Edi (Edinburgh)

December 15th, 2009

If you’ve never been to Edinburgh, you need to go now. Amazing. I’ve counted at least 3 occasions when I’ve rounded a corner and come across a backdrop that looks too beautiful to be real. As if a movie was being shot and a massive backdrop was hung between two buildings. This scene could not be happening in real time it had to have been created in the mind of some master artist who took years to perfect this picture.

So let me tell you as well about the tiny world which we live in. Standing in the queue waiting to board my flight from Dublin to Edinburgh, I look over and I see a guy (Dan) I met in Nice, France waiting on the same flight. We catch up and fly together to Edinburgh. The following day (yesterday) I run into Dan again on the same walking tour. Today, after visiting the Castle and the National Gallery of Edinburgh with Cassie and Julia (whom I met on the walking tour),  we three go to an Amateur Comedy Show and not only run into Dan again, but also two other girls that I spent almost a week with in Nice then Barcelona! So Jacquie and Rosie are back in the picture. The second you think you’ll never see someone again is the time you are reminded to never say never.

I ended up adding a night to my Edinburgh trip this morning because I haven’t quite figured out when/where to go next. I’d love to do an actual tour of Scotland. Unfortunately, they usually leave on Mondays or Fridays. So I need to figure out where to go next to catch a tour that doesn’t take me back to Edinburgh. Tricky. So that might actually require planning. What a novel idea which I haven’t come across since September 24…

Tomorrow, I’m off to see Arthur’s Seat (maybe King Arthur, maybe not). Just a hill, but why not. I’m with the Nice (is there a pun there, I’ll let you decide) group again so it’ll be a great time as always has been. Looking forward to the rest of Scotland, then off to England. Christmas is around the corner!

Posted in Europe | 2 Comments »

Long Time

December 9th, 2009

Well, let’s see who’s been pretty bad about posting new things on this site… Oh right the only person who does post new things.

I’ll be better I promise. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks with so many cities/countries in such little time. I did have company the whole way so, so that did make things quite the good time the whole time.

So I left Portugal on the 24th for London. I had booked my accommodations about a week or so before I left, but needed to call for directions once I landed in London. Of course the whole thing went to pot and I ended up not having place to stay! Luckily this wasn’t my first trip to London, so I found a hostel (same one as months ago) and lucked out with a bed, but only for the one night. At least this allowed me internet to find a new place to stay for the following couple of nights. A friend I met in Venice, Jenn, whom I met in Venice (back in October), came back to Europe for a few weeks and we met up in London. Did all the typical touristy things while there, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theater which I hadn’t been able to see yet. There wasn’t a performance going on so that was a little disappointing, but it gives me something to do when I go back next! The city was as beautiful as ever, it’s definitely winter though and the layers of clothing have started to increase. It was pretty clear the whole time, so doing things like the London Eye at night were just spectacular.

After London, flew to Madrid. Yes I was just in Spain, but I didn’t get a chance to see Madrid while I was there. Really have to love the crazy cheap airlines in Europe, makes these random trips completely too easy. Madrid was surprisingly good. From all the people I’ve met on this trip there was little to say about the city, but I found it nice. Quite cosmopolitan, and yet very Spanish. Had lots of tapas that’s for sure.  Found out the trip coincided with a promotion which included a free tapas with purchase of a Spanish beer. Although the beer was rubbish, you sort of forget that fact after the first few and you focus on the fact that you’re getting free amazing food. Well, almost all of it was amazing. There was one… not quite sure what the idiot person was thinking when they decided slabs of pork fat made an acceptable dish. The rest! Pretty awesome. Went to see Spain’s Royal Palace (Palacio Real), which was quite pretty. Yet they completely did not allow any photography! What is that all about? So if you happen to see a few photos in the gallery that might look like a palace setting, don’t worry those were NOT from that palace at all. Of course I would never illegally take photos of something, so rest assured those are completely fine photos.

