Tag: Latin America

2015 Travel Summary

Here we are again, at the beginning of a new year, wondering where time went. Looking back at the past twelve months, thinking how we could have done things better, what is still missing in our lives and wondering where the next 52 weeks will take us. For me, the past year was one full of challenges, enormous changes and tremendous mental growth.

Though 2015 wasn’t as much of a travel whirlwind as 2013 or 2014, it was an intense travel year to say the least. I moved to Latin America, making it the 5th continent I’ve lived in. I finally revisited the USA and Colombia. Then I moved again, this time back to Ghent, my favourite city on earth. I did it all while growing a tiny human. Kind of absurd, now that I think of it.

This was travel in 2015, the year of big changes…

ECUADOR

Quito

I started the year in Quito with the mission to check out whether or not Ecuador was the country where we’d settle in next. Though Quito lacks impressive tourist attractions, I grew very fond of it. I’m not really sure why, but living in Quito turned out to be quite enjoyable.

photo shoot in the historic centre of Quito

one of the most impressive architectures of Quito: la catherdral.

Baños

The capital of adventure sports in Ecuador. Charming in a touristy way… I wasn’t able to partake in any of the adventure sports due to the pregnancy so I experienced the town differently than I normally would. I’d ask myself: “would the average 75-year-old engage in this activity?” If the answer was positive, that meant a “GO” for me. Good thing that -in my mind- the average 75-year-old would have no problem mountain biking down a narrow wining road alongside massive speeding trucks… *ahum*

Devil’s cauldron reached by mountain bike in Baños

approved activity

Cuenca

If it wasn’t for a small incident that changed our entire professional plans, I would probably be writing this post from our house in Cuenca. We found the city to be very pleasant and full of business potential. I was willing to oversee the ever fluctuating weather and settle down in the cobble stone city. But as I said, some issues came up which helped us realise Cuenca was not the place for us to live in. At least not in that moment in time.

colonial architecture in Cuenca

every weekend in Ecuador, there seems to be a parade of some sort…

Vilcabamba

Apparently many people live to be 100 years and longer in this small town nestled in what is nicknamed “the valley of longevity”… There seems to be something about the source water and the fresh air that contributes to a long and healthy life. Now this was a gorgeous piece of paradise! Rolling hills, flowers, fruits, birds and butterflies in abundance. A handful of Westerners have set up shop in this town and opened a few yoga and meditation centres, juice bars and organic restaurants. It’s also the place to be for ayahuasca cleansing ceremonies. We were keen to settle down in Vilcabamba but unfortunately the remoteness of the town also meant the internet wasn’t as reliable as it should be for digital nomads. So we were left with no other choice than to leave the little paradise.

our guesthouse in the valley of longevity

Montañita

Or ‘party central’. Cheap cocktails, good surf, tasty street food, loud pounding beats and killer sunsets. I could imagine myself twisting my hair into dreadlocks in front of a reggae shack, ambling barefooted through the sandy streets and partying till sunrise… 10 years ago! That would have pretty much summed up my dream life. Today, I actually had to retain myself not to complain about the loud (party) noise just outside my window at night! Yikes, it’s official, I’m no longer in my 20’s… Montañita helped me realise just how much I’ve grown/changed. And though I did enjoy some elements of it, places like Montañita are just not my scene anymore.

street breakfast

the way a surf beach town should be; quirky and colourful

sunset in Montañita

Puerto Cayo

A tiny dot on the map. We spent most of our time in Ecuador living and working in this sleepy fishing village. When I say sleepy, I mean really sleepy. An interesting experience, one I would never have guessed I’d be living. If you’ve missed it, read about our life in Puerto Cayo.

sleepy Puerto Cayo

Mindo

My favourite spot in Ecuador. We spent most of our time there eating delicious food, admiring colourful hummingbirds, enjoying the lush greenery and gorgeous waterfalls. Catch up on our time in Mindo lindo.

