{"id":2146,"date":"2015-01-05T02:55:23","date_gmt":"2015-01-05T02:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelcake.site\/?p=2146"},"modified":"2025-04-22T20:02:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T20:02:59","slug":"2014-travel-summary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/2014-travel-summary\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 Travel Summary"},"content":{"rendered":"

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. While the rest of the world was exchanging hugs and watching fireworks to ring in the new year, I was soundly asleep, cocooned in my warm bed. Despite the endless wishes and photos swirling around on social media, I barely registered that a new year had begun. I blame the altitude.<\/p>\n

To be fair, I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expected 2014 to be such a travel-heavy year. Somehow, without even being on a round-the-world trip, I ended up visiting 16 countries. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m still not entirely sure how it happened. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s take a look\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

JANUARY…<\/p>\n

SULAWESI- INDONESIA<\/strong><\/p>\n

The year kicked off deep in the heart of Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0 I welcomed 2014 with good friends and 24-hour fireworks exploding from every street corner\u00e2\u20ac\u201doften lit by kids aged four and up. It was magical, chaotic, and totally unexpected.<\/p>\n

We followed the festivities with an off-the-grid adventure<\/a> exploring colourful coral reefs, deserted beaches, and dense jungles. I attended a tradtional funeral<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0and saw one of my ultimate travel dreams come true: spotting a tarsier in the wild. I had to physically restrain myself from trying to kidnap one of those adorable monkey-gremlin hybrids.<\/p>\n

\"Torajan<\/a>
Torajan funeral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"tarsier<\/a>
tarsier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MALAYSIA<\/strong><\/p>\n

As if the Torajan death rituals weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t enough of a culture shock, my next stop delivered another jolt: Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur<\/a>. I watched in awe as men, women, and even children demonstrated their devotion by piercing their skin with large metal hooks during a pilgrimage to Batu Caves. It was raw, surreal, and unforgettable.<\/p>\n

\"pleasure\"<\/a>
proud devotee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Thaipusam\"<\/a>
for the sake of devotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"inside<\/a>
the end of the pilgrimage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

FEBRUARY…<\/p>\n

BALI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since this was our final month living in Bali<\/a>, we focused on doing all the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153touristy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d things we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never gotten around to. We finally visited those temples, took that silversmithing workshop, and soaked up quality time with friends. I picked up yoga, went surfing, and learned to cook healthy organic meals.<\/p>\n

I always seem to have the best time when I know a chapter is about to close.<\/p>\n

\"last<\/a>
last weeks in Bali friends and indulgences\u00c2\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MARCH…<\/p>\n

HONG KONG<\/strong><\/p>\n

A long-time bucket list destination finally within reach: Hong Kong. The city struck me as a perfect blend of East and West. Even though my travel companion got a back injury, we managed to see quite a bit of the city<\/a> \u00e2\u20ac\u201dmostly via sit-down activities… Or let’s just be honest, activities involving food. No complaints here. In fact, Hong Kong is still the only place where I actually enjoy dim sum. (How\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that for a travel snob quote?)<\/p>\n

\"Hong<\/a>
visiting Chinese temples<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Eating<\/a>
order after order of new flavours<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MACAU<\/strong><\/p>\n

We squeezed in a short trip to Macau, where I felt strangely at at home in the European-looking streets of Macau<\/a>. I also confirmed that gambling isn’t really my thing.<\/p>\n

\"wide<\/a>
wide sunny boulevards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Macau<\/a>
gamble paradise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

APRIL…<\/p>\n

BELGIUM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Home, sweet home. We decided to surprise our friends and family by showing up unannounced after a year of living abroad. No one had a clue we were coming, and the joy was infectious.<\/p>\n

I slipped right back into my old job and spent my free time devouring bread, chocolate, Belgian beer, and all my favourite comfort foods. The cultural re-entry was tougher than expected\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI felt somewhat alien in a society I used to call home. Still, I spent my birthday surrounded by family, something I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t done in years.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Julien'ke\"<\/a>
deliciously gross Belgian fare<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a<\/a>
a long time since I last saw spring<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MAY…<\/p>\n

ITALY<\/strong><\/p>\n

By May, I was knee-deep in missing my Asian life. But instead of sulking, I leaned into one of Europe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s greatest gifts: proximity to a wide array of food and cultures. I took time off to explore the culinary magic of Italy.<\/a> Bologna practically amazed me with its unbelievably fresh and honest food. I was already planning my return before I even left the city.<\/p>\n

\"Bologna\"<\/a>
the red city seen from above<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bologna<\/a>
incredible food and wine in Bologna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

JULY-AUGUST…<\/p>\n

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three years after my last visit, I returned to the motherland: North Kivu, in the DRC. Some called me crazy\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfor going, for bringing along 20 muzungu<\/em> (white folks) only to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153endanger\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their lives. But it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crazy to me. My family lives there. Why wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t I go?<\/p>\n

And I was right not to second-guess it. The trip went smoothly, the muzungu<\/em> had the time of their lives, and\u00e2\u20ac\u201doh yeah\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI got married! The journey was exhausting, more mentally than physically, which might explain why I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t found the energy to write about it yet. But the stories are ready, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be sharing them soon.<\/p>\n

\"Congo's<\/a>
Congo’s stunning nature<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"safety<\/a>
safety first<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kids<\/a>
kids in the village<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"crossing<\/a>
crossing the Congo-Nile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UGANDA<\/strong><\/p>\n

