A Weekend Up North

Last weekend I had the pleasure of travelling from the South coast of England all the way up to Liverpool!

Having only ever been to the northern cities of Sheffield and Manchester, which was only to look at the universities, I have never really explored anywhere around that area.

Forgive me if Liverpool isn't North to you, but considering I'm from South East england, anywhere that far away is North to me!

I met my friend in Liverpool after a 4 hour train journey there. We stayed in the Novotel in the city centre which is a stunning hotel with the best location, and even has a pool! We managed to get a really great deal using booking.com, so check this out for the best value deals on top hotels.

 I recommend staying near the Liverpool One shopping centre, as it's right in the centre of the city and all the attractions are within walking distance.

So, the first thing to do when we arrived was to of course go explore the shopping centre! It has a fantastic array of high street shops from Primark, New Look, Topshop to the more upper end shops like Michael Kors.

That evening we headed over to the restaurants in Liverpool One, and there is a big selection to choose from, ranging from American to Thai cuisines. Most of the restaurants here were chains, which is good for quick and cheap eats. We ate at Chaophraya, a Thai restaurant where I decided to be adventurous (for me anyway) with what I was ordering and opted for duck, which is something I never usually order. It was amazing, and definitely recommended!

After we took a stroll to the Albert Dock to see it at night, as well as getting a glimpse of the Liverpool wheel at night with all the lights on, before heading to a bar for some cocktails. The bar we stumbled across was hidden down some steps on Colquitt Street, but it had the nicest cocktails, was cheap and had shots out of chocolate cups! What more could you want?! Plus it had a really nice and chilled atmosphere which was a perfect way to end our first day.

Visit Bar Bodega for great cocktails

Day 2 was full of city sightseeing. We started off in Albert Dock, having a look around the shops before going to the Beatles experience. Of course, Liverpool is famous for being the birthplace of one of the greatest bands in the world, and even if you aren't the biggest fan of the Beatles, this museum is still so interesting and not badly priced!

Luckily I was a student so I could get in for only £11 on a concession rate, but even the full price is only around £15. This includes admission to the museum with a personal headset, so you can take your own time and listen to what you're interested in. The museum took around 1 hour and a half, and was a poignant tribute to the rise of the Beatles.

The experience didn't stop there, as the ticket includes admission to another attraction over by the pier head which includes an interactive 4D show. If you have time it's worth checking out, but if you don't want to head over there then you wouldn't be missing out.

After learning about the lives of the Beatles, we headed over to where it all began, Mathews Street, to see the Cavern club where the Beatles used to play. Around there are loads of independent pubs that are perfect for that Saturday afternoon drink.

Mathews Street

We also headed up the Radio City tower to get a 360 degree view of the city. This is great on a clear day as you can see across the Mersey, and sometimes as far as Wales! Plus it was only £5 so it won't break the bank balance!

With all the walking, we headed over to Bolt street, which is filled with loads of independent cafes and restaurants, as well as the usual chains. We decided to go to Central Perk, a Friend's themed coffee shop for some coffee and cake. It's quite expensive but the theming is cool with the typical sofas plus they play friends episodes all day! I also bought a huge carrot cake which was delicious, but was way to big so I couldn't finish it all!

Liverpool Cathedral

Next stop, we wandered up to the cathedral before making our way back to the hotel for a pre dinner swim. This time we ate at Albert Dock in a really nice restaurant which I can't remember the name of! But I definitely recommend checking out the restaurants around there as there are some really nice independent ones which aren't badly priced! Plus there is a really nice atmosphere to have a walk around after all the consumption of great food.

Our Saturday ended with a night out on the town. Liverpool's nightlife is notorious for being amazing, and it certainly didn't disappoint. You will find an array of bars and clubs, all situated around Concert Square, and there is something for 18-50 year olds! Expect lots of hen and stag does though.

After a busy weekend, it was time to head back south. Liverpool is truly a great place to visit and you can explore the whole city in just a weekend. Everyone is so friendly and there are lots of things to do and see for all ages. Whether its a historical and educational visit, or a night spent dancing away, check out Liverpool!

View from the Radio Tower

Review: One Direction at the O2 Arena

Hello Readers!

Today's post is to do with one of my favourite things to talk about in the world: One Direction!

Having supported them since they were on X Factor, and I'm not lying when I say this! I really did go to one of their very first gigs at the forum in Hertfordshire after the X Factor had ended. And I may have been to every tour they've ever had...

Anyway, I am not a crazy directioner, I promise! So on Monday I headed off to London to meet my little cousin and take her to see One Direction at the O2.

Since being at university, I haven't seen them or anyone live in a while, so it was nice to go back to that familiar feeling of excitement before seeing your favourite band live. Unfortunately we missed the support act so I have no idea how good they were.

Onto the review of their live show.

