From Bratislava with love...

6:45am....alarm goes off and for a moment I wonder what ungodly hour this is and then I remember I'm off on another adventure, putting another pin prick on my map of the world. I then proceeded to get dressed with one eye still closed holding onto a final few moments of sleep. Stepping outside the air was crisp and cold and as we walked to the bus stop my brain was rudely awoken by the bitterly cold air.

7:50am....pulling into the airport always brings about several emotions for me, I'm always a little bit anxious but also excited, two feelings that tend to go hand in hand I suppose. 

8am....and the glorious aroma of coffee as we walk through the airport calls my name and there's nothing for it but a Venti Starbucks before we make our way to the gate.

9.10am....and we are finally boarding, unexpectedly busy but we have some how managed to have an entire row to ourselves.

1pm....Slovakian time, hours have passed and we have done nothing but chat and catch eachother up on the past almost 2 years of our lives.

1:30pm...bus hoping to make our way across the city to our apartment.

3pm....we have finally made it to our humble abode for the night and after a quick change, makeup touch up and a spritz of perfume we are ready to explore at last.

We struggled slightly to make our way around the city but eventually having wandered for a while stopping at different stalls and shops we began our hunt for some Slovakian or at least Eastern European dinner.

We found a pub/restaurant down a cobbled street and decided to have a look, quickly realizing there wasn't another soul in the place we decided a drink would be the best idea and then find somewhere else for dinner. The beer was lovely and brewed in their own brewery, the Monastic Brewery.

Perhaps at a different time of day there would have been more of a crowd there for food and more of a guarantee of good grub.

We wandered on and found Divny Janko. Having to request in English was the first promising sign in my mind, if this was where the locals ate, we may just have struck gold. We decided to split our orders to try a few different things and ended up ordering chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce with stewed rice, chicken schnitzel, with boiled potatoes and last but not least sauerkraut! The food was delicious and such comfort food. We then split an ice cream Sunday and had an espresso each to keep us going for a few more hours after our early start. The interior of this restaurant was also amazing, with an arched roof, brick walls and bathrooms down in what looked like caves it was quite the experience.

 

After a delicious dinner we followed Trip Advisor’s advice once again and went to Uisce Beatha Irish bar which again proved quite tricky to find! However, there weren’t many there and it wasn’t the experience of an Irish bar abroad I have seen in places like Brussels. It was a nice little bar though with seats for no more than 20, so for a cosy night it Uisce Beatha is perfect!

We then made our way down a cobbled streets directed by the one and only Google Maps to another Irish bar that other than its mini thatched roof cottages in the smoking area and as the entrance to the bathroom didn’t have much of an Irish feel about it either. We stayed there for one last drink and then headed back to the apartment for an early enough night to make the most of our morning the next day before flying home.

On our way to a taxi we came across the Oldtown which is what we had been looking for all evening to we made sure to take note of where it was to go and explore it the next day.

7am….once again an early start, this time to go on the hunt for our last supper (breakfast) in Bratislava.

With the help of our trusty tour guide Google, we found our way back to the Oldtown and found Mondieu. With cakes and pastries filling their windows we couldn’t walk past. The menu was overwhelming and choosing was almost impossible! Everything from the freshly squeezed orange juice to the avocado on sourdough with sundried tomatoes was delicious and their coffee was amazing, so amazing in fact that I bought a bag of their Brazilian blend!

 

We then spend our final few hours looking in the gift shops and treating ourselves to a new Caprisa handbag each.

11:30am….Heading back to the airport we agreed that it wasn’t a city we wished we had more time in for the fact that there didn’t seem to be a lot to do and it wasn’t very lively. The people were friendly, the food was great but the city it’s self was quite dull and rundown.

No.1 Tip: Download both Uber and 5€ Taxi apps. Uber cost us only €6 from the Oldtown to the airport, which was a 20 minute drive and 5€ Taxi was very handy to get around the city when we didn’t know our way.

