York was filled with inspiration and some excellent coffee spots. Once I had breakfast, I had such a lovely walk through the museum gardens. There was this special moment when a young girl was hand-feeding a group of squirrels. They weren't afraid of her, and she was so kind to them. It felt like a moment from a Disney film. I sat in awe, and it was one of those moments where you really appreciate life's beauties.
York was filled with inspiration and some excellent coffee spots. Once I had breakfast, I had such a lovely walk through the museum gardens. There was this special moment when a young girl was hand-feeding a group of squirrels. They weren't afraid of her, and she was so kind to them. It felt like a moment from a Disney film. I sat in awe, and it was one of those moments where you really appreciate life's beauties.
Hello, my lovelies!
I meant to share the post with you a little while ago, but life has been super busy! I do not want to go into too much detail, but I started a new job and have been on a few small adventures (with more to come), and things have been changing super quickly around me. I haven't had much time to stop and write, so it's nice that I can do so now!
It's no secret that I spent my birthday in Rome (back in March); it was, in fact, a dreamy long weekend holiday that was just gorgeous and bookish! Rome was my second solo trip, and I think I'm addicted to travelling alone? Especially when it means I can visit all the bookish spots I want.
My birthday looked like this:
Keats-Shelley House Museum
Before the death of beloved writers John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, they lived in small quarters in Rome. In 1909, the house was opened to the public as a museum and library. As a lover of literature and a writer myself, the Keats-Shelley house was at the top of my list to visit. I'm very glad it was because it was beautiful.It was a very small museum, but it was powerful. You could see old texts of the writers, letters from close friends and even the bed Keats died in.
Birthday wish at the Trevi fountain
One of the first things I did on my birthday was head to the infamous Trevi fountain to make a birthday wish. I had, of course, seen many photos and videos of the beautiful fountain, but none of them had ever done it justice. It was truly beautiful, and many people flocked to see it and toss a coin.
Antico Caffé Greco
Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
I'm not a religious person, but I appreciate the architecture and beauty of churches. I had seen many photos and videos of the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and I knew I had to come and see it for myself. Seeing the beautiful ceiling and artwork within the church was certainly a highlight of my trip to Rome.
Liberia Tuba
I ended my birthday night with a Cosmopolitan at the brilliant, bookish bar. The owners are lesbian, and it's a sapphic safe environment for queer people; it was only right I visited a place that embodies so many of my own beliefs. The atmosphere was amazing and I'm really glad I got to visit this great space!
My birthday in Rome was truly special! I had so much fun exploring, and even on the days around my birthday, I visited some amazing places! I ate incredible Italian food, took many photos, and just enjoyed my visit. The other days, I visited incredible spots like the Colosseum, Vatican City, Spazio 7 (a book cafe), and many more.
I have decided to make it my annual tradition to wake up in a new country every birthday. I do have my heart set on Paris next year!
A Bookish Birthday in Rome
Saturday 8 June 2024
Hello lovelies,
If you have yet to see my many posts over the last month or so on my Instagram page, I did my first solo trip holiday to Croatia. The trip was so incredible that I wrote a blog about it and told you about my favourite moments in Zadar.
Spoiler: watching the sunset at the Sea Organ was my favourite moment!
I had such a fabulous time in Zadar. It's a beautiful place with so much history and friendly locals. The trip was five days in total. It was enough time to explore the old town and have a cute beach day. I was there during a heatwave; the coolest during the day it got was 30 degrees. As someone used to 17 degrees at best, it was boiling!
On my first full day, I explored the old town and got to know the bus systems well. I wanted to travel around like a local, and even though at times it was hard- there are no bus times or timetables online, you just had to turn up at a bus stop and see if a bus was due and was going where you needed. It only took me a day or so to work it out.
When you're in the old town, everything is quite close. It was so lovely to have a wander. If I were to go back again, I'd look for accommodation much closer.
In the old town, I found this cute little spot I returned to every day of my trip: Coffee&Cake Zadar. With the hot weather, I often when in for an iced latte, breakfast, and to cool down with their AC. It was so peaceful to just sit with my Kindle reading and relax. One of my favourite things about doing things independently is that I can mooch around and go at my own pace.
My favourite moment in Zadar was watching the sunset on the Sea Organ. So many people came to watch it too, it was beautiful. We are just admiring the view, and it is such a captivating hour of total strangers taking the beauty of the view. It wasn't all sunshine and ice cream. There were a few terrifying moments. Like, getting stranded for a little while and having a panic attack, no one could understand me. That was tough, but I managed it, returned to my hostel, and slept like a baby. After a rough night, the next day, I took the stone beach where I sunbathed, petted a neighbourhood cat and read my book. There were so many lovely cat's around Zadar, I had the pleasure of meeting three, and they were so friendly- it did make me miss Solstice a lot.
Had it been any other time I wasn't feeling so determined, I would have turned back and not bothered. But the view from the top of the Clock Tower was legendary, and I had to see it for myself. It was such a relief when I reached the top. With my heart pounding, I was so proud of myself for facing several fears, and the view was most definitely worth it.
Moments in Zadar
Monday 28 August 2023
I have been down in Brighton for just over two years now, and I believe this will probably be my last year. I plan on moving further up North, but I want to make the most of my time down here whilst I live down here. I already checked a couple of things off my list such as see Wicked, visit Cornwall and London.
