Reykjavík

Iceland in the middle of winter is incredible. Mind blowingly (literally) cold, extremely deep snow and sunlight hours restricted to around 7 hours. We hadn't contemplated how cold it would be until it actually hit us. 4 layers was the minimum, especially on the tours. I recommend layers, hoods and if possible face masks!

The little town of Reykjavik. This side of the town was filled with restaurants and bars, perfect for me and Christy!

Did I tell you to wear layers until you look like a snowman like me?

My first meal in Reykjavik was an icelandic hotdog..... does it look appetising enough?

The most exciting part of Iceland was the Blue Lagoon, I mean I hate to admit it but it isn't one of the most exciting places I've been. Maybe because it's the dead of winter, and there are blizzards everywhere, but it takes so long to drive anywhere, and navigating the place yourself is almost impossible in this season.

New York Part 1

Here comes another travel post. New York can I first say is amazing, nothing does justice for New York like actually being there. To begin, lets start with my story of how it all began. My cousin being as spontaneous as she is flew out to New York on the Tuesday, without telling me! Upon realising the cheap flights, £400, how can you pass that up? Despite having lots of work to complete before the next term begins, I booked tickets. This was after a sitting in the library at 9am telling myself if I complete 2000 words of this 5000 word essay I will book flights. It was just one of those moments when you are suffering in the library and need an escape. I had contemplated being sensible and checking flights for more feasible dates, e.g. a week later or later on in the week, but actually I booked it for the next day. The day was currently Thursday and I was flying FRIDAY morning. And so it began.

First stop: Madrid. Connecting flights can be so tiersome, but a 3hr wait really isn't too long, the only problem is me being me I didn't contemplate how hot it would be over there. So wrapped up in all my layers protecting me from the cold of the London chill and the following coldness in New York, I was baking in Madrid. It was still 20+ degrees there! Safe to safe I looked like a knob.

Here we go, AIR EUROPA, flying to New York. I can tell you now I couldn't contain my excitement whilst I sat and took this picture. Despite being by myself, there was something even more exciting about it.

For cheap flights this is a surprisingly flight airline. The seats were relatively roomy and the service was amazing. The only downside of the cheap flight was the movies and television shows. Unlike the big airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific, they do not offer a wide array of the latest movies. Albeit they had a few such as "The Drop" but I ended up channeling my inner-child and sticking to Maze-runner, which if you are 15 or like me, you will enjoy. 

Having woken up at 3am to make this flight and flying through the day it was so difficult not to fall asleep. The struggle definitely was real, but staying up to sail through clouds is definitely worth it.

Arrival into Madrid, I didn't want to do anything but eat, I was STARVING to say the least. Getting to my table and realising I picked up sparkling water and paid €2.50 for something I didn't want instead of still water, I was a little peeved at myself, but nothing could ruin the pure joy and excitement I was feeling.

 

Devoured my mandarins and fruit mix very quickly in the back as you can see. You didn't expect the water and fruit to be my meal did you? This was the main course, PIZZA.This is supposed to be the meat pizza, I mean there wasn't much meat but who am I to complain I was hungry and it was do-able.

And so the final lap of the journey begins, NEW YORK, HERE I COME.

For those nostalgic moments you need a few sunset pictures. For those moments where you contemplate what you've actually done, you need to look out the window and question life. That is exactly what I was doing here. Asking those important questions "WHO AM I?" "WHAT HAVE I JUST DONE?" and the real question of "WHAT ARE MY SIBLINGS AND PARENTS GOING TO SAY WHEN THEY FIND OUT?"

Having to stay awake to adjust to the time differences isn't so difficult when you have horizons to look at whilst flying over. That and the food. The food was so good on Air Europa, sorry Virgin, Cathay and British Airways, Air Europa wins! The food was generously portioned and was offered 3 times. Thats more than in a 12hour flight to HONG KONG.  

AND SO I ARRIVED IN NEW YORK. Was this a picture to mark my arrival or just because I liked the man's yellow jeans in front of me, you decide. And so my lone journey around New York began!

Christmas 2014

I would say for the best part of my teen years I have spent EVERY Christmas Eve working for my parents. It really doesn't bother me as my family are all there, and sometimes not attending work means you are missing out rather than going. This particular Christmas was not any different. This time everybody just a little older and wiser. 

