Indian Sunset

This month’s “Word on the Street” takes us to India with one of my good friends Nicola.  Last month, she ventured from the UK to the depths of India and got to see what this beautiful country was all about.

TS: Firstly, thanks for taking the time to do this interview, Nicola.  So my readers can get to know you a little, tell us a bit about yourself – where you’re from, where you live, what you do?

Thanks Miriam. I am originally from Staffordshire, United Kingdom and moved to Jersey nearly 4 years ago back in 2007. I now live in a lovely place called St Brelades, Jersey and work in the Finance industry.

TS: If you had to pick one of three “types” of travellers, would you consider yourself a thrill seeker, beach bum or culture craver?  Why?

It’s hard to pick one, I would say I like the thrill seeker and the culture side. I do like the beach side but I prefer to sight see and take in the cultures and get the feel of the country. India was a great place to take in the culture as there is so much to see and do.

TS: Out of everywhere you’ve travelled to, what destination has made the biggest impression on you?

Out of all the places I have been to, India was definitely one of the best countries I have been to. It opened my eyes in so many ways, ways in which people live and even though they haven’t got a lot of money; people are willing to give and come across as very happy. The scenery is just something else.

Hindu Wedding

TS: You recently visited India.  Why did you pick this destination for your holiday?

We found India to be very cheap, you could get a 3 course meal for £3.00!! I found out you could get cocktails for £1.00. We visited the South of India which is mostly vegetarian but did have meat dishes too and the food was lovely. We also choose India because of the beautiful places to visit and to experience their way of lives. We even got invited to Hindu Wedding and that was amazing.

TS: When you booked the trip, what were you expecting with regards to accommodation?  Air travel?

Well we knew because we were backpacking that the accommodation we were going to be staying in wasn’t going to be luxurious. We flew with BA and the flight was quite nice, it took around 10 hours, unlike the flight time to New Zealand.

TS: Throughout your trip, where did you stay? What was it like?

Well because we were backpacking around Southern India I went there with an open mind and we sort of prepared ourselves for the less luxurious accommodation. We didn’t bother booking in advance for the rest of the trip as we were staying in different locations in Southern India so we just found accommodation as and when we needed to. When we arrived in Chennai (Old Madras) we stayed in a 3 star hotel which was nice and we had a proper bathroom, although toilet paper in India is a luxury. That was just for the 1 night, we then stayed in apartments in a couples house. This was very basic and the water and electricity was very temperamental!! We got used to this in the end and it was just part of everyday life. We stayed in a tent in a Wildlife reserve for 1 night, we stayed in a few nice apartments as a treat every now and then. We also stayed in a place in Periyer (Kerala) called Green View and there your balcony overlooks the forest, and if you don’t keep your doors closed at night you might just have monkeys as company too!!! I can’t forget the House Boat along the back waters of Kerala, this I do recommend!!

Indian Temple

TS: Was it everything you dreamed of (and more)?

It was more than I could have ever dreamed of!! J

TS: If you knew a friend or family member was looking for a similar holiday, would you recommend the areas of India you visited as a destination?

I would definitely recommend India to anyone, but you need to go with an open mind. Its not for the faint hearted. If you don’t like living without the luxuries then its not for you! Be prepared to eat curries for breakfast, unless you go to an area that has more Westerners then you might find more choice in food.

TS:  If you could describe your holiday in 3 words what would they be?

Adventure, beauty and sunset

TS: Finally, if money were no object, what would be your top destination for your next holiday?

My next destination would be South Africa, hopefully in the not too distant future!

It sounds like your adventures in India were unforgettable – truly a trip of a lifetime.  Thanks for taking the time to complete this interview and happy (and safe) travels, Miriam

The story of Dubai is one of the greatest success stories of our time.

It is hard to imagine anywhere else in the world that has developed at such a pace, in such a short time, for so many different people. It has literally erupted into a cosmopolitan city which is barely recognisable from what it was 30 years ago. As a Middle Eastern Expat since 1994 I have seen massive changes in the region and have been very privileged to have experienced both early Dubai and the city it has grown into.

