceptical towards cooking without “the good stuff”, i.e butter, eggs, milk, cheese, cream…
Like most uninformed non-vegans, I thought vegans generally don’t eat much, that their food consists of boring ol’ carrots and lettuce for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But every vegan I’ve crossed paths with has sworn to me that their meals are rich, tasty and creative. Just as much so as non-vegan dishes. I believed them yet I was still completely unfamiliar with the cuisine. This was something I strongly felt had to change. I couldn’t possible spend another year or so in the healthy food-yoga-medition-hippie town of Ubud without knowing something as ‘basic’ as what modern vegan fare entails.
smoothie bowl for breakfast
As a means to broaden my knowledge of vegan cooking, I challenged myself to eat vegan -and only vegan- for 10 days. I knew committing to an intense trial period was the only way for me to really get into vegan cuisine. I thought the challenge would be relatively easy as we live in Ubud, where we eat out daily and the vegan-friendly restaurants are plentiful. At least easier than if I were to be doing the cooking.
So this blog post could actually be titled:
Vegan restaurants in Ubud that will blow non-vegans’s minds
vegan sushi
The takeaway on being a vegan in Ubud:
Ten days of vegan eating flashed by incredibly fast. I ate refined, creative and bold dishes that certainly satisfied my hunger. I drank frothy coffee based drinks which almost beat the ‘real deal’, indulged in beautiful rich deserts, some of which definitely beat the original recipes.Not once did I miss animal products -ok, maybe once, when everybody was getting French croissants- but generally speaking, it was not hard to eat vegan in Ubud. The whole journey into discovery was so exciting, I was looking forward to the next meal every single day.
Did I physically feel different? Not really, though I felt generally lighter. Now that the trial is over, I’m going on a serious diet. A financial diet, that is. All the restaurants I visited are of great quality and worth their prices but dining there does eat away at your budget. So for the next few days; local nasi goreng (fried rice) every day!
To complete this post, here are the restaurants where I ate – and licked my fingers- during my vegan discovery week. Some of the best vegan spots in Ubud.
1. SAGE
Definitely mine and many of Ubud healthy eating expats’s favourite. Even for meat lovers, this place is a must try. It makes you instantly forget there is such thing as animal products. This is undoubtedly the place to go, for a dabble in vegan cuisine.
vegan cuisine at Sage
Address: Jl. Nyuh Bulan 1, Nyuh Kunning, Ubud
2. BELOVED EARTH CAFÉ
A ‘sustainable eco restaurant respecting the earth and striving for harmony’. You’ll find Beloved Earth Café in the lovely gardens of ‘Swasti Eco lodge’. There’s also a pool which is open to restaurant guests.
offering a wide variety of vegan and RAW dishes and desertscolourful dining areaset in a beautiful eco garden
Address: Jalan Nyuh Bojog, Nyuh Kunning, Ubud
3. ALCHEMY
Vegan café, juice bar, health store, holistic clinic, organic farm… Alchemy is more than just a vegan restaurant, it’s almost a small community centre, priding itself in honouring mother nature and its inhabitants. Sound to ‘floaty’ for you? Forget about the latter and just remember this then: they have an excellent breakfast bar you should try.
from the breakfast barsustainable delivery boxes
Address: Jl. Penestanan Klod No.75, Ubud
4. YELLOW FLOWER CAFE
The big draw about this eatery is the setting. It feels as though you’ve landed in a Roald Dahl story. Getting there, is just as dreamy, you’ll have to climb a gorgeous set of stairs into Penestanan.
steps into Penestananstraight out of a children’s book (source)
Address: Sayan, Ubud (Climb the Penestanan steps in Ubud, turn right at the noticeboard, then follow the path)
5. CLEAR
“Eat the food you wish to be”, that’s Clear’s motto. Though I’m having a hard time conceptualise that saying, I’ve enjoyed eating their fresh, organic meals long before this little experiment started. Their juices and elixirs are sublime and worth a try too.
“A culinary innovation in healthy food”. You’ll find little kafé on the grounds of the Yoga Barn, an excellent spot to indulge in vegan renourishment after a sweaty yoga class. Those not into yoga, might feel more at home in the other Kafé which is located in one of the main streets of Ubud.