The tour was called 'On The Road Again' and was a collection of their greatest hits, plus tracks from their albums Midnight Memories and Four. These included Kiss You, What Makes You Beautiful, Drag Me Down, Story Of My Life, Little Things etc.

Usually pop concerts consist of 90 minutes of cheesy, danceable songs. I was pleasantly surprised that 1D were onstage for a full 2 hours, which is pretty good seeing as most of their audience members are of school age!

 It was a Monday and their fourth night at the O2 arena, so I wasn't expecting the same energy that they would have had from their weekend shows.

I was wrong, they performed with every ounce of energy to make sure everyone in that room got the same and best experience. This is a thing to be proud of, as it's so easy to give a poor performance because you are bored from the repetitive routine and completely knackered from performing 4 nights in a row. These tickets were certainly not cheap, so to come out of their getting my money's worth, and having had an incredible experience is a really nice feeling.

The atmosphere was amazing. It was hard not to sing and dance along to all the songs, even though I didn't know some of them.

I also felt that even though there were only four of them this time, you couldn't notice the difference from their previous tours. They united as a foursome extremely well.

After the concert had finished, I walked out feeling a little sad that this could be their last one for a while. It made me want to see them again straight away, and I guess all artists want their fans to feel this.

I feel like 1D should feel proud to have transformed into a very professional and talented band. There music hiatus will come gladly to them, as I do feel they need some time to recharge and regain their passion and excitement for their careers. All I can say to them if by chance they happen to read this, is good luck for whatever you choose to pursue in the future, and enjoy the moment while it lasts.

To my readers, if you want a fun and enjoyable night out where you can sing and dance your heart out, take someone to see One Direction!

Hilton Head Island: America's Best Kept Secret

This is one of America's best kept secret.

Hilton Head Island is a hidden gem on the east coast of the USA. It lies southwest of Charleston in South Carolina, and northeast of Savannah in Georgia.

I had the opportunity to live and work there for nearly 4 months this summer, and felt the need to share my discovery with the travel blogging community. Although it is a well known vacation destination for most Americans, Hilton Head is relatively unknown here in the UK. When I was offered the job, I had to do a lot of research of where exactly I would be living.

One thing I will highlight in this post is that I left the island with great sadness. It's beauty captivated me and made me want to return for the rest of my life.

Set in the state of South Carolina, this Lowcountry resort oozes the southern charm that the south is known for, yet it provides an escape from the buzz of the mainland and daily life.

It is surrounded by postcard perfect beaches where you could spend all day sunbathing and dipping in and out of the warm atlantic ocean. Be careful of sharks though, I happened to see many whilst out there!

The summer sun and heat makes this place a great destination to catch a tan, yet the sea breeze keeps the humidity under control for an overall pleasant climate.
Being an island, there's plenty of delicious and fresh seafood restaurants to choose from including the famous Salty Dog Cafe which is internationally recognised. If you visit there, buy a t-shirt!

The island is home to the official marine animal of South Carolina, the bottlenose dolphin, so a dolphin cruise is a must! Other island activities include paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking and the well known mode of transport, biking! The island features numerous bike paths and scenic routes for a leisurely afternoon bike ride.

Golfing plays a big part in the island, and I actually rented a villa where the golf course was literally my backyard!
It is also home to a PGA golf tournament in the Sea Pines resort. To get a fantastic view of the golf course, go up the Harbour Town lighthouse to take in the stunning views.

 You will find many beautiful houses that are owned by wealthy families here, but the island isn't expensive to vacation. Hotels like the Marriott, Omni, Holiday Inn as well as a Disney Vacation Club resort are found here. These accompany the array of bars, restaurants, shops and clubs found on the island.

Off the island, you have the chance to explore the nearby Old town Bluffton for a taste of the quintessential southern charm.
Savannah is only 45 minutes drive away and is known as one of the friendliest cities in America.
Charleston is a must to visit as well, and is only around 2 hours drive from the island.

Although you cannot fly directly to Hilton Head from the UK, you can get connecting flights that stopover in Atlanta, Charlotte and New York. I thoroughly recommend that you visit this island if you are looking for somewhere different to visit, or like many people do, you are looking for somewhere to stop off and stay on your way to Florida or the surrounding states.

A few days spent on this island will leave you feeling well rested and eager to return to the charming island that is Hilton Head.

What I learned from second year of university

Another university year is about to begin and as I'm going into my final year, I thought it would be useful to share my experience of second year. You will find lots of posts about freshers and how 'wild and crazy' it can be, but what no blog posts ever say is that first year is a good time to prepare for second year.

It was tough. That's one thing I found out. There were times when I felt down and whilst I wasn't depressed, I certainly felt lonely. It may have been my course, or it may have been the fact that my first year was amazing! Whatever it was, I'm glad to have survived second year and now i shall embrace third year as the final hurdle before finishing my education!


