game of thrones filming locations in northern ireland

Ok, I've only watched a few episodes of GoT and also Gay of Thrones. (If you haven't watched Gay of Thrones, you have to, it's frickin' hilarious.) But everyone on the tour's big fans of the show, so excuse me if I'm not point with the plot.

I still enjoyed the tour though; Northern Ireland's got some gorgeous sceneries. We really lucked out with the fine weather.

Cushendun Beach

The cave where Melissandre gave birth to a shadow baby

The Dark Hedges, where the scene when Ayra Stark was fleeing from King's Landing was filmed

Larrybane harbor, the quarry here was featured in GoT, where Catelyn Stark meets Brienne of Tarth, after seeing her fight

Another view of the quarry

giant's causeway

I think Giant's Causeway warrants a visit at least once in your lifetime. Even if the Causeway itself is a bit of a letdown, the drive up the Northern Coast is one of the most beautiful I have ever been on. A tour of Giant's Causeway usually includes a visit of the Carrick-a-rede Bridge, which I would probably give a miss. It costs £5.40 to cross the bridge but you can all the way without paying, and just enjoy the view.

The end of the Northern Coast

Crossing the basalt columns

Taking a selfie

Even though it was a dry day, the rocks can get slippery

Feels like you're on the edge of the world

Columns and columns

scenes from the northern coast

My brother was in town and being a fan of Game of Thrones, I signed us up for a tour of the Northern Coast with stops at several filming locations. We booked a private coach tour through McComb's and had a really great guide, Patrick.

The tour lasted about nine hours and we were so lucky because the weather was beautiful! I took loads of pictures and will be breaking up the trip into three blog posts: the Northern Coast, Giant's Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations.

First up is going to be post about the Northern Coast. This was my first time driving along the coast and the views were spectacular!

View of the habour from Carrickfergus Castle

The gorgeous Northern Coast

View of the other side

Near Giant's Causeway

Making our way down to Giant's Causeway

View of Sheep Island

dublin weekend

We went to Dublin last weekend for a gig at The Twisted Pepper! But I wasn't feeling well and didn't stay for the whole thing.

This was my first trip to Dublin and I'm not sure why, I was feeling extremely tired the whole time. We didn't get to do much or see much.

We caught a bus from the Europa Buscentre and pretty much saw two hours of this gorgeous Irish scenery

Crossing the Liffey

Tart stop at Queen of Tarts

Trinity College

Dublin was really crowded last weekend because of the Six-Nations Rugby match, so I would have to say, I didn't really get to enjoy the city much. I did like shopping at Pennys/Primark a lot, even though there's one in Belfast. But the stuff in Dublin is way nicer than in Belfast, even the store is nicer!

We walked through St Stephen's Green and some really cool areas like Powerscourt Centre and the Grafton Street area. I want to go back here, kick back, have a tea and scone, and watch the world go by.

london vlog is up!

My London vlog is up! Go over and watch it, it's only less than three minutes and feats and an amazing track by spazzkid.

the victoria and albert

I can't decide if I love the Victoria and Albert museum in Kensington. There's definitely a lot to see and the museum's gift shop and book stores are amazing treasure troves. But there's so much to see that I feel overwhelmed; sculptures, paintings, jewellery, cast iron, tapestries, etc. I know it's important to preserve these artefacts. But when I'm looking at ornate silverware, I can't help feeling that this objects exist to display the opulence of a bygone era of wealth, and it's something that just didn't sit right with me. I am by no means a saint, but I can't help feeling that many of these intricate objects could have been used to feed families, school children, etc.

One of my favourite moments in the V&A

One of my favourite displays in the museum wasn't even on display. This section of the museum had been cordoned off. But sometimes fate intervenes; a sculpture of an angel against a window below a halo of lights. I was so lucky to be there at the right place and the right time.

Sometimes it pays to look up

Monument to Emily Georgiana, Countess of Winchelsea by Laurence MacDonald

This is my favourite piece from the museum. It's a beautiful piece, but above all I was moved by this loving tribute to the late Countess.

I
When the Knell hung for the dying
Soundeth for
And my corse coldly is lying
Neath the green tree

II
When the turf strangers are heaping
Covers my breast
Come not to gaze on me weeping
I am at rest

III
All my life coldly and sadly
The days have gone by
I who dreamed wildly and madly
Am happy to die

IV
Long since my heart has been breaking
Its pain is past
A time has been set to its aching
Peace comes at last

W.G.W.& N.

Heartbreaking and beautiful. Does everything heartbreaking end up beautiful?

london weekend

I went to London last weekend, despite the blustery weather, and a lovely time visiting museums and perusing various gift shops.

View of London from the plane

Only in England at the Science Museum

We managed to visit five museums over the weekend and by the end of the first day, I was experiencing a little museum-fatigue. But my favourite exhibit is Only in England at the Science Museum, which is a display of photographs by Tony Ray-Jones and curated by Martin Parr.

We live in an age where we are constantly bombarded by messages that as a result, very little moves me. But I loved this exhibition. Tony Ray-Jones was a street photographer who shot on both sides of the alantic and sadly lost his life to leukemia at the age of 30. Despite his youth, he has amassed a collection of work that is both moving and thought-provoking. It's definitely my favourite experience from this trip!

View from National Gallery

I also manged to visit both the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery and both museums were well crowded! I felt like I just couldn't focus or contemplate; will just have to leave that for another trip then.

Kimchi ramen at Bone Daddies

I had to have my Japanese food fix while in London and headed to Bone Daddies. The seafood was delicious albeit the soup base was seriously spicy and left me with an upset stomach, but I was still happy have to have eaten this.

The Double Shack

For dinner we headed to Covent Garden because I wanted to try the Shake Shack. We were lucky and didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes to order and get a table. The burger was good and I loved the fries but it wasn't life-changing, or maybe I just expect too much from food. (Not everything has to be life-changing, it just has to taste good)

Outside the Natural History Museum

Spotted outside the Natural History Museum, is Spring round the corner?

Lovely pink sakuras

Just before we left for Heathrow, we spotted these lovely pink sakuras outside someone's home near South Kensington Station. I really love this area, a lot of small cafes, an independent bookstore and a lovely busker singing opera. I cannot listen to opera without tearing up. Something about the emotion always makes me bursts into tears.

I love London and can't wait to go back again.