Back from my adventure!

So I actually got back a week ago...oops.
I was way too tired to write my last update, but I made it back to the U S of A safe and sound.
Now, to commence with the updates! I'm already planning my next trip.

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Day #9 - Wales

This morning was another early one, mostly because there was no way we could miss the ferry to Wales. They only go every 12 hours, so that would've put us gravely behind. So we slowly moved towards the bus after breakfast and drove to the ferry.

The ferry ride was 4 hours and had spotty Internet, but it was better than nothing! I took a nap and we had some lunch. Then we were back in the UK in Pembroke, Wales. I was hoping to see a corgi but alas, we only were driving through. Honestly, though Wales is stunning, I couldn't tell you half of what we saw because I fell asleep, again. It's hard when you have to wake up around 5 am. 

We got to Cardiff and skipped the castle tour (when you've seen one, you've seen the lot) and went shopping. We were also in search for some homemade local ice cream while we were here but we didn't have any luck this afternoon either. Before we knew it we went back on the bus, to the hotel for awhile, and then drove out to the countryside to ...a farm!

This couple has a beautiful farm and they cooked for us and we ate a wonderful meal. My favourite part was the dessert: strawberries and homemade cream! We didn't get our ice cream, but this welsh cream was amazing. I even had two...whoops.

They also took us around the farm where they had a bunch of animals, including an adorable little pug. There was a hen party in their guest home next door so it deinitely was a full house, but the owners were incredibly welcoming and wonderful. A hen party, accompanied with stag parties, is basically a bachelorette party. Places such as York, Cardiff, Dublin, and other places all over the country are popular destinations on the weekends for these parties. We saw a bunch of stag and hen parties just in Cardiff today, including some guys in superhero costumes, tights and all.

There really isn't much for the update today. Our last day is tomorrow which makes me kind of sad.

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Day #8 - Cruising around the Irish Countryside (07 June 2013)

Much to my dismay, we had to leave Dublin this morning.

We drove a short way to the Irish National Stud Farm in Kildare where thoroughbred race horses are bred for races in the UK, Ireland, and other places in Western Europe. The horses were beautiful, though our tour guide described the whole process as "organized prostitution". The stallions are owned by private owners and they pay to be associated with the stud farm and to keep then there. Every time the stallion impregnates a mare, there's a fee. And once their offspring is off in the race track, depending on how well the offspring does, that will increase or decrease the value of the stallion.

Anyway, it was a fun time even though there was a random Japanese garden in the stud farm.

The next stop was Kilkenny where we had lunch. It was a cute little town an we had some huge fish and chips. We passed a candy store and I really wanted some gummy candy but we thought we'd might get something better later on. I will get my gummy candy soon!

After a very brief stay in Kilkenny, we drove to Waterford, an old Viking town and the oldest town in Ireland. We only had a little while after we got here to rest and then we were off again. We had a local guide, Jack, show us some insider historical points of interest in the town. He was also hilarious and entertaining! It was worth going even though we were very tired.

I only had 20 or so minutes to get ready before we went to a pub about 10 minutes outside of the city. We had local, beautiful Irish musicians play and sing for us while we enjoyed some great atmosphere. One of the ladies on the tour tried to set me up with them! Well they said that the Irishmen are the most romantic, so that could've worked out for me nicely. I'll keep that in mind.

I had 2 Bailey's creams even though I wanted some more Smithtick's before I left, probably my favourite ale I've had here. But I have to admit, Bailey's is great stuff. Let's hope they might have some in Wales tomorrow, or back in England.

I'm really sad to be leaving Ireland. When I go home, I want to trace my Irish side of the family because I wanted to get a family crest pin but I didn't know what our Irish name was. I'm making that another project!

I'm very tired now, talk to you all possibly tomorrow!

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Days #6 & #7 Sláinte from Ireland (05-06 June 2013)

The last two days we've been galavanting all over Dublin, Ireland. The first day we got here, we took a ferry from Scotland, across the Irish Sea to the town of Belfast. Belfast is in Northern Ireland, which considers itself as part of the UK and therefore uses pounds instead of euros. We took a bus tour of Belfast with a local guide, which was very informative. We passed the Titanic monument visitor center thing, and it was quite impressive. Overall, Belfast was okay not my favorite but not terrible. We didn't stay there very long.

After that we drove several hours to Dublin in the southern part of the country. What's really cool is that all the street signs are in Gaelic and English, because Gaelic, or just simply Irish, is the official language of the country though seldom speak it in everyday life. For dinner we went to The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland which was founded in 1198 A.D.

The next day we got up early and started the day. We had another local guide talk to us about Dublin, and then soon after we set out to Glendalough, a monastery site in the countryside about an hour from Dublin city. It was beautiful out there. So far it's my favorite countryside out of all of them. The monastery was also really awesome. It had a big graveyard so I know nana would have loved it. The oldest dating grave we found was in the year 1784. We also got some food from a little kiosk in the parking lot and I got some Celtic knot earrings.

