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