Macrobiotic bowl of steamed veggies
Address:
Kafé: Jalan Hanoman , Central Ubud
Garden kafé: Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud
7. DAYU’S
Healthy slow food. Now here’s a chilled out place where the chef really gets creative with fresh local produce. Dine here only when you have nowhere urgent to be though.
vegan burritoporridge with coconut milk
Address: Jalan Sugriwa, Ubud
8. DOWN TO EARTH (‘Earth Café and market’)
Restaurant, health store and (!!) vegan cinema. I bet you haven’t heard of vegan cinemas very often. Check it out!
Middle Eastern influenced dishesrestaurant annex health store
Address: Jalan Goutama selatan, Ubud
9. KISMET
Long before this vegan experiment, Kismet had already conquered a spot in my top 3 favourite restaurants in Ubud. It’s not just the food, it’s the interior, the über cool atmosphere and the beautiful people you’ll find there. My top recommandation is the “asian bowl with noodles and vegan satay”. Enjoy!
Kismet chill out areaasian bowl with vegan satay accompanied by a glass of jasmine kombucha.hello sandwich and desert counter, nomnomnom
Address: Jalan Goutama, Ubud
10. FRESH (Taksu restaurant)
You’d never suspect you’re seated in the middle of jam packed Ubud. Taksu is a haven of tranquility serving excellent food. You’ll find the RAW and vegan menu in their terrace restaurant “Fresh”, whereas the garden café offers an attractive set of non-vegan meals.
the tranquil garden café
Address: Jalan Goutama, Ubud
11. SOMA
“High vibes, organic delights”. Soma’s tagline summons it up perfectly.
coconut hang out at Soma
Address: Jalan Goutama, Ubud
12. THE SEEDS OF LIFE
WOW! Not only vegan, but also RAW. This place was a true eye opener during my vegan trial period. I was so pleasently surprised by the dishes on the menu, I considered signing up for the Raw chef training they offer. “If this is what I’ll be able to cook, tell me where to sign up!” Unfortunately the “raw chef training” is too much above my budget so I’ll have to satisfy myself with dining in SOL.
dragon fruit chia puddingthe new seeds of life interiorpapaya pancakesI swear I did not JUST eat deserts during my vegan trial period
Address: Jalan Goutama, Ubud
13. BALI BUNDA (Bali Buda)
“Real food by real people”. Restaurant and health store near the yoga studio ‘Radiantly Alive’. Another great place for a satisfying vegan meal possibly in company with your non-vegan friends.
gado gado, an indonesian classic. Mixed veggies, rice and tofu with a spicy peanut sauce.
Address: Jalan Jembawan, Ubud
14. LIVING FOODLAB
You’ll find this place on the grounds of HUBUD, ubud’s first co-working space. With a nice view over rice fields it’ s a great spot to relax while you wait for your food to arrive.
Address: Monkey Forest No.88X, Ubud
There are quite a few more vegan friendly restaurants in Ubud but 10 days was too little time to try them all. Let’s say I’m keeping those for a possible round 2 of vegan eating in the near future.
Have you tried vegan cuisine? Did you like it?
*Special thanks to Sam and Forest for helping me with this post! *
I know the title sounds a little dramatic but hear me out…
After having lived a year in Bali we were sure a change of scenery would do us good. Word around the net was, Ecuador and Colombia were the new buzzing hot spots, perfect for digital nomads like us. So we crossed the globe in search of our new nomadic headquarters. We set foot in South America psyched up and convinced we would find ‘the one’. That one town that would feel like home. The one boasting everything a digital nomad could ever dream of: fast internet, an affordable cost of living, a moderate climate, an effortless visa policy and an amicable general atmosphere. Preferably set in a natural environment and with a variety of great eats. Talk about high standards…
stunning natural scenery
Once in South America, we couldn’t help but compare every potential living spot to our old (romanticised) lives in Bali. We’d always find something that wasn’t quite right; too cold, too urban, too expensive, too loud, too far from civilisation, too much this, not enough that… We didn’t fully realise it then, but we were actually on the look out for a second Bali. A second Ubud to be more precise.
We loved this gem in Ecuador but… there was a but.
