The Land of Kilts and Bagpipes: Edinburgh

Funny how I'm feeding into the stereotype for no real good reason.

I did an overnight at the airport for the first time in my life for my trip to Edinburgh. At the Dublin airport, masses of people slept in the Starbucks at the mezzanine level for their early morning flights, I was one of them. Successfully got about 2 hours of sleep, maybe?

I wanted to take a photo of the camp, but I left my SD card at home...

Anyway, the next morning I managed to get into Edinburgh and found my way to my friend's flat. Absolutely loved her place, it's super cute and cozy. I think I got attached to her sofa though it probably wasn't the best for my back. No photos of that either... Lack of photos? Strange.

After freshening up, I met up with my trusty travel buddy bernZ. From there, we got some lunch with mommy munchkins and her friend at The Elephant House. The funny thing about this cafe is that people can sign up for Dumbledore's Army in their bathrooms! Well, the lists are there... because J. K. Rowling sat in the cafe to write her books.

I'm kind of just blabbering because I need something to keep me occupied.

From there we headed to the Edinburgh Castle. A few cool exhibits and stuff, nothing that really knocked me off my feet, admittedly.

View from the Castle. Yes, still panoramas.

I'm sorry that this post is not interesting in the slightest. I'm just unfathomably bored. 

We were also just in time for the 1PM canon. Unfortunately I didn't capture the moment, but I did jump when I heard it... 

What did sweep me off my feet was the sight from Hollyrood Park near the parliament building. With the absolutely gorgeous weather I was about to take home with me a few shots that will remain in my heart. I think at that moment I truly fell in love with Edinburgh.

Shoot, did I say I'm trying to cure my panorama addiction?

Outside the parliament building

Now I know that the parliament building has been under constant fire for how much money they spent on it... but I honestly admire it for the work of architecture that it is. Perhaps if I was the one paying for it I would be irritated. Luckily, I'm not, so I get to praise it.

Loving the design of the hall.

Just a random shot from North Bridge

I'll post about my travel buddy's birthday dinner next. Thinking about posting more detailed thoughts on some of the sites I visited when I get back home to continue this blog. Let me know what you think! Hopefully won't sound as bored in my next post, I think lethargy is starting to take its toll...

By fishii with 1 comment

Paris Menu

Paris and food can't really be separated, right? So I thought that requires a post on food of its own. Introducing, fish-ii's menu in Paris!

I think this was Kosher food?

Just nicely displayed buns from Tokyo Palace

Plat du jour at Tokyo Palace, couscous!

Chai tea latte (deeeeelish) and a chocolate macaroon (double deeeeelish)

Raw salmon on tartar sauce with an amazing salad on the side. The dressing had spices

Spinach soup with another delicious salad from a cute little cafe in Latin Quarters

This post seems to be filled with only photos and the word delicious in its multiple forms. I promise the next post will have a little more variety in the vocabulary. Next up, skiing in Belgium? Or I might skip that and go straight to Edinbugh.

By fishii with 2 comments

My 22nd in Paris

Paris is magical. Even after all those stories that make your expectations sky rocket, and despite all the horror stories of Paris being filthy dirty, it remains magical. It's a gorgeous place, impeccable design and aesthetics almost everywhere. It has all been thought out.

Inside Lafayette Galleries.

Intersection with Lafeyette Galleries and Opera House.

More street corner shots.

No one ever said my panoramic addiction was cured, right? Good. Lots more to come

It was really an amazing experience to spend my birthday in Paris. When I first arrived, I was completely hit with a "oh my gosh I'm in France" feeling. Large snowflakes were floating down from the sky, the bustling city was rushing about around me, and I just felt this sense of awe. Buildings are all really low, so it felt really open and spacious, I didn't feel closed in at all. Though I should probably tell you that Maastricht doesn't have high buildings either...

Arc du Triomphe at night, the snow must've cut the number of tourists by 5.

Edit: Photos now sorted. This post ended up being a bit of a photo dump?

Île Saint-Louis at night from Pont des Arts.

Jardin Tuileries, looking out to the Concorde and a small fair.

Inside Musée du Louvre, it's huge... so spacious!

Louvre Pyramid, quite grand, this view is.

More of Le Louvre, different area of it...

Musée d'Orsay from Pont du Carroussel.

Underneath the shining Eiffel Tower!

Does it stick out like a sore thumb? But I was captivated after seeing it in person.

My lens fogged up inside the restaurant to produce this effect...

The Concorde. It's so... open.

I felt this bubble rising inside me when I looked out at The Concorde, like how I felt at Hero Square in Budapest. A single obelisk stood in the middle of it, a gift from Egypt. Two smaller but highly elaborate fountains stood on either side. A small Ferris Wheel to the left, and a wide open road to the right... I can hardly describe my feeling when I saw it. Perhaps I was a little touched, a little amazed, a little awestruck.