Greener than green in Mindo

Otavalo and surrounding villages

What I like most about Ecuador is its authenticity, especially in the smaller towns and villages. The people, the culture, the widely worn traditional dress; all incredibly different from what I know. The scenery throughout the country is simply stunning and so exceptionally diverse. Otavalo features one of Ecuador’s largest indigenous markets and since it was our last stop before heading home, I did some serious “no restraints”-shopping.

the colours in Ecuador are most vibrant

crater lakes in abundance

getting some local grub in Otavalo

COLOMBIA

Bogotá

A Drupal conference in Colombia lured us into the country. I had been to the Colombian capital before and just like the first time, I wasn’t crazy about Bogotá. La Candelaria, the old part of town, definitely has some charm but the rest of the city is not my cup of tea. To me the best part of being in Bogotá was the reunion with my local friends after 10 years apart. I also loved discovering some of Bogota’s quirks.

in the old centre

admiring the works one of my favourite artists, Botero

Medellín and surroundings

Such a cool and vibrant city! It’s hard to believe what a hot mess it was just 25 years ago. Medellín has really cleaned up well, turning the worst parts of the city into the best! The fantastic free walking tour by “Real City Tours” helped us understand the city and its history. We spent a few weeks in Medellín working, living and discovering the different neighbourhoods. After a hard week at work, we’d visit some of the surrounding villages and attractions.

Botero sculpture in front of the ‘Uribe palace of culture’ in downtown Medellin, the latter designed by a Flemish architect

in Guatape, daytrip from Medellin

Salento

A travel dream came true the moment we boarded the bus to Salento. The town itself was quaint but it was the Cocora valley that had been peaking on my travel wish list for a while. The hike was everything I expected it to be and more. I had accidentally left my camera’s charger in Ecuador so I could only take a few pictures. Though I was bummed, this major screw up allowed me to really be in the now and take it all in.

hiking in the marvellous Cocora valley

couldn’t get enough of these views

USA

Atlanta

Though this was just a short jaunt on the way to our next destination, I was delighted to be back in the States after 11 years! I hit up some of my favourite American stores, drank sweet tea and had some doughnuts and fried chicken. I know this sounds incredibly cliché -and it is- but it’s what I was craving every time I thought of the USA. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to dig deeper and discover the ins and outs of Atlanta. Maybe next time?

BELGIUM

Ghent

We came back to Belgium to be close to family and friends when the baby would make her appearance. I was waggling to my not so exciting desk job every day and getting ready for her arrival every spare minute I had. So nothing exotic here. Yet I was psyched to be living in Ghent again. I had a blast spending time with said family and friends as well as reconnecting with the city. As I’ve mentioned before in my “announcement post” I’ve often found myself comparing the journey to and through parenthood to a crazy travel adventure. That’s definitely what it has felt like… The craziest adventure so far.

Ghent by night

reunited with friends. Picture by Sofie Luyten

NETHERLANDS

Friesland

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would be going to Friesland at least once every year, I would have never believed it. But that’s exactly what has happened over the past two years and will most likely continue to do so in the future. This visit however, wasn’t so much of a touristy one. We drove all the way to northern Holland to witness the wedding of our great Frisian friends. A long drive worth taking!

cosy winter wedding in the Frisian countryside. Congrats to our dear friends!

So you see, 2015 wasn’t the year of endless destinations but it was full of movement!

So what’s in store for 2016? Well, that’s the favourite part of my life: I don’t know yet! Things will inevitably be different now that there is a kid in the picture but pretty much everything still seems possible. I may not know exactly what 2016 will bring but I can already tell you this much;

There is another big move coming up!

When and where? Find out soon through Travel Cake’s Facebook Page or Instagram!

How was your travel year? Happy about the places you visited?

The post “2015 Travel Summary” first appeared on Travel Cake.

January 11, 2016
100 Essential Travel Experiences, Part VI

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:

15. Shopping and eating in indigenous markets in Ecuador

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 Camp

We 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.

12. Hanging out in the meadows of the desolate Solovetsky Islands in Russia

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.

9. Walking through the cobbled streets of Berat, Albania

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.

8. Venturing solo through East-Timor

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…

7. Watching the sky fill up with hot air balloons in Cappadocia

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..

5. Me-time on the pebbled beach of Sveti Stefan in Montenegro

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!

If you’ve missed it, read up on part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 and part 5.

What’s one of your most memorable travel experiences?

The post “100 Essential Travel Experiences, Part VI” first appeared on Travel Cake.

December 21, 2015
100 Essential Travel Experiences, Part IV

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.

43. Celebrating Hogmanay in Edinburgh

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.

37. Learning to cook (and eat) traditional Greek food from a local

When I was in Athens I learned to cook some Greek comfort food. A new world opened up! Click on the title to read about my cooking class in Athens.

36. Standing face to face with wild Orangutans in Sabah

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!

34. Swimming in Oman’s sinkhole and climbing around its wadi’s

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.

33. Visiting the golden temples in Myanmar

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.