- Second year gets a lot harder

The first thing my course leader said was that second year is the toughest out of the 3. I couldn't understand this. Surely third year, the year that actually counts, is the hardest?

I found first year really easy and felt like it was one big catch up year so that everyone from a variety of different backgrounds is bought to the same educational level. I found that this is true, by the results of my first year exams! Plus it doesn't count so you only need 40% to pass onto second year.

However, second year isn't so easy. I found is extremely tough! So tough that I have experienced many lows. It has gotten to the point where I have considered on more than one occasion of dropping out of uni. I found that I suffered from anxiety as well, which is a first for me. There were a lot of struggles and it certainly did not live up to how good first year was.
My one bit of advice is to power through, no matter how hard it gets. If it doesn't go to plan, you still have third year to make up the grades.

- You won't want to go out as much

I have to say, I partied hard in first year. I frequently went to lectures hungover and going out 2-3 times a week was the normal thing to do. However, this changed dramatically in second year!

With the amount of work, it is impossible, but I also found that I favoured a night in watching Gossip Girl over a night out in a club. This also coincided with me actually suffering from hangovers, which I never used to get in first year. Now, it takes me a whole day to recover, and when you have mountains of work due in, it isn't the most practical idea.

On the plus side, you save a lot of money and live a healtheir lifestyle!

- You will drift away from friends

Living in halls meant you go to know so many people. You will barely speak to these people in second year! I was close to the girls in my flat, but as I didn't live with them in second year, I hardly saw them and when I did it was on a night out so was very brief.
This is just one of life's things. It is a natural occurrence and you will make so many new friends.

- The library will become your best friend

Towards the end of the year, the coursework will start to build up and you will find that staying in the library all day will become a daily occurence. Especially around exam time. You will also find that the library will get so busy that sometimes there won't be a single computer free (depending on your university).

One piece of advice I will give you is to break up your day by going to the gym/going for a walk. You will go insane staring at a computer for 8-10 hours. If you want to remain sane, make sure you do go home.
Libraries are open 24/7 but that doesn't mean you have to live their whilst exams are on, as some people do and you can smell them. Just so you know, most libraries don't have showers.

I am extremely proud of how I handled second year and my exam results surprised me. I worked hard, probably too hard, but at the same time I learnt so much about my personality and learning styles.

Now to do it one final time to complete my degree. Wish me luck!

City of the South: Charleston

Finally a blog post! I wrote this during my time in South Carolina, and have finally got around to uploading it.

I've been living here in South Carolina for nearly 3 months now, and recently had the opportunity to visit one of the well known cities of the South, Charleston.

It's previously been ranked as one of the friendliest cities in the US, and having been to Savannah already, I was expecting the same sort of vibe.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Charleston Church

Charleston sits on it own in terms of culture and let me tell you, it's one of the best cities I've ever visited.

Charleston stole my heart, from the vibrant shopping scene on Kings Street, to the tranquil views of the Atlantic ocean from the marina and downtown. Charleston oozes southern charm in every crevice. 

The buildings look quaint with the typical porches and rocking chairs. The brightly coloured, carribean style mansions near the bottom of the city provide picturesque promenade walk views. All I could vision whilst walking by the water was myself sitting on the balcony in a rocking chair, watching the sunset and boats go past.

Waterfront Promenade

Of course, this city has had its fair share of devastation, which I found out whilst walking past the church that was struck by the horrible shootings this year. Every part of the pavement outside was filled with flowers, something I find so ironic. How there can be so much love outside a place where one person walked in with so much hatred.

Southern Style House

Charleston still however retains its vibrancy and beauty. It's a college town, so along with high street shops, you'll find college outfitters which is a great place to pick up an actual american college tshirt. 

Eating wise, you'll find everything from Mediterranean and oriental inspired cuisine, fast food, local eateries and of course south style cuisine.

If you ever visit the South, make sure you try corn bread and hush puppies! They are a delicacy.

My time in Charleston was short but sweet, and very rarely do I leave a city with sadness about not knowing the next time you will visit. To experience the beauty of the USA, make sure Charleston is on your list of places to visit.

Left my heart in Disney...

Ok so the disney cep blog posts will be coming after my program as there is simply no time to write them! 

But this post is a travel related post, as I got to spend four days in my favourite place in the world... DISNEYWORLD!!!

So working for disney has its perks and one of them is free entry to all the theme parks and a whopping 50% discount of hotel rooms, so four of us interns decided to book four nights at Disneys Carribean Beach Resort, a moderate resort near Epcot. 

So, we left Hilton Head around 7pm on the Tuesday and arrived in Orlando at 12.30am. Can I just say that I drove 5 and a half hours on American roads in an automatic car! Scariest experience ever especially as I've never driven abroad ever and have only been driving 3 years! But it turned out to be very easy and the best way to get there.