From Madrid, it was onto Paris! J’aime Paris! It was quite a wonderful time to go. There was a bit of rain but it didn’t last long, and when it was over the city was breathtaking. The air was so clear and everything looked gorgeous. Went to the tip top of the Eiffel this time, which I hadn’t been able to do before. So wonderful. Did it at night and the city looked magical. It’s definitely a night time endeavor during the winter, and a daytime event for summer (not much pretty foliage during the month of December, so night is better). Again, had some amazing food while there. A little bistro name Chez Michel, was amazing. Went to the Louvre again, luckily on the perfect day because there was a strike at all the museums in Paris the following day. Even Versailles was closed, so made do with seeing lots of outdoor sites. Notre Dame was open though, and it’s quite an amazing building with some amazing stained glass. Spent 4 nights in Paris, and 4 full days. Left at early-30 to get to the airport to make the quick flight to Dublin.

Dublin is great. Still there now actually. Getting off the plane I knew I would like this place. Christmas decorations everywhere. Everyone is so nice as well. People just going out of their way to help with anything. Went to the Dublin Castle one afternoon, and then made the honorary trip to the Guinness Factory. You’ve got to love a city where the highest point a person can go in the city is a bar on top of a factory of beer. Wish I could go to that bar more too, cause the black heaven is freshest at the source.

Going to spend a few nights here to relax and see the city life. Trying to plan my next stop and I have no idea yet where that might be. So! That’s an update and a half for y’all. Enjoy pictures as well!

Posted in Europe, France, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom | 1 Comment »

City Hopping

November 25th, 2009

Another week has gone by since my last post. It’s getting harder to get time to do these, or maybe I’m just getting lazy. Maybe a mixture of both. Either way, looks like I’m in London again! How did that happen? Well I do love it, so I might as go places I want to.

Only here for a few days (sorry fam, next time around. which at this rate looks like next month again!). Let’s see, what’s been happening. After Spain, I went off to Africa for a few days, specifically Tangier. What an interesting place that was. Definitely a completely different world than I’ve ever been to. I didn’t regret going, just wish I would have had more time to visit other cities than Tangier. I’ve only heard good things about Morocco, but those things seem to focus on the rest of Morocco. It also didn’t help that I became quite sick after just arriving. Pretty solid cold hit me and I’m just now starting to feel better.

From Tangier I flew to Madrid but only to pass through. I couldn’t imagine trying to get to Portugal the “normal” way (i.e. 9 hour buses followed by 3+ hour train). So luckily with the crazy cheap flights in Europe, I didn’t really go out of my way. So from Madrid, got on the train to Lisbon, Portugal. That’s a wonderful city to visit! The place I stayed was exceptional, and everything was just right to enjoy my time and at the same time get to feeling better. It did get a little cooler while there, so I think I’ve reached the downward slop of degrees here on out. From Lisbon took a train to Porto, Portugal to catch my flight to London. From what I saw out the window of the train, I wish I had gotten to Portugal sooner. Everything looked so nice there, buildings were gorgeous, country-side was breathtaking. Just wonderful.

I made it to London last night (24 Nov). Yes, I had a place lined up to stay, yes I got screwed and it feel through. Luckily I was just here! So I had options. Wound up back at the place I was last time, and everything is working out. I just spent the morning going around Wimbledon area Actually just saw a movie. Went and saw Harry Potter, of course, since I didn’t have friends that knew the books/movie in DC (looking at you Whitney). Don’t tell, but I actually had to sneak in to see it (yes I bought a ticket just not to HP). It was the “olds’ showing of the film, so no one allowed under 55 years of dignity. Luckily my dignity seems to have been lost somewhere.

Things might get tricky soon to post often, after London I’m back in Spain but to Madrid which I really did skip. Then to Paris, then to Dublin. Did I mention the hopping part? Oh yes, I did. First actually. Don’t laugh or judge, I don’t think it would be me doing it if it wasn’t done this way.