On my way to the DRC, I revisited my favourite places in Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi still holds a special place in my heart<\/a>. This time, my whole family joined me, which made it even more meaningful. Once again, I skipped gorilla tracking\u00e2\u20ac\u201dstill not one of my brightest moves, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m banking on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153next time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\"buying<\/a>
buying goat brochettes from the bus window<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lake<\/a>
Lake Bunyonyi with family. Photo by A. Van den Daele<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RWANDA<\/strong><\/p>\n

I spent part of my childhood in Rwanda, and I was determined to reconnect with that part of my life. I hunted down our old house and schools\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfound them, eventually, after several hours of of Sherlock Holmes-ing.<\/p>\n

The country had changed so much since the genocide<\/a>, yet many of\u00c2\u00a0 my favourite spots in Gisenyi<\/a> were still around, just with a fresh coat of paint. The nostalgia hit me in waves.<\/p>\n

\"LAKE<\/a>
sunset in Gisenyi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SEPTEMBER…<\/p>\n

FRIESLAND- THE NETHERLANDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

To round off the European summer, Douglas and I treated ourselves to a weekend in Friesland to visit friends we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d met in Bali. Strangely enough, Friesland had always sounded exotic to me, despite being right next door. We arrived just in time for a cultural heritage festival\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit felt like time travel in the best way.
\nWe went supping<\/em> (stand-up paddleboarding) through Frisian waterways, which turned out to be a fantastic way to explore the region.<\/p>\n

\"catching<\/a>
catching up in front of an old country house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Friesland\"<\/a>
clog boots<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"FRIESLAND\"<\/a>
old fashioned fun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OCTOBER…<\/p>\n

MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA, KOSOVO<\/strong><\/p>\n

Montenegro and Albania both swept me off my feet. Montenegro’s natural beauty and charm were perfect for my solo travel in Kotor and around<\/a>, while Albania stole my heart the minute I set off for the mountains<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u201dan easy travel highlight of the year.<\/p>\n

Both countries were unexpectedly welcoming, even for a dark-skinned traveler like me. As for Kosovo, I only had time for an overnight stop in Prizren. Sipping strong coffee at the riverside caf\u00c3\u00a9s and wandering the cobbled streets made for a pleasant afternoon. I loved the fact that it was an unexpected visit, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll definitely need to return for a deeper dive.<\/p>\n

\"kids<\/a>
kids in Beirat, Albania<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GREECE<\/strong><\/p>\n

I traveled to Athens to attend TBEX, the biggest travel blogger\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s conference, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience\u00e2\u20ac\u201dprofessionally and personally. I met inspiring people, explored Athens, and reflected on my own journey as a storyteller.<\/p>\n

After the conference, I toured Corinth, went on a wine-tasting adventure, and learned to cook traditional Greek dishes<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0in one of Athens’ oldest taverns. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve yet to explore the rest of the country, but I consider this trip a perfect introduction.<\/p>\n

\"Athens<\/a>
Athens by night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"wine<\/a>
wine tasting in the country side<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NOVEMBER…<\/p>\n

IRAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why Iran?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d people asked. And honestly\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a short answer. It had been calling me for years, for so many reasons. So when I found a dirt-cheap ticket, I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hesitate.<\/p>\n

I ignored the safety warnings (mostly from people who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never been there). Iran made me laugh, cry, think, marvel, love, feast, and fantasize. The architecture stunned me. The landscapes were diverse and unspoiled. The history was captivating. The food? Unlike anything else. But most of all\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe people. They were the soul of Iran.<\/p>\n

Lots of blog posts coming soon.<\/p>\n

\"Sheik<\/a>
inside Sheik Loftollah Mosque, Esfahan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kashan\"<\/a>
farmer in Kashan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kashan\"<\/a>
out of this world rooftops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

DECEMBER…<\/p>\n

ECUADOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

The final destination of 2014: Ecuador. Not just for travel\u00e2\u20ac\u201dpossibly to stay for a while. We knew very little about the country when we landed, yet we had loosely planned to make it home.<\/p>\n

I have no idea what comes next, and I like it that way. I think<\/em> 2015 will involve less international travel. But then again\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI said the same thing last year.<\/p>\n

\"on<\/a>
on the look out for a new life in Ecuador<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How was your travel year? Were you able to full fill some of your travel dreams?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The post ‘2014 Travel Summary<\/a>‘ first appeared on Travel Cake<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. While the rest of the world was exchanging hugs and watching fireworks to ring in the new year, I was soundly asleep, cocooned in my warm bed. Despite the endless […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2180,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90,65,92,83,117,91,103,84,118,89,87,122],"tags":[110,5,63,132,11,12,67,4,31,106,104,20,27,46,64,61],"country":[],"class_list":["post-2146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-albania","category-belgium","category-greece","category-hong-kong","category-indonesia","category-kosovo","category-lists","category-macau","category-malaysia","category-montenegro","category-rwanda","category-uganda","tag-africa","tag-asia","tag-bali","tag-belgium","tag-europe","tag-experiences","tag-festivals","tag-food","tag-indonesia","tag-latin-america","tag-lists","tag-off-the-beaten-track","tag-photo-essay","tag-quirky","tag-short-getaway","tag-sulawesi","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2146"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4583,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2146\/revisions\/4583"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2146"},{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=2146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}