When I arrived I was tired and physically drained from working a 6 day week then driving for 5 hours, so as soon as I got into bed I crashed out. Waking up the next day was very exciting though as we had booked a pirate themed room which meant we were literally sleeping in pirate ships! Pretty cool huh?

So Wednesday was day one and it had to be Magic Kingdom! The sun was shining and we hopped on the bus to the place where dreams come true. I haven't been to Disney World for 5 years so coming back was an amazing experience, it really felt like I had never left! Seriously, walking down Main Street USA is one of the best experiences when you see the castle!

As we were staying on disney property, we all had a magic band. These are great for the trip as they hold you room key, fast passes and any reservations you make on them! Perfect for that time when your room key is at the bottom of your bag! It made the trip so much easier. They also held our dining plan on them. We went for the standard dining plan!

The magic bands are customisable!

Now I've never really eaten in disney before, we always used to take our own food and eat outside the parks. This dining plan meant we could get one quick service meal (entree, dessert and drink), one sit down meal (entree, dessert, drink) and a snack. This is per day. That's a lot of food!!

Bearing in mind a snack can be one of the famous giant cupcakes or Rice Krispie treats, or it can simply be an apple/bottle of water. The choice is yours but seeing as I wouldn't know the last time I would be in disney, I went all out and ate the most unhealthiest choices. Look at that cupcake!

Olaf Carrot Cupcake. The most delicious cupcake I've ever eaten!

In Magic Kingdom we managed to fit in a fair bit including most rides like Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Peter Pans flight, 3 o'clock parade, a character buffet plus wishes and the night time parade. It was exhausting! The only thing we didn't manage to do due to large crowds was the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which is a fairly new ride, and Space Mountain. All the more reason to go back! 

So as this is a long post already, I'm going to summarise Magic Kingdom in photos! Enjoy!

The famous walk down Main Street USA

Breakfast!

3 o'clock Parade

Character buffet at Crystal Palace

Celebrate the Magic

Wishes

Well that kind of summarises day one but one thing I will say is sometimes you just have to experience it in person to be able to really understand disney, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back tomorrow if I could. 

Oh and also watch out for post disney depression, its a real thing! 

More posts to follow on the rest of the vacation! 

A Taste of the big Apple

 

What can I say, New York was a whirlwind.

After arriving in New York after possibly the best flight ever, where I managed to bag two empty seats to myself and spread out for comfortable naps (this never happens to me), I was greeted with glorious city heat and bright sunshine. 

I arrived at my hostel which was the best hostel I've ever stayed at (American Dream Hostel) and wasted no time in exploring the city. We went straight to Times Square to see the lights in the evening and I tried my first five guys burger (loved it).

The first full day started early due to jet lag, but this left more time to explore the city in the day and take advantage of the breakfast. The hostel provided dunkin donuts for breakfast! Only in NYC! 

Dunkin Donuts for breakfast!

The first stop was Times Square again. The day was a Sunday, and Times Square on a Sunday morning is so pleasant, no crowds and plenty of space to take pictures in the sunshine. We looked around the shops for a bit, ones worth visiting are Sephora, Hershey's (free chocolate samples), forever 21 and the best Disney store I've ever visited. 

During this day we did so much that I felt like I never stopped to breathe! I saw a broadway show called Hedwig starring Darren Criss, ate lunch in supposedley the place to go for New York cheesecake (Juniors) and bought an I Love New York hoodie to cover myself from the massive thunderstorm that suddenly appeared! I also tried my first Pinkberry and went to this amazing diner which featured the waiters and waitresses singing on the tables. Seriously go visit this place, its quite expensive but you pay for a broadway performance basically! The waiters usually star on broadway whilst working there so their singing is amazing! I think it was called Ellen's Starlight Diner, definitely worth checking out even if it is expensive.

Broadway show: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Juniors cheesecake and yes it was that big!

Pinkberry with brownie bites and cookie dough

Ellen's Starlight Diner

The next day was another early start, and we headed downtown to Soho to visit the 9/11 memorial. The last time I went to New York this wasn't open, so being my first time I was absolutely blown away by the dedication of the memorial to all who died. It is moving and I think everyone needs to visit it. Costing only $24, it is well worth the money. The weather was a little rainy so we ventured to see the Statue of Liberty but it was very cloudy, so we took a walk around battery park before heading back to the hotel to freshen up for our last evening.

9/11 Memorial

We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, definitely go there! It's not as expensive as you think it will be and I tried the pulled chicken sandwich. It was soo good and all for under $20.Their cocktails are out of this world but because I was under 21, I couldn't try any!

Our last night in NY couldn't have been less perfect! Although the weather wasn't the best, squeezing the sights and sounds of the city into two days was the best and most tiring idea ever! 

The next day I boarded a plane to Savannah to begin my summer adventure working on Hilton Head Island!