paris day two

Thought I better get cracking on our adventures in Paris, Day Two. Started out nice enough, we took the bus down to the Musee Rodin and managed to breeze through the queue (yay for the Paris Museum Pass!) After that, we had Vietnamese for lunch before heading to Napoleon's Tomb. After that we tried getting into Musee L'orangerie but this being a Tuesday, it was closed! Drat. Tried to get into the Musee D'orsay but the queue was crazy long, and it was drizzling. We managed to get in in the end. The space is beautiful but it was so crowded, it was almost impossible to enjoy.

The beautiful Seine

Inside Musee Rodin

Met these two Korean girls who kept copying the poses of the sculptures

Inside Napoleon's Tomb

Tomb of Joseph Bonaparte

Watching over Napoleon's tomb

Walking past the Seine to get to Musee L'orangerie

Second's time a charm, finally got into Musee D'orsay

I feel just like them

We went by Marais and ended up outside Centre Pompidou

A rather successful Day Two, wouldn't you agree?

paris day one

I spent Easter in Paris last week. I know, I'm a lucky girl! I just got back last night and I'm wondering if I'm in love with the city; I can't decide. Paris is a beautiful city but also full of contradictions. For example, the smell of pee in the Metro (eww...) and inconsistent service. For every rude person I've encountered, there's also been friendly people. I love baguette and French pastries but bistro food was unsatisfying.

On our first day, we went up to Sacre Coeur but we didn't go in, because there was an entrance fee. Watch out for scammers and cheats when going up. After that we went to the Pere Lachaise Cemetry. It was really beautiful but I didn't know what to do there, should I take photos, admire the tombstones, contemplate? I always over-think when it comes to things like this. I saw Chopin's gravestone, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde's. Most of them have been cordoned up to prevent people from getting too close to them.

From there, we took Bus 69 down to Musee du Lourve, which I read online is one reputed to be one of the most scenic rides in Paris. I wouldn't be able to tell. Everything in Paris looks so scenic. We ended off the day exploring Blanche and Pigalle. Lots of nice little cafes there but we only looked. Also met two buskers attempting to play La Vie En Rose. They didn't play very well, but it's Paris, and music, so I teared up a bit.

Anyway, pictures next.

Landing at Charles du Gauelle

View of Paris from Sacre Coeur

Apartments at the top

Chillin' at Jardin des Tuileries

It's Spring!

Flowers in bloom!

View of Musee du Lourve

Walking around Monmarte at night

View of Sacre Coeur

I was in Paris for 7 days, so look out for more posts!

spring | lagan meadows

It's been a while since I've gone for a hike in Lagan Meadows and I've been wanting to go back. The weather was great today so we went for a hike. There were loads of people out and about today. I was surprised because it's Good Friday. But I guess everyone wanted to take advantage of the great weather. Anyway, enough talk...

Going up hill, got to work on that

Still waters

In the middle of nowhere

I always imagine I'm on the set of Wallander when I'm here

I was really tickled when an adorable Jack Russell started growling at us because it couldn't jump high enough to cross one of the wooden gates in the reserve. So typical of pets! The owner was so sweet and apologetic though.

Hope you have an awesome long weekend!

st stephen's green, dublin

Popped into Dublin yesterday morning and went for a walk around St Stephen's Green. Dublin is beginning to grow on me. The last time I went, I felt claustrophobic, it was crowded and a bit chaotic near O' Connell St. This time I stayed near to St Stephen's Green, this area is much lovelier, lots of small, indie shops and cafes, though it does get a bit rowdy at night.

South William St

Hunting for vinyls

Street vendor selling flowers

Waiting, St Stephen's Green

Seriously, cherry blossoms are so hard to photograph

Saw three girls taking selfies under this tree

Tulips are my favourite flower

These tulips kinda remind me of poppies

What are you up to this weekend?

daffodils sighted in belfast

After a lovely late lunch at Le Coop today, we decided to head to Barnett Demesne to see if daffodils are really in bloom.

Daffodils sighted in Clement Wilson Park

But then I was distracted by these cherry blossom trees

A field of daffodils in Barnett Demesne

A close-up of the daffodils

I only remembered to shoot the yellow ones, but I saw a white one with an orange centre, which kind of looks like an egg, and a yellow one with an orange centre. Shame about the grey skies though.

is it ok to say "spring" yet?

I'm feeling kinda excited, I'm starting to see flowers and trees and buds, and it's starting to get a little warmer. But as I type this as it's raining outside. And it's been so foggy and grey :( What is going on?

Exhibit 1: berries

Exhibit 2: daffodils at Drumglass Park

Exhibit 3: cherry blossoms

Is it Spring?

Trying to focus and failing

But this is what Belfast looks like at the moment [outside Ormeau Park]

When will I be able to see some sun?