I moved to The United Arab Emirates (UAE) to find adventure and escape. It was always joked about with my colleagues that we were like a foreign legion. All looking to escape a previous life and to some extent they were right. I remember making the decision to move to the UAE and being bombarded with questions from friends and family. Where is that? Is it safe? Can you drive? Can you drink? Unbelievably, I still receive similar questions today, generally from people who are unfamiliar with the region.

The UAE is made up of seven Emirates – Abu-Dhabi, (the capital and political centre) Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Um Al Quain and Ajman.  I moved to Fujairah, a very small place which consisted of one hotel, one motel, one supermarket, some small restaurants, and only 50 expats.

Dubai - then & now

As you can imagine living in such a small community meant that life could become quite incestuous at times.  Entertainment was limited and most of it was centred on The Hilton Hotel. After work my colleagues and I would head over to the pool to relax and maybe go back in the evenings for a glass or two of something stronger. Alcohol was easy to buy in the hotel and could also be bought at the ‘hole in the wall’ at the Beach Motel.  If you knew any of the American servicemen, who were regularly stationed there, they would gladly buy alcohol for you from their military base.

The Beach Motel was an experience in itself. The best way to describe it is like an evening at a caravan park club in the eighties. It was dark and seedy and usually had live entertainment (if you could call it that) consisting of a barely dressed Filipino band singing the best or worst of the sixties, seventies and eighties.

The other highlight of our evenings was Club Tropicana. This was part of the Hilton Hotel and was an equally tasteless place to go. The clientele here often consisted of young Emirati boys dressed like American rap dancers or in National dress.

In the winter it was not unheard of for them to be wearing anoraks, hats and shoes with their National Dress. This became even more amusing when they moved to the dance floor without taking off the anoraks.  Saturday night was always Hash night, a sort of running treasure hunt, very popular in expat communities.  Tuesday was netball and big Wednesday night was usually party night at someone’s house.

Everyone helped everyone else and we were all one big family but needless to say it didn’t always smell of roses.  On quiet weekends we used to travel up to Dubai. It was around a 90 minute drive. Dubai, even then, compared to Fujairah was a big city. It had supermarkets and one or two shopping malls. The one we frequented was Bur Juman, usually followed by a drink in The George and Dragon and then dinner and a dance at Pancho Villas. If we were feeling up for it we would go to the Highland Lodge to finish off the night.

There was not much more choice at this time. It’s difficult to believe when you see the buzzing nightlife of restaurants, clubs and bars that are available today.

The other place I need to mention is Karama. This was a souk area filled with local shops and stalls. It was the best place to buy fresh fruit cocktails, shawarma and a Rolex watch for a fiver. I remember many times walking past a trader who would whisper out the corner of his mouth “Wanna buy a watch?” At which point you would be taken into the attic of the shop where there would be an Aladdin’s Cave of fake watches. I presume Karama is still there but I’m not sure in what capacity.

In our daily lives we were forced to mix with the locals because we were all thrown together and because of that we didn’t just have an overseas experience we had a cultural one. For example, I have sat on the floor with an Arabic family sharing a meal off one plate. I have been  to many Arabic weddings, (Not that I’d like to go to anymore) have been offered help and assistance by locals when in trouble and been proposed too more often than I care to count.

My life then was very different to what today’s Middle Eastern expats experience. Expat’s travel to the Gulf to make money and live in their own cultural bubble. Their lives change very little apart from the location they are living in. Every modern amenity is available and friends and acquaintances are generally from the same part of the world. Opportunities to mix with locals are rare and I suspect unnecessary.

No one belongs in Dubai. Its economy is based on transience as is its community. Everything is temporary including its culture which is now largely based on a highly cosmopolitan society with a diverse and vibrant nature. Since 2006, the weekend has been Friday-Saturday, as a compromise between Friday’s holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of Saturday-Sunday.

Dubai has also been criticised for perpetuating a class-based society, where many of the migrant workers are treated as lower classes.  If you travel to Dubai you are unlikely to see an Emirati in National Dress unless you travel to the airport which could service a continent never mind a small Emirate. It is the single largest building in the world by floor space. National Dress is not allowed in the bars and restaurants which serve alcohol so if you go out in the evening you are unlikely to see any evidence that you are in the Gulf. The Emiratis are now the minority group in the country. ( National Dress for men consists of a long white garment, much like a dress called a dish-dash or thobe and ladies usually cover their clothing with a long black flowing garment called an abaya.)