Ecuador and Colombia are both absolutely stunning countries with mind blowing and incredibly diverse nature, friendly people, lots of exciting activities, great internet, endless sunshine, top notch food, good vibes… Yet we couldn’t see ourselves living in any of the towns and cities we visited. What was going on? I usually find a great deal of places I’d love to live in during my travels. I puzzled over the issue and finally understood what was going on. There was positively nothing wrong with these places, they just weren’t Ubud.
searching for a home in Ecuador
It was as though we had just gotten through a break up and were still hung up on our ex-love. Still thinking about her, comparing every new encounter to her, secretly wishing we were still with her… So the big question arose: do you return to your old love or do you push through until you’ve completely forgotten about her?
In any other situation, I would opt for the latter, no questions asked. But these were different circumstances; we didn’t leave Bali because we got bored of her or because we needed a break but rather for practical reasons. You could say, we never really broke up. Be it as it may, Bali was still in our heads and in our hearts. We were not done with her.
in Bali somewhere along the road
That is why we decided to move back to Ubud! Back to our old lives, with a new addition. Though our situation, goals and expectations are different this time around, it feels like we’ve landed exactly where we need to be. However, I can’t help but wonder, is this it? Will I never be able to live anywhere else because I’ve idealised life in Bali? Has the island ruined me for other places?
As a tribute to carefree traveling, I’ve been listing my most memorable travel experiences so far. You can read part 1,part 2, part 3 , part 4 and part 5 in the previous posts.
Without further ado, here are, in no particular order, the last 15 most memorable travel experiences:
For a major “market fan” like me, the Ecuadorian indigenous markets were a special treat. They’re loud and bustling with people from various Andean tribes gathering to buy and sell all kinds of goods. Handicrafts, textile, produce, livestock and everything in between. Beside the shopping possibilities, these markets offer the visitor a great opportunity to sample the local staples.
14. Working as a butcher in Muscat, Oman
Ummmm… Sometimes pictures say more than words.
13. Spending a few nights in a refugee camp
Dheisheh Refugee CampWe spent a few nights in a refugee camp during our visit to Palestine. Unlike in the other refugee camps I’ve seen over the years, the refugees here had cement housing instead of tents which reminded us of how long the situation has been going on. Travel is not just about the pretty sights and the adventurous bus rides, it’s also about trying to understand the world.
I loved everything about my stay on the small island group in northern Russia; the desolation, the scenery, the midnight sun… Click on th title to read what struck me in Russia
11. Party, beach and sunshine on Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Isla Margarita… Yes, it is as exotic and fun as it sounds! An absolute tourist mecca but entertaining nonetheless. Being only 20 years old, I felt proud to have flown to South America on my own dime and I was eager to party!
10. Climbing holy mount Agung at night to see the sunrise
Our group of 5 were the only people climbing the volcano that night. The hike was so long and strenuous, I cried on the way down. Cried. Like a baby. But as with everything in the world of travel, the toughest experiences are the ones you remember and cherish the most.
Albania is now on my list of favourite destinations. Partly thanks to the lovely town of Berat where I spent hours on end strolling through the cobbled streets. Click on the title to read why I love Berat.
East-Timor was quite tough to travel in, but I truly loved being there. I was thrilled to be traveling solo in one of the most difficult countries to travel through. I fell for its ruggedness and its authenticity. Click one the title to read more about my thoughts on Timor-Leste.Reading on the East Timorese beach…
I traveled to Turkey on a tight budget so taking a ride in the hot air balloon was not an option for me. However, watching hundreds of balloons soar through the morning sky with a new friend was one of the highlights of my trip. Click on the title to read more about traveling to Cappadocia on a budget.
6. New Year’s eve in Rantepao, Sulawesi
Spending NYE in one of the capital towns of Sulawesi, Indonesia was pure madness, to say the very least. With everyone -including 4-year-olds- randomly shooting off fireworks everywhere, it seemed like we had landed in a ‘post apocalyptic war zone’. Think explosions, smoke, loud music, hundreds of scooters racing around… Words, pictures or video’s couldn’t possibly convey what it was like. A real life Indonesian version of ‘Mad Max’, perhaps..
Montenegro was one of the best travel surprises. I found a deserted beach on Sveti Stefan, where I feasted on my picnic, bathed in the cool water and caught some rays while listening to music! Click on the title to read about my visit to Kotor and surroundings
4. Integrating in the Congolese village life
This one, I’ve been doing every so often while visiting family in DRC. I switch up my Western clothes for local wear and get involved in the daily village life.
