Last of my BDay Trip Photos

 

More 34th BDay Trip Photos

 

34th Birthday Trip

Last post I mentioned my original plan for my birthday this year had fallen through but I did come up with a back up plan!  Copenhagen and Gothenburg!  My original plan was to take the first ever direct flight from the States to the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk but the price for this four hour flight was insane and couldn't be justified.  So Denmark and Sweden became the new trip!

I quickly fell in love with Copenhagen.  Very easy to use public transport which one was of my favorite parts because getting to experience a city that was truly built for people instead of cars was amazing! Also the food was incredible as you can find any genre of food you want.  Copenhagen felt like a melting pot almost which was fantastic.

Another highlight was I stayed at a capsule hotel for the first time.  Well more of a pod hotel but still I absolutely loved it!  If you ever get a chance to stay in one I highly recommend it especially for solo travelers.  This was my first time doing a full international trip completely on my own.  I honestly felt so comfortable in Copenhagen so its a great choice if you can't find a friend to join you!

I explored Nyhavn, Rosenberg Castle and gardens, Christianshavn area, an underground museum, Elephant gate, the marble church, walked across the circle bridge and found trampolines in the ground! Also walked up the Round Tower which I highly recommend, amazing views of the city!  I also had the best cheesecake ever at Hart Bakery, the Danes truly understand desserts! I tried to get lost in a few neighborhoods just to see what I'd stumble upon.  And I had lunch in the meatpacking district which was delicious.  So many great areas I truly enjoyed this city and all it has to offer.  If I had more time, I would have gone to see the giant trolls just outside of the city, I guess I need to go back! 

I also took the train up to Gothenburg Sweden and took a boat over to an island that's apart of the archipelago which I highly recommend.  Your metro pass will cover the cost of the boat which was super cool.  I walked around the downtown area which had a lot to offer and see. I also went and had dinner at a church that was converted into three restaurants and saw the Haga district.  Super cute town! 

Then I took the train back to Copenhagen for one final night and I explored the beach and saw a concert. Amazing solo trip and I hope to return one day! Here are my camera photos from the trip, using a Canon 5D Make IV.  My iphone photos are already posted to my IG: kelseynicolesmith

Next trip will be to Vietnam in September!

France and Malta

Before busy season started this year, I was able to hop back over to Europe to check off more destinations.  I also wanted to visit Madrid again as I loved it so much I needed to see more.  I only have photos for France and Malta as these were my new countries!  I really enjoyed visiting Nice, France also know as the French Riviera.  Although a bit cold, the sun was out and was still very nice weather.  I was surprised by how blue the water color was at the beach.  Their beaches are also rocks instead of sand which was a nice surprise.  I love seeing how different beaches are around the world.  Here's hoping I can see many more.  We walked around the town square, the castle and the old town.  Had amazing food and took a ton of photos.  Although I much enjoyed Nice, I do feel it was a one and done.  Malta however was my favorite. This small island packs a rather large punch.  Due to its location, it has many influences such as Italian, North Africa and I even got Croatian vibes.  The weather was stunning and so was the architecture and food!  We stayed in the capital city of Valletta.  So much just in walking distance so I highly recommend staying there.  We took a bus from the airport, very convenient and easy.  We also took an Uber over to the other side of the island which was less city and more beaches and cliffs.  This was the highlight of the trip for me.  Watching the prettiest sunset I've ever seen but sadly I did not have my camera with me because I thought we were going horseback riding.  That did not pan out but we got to walk the cliffs around the beach instead and I have to say it was absolutely stunning!  I did have my phone though so I have photos on my Instagram! On the way back to the other side, we had dinner in St Julians and that area is super nice as well and more nightlife.  Not sure I need to return to Malta but I wouldn't be against it!  Great trip and I miss Spain already!  Below are my final shots from this trip using a Canon 5D Mark IV.  Phone photos are already posted to my IG: @kelseynicolesmith

My next trip will be for my 34th birthday this summer and although my original plan is not going to work out sadly, I am currently working on a back up plan!

Enjoy the photos!

Last of Argentina Photos

The third stop on our trip was to see the second largest waterfall system in the world, Iguazu Falls.  The falls sit on the border of Argentina and Brazil.  Both sides offer much different views and experience.  The Argentina side is more interactive and larger.  You're more on top of the falls and bring a poncho you'll get very wet!  There was so much water coming off the falls, you can't even see what you're photographing.  Such a great experience but the boat ride under the smaller falls was so much fun!  Highly recommend this!  Because of this though, I didn't bring my camera on this day.  The second day we crossed the international border with our awesome tour guide, Carlos and received stamps on our passports finally.  This side is shorter and has more active wildlife but better photo opportunities.  I brought my camera this day and got such a different perspective so I recommend doing both sides.  I will say be very careful where you eat because something looking like a raccoon stole our snacks.  Here are my photos from the Brazil side of the stunning Iguazu Falls...

More Argentina

The second part of the trip was to the Patagonia region of Argentina, which is at the bottom of the map.  This was the coldest part of the trip and that wind is very humbling.  We stayed in a town called El Calafate which was a short drive from the infamous Perito Moreno Glacier.  Even in Iceland I did not get to see a glacier like this, it was incredible.  At first it was sleeting but then the sun came out.  There is a boat tour you can do but we decided not to and just walk the pathways in front of the glacier instead.  On our free day in El Calafate, we did horseback riding up a mountain and the views was insane.  We explored the little downtown area and had some wine and more wine.  There are other day trips from this area but they're very long so we stayed in town. Two days was more than enough here.  As we flew back north to see the falls, we connected in the worlds most southern airport, Ushuaia, and that is by far the coolest flight I've ever taken! Here are my photos from the Glacier and even Edwin makes an appearance...