Dubai is a city of amazing feats of engineering, architecture and vision which is evident in the incredible infrastructure that has lured so many. People move to Dubai now because it is seen as the land of prosperity. They go to make money, but the reality of it is, that no one really belongs there and no one stays. The society relies heavily on workers coming for short periods of time. When they realise Dubai isn’t paved with gold they move on. The experience is fast paced, expensive and does not offer a vastly different way of life than in the Western World.  Everything in Dubai is trying to be bigger and better than the rest of the world. They boast they have the world’s largest mall, the world’s tallest hotel, the world’s tallest building, the first underwater hotel, the largest waterfront development and the fastest-growing tourist market.

What they have achieved is incredible and commendable but at what cost?  Dubai has been built with limitless amounts of money but money cannot buy what they have lost in the process. Heritage and culture cannot be pawned. Is Dubai trying to buy a new culture at the expense of the old? Has their culture, which was based largely on Islamic traditions, been sold to the devil in exchange for countless malls (over 70), skyscrapers and 8 lane expressways?  Let me leave you with this last thought: Dubai has Media City, Internet City, Sports City, Motor City and Knowledge Village.

Strange that the thing that makes us develop as a people — knowledge — is classed only as a village……

In Buda - overlooking the city

Since I started living in Europe, I always was interested in visiting Budapest.  This desire wasn’t solely for tourist purposes but personal ones too. My father is originally from Hungary – he grew up in a small village miles away from the city but spent most of his younger years living in Budapest.  As a child, I always heard stories about Hungary and was intrigued to visit.

So when I was thinking about my holidays for that year, I found a cheap flight and booked a long weekend in Budapest.

A good friend of mine recommended I stay at a hostel called Buda Base – it is on the Buda side (more about that in a minute) and the owner, Gabor, is really lovely.  It definitely isn’t a typical hostel.  This is essentially a house with a number of rooms and beds.  Gabor’s hospitality is superb and I highly recommend a stay here.

An interesting art display by The Danube

Budapest is actually a combination of two towns – Buda and Pest.  What separates the city is The Danube River (totally beautiful).  The Buda side is very picturesque, with mountainous views, lots of parks and also spas – this is my favourite side. Pest is where the action happens – here you’ll find the shopping, tourist spots and nightlife.  My dad, funny enough, lived on the Pest side.

Unlike the other Eastern European city I’ve visited, Prague, I found Budapest much more genuine and reasonably priced.  I visited Prague back in 2007 and really loved it but there are a lot more tourists there due to it being a hot spot for stags.  Budapest is getting there but it isn’t as far gone as Prague that’s for sure.

Wine & Cheese

I saw most of the sites and did a lot of varied activities from visiting a number of parks, indulging in a spa experience in the Roman baths and even stumbling on a Hungarian Rock Festival.  However, the highlight of my trip was my visit to the Jewish Quarter.  I went here at night with a girl I met from the hostel.  This area of Budapest is in the Pest side and it has turned into a lovely area for a meal, a few drinks and some amazing atmosphere.  Since I visited in May, it was still a bit chilly in the evening.  If you like to eat outside (like I do) all of the restaurants offer you thick blankets to wrap around yourself while you eat.  It was really nice – ah, only to go when its a romantic meal for 2:).

One day I hope to go back with my father so we can visit the village he was born in but also so I can watch him remember all of the memories from when he was a child.  It would be a trip I know that I’d never forget.

Bye for now, Miriam x

A couple of warm-up drinks

Although Winchester is most known for its cathedral and historical roots, it also has a university.  Whenever a town has a university, it’s bound to have a bit of nightlife and cheap drinks – woo hoo.  A perfect combo.

My friend and I met in Winchester and planned on having a few drinks before heading out to the Student Union at The University of Winchester.  I hadn’t been over there but thought for drinks but thought it would be fun – and cheap:).

We did the typical university thing – had some food at home and did the pre-drinking thing.  I remember when I was back at university doing my undergraduate degree (nearly a decade ago – crazy) we did this all the time.  With little cash on hand, it was the only way to ensure that you could have a bit of a buzz before you hit the club.

