http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Annik/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Annik en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 13:14:10 +0000 Tue, 21 May 2013 13:14:10 +0000 New York New York. Oh how I love thee Some 11 years ago I visited New York in some crazed 30 hour visit that whilst leaving a lasting impression didn't really give me the best picture of New York. I had found out then that New York was manic frantic and really just plain disturbed but I didn't see the quieter side the relaxed vibe that is hidden from the hideous Times Square or the peak hou http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/New-York/New-York/blog-510889.html Had a lovely time visiting family in Madrid... was totally spoilt by Aunty Karin and Tash. Was great to actually go to a city and not rush around like a tourist took great pleasure out of just relaxing over a meal or wandering around the streets. Anyways here are some photos... http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/District-of-Madrid/Madrid/blog-496885.html Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if it didn't include my travel buddy extraordinaire Naomi a semi frozen turkey dodgy stuffing countless Ferrero Rochers the lack of kitchen utensils a Christmas decoration from Denmark Friends and Scrubs on telly a massive bonbon Journey's Midnight Train presents galore a wonky plastic Xmas tree and the lingering promise of snow to no avail on Christmas d http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/blog-466452.html Oh what a beautiful fairytale like citySo after spending a night in London Naomi and I caught an early plane to Copenhagen and we were lucky to spend time with Karin and Jimmy who were our gracious hosts tour guides chefs baristas chauffeurs and translators. We were spoilt We visited the Botanical Gardens and Statens Museum for Kunst National Gallery of Art before spending the evening a http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Denmark/Region-Hovedstaden/Copenhagen/blog-457533.html OlaWell my friend Rebecca was going to Lisbon with her mother Pat for a weekend as part of her travels before heading back home so when she asked if I wanted to join her I jumped at the chance. After an early start getting up at 3am to catch flights is never fun especially since I am a procrastinator and end up going to bed at midnight as I will find something to do rather than pack my bags http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Portugal/Lisboa/blog-443856.html Just posting a few pics from the weekend away to Paris with Naomi. Had a great time as I always do with Nomes having a relaxed weekend by just experiencing rather than sightseeing. And since we are such big kids we also spent a day in Disneyland because that's just what you do. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Ile-de-France/Paris/blog-430506.html Spent 10 glorious days in the Greek islands Mykonos Paros and Santorini thanks to a friend of mine having his 30th Birthday there. Flew into Mykonos via London and totally fell in love with the sunshine 30 degrees and constant sun was something Id almost forgotten after spending the summer entirely in Ireland. So spent a lot of time lazing in the sun and just relaxing during the day and http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Greece/blog-425247.html We were all blessed with amazing weather for the long weekend. It's funny that here in Ireland it seems that everyone is obsessed with the weather and I'm jumping on that bandwagon even though I try not to. So it was sunny and in the mid 20s. On the Saturday I went shopping with my housemate Monika into Dublin where we got a little excited in HM and then wandered around Temple Bar etc. It was n http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-406253.html It was a gorgeous day and the first time that it was actually somewhat warm so off I went to Bray to do the BrayGreystones Coastal Walk. Bray and Greystones are in County Wicklow which I haven't been to before and is easily accessible by the DART train. Bray and Greystones are quite cute little towns in their own right but the coastal scenery made them fade in comparison... but I'll let the http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Wicklow/blog-403957.html After being very busy organising a job housing and the like I decided that I should go out and do some sight seeing especially since it was a sunny day. So off to Howth I went. Howth sounds like both btw. It's a short DART train ride from Dublin on the opposite side of Dublin harbour from Dun Laoghaire. Howth is basically a fishing village and its very cutesi. Anyway enough of my ramblings http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/blog-399217.html Well I've been here almost a week and a lot has happened in such a short period of time. As most of you know I had an informal chat and tour of the hospital that I'm interested in working at the day after arriving and I think it went quite well. I was really impressed with their therapies and I think I will really like working there. I have an interview next week and hopefully will get the job. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-395345.html Arrived safe and sound in Dublin after spending just over a day traveling. Etihad were actually really good and I'm glad I decided to fly with them... good service good food a bit unusual but still good and Abu Dhabi airport was good too. No complaints. Was amazed at seeing the area around Abu Dhabi being completely sand I expected it but it still was amazing. Finding my way around Dublin h http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-394087.html I am home now... arrived late last night safe and well. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-323358.html Spent the weekend in Birmingham with my trusty sidekick Naomi who lives there. Was great to hang out with my traveling buddy in her new home town. Birmingham is actually a pretty cool city the Bullring is really quite interesting. Emos hanging out at the local cemetery was also interesting lol. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/West-Midlands/Birmingham/blog-322302.html Caught the Eurostar for a day trip to Paris. Had an awesome time. Went to the Chateau de Versailles which I absolutely loved especially Marie Antoinette's area... simply stunning gardens and also cute residence. Also loved the art and furniture within the whole grounds. Also went to the Pre Lachaise Cemetery and saw Jim Morrison's resting place... shame that I got there close to closing time s http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Ile-de-France/Paris/blog-322310.html Did a day trip up to Stonehenge and Salisbury and caught up with my dearest friend and partner in crime Naomi. Was blown away by this structure and how it was constructed thousands of years ago. Salisbury is a cute little English town known for its cathedral. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Wiltshire/Stonehenge/blog-322297.html Spent two weeks in lovely sunny Italy with Kydi and Adrian. First stop was Naples which is quite a dirty city but has the draw card of having Pompeii nearby. Pompeii was absolutely amazing Was blown away by the fact that society has really changed very little over the last 2000 years. Went to my first brothel don't understand how a concrete bed it very appealing but thought it was funny that http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/blog-322280.html After having a great time in Ireland a few months back feeling like I hadn't really seen the country as much as I wanted to and having the opportunity to do a road trip with my great friend Naomi I just had to go back. Naomi and I flew in to Dublin and picked up our car a Red Nissan Micra which we nicknamed Ladybird... and thankfully had more guts than the previous hire car. And so our adve http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/blog-312916.html Saw so much of Spain... and absolutely loved it Such an amazing country. Barcelona Traveled with Mum and Grandma to Barcelona by train from France. Saw the usual sights La Familia Sagrada and other Gaudi buildings La Rambla and also Montjuc. Really loved this city so much to see and the buzz was amazing. Caught up with my dear friend Naomi as well which was fun as always. Didn't really app http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/blog-312134.html Went with my Uncle and his family and my Mum and Grandma to Murs in the south of France for 4 days. It was an RR sort of holiday sleeping in the sun working on ones tan swimming in the pool going for walks going to markets stealing fruit from farms naughty but oh so tasty. So relaxing Visited Coustellet and Gordes.Thanks to Alex Corrine Louis and Paul for everything http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Provence-Alpes-C-te-d-Azur/Gordes/blog-301492.html