More fogged lens shots... It was such a cute café, sold organic foods.

Paris Gare du Nord: simple, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.

More of Gare du Nord.

Paris foodstuffs to come in next post... in the form of another photo dump. Until next post =)

By fishii with 1 comment

The Unknown World - Budapest

Starting on a slightly unrelated note, I wanted to show you some degree of insanity that exists within me.

This is a screenshot of a travel app I use online... I think there might be something not quite right with my head, or just a complete disregard for my grades and bank account. Having said that, I have a reading open beside me (not that I've been too successful at reading it).

I've decided to lump all the eastern Europe posts together because I don't think there will be many...

So Hungary! Prior to this, Hungary only really brought up a few things in my head: Budapest, Eastern Europe, Bela Bartok, and Franz Liszt. Oh, and goulash. Other than that, it was simply a big question mark. Even now, I can't say I know much about Hungary at all, but I've seen a little of Budapest and can say that I have learned something.

I arrived Saturday morning to a snow covered Budapest. Having missed both cold waves in Vancouver in the recent years, I really have not experienced much truly cold weather. This made me realize how cold the world could be. Anyway, I've resorted to wool mittens, wool socks, and a toque on top of my head with a wool sweater. Yea, I have no abilities to withstand the cold.

no, my panoramic addiction hasn't been cured yet, how could you tell?

There was a super funky church / cathedral that's built into the hill-thing. It's really cool looking, but I couldn't be bothered to pay and go inside. Went up the hill for a gorgeous view of Budapest instead. 

Actually, it's only the Pest side... Buda is right below me.

Walked around quite a bit and saw a few attractions before sunset, which was positively gorgeous against the white snow.

Citadel against the sunset.

The next day, there wasn't so much sun, and it was still cold. Walked around lots again, what's there to say? I decided that I liked Prague better, but this decision could have been highly influenced by the difference in weather.

I need to actually get off my butt and get the map so I know the names of these places...

Architecture-wise, it's a lovely city. I was told by a stranger I met at Starbucks who works for Campus Crusade in the Eastern European region that May would have been a better time to visit. The nice lady even gave me her business card so I can call her the next time I visit. Wonder when that would be. It was really cool to meet someone from the States who works for C4C so randomly, though!

The Basilica

Day 3: Wonderful weather, no travelling partner. @ Hero Square

Travel buddy bernZ left Budapest early, so day 3 was spent on my own, giving me a great degree of freedom! (Not saying I wouldn't have had it before) Went inside St. Stephan's Basilica, then to the Opera House, wandered out of town to Hero Square, Vajadahunyad Castle, went to the Parliament... then decided the weather was seriously too cold (my red hands being the evidence of the weather) and returned to the hostel for an early night.

Left out lots of photos because I'm too lazy to process them. Back to my (attempt at) reading. Please excuse the lack of detail... lumping 3 days into one post was harder than I thought.

By fishii with 2 comments

Trip Down Memory Lane: London

It has been 5 full years since I've last stepped foot into London. Not that London has changed that much, I don't think, but the feeling is completely different... or maybe it wasn't, I don't know.

This time, I spent a day with Cambridge with two old friends, walking around town, attending a Cambridge formal, it was all a new experience... strange, and foreign, but very interesting.

Outside the enchanted walls of Kings College.

It was foggy that day, making Cambridge look that much more mystical. It was just an amazing experience, all in all, to catch up with friends I haven't seen for 5 years. Honestly, one weekend wasn't long enough. I wish I had more time to spend with them!

A sweets shop at Cambridge that looks like a potions shop.

Being super sleep deprived (only 4 hours of sleep because of the flight and 6 hours the next night because we missed the last fast train from Cambridge back to London), I was afraid that I'd fall asleep watching Harry Potter in the morning at (apparently) the largest screen in Europe, ODEON. But I enjoyed it immensely.

After that, I had the first restaurant Chinese meal I've had in 3 months? It wasn't even that good, but it was so satisfying. Xiao Long Bao... why do you evade me thus?

I've also developed a strange (and probably unhealthy) obsession with taking panoramic shots...

Horse Guard Parade

Uhm... what's this called? ^^;;

Shaftesbury Square

Talfalgar Square

Just some more random photos, these from St. James Park. I saw pelicans! They're so... tall (yes, I'm short, so what?).

 

Met up with friends during different times of day on my second day. At night, mommy-munchkins, my friend, and I went on the London Eye! I know, you're thinking 18 quid for a ride on that Ferris Wheel? We were lucky and got a whole pod to ourselves! It's like... booking a pod but not paying the price! Ok, I'm just justifying it, but still~ it was all in good fun. Must mention that I had Korean cuisine that night. That was especially delicious, since I haven't had Korean served in a restaurant since I left home.

Atop the London Eye

HA! I'm all caught up now! Except I'll fall behind again soon. This weekend will welcome Budapest.

By fishii with 2 comments