Getting glammed up!

This time, we weren’t drinking beer – we indulged in some champagne…oh it pays to be working sometimes.  Even though we indulged in the bubbly we did so out of mugs, just for that university feel:).  Before we got too tipsy, we got a bit glammed up for a night of dancing and some good laughs.  I’ve always loved taking a bit of time to get ready and put some makeup on when I’m going for a night out.  In my day-to-day I don’t wear much makeup as I’ve always thought it’s best saved for special occasions.  Well, it’s one of those so getting a bit glamorous is definitely in order.

We leave for the Student Union at about 10pm and head to the queue – a queue that looks like a mob.  Oh the memories of the university days when you waited for hours in anticipation of getting in for a “top night”.  Now, all I want to do is get in or else I’ll drop the dancing plans for a coffee shop:).  Finally we get in and it is quite the experience.

The club

Every Friday night the University has a dance party that they call “Flirt!”.  I’m not really sure as to why they call it this but most Friday’s include a fancy dress (costume) theme.  As I quickly realise, it is quite the event.  We wander in and go to buy a round of drinks.  2 shots of Goldschlager and 2 double cranberry vodkas for only GBP 9.  I was in shock!  Well, now we know why it’s so busy here.  I still can’t believe it.

After a couple of rounds, we hit the dance floor.  The music is pop but a lot of fun.  We dance the night away and I’m not sure when we leave but good times are had by all.

I’m not sure I want to go back to those undergraduate days again but it’s definitely fun for a night (or two)!

Groupon.com

Two syllables – Group – On!

A company that is in the middle of controversy and one who’s in the news nearly every day.  For those of you who don’t know, Groupon (or other daily deal sites like Living Social, Quids In or Wag Jag ) send a daily deal to a distribution list of registered users.

It’s easy to sign up (and unsubscribe) and there are big savings to be had.

As a traveller, I’ve found that by registering with these sites before my trip and in the city I’m going to be heading to, I have the opportunity to save a bundle.  There are savings for hotels, restaurants, excursions and even spa treatments (my fave)!.

As for restaurants, since these sites are tailored more to small businesses you end up finding deals in locations that are likely to be off the beaten path.  To me, this opens up a lot of doors and makes the overall travel experience even that much better.

Living Social

Here’s what to do –

1. Visit one of the sites above and confirm your destination city.
2. Enter your email address and submit the details
3. Some of the sites send you a confirmation to verify your email address.  Simply go into your email and accept.
4. After that’s done, you’ll start receiving a deal a day in your email.  When you see one you like, just simply buy it and a voucher will be sent to you so you can redeem it with the supplier.

One good tip – when booking services, especially salons or spas where you want a specific date, phone ahead to make sure they can take you and book it on the spot.  Make sure you mention the deal you’re booking.  The last thing you want is to order the voucher and be unable to book the service.

That’s about it for me.  Enjoy & have fun!

Any other “daily deal” tips are welcomed,

Miriam

Thundering roar of the winter falls

Growing up in Toronto, Canada I was fortunate enough to only be an hour away from Niagara Falls.  Over the years, I’ve visited the Falls on a number of occasions.

I know that I’ve spoken about the Falls before but I was thinking back to a time when I was at the Falls close to the winter period and remembered how miraculous they were.  As the weather starts to get warmer (yeye!), thinking of colder temperatures doesn’t feel so bad.

In November 2005, I headed over to the Falls from Toronto and stayed overnight.  One of my favourite hotels in the area is the Embassy Suites Fallsview.  We were looking for a nice hotel at a decent price and we were lucky to find just that.  For $100, we got a massive suite overlooking the Falls (with a jacuzzi), full breakfast and a happy hour with free drinks and snacks.  It couldn’t be beat and the views were spectacular.

Even though it was only one night, it was a great overnight stay that I’ll never forget.  After indulging in a meal at The Keg, we woke up and decided to venture out to the Falls for a site that I’ve never seen before – the Falls in the wintertime.