After that they dropped us straight off into the heart of the city. I got a couple things while I was there. Our driver, Marc, said he was going to pick us all up at 3:55 pm, but as we walked down the street about 2:45 pm he honked at us and told us he was leaving without us. Made us think we were late even though Chris said about 5 times that it would be at 3:55 pm. We waited by Trinity Collegr, which has been around since the 1600s and holds the Book of Kells. I might be able to study there one semester in a year or two!

The bus picked us up, on time, and took us to the Guinness storehouse. There they taught us the Irish word for "cheers" which is "Sláinte." I think the Irish language is really cool and I wouldn't mind learning it. 

From there we took a tour of how Guinness is made and we got to taste it and get a free pint. I got carded, again. I guess I don't look 19. I sense a trend in the future. Marc also told me not to have more than one, but if I did I could have his share because he hates the stuff. I didn't think it was all that bad. The guy even decorated the foam with a little shamrock design! We drank our pints in the Gravity Bar on the top floor of the giant pint glass of a building. The top was all clear windows so we could see all of Dublin from up there.

After that we went straight to the Irish cabaret. The food wasn't that great but the entertainment was awesome! They had river dancers, singers, and an old Irishman who has been doing comedy for 50 years! He was really hilarious. The show was really a treat.

 What I really love about Ireland is the I'm Irish myself and I feel tied to this country. I mean, I love London and England and Scotland. And even though I have English blood as well, I love the culture of Ireland and am proud to be Irish.

So now I'm a tad sunburned (who gets sunburned in IRELAND?) and extremely exhausted. We head to Waterford in the morning and get to see even more of the beautiful, pastoral countryside.

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Day #5 - A wee taste of Edinburgh (04 June 2013)

Today we drove to Edinburgh, only a few hours from Glasgow. This morning was my favourite because we didn't have to pack first thing! After breakfast we got in the bus and started the day.

In Edinburgh, we drove around the city as a brief orientation to get around. Then a local guide named Liz joined us and took us to Edinburgh castle. The view was marvellously breathtaking, and the history was fascinating. You can definitely tell that there's animosity between the Scots and the English, even in the way they both describe the same events. Like the stone of Scone (pronounced "schoon"), or the stone of Destiny, which is used when crowning the new monarchs (it sits under the coronation chair). The English like to say that it went "back and forth between England and Scotland", while our Scottish local guide said that it was "stolen" from them. 

After the castle, we went past a pub called Greyfriars Bobby, which is named after a dog named Bobby who's owner was a soldier and died in combat. The dog was extremely loyal and heartbroken, he went to his owner's grave every day and at 1 o'clock he'd head to this pub where he'd be fed scraps. However, the Scottish parliament wanted to pass a law that all dogs need a license, but Bobby didn't have an owner so he was almost put down. Fortunately, he was so loved by everyone that the mayor decided to let Bobby live. His grave site is by the pub.

As we explored Edinburgh, we saw a guy playing Guantanamea and it was stuck in my head all day. We went on a search for fish and chips for lunch, and we were told we could get it at a pub. We went into this one pub but it was oddly terrifying and I got out of there as fast as I could. The next pub called The Black Rose Tavern was a little better. But you have to be 18 to even be on the premises so I got carded for the first time (and passed!). 

We went our separate ways for an hour and I got to go shopping at H&M (again) and Primark, a place Kitty raved on and on about. It was really awesomely priced but I decided I would save my shopping for Dublin!

We had a drink in the famous Barmoral Hotel and then rejoined out group to visit this amazing bridge in Queensferry and the Falkirk wheel. Chris gave us some shortbread and Drambuie to try. It's a Scottish whiskey blend with honey. It used to be only made for royals until the man who invented it released his recipe. Though it was strong at first, I actually liked it. After seeing the wheel, which transports pleasure boats, we went straight to dinner with our group back in Glasgow. It was excellent, as almost all our meals have been so far, and the creme brûlée was also good though it had an orange-y twinge to it.

So that was today, and tomorrow we get up even EARLIER to catch a ferry to Belfast, Ireland! I can't wait to go there, especially because I'm Irish myself.