I’m sitting in Starbucks now. Yes, Starbucks because they have internet and this post would not be happening otherwise. And I always know I can get my 4 shots of espresso + hint of milk, and rarely get the awkward glance at the shear quantity of caffeine. Off to another part of London now, not sure where so looks like I need to get the map out. Ta Ta for now!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I’m quite sad I’m missing a proper Turkey this year. I’ll find somewhere here to celebrate (it’ll be easier than finding July 4 celebrations that’s for sure!)

Posted in Africa, Europe, Spain, United Kingdom | 2 Comments »

Southern Spain

November 18th, 2009

So, let’s see what’s happened… Malaga was a lot of fun. Very relaxing, lots of lying on the beach. I did !not! go paragliding as that is quite an expensive hobby. But I enjoyed the nightlife of Malaga and the hostel just as much I think. Didn’t take too many pictures, as I didn’t take my camera around as much as usual, but it’s quite a gorgeous place.

Left Malaga and wound up in Tarifa, the most southern tip of Spain and the furthest south you can get in Europe. Great group of people at the hostel when I arrived. Had a perfect start to this destination. Next day (Monday), five of us went surfing. Yes my very first surfing experience was off the southern tip of Spain. Let me try to describe how non-conducive  to learning to surf for the first time the waves were. Swells were over 2.5m and water was bloody cold. We did get wet suits and boards from the surf shop, so that was a benefit, but still. After a morning of drinking salt water and pretending like I was doing something correctly on the board we went to lunch. I felt like the morning gave me the basics and made me realize it’s just as hard as everyone describes. Went back later in the afternoon, and after a bit I actually stood up and road a wave all the way into the beach! It was only once, but damnit I did it! Never got back up again, but oh well. Great time, I feel like a punching bag now though…

Yesterday went to Gibraltar with everyone. We walked all the way to the top, which was definitely the way to go. Much more fun than a van ride up. I did actually get attacked by an ape on the way up. Dropped my camera while opening my bag. Happened to have a sandwich in the bag, and let’s just say monkey attack! After a slight struggle, maybe a shove or two, a definite kick and another guy coming in for a second kick we got away. You’re never going to get that sitting in some van! The rest of the climb was pretty fun, no attacks and all straight up, but good times. Crazy amount of apes on the mountain top.

Today, I’m on my way to Morocco for a few nights! Then off to Portugal. Pictures of all of the above should be up. More Barcelona and Tarifa pics to come as well, didn’t get them sorted and such yet fully. But enjoy!

Posted in Africa, Europe, Spain | No Comments »

Valencia – Malaga

November 13th, 2009

Southern Spain is still warm! How about that. I’m currently sitting out on the terrace drinking a cerveza enjoying the sun. Where am I doing this? Malaga, Spain. After here, I’m going even further south, so hopefully I can follow the warmth for at least another week.

Valencia was amazing. Quite a surprising little place (3rd largest city in Spain, so I’m not sure about little). Shockingly beautiful place. There was a river that ran through the city, it was redirected awhile back and the entire riverbed was made into a park that stretches for miles. Towards one end of the park is L’Oceanogràfic, which is the largest complex of its type in all of Europe with 45,000 animals of 500 different species. Who would have known! The whole complex looks like it is out of movie. Had a bicycle while I was there and went all over the city and outer regions. It was really nice to just go for miles along the ocean. Loved it.

Unfortunately it’s definitely off-season in southern Spain right now. The hostels are getting less and less crowded.

I’ve been all around Malaga today. It was nice and warm all morning and early afternoon, but as soon as the sun starts to go down a little, it gets a little chilly for sure. The place I’m staying is quite nice. It’s across the street from the ocean, the terrace faces the ocean and it’s going to be a beautiful sunset tonight. And that was a little awkward as a paraglider just flew right next to the building… maybe that’s tomorrow’s activity :)

Posted in Europe, Spain | 1 Comment »

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