With it being November, Niagara Falls had its first taste of winter – it wasn’t snowing but it was chilly.  Winter was on its way.  Although not a lover of the cold, I bundled up and thought that I’d give it a go for a change.  As soon as we set our eyes on those Falls, I knew that I’d made the right decision.

As much as the Falls are lovely in the heart of the summer, there is something even more picturesque and special in the cold.  Maybe it’s the glimmer in the water that almost looks like ice or the fact that there aren’t as many tourists around.  I’m not sure but I do know it was a lovely experience that I would even do again.

Me at the falls - a bit chilly

I’ll tell people time and again that, unless they love the cold, that they should only visit Canada when the temperatures start to improve in the spring-time.  However, I have to say that a visit around the winter time is a different experience and a visit to the Falls at this time is very special indeed.

Since this visit I’ve been back a few times.  I have a lot of fond memories there that I hold close to my heart – lots of laughs with friends & family.  Sometimes I look back on some of the things I’ve seen in my 32 years and I realize how fortunate I am.  Hopefully my next visit to the Falls will be just as glamorous.  Hey, they didn’t make a Marilyn Monroe movie in Niagara for nothing, did they?

Bye for now, Miriam

Jersey CI

Travelling isn’t only about exploring, sunning yourself on the beach & backpacking.  Some of my greatest travelling moments have been working – yes, working.

As a Commonwealth citizen, I have been very fortunate to be able to take advantage of the working holiday maker scheme (now called Youth Mobility Scheme).

The Working Holidaymaker Scheme is an arrangement where a person aged between 17 and 30 (in some areas 35) can come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years. You can work for up to 12 months of your holiday, but the holiday should be the main reason for your stay, not the work.

Aussie bound

There are other schemes in other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.  All are unique to their own country and worth a Google search.

When I first came to Jersey, I came over on the Working Holidaymaker scheme.  I was quite lucky to arrive and find a job almost straight away.  I temped at a bank on the island for about 5 months and then switched to another financial institution after where I stayed for just about 2.5 years after moving to work permit status.

I’ve also applied for an Australian working holiday visa (twice actually) although I never actually went over on it.  The process for Oz was extremely easy – I was able to apply online and I got notified almost within a day following that my application had been accepted.  For Oz, once you get accepted, you have 1 year to travel over and upon entering, 1 year to work and travel in Australia.  Now that I’m 32 (yikes )I am over the age limit to go to Australia but could still apply for one in New Zealand if I ever got the urge.

Me, Israel

Not only does doing a working holidaymaker give you the chance to travel longer (as you’re earning and don’t have to live off of your savings), you also get to have a totally different experience.  By working in offices, fields or elesewhere you get to interact with the local community and adapt to what it feels like to work in the place you are visiting.  It was my first exposure to working abroad and I truly have never looked back.

Taking the step to be a working holidaymaker gave me the confidence to work elsewhere in the world – as I have in Israel too.  By taking that step, experiencing new corporate cultures and ways of life, I’ve really grown as an individual.  I highly encourage anyone travelling for an extensive period of time to find out if the country supports a working holiday scheme.  You never know – you may just find your future home.

Enjoy,

Miriam

The cakes!

There are a number of British stereotypes out there but one I’ve never actually explored until recently is the whole afternoon tea thing.  I’ve always wanted to but something always has come up.  The closest I got was one of my friends and I were in Bath – we wanted to go for tea but we were too early.

A couple of weeks ago, while visiting a friend in Oxford, she mentioned that she purchased a Living Social deal to go to the Hilton in London at Park Lane for a spa afternoon and afternoon tea.  When she told me about it, I thought it was an incredible value.  For our afternoon of pampering we got a 30 minute massage, a mini-manicure (or pedicure) and a full fledged afternoon tea.  The total price 80 GBP for the two of us – only 40 a piece.  Since we were at the Hilton, it also made the deal even sweeter.  I’ve actually stayed at the Hilton Park Lane for business before and it is a really lovely hotel.

This visit only reinforced my views.  Our spa treatments were just what the doctor ordered.  A bit of conversation and relaxation started off the afternoon in the right way.  If I’m honest though, I was really eager for the afternoon tea portion of our day….and boy was I right.