4pm….So 33 hours later, another country has been ticked off the list, my goal to be spontaneous and venture outside my comfort zone between 20 and 21 is being fulfilled and I had such a wonderful time catching up with a great friend.

Dxx

Patience is a virtue I do not possess...

patience

ˈpeɪʃ(ə)ns/

noun

1. 1.

   the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.

Patience is a virtue I do not naturally possess. However, in recent years photography has taught me patience as nature does not dance to anyone else's tune. In a split second you can capture or miss the most spectacular photo. Waiting for a sun to set or for a wave to crash gives me reason to sit still if only for a moment waiting for the perfect opportunity to press the button.

When I go out with my camera I feel as though life moves slower as I take in my surroundings and keep an eye out for a photo opportunity. As soon as I have my camera in my hand I feel as though I fall into another world where the most beautiful aspects of my surroundings stand out and the dreary weather, dilapidated buildings and noises of a bustling city fall into the background.

I am usually the type of person that likes to be time efficient and constantly on the go, with places to be and things to tick off my To- Do List. Escaping to the world of photography is a nice change from this mind set as when I am taking photos I am done simply when I have captured all I want to and am eagerly anticipating importing them to my laptop for some touch ups and a closer look.

At the end of the summer I tried my hand at film photography which requires a lot of patience and forward planning as you have a lot of setting up to do and then quite a bit of waiting to endure as you wait for people to move out of shot or for a break in traffic. It did stress me slightly because of the restriction of only having a certain number of shots on a roll of film and the waiting period before you actually get to see them.

Growing up in Donegal where I was surrounded by mountains, beaches and forests the majority of my earlier photography involved scenes in nature which produce breath-taking with very little effort! However patience is something that you require a large scoop of as you wait for the most spectacular wave to crash or as you follow insects and bugs as the flit from flower to flower to capture them at work.

I have found a new love of city photography, finding the beauty amongst the haze of pollution and eruption of car horns and shouting as commuters make their way through the city and street vendors announce their deals of the day to the passers-by.  I get a feeling of such excitement when I find hidden gems in the city having ventured off the beaten track.

By day Dublin is a melting pot of cultures and languages, by night Dublin becomes a melting pot of colours as light cascades from buildings, bridges and the never ceasing traffic.

Taking photos of family, especially little cousins, it is nearly impossible to capture them in moments when they are in the depths of their imagination or in their own little world.

(Little cousins discussing whether or not they could swim to the other side of the beach or some other equally sophisticated topic captured from a far so as to not interrupt the discussion and beautifully capturing a moment of calm between brothers.)

There were a string of photos before this one where either the bubble had burst too soon or my little cousin was doing the classic little kid thing of grinning madly at the camera which although adorable was not quite what I was looking to capture. 

I have now done two shoots which were more about completing a task than for enjoyment. One was for the boxing club in DCU. I had envisioned incredible action shots but what transpired was a lot of blurry images and me feeling rather stressed! Just this weekend I shot photos behind the scenes at a fashion show which ended up being a rare occasion in which the joy and peace that photography usually brings me disappeared within seconds of stepping into the building.

 I could never do photography as a career, that would entail people expecting great photos as opposed to it just being for fun and if I'm not happy with the outcome of any of my shots I'm not letting anyone down, which is something I cannot bare to ever do. Photography has to be an escape from me, a world in which to relax and live a slower paced life even if only for a few hours. 

(Other moments of patience have been finding perfect symetry, capturing animals that are rather photogenic and ensuring the perfect focus points.)

Dxx

Discover the Emerald Isle...

Fáilte go hÉirinn (Welcome to Ireland, pronounced <Fall-che go hair-inn>)

Ireland, the Emerald Isle has an abundance of hidden gems, you just need to know where to look. Despite being a lover of travelling I love coming home again to Ireland. The rolling green hills, coastal paradise of cliffs and sandy beaches bring a smile to my face as I fly in over Dublin Bay.

