Deptford Goth

Deptford Goth- Feel Real

It isn't often that I hear a band and instantly think, I need this in my life immediately. But with Deptford Goth it was different. I was in Rough Trade in London flipping through records and magazines when I heard the sounds of 'Union' and I instantly 'Shazammed' that tune and downloaded. You could call it love at first sound. 

I played the album through the many flights and train trips I entailed during my holiday and my fondness continued to grow. The album has a very enchanting and raw sound. I would describe it as James Blake meets Florence and The Machine instrumentals. Aside from 'Union,' my favourite tracks are 'Feel Reel' and 'Object object'. I'm always on the hunt of new artists that restore your faith in the music industry and this album, is that for me. I strongly recommend checking it out, it isn't often I go on about an album but I think they will be a big thing. 

Another album I still can't stop raving about is from one of my favourite bands ever, Pheonix (and no it isn't just because I am a francophile). Bankrupt! did not disappoint for me. I had been waiting for this album to come out for so long. 'Bourgeois' and 'Chloroform' are so catching but they are all pretty great. These guys can do no wrong in my eyes.

Culture shock

Traveling is always a bit of a double edged sword, the strain of living out of bags, the confusion of different maps, accents, currencies and time zones combined with too much food, partying and constant small talk with strangers. But all it takes is the sight of a new country from the top of a building or plane to take your breath away entirely. You are tasting new foods, hearing new languages and swimming in new oceans, and before you know it you are more hooked than a patient on morephine. In that moment nothing else matters and that is what keeps you coming back for more. But when does travel lose that exciting and new feeling? 

My first trip overseas, I was so scared of the unknown and all that could go wrong but I was blown away! I arrived and everything felt so surreal, I experienced culture shock, saw some buildings and before I knew it, it was all over. There are so many different and new faces to be seen and smells and sounds to take in, but that culture shock is what makes travel so wonderful and leaves you with a sense of absolute awe. I hope I am never able to say I am sick of going overseas, I want to always feel that rush of change and breath of fresh air.

Northern Ireland

I didn't have expectations before venturing to Northern Island. I wasn't sure if my prior stereotype of Ireland in my mind matched where I was going. My boyfriend and I went to stay in a relatives farm cottage in the Belfast countryside. It was surrounded by nothing but lush meadows, castles and estates owned by old lords and good old fashioned Irish pubs. I underestimated the beauty of this country.

Most of the time was spent drinking Irish cider, feeding horses and taking in the rare Irish sun which graced us. On the second day we went on a twenty minute drive which took us over the border to Southern Ireland. It was crazy because not only is it a different country after driving twenty minutes but it's a different currency too. We went to a beautiful old castle called Castle Leslie. It is like a place I would dream about going with beautiful gold walls and antique furniture inside and then you step out to a flawless garden and fountain and a lake that goes for miles. 

Portugal

Lagos, Portugal

If you don't like excessive raving about how good a holiday destination is, than I suggest you stop reading now. Portugal was perfection! I stayed at the Cascade Resort in Lagos and it was the most beautiful place I think I have ever seen. Clear blue waters, cliffs, caves and little orange and pink mediterranean looking villas lining the coast. We went climbing along the cliffs, boating through the caves and sun baking in the cove. I would tell anyone going to Portugal to stay at Cascade it is in a mint position and the staff, food and rooms are amazing!

Cascade Resort, Lagos

I then made the trip from Lagos to Lisbon, it was only a short stop over but I thought it was such a picturesque little city. These yellow trams travel all over the city amongst the old stone and tile buildings, which I loved. It isn't the newest or most architecturally rich city, but I loved its old charm and character.

Trams in Lisbon, Portugal

London Times

Brick lane flower markets

Street art in Brick lane 

Oh London you pretty thing

Je taime Paris

The view from the top of the basilica 

Street art in the Latin quarter

The palace

Paris is one of those places that I don't think anyone could get bored of. It was my second time there in the summer and it was even better than the previous visit. I went to the top of the Sacré Coeur basilica on top of the Montmartre hill which had an amazing view of the city. I also loved all the vintage shops in the Latin Quarter.

The Arc (of course)

People watching and being a francophile 

Sunset picnic under the Eiffel 

Louve

Amsterdam adventures

Berlin love

The Berlin Wall

Berlin is such a cool city filled with so much history, art and culture. I had the best time here and found the museums and tours so interesting. I went up to the top of the sky tower and saw the view from the top of Berlin and it really is as vast as people say, it spreads for miles. The Berlin wall is incredible, the images tell the tale of such a painful past and the start of a new beginning for the city, some of them are so great!

Perfect Vienna

Prague mornings

I love Budapest

Budapest really took me by surprise! I am in love with this city. It almost feels like a Paris of the East. Upon arrival the scenery was breath taking, especially the building lined streets, cathedrals and river. I went to a hill above the city and admired the view. I also spent hours walking through the city and dipping in the thermal spas that provide hot water deep from the earths surface. Their portion sizes are large and delicious, I ate as much cuisine as I possibly could (of the vegetarian variety of course) such as stuffed mushrooms and eggplants, grilled potatoes with toppings and fried vegetarian balls. The night life is also crazy, I got to go to a bar that was in an abandoned old building from the war and is hanging with plants, light bulbs and quirky trinkets and was playing underground Hungarian beats. I then went to a club which was a maze and had different rooms for every genre, it was a very popular one! I would definitely recommend making the trip, you won't be disappointed.  

                                 

              

Today we took a trip to Mostar and Sarajevo. Two areas shaken by terrible brutalities and war so recent as the 1990s. We were given a brief history lesson about the war crimes that occurred in the area but driving through the beautiful mountains, turquoise creeks and stone villages you could almost be oblivious. That was until you look closer and see the bullet shots remaining on homes and buildings, bomb shell markings on roads and homes that were visibly blown in half and left as abandoned rubble. 

It broke my heart as I drove the scenic region and noticed countless grave stones on the sides of the roads that still looks so fresh. It's unbelievable to think that I was learning to ride a bike and holidaying at the beach while kids here were running from the danger of war everyday, It was a really worthwhile experience.           

cc

Dubrovnik

When I drove into Dubrovnik over the winding cliffside roads, looking over the ocean, it was such a breath of fresh air after hours in transit! The turquoise water, rocky beaches and Tuscan looking golden villas lining the headlands and shore were more beautiful than I ever imagined. We got into town and saw a big castle and stepped into a state of chaos of bikes, buses, locals and tourists everywhere filling the air with sound. 

Our hotel was on Adriatic beach a few minutes from town and boasted a picture perfect view. We went to the pebble and umbrella lined beach for a dip in the crystal clear water. Curiosity kicked in and we decided to explore and found a little secret boat dock with a ladder to jump in and a few of us went in. My friends and I met a local family and were greeted by the little boy called Mario swimming in the water too.'What is your name?' he giggled shyly. Followed by, 'What is your favorite color?' He couldn't speak much English, but he was the cutest thing. My favorite activity in Dubrovnik was the gondola that takes you up to the highest mountain and provides a breathtaking view of the whole city and ocean. 

I would also highly recommend taking one of the ocean cruises and exploring surrounding islands, however be warned many of the surrounding coasts are covered in nudes. I also took plenty of time to explore the cobbled back streets of Dubrovnik which are hidden pockets of beautiful scenery and buildings. The Dubrovnik nights were spent eating pizza, seafood and partying at the local bars. I fell in love with Dubrovnik, it's a place with such rich natural beauty, culture and history.