3. Meeting sea gypsies in Borneo
Just off the island of Sabah, there are small settlements of “sea gypsies” living on their own terms, not necessarily by choice but by obligation as they are refugees and have no legal documents to enter Malaysia. Meeting these people and learning about their life on the sea left a deep impression on me, one I hope to share with you on this blog one day.
2. Watching the sun go down on African “booze cruises”
Imagine gazing at this view while floating on a small boat. A tropical breeze stroking your sunkissed cheecks, slightly hazed from the cool beers; all you can think about is how incredibly beautiful mother nature is…
1. Meeting incredible people and making friendships along the way
You may only spend a few days with new friends made on the road, but sometimes those few days or hours are enough for a lifelong connection and a treasure chest full of lasting memories!
Though the list goes on, the experiences listed here are the ones I cherish most. You may have noticed that for me, it’s not about the tourist attractions nor is it about the payed activities. To me, it’s about getting out of your comfort zone, embracing the “out of the ordinary”. I hope you enjoyed tagging along memory lane!
As a tribute to carefree traveling, I’m listing my most memorable travel experiences so far. You can read part 1,part 2, part 3 and part 4 in the previous posts.
Without further ado, here are the next 15 travel experiences in no particular order:
30. Bicycling on Nicaragua’s Isla de Ometeppe
The Nicaraguan island of Ometepe boasts two volcanic peaks rising from the lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Riding a bicycle crossed the island was simply exhilarating; smelling the colourful tropical flowers, riding through fields of butterflies and ending with a cooling dip in a natural pool.
29. Taking natural mud baths
I’m always up for a “natural mud bath”! It seems to be a reoccurring theme recently. I’ve lathered myself with mud in Turkey, Israel and Colombia so far. Where will my next natural mud bath be?
28. Whisky tasting in Scotland
After having discovered the delicate taste of fine whisky a few years ago, Scotland jumped to the top of my travel wish list. I made it my mission to learn about the different types of Whisky and to sample as many as I possibly could without getting wasted.
27. Bribing my way crossed an African border
I’d like to go back to that country one day, so maybe I should stay vague on this one… Why is it part of my top travel experiences? Because it’s a reminder of how your sense of morality is tied to your culture and situation. As much as corruption pisses me off and as much as I would plead for it to disappear from this world, I gave in that time in Africa as it seemed as though I had no other realistic options. This is one of the many ways travel broadens your world views and makes you reconsider your truths.
“Good morning m’am, would you like to go to a funeral?” was the unusual way I was greeted in Sulawesi, Indonesia. “Sure”, I replied. Click on the title to read about death rituals and funerals in Tana Toraja.
25. Hawker stall madness in Singapore
What I remember most about Singapore is how much and how well I ate! I spent hours in hawker stalls ordering a plethora of dishes from different vendors, comparing the same dish by different cooks and trying foods that looked unfamiliar. Blue rice, jiggly soup, floating fish heads… My love for Southeast Asian street food was born.
Armed with an old-school road map and a box of Portuguese tarts we tackled the wining roads of the Douro Valley in search of the perfect Port wine. Click on the title to read about our short getaway in Portugal.
23. Partying on Tel Aviv’s rooftops
I probably shouldn’t generalise but what the heck; Israelis know how to party! I found that out in Tel Aviv, where we were invited to one party after the other, each time in cool locations like a hidden beach shack, a secret basement, the desert or a boat at sea. My favourites where the rooftop parties.
22. Staying in a luxury lodge in Africa
One of the tips I give people travelling in African countries for more than three weeks, is to splurge at least once on their stay in a luxury lodge. Our top notch lodge in Uganda had an infinity pool with views on the national park. While sipping from our cool beers on our deck, we could spot troops of elephants traversing the plains. WOW!
21. Haggling in markets all over the world
If you ask me, markets are the beating heart of every country and the best school to learn the art of haggling. Going to the local market is what I look forward to most prior a trip.
With our rented motorcycle we slowly cruised the spice island, stopping in small villages and empty white sand beaches. Pictured here is the fish market in Stone Town. Click on the title to read more about Stone Town.
19. Receiving blessings from holy men/women
No matter the religion or philosophy, I never refuse a blessing. I feel as though the many blessings I’ve received from ‘holy men and women’ throughout the years, have really had their effect.