Bellinis to start

We headed into the restaurant at about 4pm and were presented with a menu.  There were no prices but just a mega-list of food and drinks.  Both my friend & I, who also had never encountered the traditional afternoon tea experience, looked at it in amazement.  There were savoury and sweet items – we obviously thought the plan was to choose one or the other.

When our delightful waitress came to greet us she told us that actually we got it all – and there were no extra charges.  It’s all included in our deal.  First, we would have a Bellini cocktail (I chose strawberry, Tina chose peach), followed by sandwiches, then tea and a tiered tray of deserts – cupcakes (delicious), pastries and cakes, choco chip scones (my personal favourite) as well as a massive slab of pure white chocolate – heaven.

As all the food arrived, I was in awe by the presentation, service and quality.  My tea, a lovely freshly blended green variety, was also gorgeous and really demonstrated the uniqueness of this experience. Both Tina & I could have spent the whole day there eating but we knew that we had to eventually call it a day.  The best part is that if you don’t finish it all, you can take it home!  I tell no lie.

Yummy sandwich tray

The Hilton has designed cute pink doggie bags so anything you can’t finish comes home with you.  This whole experience typically costs 35 GBP per person alone so the Living Social deal was well worth it.  However I have to admit that I would even be quick to pay full price for the service we had and the quality of the experience.  TOTALLY recommend!

Our visit reminded me enough of how much I enjoyed my stay at the Hilton Park Lane, that when I got home, I searched on Expedia and Hotels Combined to see if I could snag a good deal.  I ended up booking my stay at the Hilton with Hotels Combined and got a decent rate.  So another trip to London will prove to be an enjoyable one, I’m sure.

So what’s the verdict on afternoon tea?  Do it!  You definitely won’t regret this piece of British culture!

Amboise

A couple of years ago I was still living in Jersey, Channel Islands.  For the Easter weekend, we decided to cut across the water and head to the Continent.

This was one of my favourite trips to France as we had a bit of adventure, hired a car and headed south to the Loire Valley. We spent the first night in St Malo at an incredible hotel (the Oceania) and then spent the remaining nights just on the outskirts of Amboise, France.

As a lover of wine, I was instantly excited and intrigued about venturing out to this part of the country.  The Loire Valley is known for its crisp white wines and quaint atmosphere.

While in Amboise, we stayed at a B&B just outside the main town.  We found this B&B online and were extremely pleased with our stay.  Le Buisson is right on the Loire River and is in an area called Montlouis sur Loire.  Our host, Jean-Pierre Chalons, spoke English so that helped make things a bit easier…him and his wife Nicole were so hospitable and the property is absolutely unbelievable (tennis courts and beautiful grounds).

The actual town of Amboise is small and by the riverside with beautiful architecture.  There are markets open on the weekends and we indulged in some wine tasting in the caves in the main castle.  Entry to the tasting was minimal – no more than €5 – and you get to taste wines from local producers that I doubt we would have managed to get anywhere else.  I even bought some local rosé sparkling wine (a poor man’s Champagne…lol) at €7.50 for a full 3 bottles.  It was absolutely delicious and a great deal!

Mmmm...Moules

Our host recommended we see Amboise’s most famous site – the house of Leonardo de Vinci.  Painter, inventor, engineer, scientist, humanist and philosopher Leonardo da Vinci actually spent the last years of his life in Amboise at the Château du Clos Lucé.

We found out that although Leonardo spent most of his life in Italy creating various masterpieces for royalty, he resided in the Château from 1515-1519.  When da Vinci arrived at the Château he brought with him his infamous Mona Lisa painting.  In 1519, he died at the Clos Lucé estate at the age of 67.

The grounds here are absolutely beautiful and there is so much history to take in.  Having been to Italy before, we both had seen many of da Vinci’s creations in various museums around the world but being in this part of France that is relatively quiet and relaxed, was an amazing experience.  It was an element of surprise we both welcomed and adored.

I would love to take another trip back to Amboise – even though its quiet and remote, there is a lot to see and do in the area.  It must be amazing in the summertime.

Words from a Genius

This part of France is a place I know I will go back to one day.  The hospitality and the serene beauty really made me fall in love.  For everyone who’s visited France, I’m sure you will agree that it is a special country but Amboise and the Loire Valley are ones that will always hold a place in my heart.