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Day #4 - Lakes and Sheep (03 June 2013)

Today we drove to the Lake District first. I fell asleep for part of the drive because all there was to see after a while was grass, hills, and sheep. We had assigned bus seats today but we were near the front. We rode a train to a boat so we could cruise Lake Windemere, which was very picturesque. We talked to a woman from Vancouver on the train who was really nice. The cruise was tranquil and calm...until 2 jet planes soared over the lake booming loud. So much for peace. We saw a lot of puppies in that town, it was a dog-friendly place for sure. We passed by the home of children's author Beatrix Potter, most famous for her stories on Peter Rabbit, and the smallest house in England. It was absolutely tiny. I'll have pictures of that (and everything else) when get home. We drove though the countryside and arrived at Grasmere, a small pretty town where William Wordsworth lived and was buried. Chris read us some poetry on the way there, which I really loved. We had lunch and wifi there before we drove across the border into Scotland! We took a rest stop at a hokey Scottish tourist town that's famous for where couples would go to elope. Shortly after we came to Glasgow, where Chris kept saying it was an industrial town and not very pretty. He was partially right but it was also maybe some English bias. Though it is definitely grittier than London.

This is some of the pretty countryside.

We got to Glasgow and checked into our hotel, which is a million times better than the one in Harrogate. After an hour we got to go to dinner with our group and chatted up a storm. We talked to Chris, the Toronto people, and two extremely great women from Australia! They are my favorite people so far. Then we got back, took our showers, and here we are now. Not that much to report today, and we head to Edinburgh tomorrow! Cheers!

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Day #3 - To See or Not To See (02 June 2013)

Because we didn't get to sleep till 1 am and got up at 6 am, we felt like the walking dead. Several other tours were leaving out of the same hotel at the same time, so it was quite a mad house. We fit got onto the correct bus after we ran into our guide, Chris, and started up towards Stratford-Upon-Avon. We stopped at Anne Hathaway cottage, the wife of Shakespeare, and took a group photograph. The son of the photographer was there to make us laugh and he was so cute. Then we drove a little bit more and got to Shakespeare's birthplace. We toured his house, which I thought was really cool. I bought some things in the gift shop, including the best eraser I will probably ever own:

Get it? Ha ha ha. Anyway.

The town was pretty touristy, but we grabbed a bite to eat, withdrew some money, and made a stop at the loo. A lot of public places you have to pay to use it, but we beat the system by walking through the gate while it malfunctioned.

Next was York, about 3 hours from Stratford. The people next to us were very talkative and loud and then started talking politics. That made me roll my eyes. We're on vacation, please give it a rest.

When we arrived in York, we took a brief walking tour with Chris, only took about 15 minutes or so. If York were in the USA, they would be Texas: they are fiercely independent and sometimes consider themselves separate from the rest of the country. We had 2 free hours in York and the first thing we did was get some chips. And my goodness, they were amazing.

We walked down the Shambles, which is a pretty accurate idea of what streets looked like back in the olden days. Then we saw the York chocolate shop and we had to go in. We saw York Minster but we didn't go in because you had to pay, and looked at the wall that surrounded r city. After that we hopped back on the bus headed to Nelson's pub outside Harrogate for a Sunday Roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding (which is really just bread) and potatoes. I ordered the house ale to try and that was warm, terrible beer. But I drank as much as I dared anyway. We sat with some people from Toronto who were friendly. One of them was a girl my age. Then the dessert came, chocolate torte and cheesecake. After we went to the posh town of Harrogate. The people sitting next to us were loud and drunk so that was rather annoying. We got to the hotel, it wasn't nearly as nice as our last one, and the shower was confusing and they had pricey Internet. Other than that it wasn't terrible. We did a lot in the first day.

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Day #2 - London exploration (01 June 2013)

So forgive me the multiple posts, I didn't write our last night in London, and then I was at a hotel last night that wanted to charge me £5 an hour for Internet. Um, no thank you.

Since I had severe jet lag, I slept for 11 straight hours and got up around 9:30 am the morning of the 1st. We then had breakfast and were on our way.

After walking around a little the day before, we went straight to Westminster Abbey and paid 18 quid each. Once we walked in, we realised that it was worth it. It was absolutely gorgeous inside the church. They had free audio tours, so we took a device and walked around. We saw the burial sites of monarchs such as Elizabeth the First, her sister Mary, Richard III, and many English poets and writers such as Charles Dickens, Chaucer, Jane Austen, Ruyard Kipling, and many others in the area called the Poet's Corner. That was my favourite part of the Abbey.

After that we stopped at Parliament Square where we witnessed a protest against the BNP (British National Party) and figured out where we were going. The protest was quite the ordeal, though. 58 arrests in all.

Then we walked to Trafalgar Square, where I took a picture at Nelson's Coloumn and then went into the National Gallery which is a giant art museum. I also got swindled by a lady who wanted me to draw my flag on the ground and then told me after I did it that it she said I owed her 2 pounds! How ridiculous is that?

The gallery was cry nice, and then we took the Tube to Oxford Circus, which is a big, busy intersection where you can cross normally or diagonally, which I find rather clever. We hunted for the London Kua 'Aina and after going the wrong way many times, we finally found it. We each had a burger and it was surprisingly awesome! We told the waiter that we travelled all the way from Hawaii to eat there, and he asked me to show my Hawaii driver's license because kama'aina discount applied. I thought he was joking, but when I showed it to him he gave us £2 off! 