There is something so quintessentially Irish about the welcoming and homely feel you experience after touching down on Irish soil. There is no shortage of places to explore, everything from bustling cities to quaint countryside.

I have been lucky enough to have visited almost every county in Ireland as the majority of my family holidays have been within Ireland.

Some of my favourite counties Include Donegal, Dublin and Wicklow to mention just a few. Donegal is where I have grown up and it is a county I still love going home to. Donegal is one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland in my very unbiased (of course) opinion! We really do have everything from beaches not unlike the Mediterranean coast to the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

As well as an abundance of coastal beauty Donegal is also known for its mountains, such as Errigal and the stunning Glenveagh National Park set in a glacial valley.

If you’re the adventurous type there is more than enough to keep your adrenalin pumping while staying in Donegal. Go surfing in some of the best waves in the world. Surfers come from all over the world to surf the rip at Rossnowlagh and Tullan Strand outside Bundoran. Surf Co. is my go-to surf company for lessons and rental. They’re friendly and really good value. For the avid hikers there is no shortage of trails along the coast to Fanad lighthouse which is spectacular or through Glenveagh National Park or attempt climbing Errigal and witness the breathtaking views at the summit.

Now for the inside scoop, as a coffee lover there is nothing better than finding coffee that is perfect every time, in Donegal the place to find that perfect coffee is The Counter in Letterkenny, which is the biggest town in the county where you will find all the chain stores as well as the longest Main Street in Ireland.

Just outside Letterkenny is the town of Ramelton home to the best ice cream and fizzy drink in the county. Whoriskey’s 99s are something to write home about and Football Special which is a locally produced drink are musts especially on a sunny day.

There are so many little towns and villages in Donegal that have maintained their traditionally Irish feel and are full of Irish knit and tweed shops. Many of these are in what is called the Gaeltacht which is an area where Irish is still the native language of people there, so you could try a few phrases such as thank you, ‘Go raibh maith agat!’ (<Go row my-h ugg-it>). Another place to visit is Derry which is a bordering county where you’ll find lots of history surrounding Northern Ireland as well as a wonderful craft village.

Travelling south-east to Dublin, the heart of the country you will find more than enough tourist tours, attraction information that I don’t need to tell you about. I have lived in Dublin for the past year while at University and have grown to love the city life in contrast to my country life. Temple Bar is a must in Dublin, the atmosphere is wonderful and Irish traditional music can be found on every corner. Murphy’s Ice Cream shop is amazing. Despite having some unusual flavours such as Soda Bread and Guinness, their ice cream is fabulous!

For a really Irish pub, Doyle’s near Trinity College is my favourite spot, quite a cosy pub with old furnishings and great music.

Dublin by night is magical!

Circling back to coffee, you have to try F&B They have taken off where Bewley's on Grafton Street (the high street) used to be. A great buzz in here when you pop in for a coffee and always know it will be just what you needed!

Be adventurous when in Dublin and go off the beaten track. The Grand Canal is a very picturesque part of the city and is usually nice and quiet and an escape from the bustling city. If you follow the canal down to the dames, cross a few bridges you will stumble across the old Grand Canal sign that overlooks the docks and is quite a cool place to take photos.

For any history buffs out there Dublin is not lacking in fascinating exhibitions of Art, History and Architecture. Kilmainham Gaol is a must see for anyone interested in Irish history and our harrowing past.

The Botanic Gardens are another lovely place for quiet meanderings and a breath of fresh air.

A short DART (Dublin area rapid transport) journey away from Dublin is Wicklow, and my personal favourite town, Bray. Along the coastline, Bray in the sunshine is as beautiful as a south of France town.