Continue reading part 5 and part 6! Curious about Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3 of this list?

The post “100 Essential Travel Experiences, part IV” first appeared on Travel Cake.

November 6, 2015
100 Essential Travel Experiences, Part III

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”.

58. Learning to drink vodka in Poland

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!

54. Finding inner peace in Bali

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.

50. Intermingling with the madness of Thaipusam in Malaysia

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!

47. Cheering around a “midget-boxing arena” in Manila

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.

46. Jetting off to Italy for a few days with the sole purpose of tasting every possible regional specialty

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

Continue reading Part 4 , Part 5 and Part 6! Missed Part 1 and Part 2?

Are any of these items on your bucket list?

The post “100 Essential Travel Experiences, part III” first appeared on Travel Cake.

October 22, 2015
2014 Travel Summary

I spent the last two days of 2014 in a haze, trying to beat jetlag and fatigue from the long transatlantic flight to South America . During the turn of the year hug exchange and fireworks, I was soundly asleep, enjoying my warm bed. Despite the endless wishes and photo’s circling on social media, I’ve only just realised a new year has begun. I blame the altitude.

I wasn’t expecting 2014 to be a busy travel year but it turns out, it’s impossible to make such predictions. At least for me it is. 16 countries in one year without being on a round the world trip, I’m still not quite sure how it was possible. Let’s see…

JANUARY…

SULAWESI- INDONESIA

I started 2014 in the heart of Toraja in Sulawesi, Indonesia. A start of a new year with good friends and 24-hour fireworks on every street corner- often handled by children ages 4 and up. It was magical, crazy and unexpected. The festivities were followed by an off-the-grid vacation, exploring the colourful underwater world, deserted beaches and untouched jungles. I spent a day at a local funeral and saw one of my travel dreams come true: seeing a tarsier in the wild. I really had to keep myself under control not to kidnap one of these cute monkeys.

Torajan funeral

tarsier

MALAYSIA

As if the Torajan death rituals weren’t culture shock enough, I faced yet another cultural eye-opener: Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur. I gasped at the men, women and children as they devoted themselves to their gods by suffering the pain of large metal hooks piercing through their skins during their pilgrimage to Batu Caves. Read my blogpost about the festival here.

proud devotee

for the sake of devotion

the end of the pilgrimage

FEBRUARY…

BALI

As we knew this was going to be our last month living in Bali, we spent the month doing the touristy things we hadn’t done yet. Visiting those temples we never got around to, taking that silversmith workshop we’d been meaning to… We spent time with friends, I took up yoga, went surfing and learned to cook healthy organic meals. I always seem to have the best time when I know a journey is about to end…

last weeks in Bali friends and indulgences (click to enlarge)

MARCH…

HONG KONG

A long time wish list destination finally within my reach. I found the city to be a perfect balance between East and West. I got to see quite a bit of the city even though my travel companion was injured during the trip and our activities consisted -for a large part- of sitting down options, or let’s just say eating. I’m not complaining. So far it’s the only place in the world where I actually like dim sum- how’s that for a travel snob quote?!

visiting Chinese temples

order after order of new flavours

MACAU

During our stay in HK, a short stint to Macau diversified the trip. Having spent a year in Asia, I felt home in the European-looking streets of Macau. I found out spending money in casino’s wasn’t really my thing.

wide sunny boulevards

gamble paradise

APRIL…

BELGIUM

Home sweet home. I thought it would be a good idea to surprise all our friends and family by showing up unexpectedly into their homes. Nobody had any idea we had arrived in Belgium. The joy was intense, so much fun. I immediately resumed work at my previous job and spent my free days filling up on breads, chocolates, Belgian beers and my favourite local dishes as well as catching up with family and friends. It was incredibly challenging to fit into the society I now felt so alienated to. I spent my birthday in my home country with my family, something I hadn’t done in years.

deliciously gross Belgian fare

a long time since I last saw spring

MAY…

ITALY

By may, I reached a high in missing my life in Asia. However, I decided not to sulk but take advantage of the perks of living in Europe. I took some time off to explore the culinary side of Italy. Well, a small side at least. Bologna brought me to me knees with it’s incredibly pure and fresh food. I hadn’t even left the city and was already talking about coming back.

the red city seen from above

incredible food and wine in Bologna

JULY-AUGUST…

DRC

Three years after my last visit I returned to the motherland. People called me crazy for going to one of the most dangerous corners in the world; North Kivu in the Democratic Replublic of Congo. Even crazier for bringing along 20 muzungu’s (swahili for white people) and “endangering” their lives. It wasn’t nuts to me: part of my family lives there, so why would I not go? I was right not to second guess my instincts; the trip went smoothly, the muzungu’s had the time of their lives and oh… I got married!