17. Spending lazy days in love on a South Indian beach
Or any beach for that matter…
16. Taking overnight trains in Zimbabwe
My friend and I were just 18-19 years old and the only tourists on the rusty Zimbabwean trains to Bulawayo and Victoria falls. Two nocturnal journeys talking to local youths, binging on snacks, laughing and doing everything in our power not to go to the extremely unhygienic toilets. Photo by Daryle Dickens
Next, the last 15 items on the list! Curious about Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3 or Part 4 of this list? This series will be continued every other Thursday!
As a tribute to carefree traveling, I’m listing my most memorable travel experiences so far. You can read part 1,part 2 and part 3 in the previous posts.
Without further ado, here are the next 15 travel experiences in no particular order:
45. Wild camping in Liechtenstein’s Alps
Unlike in most European countries, wild camping is legal in Lichtenstein. You can walk into the Alps and pitch your tent wherever you want to, away from campsites. Perfect for experiencing the whole “man vs nature” thing…
44. Visiting the cotton castle in Pamukale, Turkey
The cotton castle is just stunning at dawn. Besides, getting there before the crowds is key to this experience! Note that swimming in the main pools is no longer permitted.You can see why this rock formation is nicknamed cotton castle. In Pamukkale, Turkey.
New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is a basically a crazy street party with concerts, fireworks, dj’s and dancing in the centre of the city. A fun and casual way to celebrate the new year. Click on the title to read about celebrating Hogmanay in Edinburgh.
42. Climbing an active volcano with streaming lava
The sole’s of my shoes melted off as I carefully stepped on the barely solid lava rocks. I could see and hear the boiling lava streaming right under my feet. I can’t say I felt comfortable on volcano Pacaya in Guatemala.
41. Floating on the Mekong and sipping on white coffee in Vietnam
40. Being spiritually overwhelmed in Jerusalem
Religious or not, witnessing thousands of pilgrims and locals alike sing hand in hand, burst into tears and pray rigorously at the religious sites of Jerusalem, is touching on a deep spiritual level. I too ended up saying a prayer for peace by the Wailing Wall.
39. Bathing in the natural hot springs and waterfalls of Dominica
The tiny island of Dominica has so many exciting nooks with waterfalls, hot springs and swimming holes. Nature on this Caribbean island is so lush and untamed, you feel like a pathfinder. WOW!I went in for a dip every occasion I got!
38. Connecting with kids in Africa
Kids in Africa LOVE to see visitors passing through their village. Their curiosity leads them to surround you, laugh, sing, dance and call you names (mostly the local slang for ‘white person’ even if, like me, you’re not really white). Connecting with these kids is something you should experience for yourself to know how heartwarming it can be. Picture taken in Rwanda.
Ok, I cheated a bit; there was a viewing platform… But that doesn’t take away from the wonder of seeing our wild “cousins” swinging from branch to branch. I’m not a particularly big fan of animals yet I stared at the baby orangutans in the rehabilitation centre for at least an hour. Click on the title to read about my visit to Sabah.
35. Shamelessly doing every tourist cliché in Paris
I’ve been to Paris several times and the French culture is quite close to mine (Belgian) but I just had to do it once: act like a cliché tourist in Paris! Barret, Eiffel tower, baguette, cheese, wine, macaroons and a long stroll along the Seine. Cliché or not, I loved it!
There are so many reasons to love Oman but what I enjoyed most were the natural pools and wadi’s. I felt so small climbing over rocks and wading in the desert valley pools. Click on the title to read about my road trip through Oman.
When I think of Myanmar, I think of gold. Not even in Dubai or Saudi Arabia did I see as much gold as I did in Myanmar. The Shwedagon Pagoda, pictured here, took the cake. Click on the title to read about the other thing there is in abundance in Myanmar: Buddha depictions.
32. Roadtripping throuh South Morocco
South Morocco is another fantastic place to take a road trip. Fields of roses, ancient towns, traditional villages, interesting desert landscapes and warm welcoming inhabitants, are just a few things you find on the way.
31. Eating strange foods along the way
Little shacks like this, don’t scare me. In my experience, they often serve something interesting to taste. Besides, when hunger strikes…I love trying all kinds of local foods. The weird and the ugly included. Usually, that translates into unusual meats. So far I’ve tried rat, dog, turtle, camel, grasshoppers, duck embryo, crocodile, toad, hippopotamus, smoked monkey, guinea pig… I think this subject may need a post of its own.
