Part I : Alicante & Valencia
Barcelona had already reignited something in me, back thenI came for the winter sun, but I left curious about Spain. So five months later, when it was time to celebrate my 36th birthday, I answered that curiosity. This time, the Mediterranean was calling. So I booked a week in Alicante.
Alicante immediately felt different from Barcelona. Smaller, more intimate, a little quirky and easy to wander through without feeling overwhelmed.
I settled into my temporary home, unpacked, showered, rested and went outside.
That first day became an introduction through food, colourful streets, bougainvillea that reminded me of Suriname and the Caribbean, the beautiful wave-patterned Explanada de España and a very unexpected rainstorm.
By evening, I was sitting inside Voltereta Tanzania with bread, hummus, tuna tartare, vegetable tempura and a virgin piña colada.
Alicante and I were getting acquainted & I fell in love.
Letting curiosity take me uphill
The following day, I wandered into Santa Cruz wearing a blue-and-white dress that somehow matched the old city without me planning it.
The narrow streets were charming, intimate and full of character. I originally had no intention of climbing all the way to Santa Bárbara Castle, but the route kept pulling me upwards, and in hindsight, I am glad that I followed.
Before I knew it, I was standing above Alicante, surrounded by old stone, courtyards, history and views stretching towards the sea. That became the rhythm of this trip: I had ideas, but I was also allowing the days to unfold.
Into the Mediterranean blue
Tabarca was one of those days.
Fruit from the market in my bag, a swimsuit underneath my clothes, a boat waiting at the marina & the Sun to accompany me to the island.
I spent the day wandering through the small old town, eating papaya and watermelon above the ocean.
When I finally found a quieter place to swim, something beautiful happened.
I had forgotten my goggles and watched other people snorkelling nearby. I asked a woman whether there were actually fish beneath us. She handed me her goggles.
Another world opened.
Fish everywhere, simply minding their business beneath the surface. I was like a child.
That small act of kindness completely changed my experience.
Before returning to Alicante, I ate caldero, a local fish dish, and somehow the flavours reminded me of Suriname and the Caribbean.
By the time I returned to Alicante, another idea had already formed: tomorrow was my birthday.
Thirty-six, on my terms
I woke up surrounded by heart-shaped balloons and the number 36, playing Verjari Dey because I wanted to begin my Solar Return with gratitude, my Surinamese roots and a little bit of home.
I bought myself flowers. Then I collected my rental car and drove towards the Algar Waterfalls with Latin music playing.
Water was exactly where I wanted to be. I had wanted this experience for so long. I felt grateful to be surrounded by water & to feel its power.
I swam beneath the smaller waterfalls, allowing myself to experience my birthday through nature, movement and the feeling of rinsing away what no longer needed to come with me.
I had considered driving to Valencia afterwards, but it was getting late.
So I let Valencia go. Not everything has to happen just because it can.
Instead, I drove to Benidorm and enjoyed the landscape from above at the Balcony of the Mediterranean, watching the beautiful Mediterranean Sea stretch beyond where the eye could see. Life, Nature herself, gave me her gift today, twice.
I was really in my feelings, so I had my own little happy dance before heading towards La Terrassa, a rooftop lounge at Port Benidorm.
The view… I over the moon, even though it was only 19:00 & the Sun was fully out ;)
I am a Taurus. Beauty moves me—through people, situations, buildings, nature and surroundings. The first half of my birthday had held waterfalls; now I was surrounded by city, landscape and ocean.
I had to end my day at the water. Thanking Life. Thanking the Universe.
Thank you for life.
Thank you for pleasure.
Thank you for enjoyment.
Thank you for expression.
Thank you for celebration.
Thirty-six felt complete.
An adventure within the adventure
A few days later, I took a 2-hour train ride to Valencia and spent the day cycling through a city that felt larger, busier and grander than Alicante. The City of Arts and Sciences. The Central Market. La Lonja de la Seda.
A pottery market that immediately made me turn my bicycle around. Valencia Cathedral.
This city had so much to offer.
I got thirsty, so I wanted to try the famous Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas. I was on my alcohol fast (& this time I was not breaking it for nothing). I sat on the terrace, enjoying freshly made orange juice, because apparently there is no such thing as a virgin Agua de Valencia. :)
At 15:30, it was time for breakfast/lunch/pre-dinner.
I went to an authentic Italian restaurant, Santa Rita, because why not 🙂
The space felt magnifico and was filled with Italian families and groups of friends having lunch. Italian culture carries a strong sense of beauty, pride and pleasure through food.
I ordered water, a virgin cocktail and bread with olive oil. For my main course, I chose a vegetarian spaghetti dish with pesto. Although I had told myself to enjoy the holiday without overdoing it during my detox period, I ordered tiramisu.
The meal became a proper pause in the middle of a fast-moving city day.
I allowed myself to enjoy beauty through food, even if the feast slowed me down afterwards.
By evening, I was exhausted, carrying pottery through the city and waiting for a delayed train.
But I was satisfied.
Valencia had given me an adventure.
And when I finally returned to Alicante, something surprised me.
It felt like coming home.
Maybe that is what I loved most about this week. I explored, celebrated, changed plans, followed curiosity, rested when I needed to and allowed each day to become what it wanted to become.
The Mediterranean had called.
And this was only my first answer. See you at the second call.
With love,
Abigail
See the Story in Motion : My 36th Birthday in Alicante : Me, Spain & a New Chapter