After that we had some time so we went shopping at the giant H&M on Oxford street and I got two things. I also bought a Union Jack for my room and some gifts. Then we met up with Hulali and her parents for dinner that evening and had an awesome time. We had Hungarian, which definitely helped to broaden our horizons. Overall a great day in London. 

Till next time xx, 

Sierra

Day #1 - Beginning of the adventure

After many weeks of planning, careful and otherwise, we finally set off for our UK adventure. We left at noon and flew from Spokane to Minneapolis/St. Paul, which took about 2.5 hours. But then we were greeted with a totally phenomenal international terminal station. They had complementary iPads for us to use in the terminal which I thought was really cool.

And because it was there I got some frozen yogurt, too.

It was amazing in there: comfy seats, free Internet, and you could also order food from the iPads and they would bring it to you! 

So, after watching 2 movies and sleeping only about an hour out of 7, we landed in The Heathrow airport in London. The customs line was extremely long but it moved fairly fast. However, the customs guy asked me why I wasn't traveling with my parents. So I had to remind him that I'm 19 and I don't have to go with my parents anymore. Apparently I look really young....

Once we got through customs, we got our bags and hopped on a shuttle to our hotel. The drive was a little long but it gave us some time to look at everything. 

Fighting desperately the urge to fall asleep after being awake for over 24 hours, we left the hotel and decided to walk around what was close by, which happened to be Parliment and Big Ben.

Then we got hungry and ate surprisingly good Japanese food. The chicken katsu was delicious!

So now we're back in our hotel and we have a pretty loose plan for tomorrow. What really surprised me was how close everything is to each other and how accessible different places are. 

But before all of that, we need to sleep.

I'll have fresh updates tomorrow when we explore the city some more!

Till next time xx,

Sierra

Monday Mix/Mix It #2 - UK Bound

Yeah, I know, it's Tuesday at least for a few more minutes. But I didn't have much time to blog at all the past two days due to rampant research on what to do in London (I leave for my trip this Thursday!), so I'm making up for it now.

Since I'm leaving this week, here are some of my favorite songs of the moment and others that remind me of my current travel destinations.

01. Do Or Die - 30 Seconds to Mars

Off Mars's newest album LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS, this song really gets me pumped up, and is one of my favorites off the new CD along with City of Angels and Northern Lights. Definitely an energetic anthem. Since I'm over the moon about Mars (ha, get it? Mars, moon...okay nevermind) releasing new music, I had to include it in this mix.

02. 93 Million Miles - Jason Mraz 

So, I'm kind of in love with Jason Mraz. When I saw him in concert he played this song and I instantly fell in love with it. This track is off the album Love Is A Four Letter Word and really has a nostalgic vibe to it that I find beautiful. To me, it says that you can always come home no matter where you go and for how long.

03. Heartland - Celtic Thunder

Since I'm travelling to Ireland, I added my favorite song from one of my favorite Irish groups. Some of you may know one of their former members, Damian McGinty, from Glee or The Glee Project. This imagery and power in this song, especially in the percussion, really captures the emotion of a storm and hope.

04. C'mon, C'mon - One Direction

Oh come on, I had to. British boy band on the travel playlist while I'm going to Great Britain, it only makes sense. This song has been frequently played on my iPod for months now. It's definitely a fun, party track with the typical but lovable boy band charm.

05. With or Without You - U2

Recently I've been really into U2 and this is my favorite song by them (along with Where The Streets Have No Name and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For). I'm not ashamed to say that I sing this all the time, in the shower or otherwise, (and I sound pretty good, too, I think). The Irish band, with Bono's stellar voice, fits perfectly with my upcoming travel locations!

06. Penny Lane - The Beatles

So, my iPod actually erased itself for some reason, so I had to reload all my song onto it. I didn't have this one on it before but I thought as I looked through my family's collective iTunes library, "Hey, why not?". I think it's a great, cheery tune from the signature British Invasion band. Can't go wrong with The Beatles!

07. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons has been blowing up the charts since their release of their first album, Night Visions. This is definitely an upbeat track with similar clapping rhythms as hit single It's Time and accurately reflects on how amazingly excited I am for my excursion.

08. Dance, Dance - String Quartet Tribute
Throwing this in there for fun! This is a freaking AWESOME string tribute to Fall Out Boy and one of their most popular songs. I love this cover and think it's brilliant.

That concludes my little mix for this week! You can listen to it on 8tracks here below or click here!

Monday Mix #2 - UK Bound from erraberra on 8tracks Radio.

Hope you enjoy, and please tell me what you think in the comments below!


Till next time xx,

Sierra

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