As a tribute to carefree traveling, I’m listing my most memorable travel experiences so far. You can read the first 20 items and the next 20 in the previous posts.
Without further ado, here are the next 15 travel experiences in no particular order:
60. Bicycling amongst the ancient temples of Bagan (Myanmar)
We rented some bicycles to explore the temples and pagodas of Bagan in Myanmar. To get the best light and avoid the crowds we left just after dawn and got a taste of what finding these masterpieces must have been like for western explorers back in the days.
59. Wandering and climbing around Petra
Instead of sticking to Petra’s main tourist route to see its remains, we drifted off and climbed ourselves to the “outskirts” of the Pink City. With no other visitors in sight for miles, we experienced ultimate freedom (to goof off).Of course we also visited the famous sites, like “The Treasury”.
Our Polish friend intrduced us to the fine art of vodka drinking. It’s not as straight forward as you would think! Click on the title to read about the rules of drinking vodka.
57. Camping in the African Savannah
After the safari, we pitched a tent in the savannah. Though it was an official campsite, we were still in the middle of the bush. Some hungry hippos came by at night and the hyena’s were laughing behind our tents.
56. Having a naked hamam experience somewhere in Turkey
Umm, I don’t have a picture of this… But unless you’re a bit of a prude, I do recommend going to a hammam in Turkey! Yes, you’re expected to be naked…
55. Tasting local rum mixes on the beaches of Guadeloupe
Not only does Guadeloupe produce some fine rum, they also have tasty homemade infusions like this one: lemon, honey and cinnamon rum. Can you imagine spending the day on a caribbean beach sipping on this?! Paradise!
I wasn’t consciously looking for it but living in Bali for a year helped me find a certain peace of mind. There is something in the air on that island.
53. Having traditional Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem
We were surprised by an Orthodox Jewish man blowing a horn on Friday afternoon in a market in Jerusalem. Shabbat was starting; according to this man’s faith, everyone needed to drop everything and close their shops immediately. He was yelling at the non-Orthodox shopkeepers, blowing the horn in their faces. It was quite an absurd sight to us, which we discussed in detail during the Shabbat dinner we were invited to.
52. Swimming with wild dolphins in Zanzibar
We spotted some dolphins near the wooden fishing boat we were sailing on. I tried to capture them on photo but it was so much more fun to jump in and swim along with them. I had no idea dolphins were so big, bigger than me it seemed!
51. Backpacking through Central America
From Guatemala to Panama with a backpack and a small budget. Honduras and Nicaragua were my favourite countries of the region.
Looking back, I can’t believe I made my way through this crowd without fainting.Thaipusam is an intense pilgrimage in Malaysia which involves hooks, chains, lemons and milk to name a few. Read all about the madness of Thaipusam by clicking on the title.
49. Sleeping under the Saharan star spangled sky
I rode a camel to an isolated spot in the Tunisian Sahara where our group camped and danced around a bonfire to the beat of the djembe. Though we had pitched some Bedouin tents, most of us fell a sleep in open air while gazing at the the countless stars.
48. Quite literally rolling in foreign money
OK, this one may need some explaining… I’ve often traveled to countries with strongly devaluated currency. In these cases, I’ve had to lug around lots of cash just to buy a a simple loaf of bread. Quite a hassle, for sure but on the other hand, it has allowed me to live out a childhood dream: rolling around in money like they do in the cartoons! *hello DuckTales* Cheers to living your childhood dreams!
Another absurd and oh-so memorable night… Midget boxing in the red light district of Manila. Click on the title to read more about the quirky things we did in Manila.
The food in Bologna is incredible; simple, fresh and local. A real foodie paradise! Click on the title to read about my foodie weekend in Bologna, Eataly!Fresh Italian produce
Without further ado, here are the next 20 travel experiences in no particular order:
80. Bathing in Budapest’s public baths in the snow
There is something incredibly ‘exotic’ to bathing in the outdoors with outside temperatures of -3°C . Add a stunning architectural backdrop and a blanket of snow and the picture is complete! At Széchenyi Thermal Baths
We tracked down the restaurants serving Michelin starred dim sum. “If I don’t like those, I can officially say I don’t like dim sum.” As it turns out, I do like dim sum! Click on title to read about surprising Hong Kong.