I guess this is more a reminder for myself, for me to look back on and say hey I achieved all of the things I wanted to do down here. The list is in no particular order, although number 1 is my ultimate goal.
1) Visit Harry Potter Studios in London
2) See my first Drag Show/Performance
3) Go on the Eurostar
4) Visit Marwell Zoo
5) See Stonehenge
6) Visit the UK's biggest Primark in Birmingham
7) Go on the i360
8) Visit the Upside Down house
9) See Hamilton in London
10) Visit Shrek Adventure
If you think I have missed any cool things off, or you have recommendations please comment below so I can add them to my list!!
Top Ten Things: I Want To Do Down South
Monday 28 October 2019
The place we did the snorkeling 'Turtle Bay' was so pretty, it had cool huts and an ice cream place which had the cutest decor.
You're probably glad that this is the last time I'll go on about Egypt, my regular posts should start up again. I might try to post two days a week but we shall see! Thank you for reading, and have you been anywhere cool this Summer? Leave a picture below of your favourite Summer memory!
Submarines and Snorkling
Tuesday 2 October 2018
Appreciate
Monday 13 August 2018
It was such a lovely experience to visit the house Austen grew up in. The house itself was quite lovely. We got the chance to dress up too, which was a blast! We didn’t take the visit all too serious, otherwise, I don’t think it would have been as enjoyable. On the day we visited there were quite a few tourists (including myself) we figured this would be because the day we visited was close the anniversary of Austen’s death. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a few of the other tourists were American.
Myself and Tiana |
We also got to make little lavender bags and I tried writing with a quill. Much harder than I had anticipated. There was this notice board, which I regret not taking a picture of. People wrote little notes (like mine above) an attached it the board, it was so lovely to read and look at.
There were lots of really cool things to look at and learn about, like the desk Jane Austen used to write at. I liked how spread across the site you would find different copies of her books that you were able to read if you wanted to.
Jane Austen’s House!!
Wednesday 25 July 2018
Coach People
Monday 11 June 2018
Had quite a few of these! |
I loved these, they are so artistic. |
This holiday was an amazing break for me before I left home for University. It was such a brilliant two and a bit weeks.
I think the absolute highlight of my holiday was visiting the Zoo Selwo and Gibraltar. Both were adventures I adored. Selwo I fell in love with Otters and got to see various different kinds of animals. I also conquered one of my biggest fears- I crossed a rope bridge. From a young age, I have had nightmares about rickety bridges, the ones where there is something below and the bridge swings as you walk across. I faced the fear and did it- I did almost have a panic attack midway but nonetheless, I made it across.
Beautiful big cat!! |
It was amazing being close to cheetahs and Red Pandas. We got to interact with animals such as goats - which I fed by hand with my niece, that was pretty cool.
Clearly not impressed by me |
I really liked the flamingos, they were so chilled looking pretty minding their own business.
Below is a video of these crazy monkeys, I think we caught on mid-breakdown.
The noise is the monkeys! It was unbelievably amusing yet so strange. |
I particularly like this little snapshot because it almost like an evolutionary progression. |
Khaki shorts made me feel like an explorer |
This was the fierce bridge. |
I fell in love with these Otters, even bought a stuffed teddy Otter. |
At Selwo we got to see Elephants, this was exciting. Until this point, I had never really seen an Elephant in person so I really enjoyed seeing them and even attending a tour where we got to learn a lot about them.
Another Otter photo, this is the last of the Selwo photos! Hang on though, I am showing more of Gibraltar, the place I stayed and much more.
The monkeys on the rock were so incredible, they literally did not care that there were people around. One of them shoulder barged my sister's fiance- this was hilarious to witness. It was such an incredible experience to see these creatures up close. When we were visiting the souvenir shop as you enter the cave, we witnessed a monkey come in and take a packet of crisps from the shelf and then knick off with it up the mountain- I couldn't get a snapshot due to the uncontrollable laughter.
One of many selfies with my beautiful sister, this one was for her birthday celebrations. |
The architecture and layout of Spain is so unbelievably different to what am I used to in England, I found it all so pretty. I just wanted to capture it all, I didn't sadly because there were moments where I was so lost in the moment that I just lived and enjoyed myself.
Until this point, I had never seen a Banana tree in my life. |
I loved spending time with my niece, she was lovely and adored Spain - we both did! |
I fell in love with all of the views, sunsets with palm trees may be my new favourite setting.
What I like about the photo to the left is that this photo was taken before we all decided for a night swim. The water was warm and I hadn't been in the pool all day due to severe sunburn on my shoulders. We took many night swims- it was beautiful.
Last monkey picture- I promise. |
The villa we stayed in was so lovely, to the left, our neighbours were friendly and fun. Kara made some friends, and it was just lovely.
I didn't picture any but there are sooo many wild cats in Spain. I was so happy, they were beautiful!
There is definitely more wildlife in Spain that is visible. We saw huge toads, little geckos, we even collected some little frogs from the pool in which we made a home for in the garden.
So many dog owners too!
This was an incredible piece a man made on the beach, it was so beautiful and detailed- very very impressed.
Came across this little fella! |
I think what I loved most about my trip was that I got to spend time with my sister and niece before I left for University. It was an amazing trip, I had so much fun and thus being one of the best holidays I have ever been on!
Spain! 2017
Wednesday 27 September 2017
Hiya!
Blog Contents:
- Book Reviews
- Book Tags
- Bookish Discussions
- Creative Writing
- Life Updates