There is only one thing left to say – Vive la France!

A lovely view

To give myself a bit of a break, I’ve decided to head up north to the town known best for its musical roots, Liverpool!  So join me to find out more!

2 am Thurs - It’s been a long day and I’ve just had time to start packing now!  I need to catch a midday train from Winchester to Liverpool but have a lot to do before.  I’m trying to pack light – not an easy feat for me – so I don’t have to lug a lot of bags onto the train.

3 am – packing is all done & sorted.  Now, I need to get some beauty sleep as I have a long day ahead of me.

9 am – alarm goes off and I’m up to sort out a few things before the big journey.  I do a bit of research online about my weekend in Liverpool as I’m really excited to find out what this city is all about.  It looks like there is a great nightlife and I can’t wait to visit all of the old Beatles sites – the Hard Days Night Hotel, The Cavern and everything else! Yeye.

12:00 noon- well, I’m off.  after looking on the National Rail website, I decide that the cheapest way for me to get up to Liverpool is to go via Oxford.  You see, on my way back, I’m heading to Oxford to stay with a good friend for a few days.  As I’ve said before, I love it there.  I book a round trip ticket from Winchester to Oxford (using my discount rail card of course), then when I get to Oxford I book a round trip ticket from there to Liverpool – sorted!

2:00pm – all is going to plan.  My trains seem to be running on time and, after making a mad dash around Birmingham New Street Station (literally) I found my train to Liverpool and manage to get a seat.

I must say, one of the things I love about the UK is how easy it is to get around.  I know many complain about train delays but you have to admit how fantastic it is to be able to go almost all over the country through a variety of options – bus, train and plane.  It is amazing.

A little bit of love

4:30pm – I’m here!  So excited to get out and about, I meet up with my local Liverpovlian who’ll be my guide for the time over:).  I’m a lucky gal!

6:00pm - we check into 62 Castle St. – a boutique hotel with amazing views and lovely architecture.  This is where the local knowledge really comes in handy.  This hotel, that almost looks like an office building, is something truly special – I love the decor and honestly could spend the night just relaxing the time away.  Totally incredible!

8:00 pm – as per usual, I am running a bit late in getting ready.  So, we only have time for one drink.  Another treat – and somewhere I’d also love to stay – is the Hard Day’s Night Hotel.  Obviously a hotel made famous by the Beatles, it is much more swank and posh than I was expecting.  We sit down to have a glass of wine before we head out for an evening of Liverpool fun but we’re sure we’ll be back to this hot spot later in the evening.

9:00 pm - oops…we’re a bit late for our meal at Alma de Cuba but thankfully they’ve held our table….and boy am I glad that they did.  This is one of the coolest (sorry to sound so lame) restaurants I’ve ever been to.  It is 2 levels – the top one being where we’re eating dinner and the bottom being an eclectic dance club.  Our meal is amazing – tasty cuisine with a Cuban flare…what more can you ask?  The ambience is also incredible – live music and so much to please the eye.  Highly recommend!

Me at the Cavern

After our meal, we pop downstairs for a drink and a bit of a boogie – also to watch the live dancers.

11:00 pm - you can’t come to Liverpool and not go to the Cavern.  For those that don’t know, this is where the Beatles started.  There are apparently 2 Caverns now.

The original Cavern doesn’t host bands on a regular basis – you can go into the bar to have a drink but the new Cavern has been made to look like the original Cavern did when the Beatles played.  We’re lucky enough to go when there is a live band playing (and a great one at that).  As I’ve said before, I love live music so it’s great to be able to have a bit of fun and listen to some good tunes in this historic venue.

12:30 pm - the night is coming to a close – or it’s just started, not sure really – but we decide to head back to the Hard Days Night Hotel for a few more drinks before we call it a night.  There are still loads of people around and we end up speaking to a couple of locals.  Everyone in Liverpool is so friendly I’m finding.  I’ve really enjoyed myself and even if I was only here for a night (which I’m not thankfully) it was a night well spent.

A good day for all and I’ve definitely earned my sleep.  I’ll be up early tomorrow to do another thing that I love – shopping!

Bye for now,

Miriam x