78. Floating in the dead sea in Israel
It’s a strange feeling to be almost completely weightless. Unlike anything else!
Swimming, eating, relaxing with cool beers, waking up to the chirp of little birds… That’s what our time in Bunyonyi was all about. Click on the title to read more about Lake Bunyonyi.
76. Crashing a grand Indian engagement party
The night I arrived in Delhi, my host took me to a party. Once there I realised it was a huge engagement party with incredible food, an open bar and blasting Bollywood music. Though totally underdressed and tired from my flight, I was warmly welcomed by my new friends.
75. Pick-nicking in the Summer Palace in St-Petersburg
As it was my travel mate’s birthday, we took the opportunity to indulge in a blini and caviar pick-nick with the Summer Palace as a backdrop. I don’t even like caviar but it seemed like the most appropriate thing to eat.
74. Spending 24 hours in Qatar with people I had never met before
A midnight drive around, shisha in the souq, Lebanese brunch and shopping in a recreation of Venice… Thanks to local expats who took me under their wings for 24 hours, I really enjoyed the city of Doha in Qatar.
73. Discovering the bizarre ghost towns of Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a peculiar country. The town seems deserted and overrun by desert sand, yet there is a certain mystique in the air… Notice this woman shovelling sand from her front door. The Saharan winds bring the dunes right into people’s homes…
The hummingbirds of Mindo touched my soul and brought back some inner peace . Click on the title to read more about magical Mindo.
71. Road tripping the Irish countryside
I was stunned by the natural beauty of the Irish country side. Stopping for a pint of Guiness and a minced meat pie in a local pub made the experience all the more memorable. A road trip not to be missed!
The rain doesn’t take hitchhikers into account… We hitched rides from Belgium to Denmark through The Netherlands and Germany. Even though we had it relatively easy being two women asking for a ride, hitch hiking turned out to be hard work! The exciting and fun kind of hard work. Click on the title to read about doing Copenhagen on the cheap.
68. Getting pampered with fantastic massages in Southeast Asia
Incredible how a luxury service in the West can be such an ordinary one in the East. Long live affordable massages and the soothing tea’s that follow!
67. Finding evidence of the slave trade in Ghana
Behind the walls of this fort, lie the dungeons where Ghanian men and women were held captive to be sold as slaves and shipped off in those parts of the world. You can actually still smell the human distress in the dungeons. very confronting…
66. Meeting the Garifuna tribe in Honduras
The Garifuna are descendants of the West African people living on the Central American Caribbean coast. They speak their own language and live in communities which reminded me very much of the African villages. Even their food and music have obvious African influences. It felt a little like home after having spent some time in Latin America.
65. Hiking to the top of Mt. Sinai to see the sunrise
The hike started in the middle of the night, following a trail of candle holding pilgrims. Once at the top we had just enough time to catch our breaths before the first rays of light made their appearance. Being surrounded by pilgrims singing, praying, crying and admiring the sun, it was almost a religious experience.
64. Fishing in South India
Though I didn’t work quite as hard as the fisherman, taking part of their daily activity and sharing the (slim) catch was nothing short of enriching.20 years earlier, I was doing the exact same thing (yes, that little girl in the bathing suit is me) Photo by A. Van Den Daele
63. Transforming into a Burmese lady in Myanmar
In a beauty parlour of small town in Myanmar, I found out the techniques Burmese ladies and ladyboys use to achieve their beauty ideal. Lightening the skin is just one of them. Here is the Burmese version of me and my talented make-up artist.
62. Snorkelling with manta rays
They’re so much bigger than I could have imagined, I was frightened. These majestic creatures slide under the surface of the ocean, not slightly fearing the clumsy “human fish”. Photo by Shawn Heinrichs
61. Going on spontaneous trips
There’s nothing more exciting than deciding to take a trip on a whim. Decide today, leave tomorrow… That’s how I ended up in Warsaw, Denmark, Paris, Kosovo, Brunei, Amsterdam, Cuba…
Continue reading part 3, part 4, part 5 and part 6! If you’ve mist the part 1, catch up here… I’ll be posting the rest of the list every other Thursday!
Are any of these experiences on your “been there done that” list?