It was however, an exhausting journey, more so mentally than physically. Perhaps that’s the reason why I have not yet found the courage/energy to write about the trip. But byy now, it’s at the tip of my fingers and I’m eager to share the stories with you very soon.

Congo’s stunning nature

safety first

kids in the village

crossing the Congo-Nile

UGANDA

On my way to the DRC, I revisited my favourite spots in Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi still holds a special place in my heart. This time my entire family joined me, which made it even more special. Thinking I will return to Uganda again next time I visit DRC, I once again skipped the gorilla tracking. Still don’t think this was one of my brightest moves.

buying goat brochettes from the bus window

Lake Bunyonyi with family. Photo by A. Van den Daele

RWANDA

Having spent part of my childhood in Rwanda, I had my heart set on going back and mirroring childhood memories to reality. I began to search for our old house and schools which I found after several hours of “Sherlock Holmes-ing”. I was surprised at how much the country had changed post-genocide. Most of my favourite places in Gisenyi, the town I had lived in, where still up and running, with a fresher look nonetheless.

sunset in Gisenyi

SEPTEMBER…

FRIESLAND- THE NETHERLANDS

To finish off summer in Europe, Douglas and I treated ourself to a weekend in Friesland visiting our friends we had met in Bali. Strangely enough, Friesland always sounded like an exotic place, despite the fact that it’s right next door. We were lucky to arrive during a festival celebrating Friesland’s cultural heritage. It was time travel at it’s most possible. We went ‘supping’ on the Frisian waterways, which is actually a great way to explore the region.

catching up in front of an old country house

clog boots

old fashioned fun

OCTOBER…

MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA, KOSOVO

Montenegro and Albania both surprised my with their natural beauty and quaint historical towns. Though both countries are completely different, I found both nationalities to be warm, helpful and welcoming even to a dark skinned traveler like me. In Montenegro I enjoyed my solo travel in Kotor and around. Albania stole my heart the minute I set off to the mountains, which was undoubtedly one of my travel highlights of the year. I highly rate both countries and am looking forward to visiting again as soon as possible.

As for Kosovo, I only spent a short time and visited just one city, Prizren. I found the cobbled stoned city rather pleasant and spend the afternoon strolling around and drinking coffee in the riverside café’s. I loved the fact that it was an unexpected visit, but I needed more time to really get to know the country.

kids in Beirat, Albania

GREECE

I went to Greece to attend TBEX, the biggest travel Blogger’s conference. I had a magnificent time getting to know other travel blogger, the city of Athens and myself on a professional level. After the conference I took some time to see more of the country. I visited Corinth, went on a wine tasting tour in the country side and learned to cook traditional Greek food in one Athens oldest taverns. I’ve yet to see the rest of Greece, so I consider this trip as the intro.

Athens by night

wine tasting in the country side

NOVEMBER…

IRAN

Why Iran? People asked me. I couldn’t even remember the exact reasons, it had just been on my mind for such a long time, for so many reasons. When I stumbled upon a dirt cheap ticket, I didn’t think for a moment and booked straight away. The time had finally come. I ignored all the safety warnings, I was convinced they were overstated, especially coming from people knowing nothing of the country. Boy am I glad I did!

Iran made me laugh, cry, think, marvel, love, feast and fantasise. The architecture is stunning, nature is untouched and diverse, the history is absolutely astonishing and the food is truly unique. But most of all, the people… They are the best part of Iran. Lots of Iran posts coming up soon.

inside Sheik Loftollah Mosque, Esfahan

farmer in Kashan

out of this world rooftops

DECEMBER…

ECUADOR

The last destination of 2014, Ecuador. Not for travel but possibly to live for a while. We set off to Ecuador knowing very little of the country yet planning to live there. That’s what makes the start of the new year even more exciting.

What will happen next? I have no idea and I like it that way. I’m excited about what 2015 will have in store. I’m pretty sure there will be less international travelling, but then again, I said the same thing last year…

on the look out for a new life in Ecuador

How was your travel year? Were you able to full fill some of your travel dreams?

The post ‘2014 Travel Summary‘ first appeared on Travel Cake.

January 5, 2015