By now we are all very familiar with this face, and this is little Gracie! She loves a little pose, a little pout and to be centre of attention. The limelight is where she is supposed to be, constantly talking and eating.

I had to take the little moustache from her to have a little selfie moment of my own. Christmas Eve evening feast was not as exciting as it used to be! (Mainly because when you're 9 and waiting for your parents to return and letting you run around crazy till 5am was the idea of fun, now not so much)

So at 20 years of age, I have yet to have a traditional christmas dinner, but I guess this is tradition. HOT POT. Not my most favourite meal, but it does the job. It bonds people and is a chinese favourite, so why the hell not.

So the celebrations begin. Things are a little different now since we are all so grown! The youngest is 15 so we all gather and pretend to drink. There is less presents now and more talking as a family rather than adults vs children. It's an enjoyable catch up and this christmas was no exception.

Me and my twin of a sister. Soon to be a very different story. 

My cousin taking selfies and us being in the photo. How things definitely have changed since we were younger. I don't even think we have any images of christmas when we were younger!

And I am just one of those unphotogenic people, who do stupid faces at the wrong times, getting tired of taking a million pictures in a row!

 Brother and Uncle...... OH DEAR is right

Abeno Too

I have returned from New York for a week now. It is not enough to say that I miss that place a lot. For somebody who was only out there for a week, I have fallen in love very quickly. The place, the people, the lights is just incredible. People always complain about the cold and windy weather in London, but it really does not compare to the brisk cold of New York. So when I went to London in this particular evening in a Leather Jacket I was especially happy that I did not have to wear the layers upon layers and thermals that I had on in New York.

I mean, this is no New York City Skyscrapper sight, but London financial district Canary Wharf doesn't do too bad of a job. The sunset makes it look slightly better.

It is nice to take time to see the sights you were once so bored of seeing. I used to walk past this so frequently and just glance, but this night and the other nights I have returned I just remind myself how pretty it really looks.

Generic Oxford Street Light pictures, with an additional of a man's head. Bet you don't see that head very often, so let's just say this is a new refreshing picture.

Selfridges does an impressive job with Christmas Lights I must admit, no shops in New York actually wowed me with their christmas displays or lights, but this looks elegant and not too "christmassy" which is probably why I like it.

Moving onto the food section. ABENO TOO. Some people hate this, *ahem* Maggie, but actually I really enjoy this place. It isn't the cheapest of places to go for Japanese food in London, but it is quite different. Sitting in front of a hot plate, it is mainly known for it's tepanyaki, meat cooked on the hot plate in front of you. Additionally they do dishes called okonomi-yaki which is pictured below, an egg dish mixed with whatever you want. Above is Om-Soba, this looks massive, but two of these shared between 6 people really isn't enough. (Well for me anyways, they all agreed they were full and I was secretly sobbing inside). If you don't like salty foods or noodles, avoid avoid avoid.

This is the okonomi-yaki. We went for a mix of pork, kimchi and prawn mix which yet again was quite salty, but that is asian cuisine for you. This was delicious, and the sauce on top is Mayonnaise, but this is optional with also a few extras that the cook asks you.

 After dinner I left these friends to go meet another friend, and guess what that means, ANOTHER LOCATION to eat. Typical. Above is just a little box of chocolates gifted.

Moving on to Muriel's Kitchen in Old Compton Street for dessert it was then. Carrot and Walnut cake, my favourite. Adults and kids who squirm at this because of the sight of the word carrot, fear not, it tastes nothing like a carrot. (Although carrots really don't taste that bad once you give them a chance). It was really good, £5 for a large slice isn't too bad, as it is a shareable size. The cream on the inside was so fresh and definitely made to a high quality. Recommended! It is also their "famous" cake so why wouldn't you want to give it a try? I ordered an Arizona Tea on the side, don't ask, it was the panicked first thing I saw on the menu so I'll order it drink.

The decor in Muriel's Kitchen is extremely nice too. It is homely, yet not too homely, it doesn't look old and dated, it's comfortable and outdoorsy. Definitely my kind of place, and free wi-fi. Can you complain?

Anyway, on my arrival back from New York, my love for cities has grown exponentially, and actually I feel I have missed out on what London city can offer. This evening gave me a refreshing set of eyes when looking at the beloved London town.