I was recently on holiday there and loved how small and accessible the town is. A walk along the waterfront is the perfect way to spend a relaxing evening. An early morning walk up Bray Head along the coast to Graystones and you will find well known YouTuber’s The Happy Pear café and veg shop. For a healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner or quick snack it is the perfect place for delish food at a great price, with locally sourced organic food and a wide selection of Vegan food available.

For a day out exploring in Wicklow, Glendalough is a must, whether you fancy a hike or a  stroll along the lake this is another beautiful part of Ireland that I visit time and time again.

Top Tip -  While in Ireland a few ‘must have’ foods are the not so traditional Chicken fillet roll (baguette, breaded chicken and your choice of salad etc), Spudbox (featuring a baked potato with your choice of toppings) in MVP and Spicebag (chiecken, chips and veggies in a salt and chilli rub). Despite not being typically Irish they are a firm favourite amongst locals.

There is so much more of Ireland to discover, 29 other counties in fact, so be sure to come explore!

Dxo

Just a spoon full of sugar...

Something I am surprised I haven't written about yet is my love for baking. Maybe that is because I haven't baked in quite some time. I'm not sure when baking became one of my hobbies. While studying it was an escape from stress although my baking was never stress free for anyone involved. The perfectionist in me always had rather elaborate ideas for decorating the cupcakes or cakes I made and when they wouldn't go as planned it would stress me out quite a lot!

I suppose that could have taken the good out of baking for me but I always loved making things for my family and friends' birthdays and seeing the smile it would bring to their faces to see and taste what I had made them. There is something so special about making something for someone, especially those people who have all they want and need and are impossible to buy for. I have made everything from gingerbread houses to a Minnie Mouse cake to Cookie Monster cupcakes. Those being some of the better executed 'masterpieces'! 
There is something so special about making rather than buying, spending time creating something for someone you love, a labour of love!

I'm not sure where my love for baking came from. Growing up, visiting Auntie Madge meant you were in for a freshly baked 'Auntie Madges sponge cake.' I have yet to make one or try one that was as soft and delicious as the cakes she made. 

My mum has also been baking for as long as I can remember. In fact the bread she still makes today is from a recipe she learnt to make on my first summer holiday to Cavan.

The most recent thing I baked was cupcakes for a Fotosoc meeting. They were what I call my go to cupcake receipt from Rachel Allen that I know off by heart. They never fail to impress and are devoured rather rapidly! By adding extra ingredients and putting a twist on this simple receipe I have made everything from classic vanilla to red velvet, chocolate, apple and cinnamon and my favourite, lemon.

6oz caster sugar

6oz margarine

6oz self raising flour

3 eggs

Cream the margarine and sugar.

Sift in flour, add eggs and combine.

Add a drop of vanilla essence or

substitute 2oz of flour for coco.

Bake at 180 for 10-12 minutes.

Christmas in our house is always a time for baking. For as long as I can remember mammy has made her world (or at least family) renowned Caramel Squares, with a perfectly golden shortbread base, a generous layer of silky caramel and a sweet smooth layer of chocolate. Mammy’s caramel squares are a firm favourite in our household and further afield. I think it may very well have been from watching mammy over the years make these as well as wheaten bread and more recently chili jam as gifts for friends and family that I started making gifts.

My imagination more often than not takes hold when I'm baking and I come up with rather unrealistic ideas for decorating the cupcakes or cake I have made. It gives me the oppourtunity to be creative and test how far my imagination can push my creativity. Although I have to admit, this often leads to stress as the perfectionist in me takes over when things are not going as I had pictured them in my mind.

Being away at college for the past year has meant doing almost no baking other than the occasional batch when I'm home and I miss it but I suppose I've found a different creative outlet in my new found love of photography. (Unfortunatly at the peak of my baking days photography wasn't really a passion of mine hence the less than half decent quality of these photos!)

Baking is something I really look forward to doing with my kids one days just like I have done with my mammy. Although being a little more realxed and open to a less than perfect result may be necessary when it comes to baking with kids so it could be a good lesson in life for me too!

Dxx