M Y K O N O S

Wow, it has been a long time since our last entry. The last time we posted, we had just left Australia and moved to another new country and new home. A year and a half has passed! Less than 2 weeks ago, I got to marry my best friend and without a doubt, my better half, J :) But anyway, we'll save that for perhaps another post. This post is to document our recent travels to a place we both held in our bucket list, Greece. Two days after our wedding day, we had our bags packed and headed from Vancouver to Montreal to Athens and then finally to Mykonos. Needless to say, it was a long, full day of travel. We had only 7 full days there, so we had to make the most of it. Arriving by plane from Athens, our first stop of the minimoon was in Mykonos. Now, we were told prior to coming that Mykonos was the island known for its parties and night life but despite being hardly the party people, we had to see this town for ourselves. We were here for only 3 days and 3 nights so our time was short but here are some highlights of what we saw during our stay.

What we did Roaming around Mykonos town was definitely a highlight for us. Streets of white walls, doors of varying shades of blue, a few purple flowers thrown in between - it all sounds too much like everything we've seen in post cards but it is truly what you see here. The streets were laid out in a confusing array of twists and turns and that was by design. The town was constructed in a labyrinth like fashion to fend off invaders in the past and it manifests a charm that you don't see very often. Within Mykonos town are the windmills which stand up on a low cliff that overlooks Little Venice. Both are must sees.

On one of the days, we rented a car and toured the island. Since Mykonos is only about 40 square miles, it was fairly easy to get around quickly. It was the only way to see some of the amazing, pristine beaches strewn across the island. The cost was 45 EUR per day. Alternatives to renting a car would be to rent a scooter or an ATV. Both are good options for exploring and will make parking much easier. Having said that, the streets of Mykonos were quite narrow and a car is definitely safer.

Set upon one of the most stunning places I have ever been to, it was a no brainer to hire a captain to take us on the water for a sunset cruise. We went with Mykonos on Board and asked Artemis to take us on a private sunset tour to surprise J. It was easily one of the biggest highlights of our entire trip. Highly recommend you find Artemis for a cruise if you are ever in Mykonos.

Where we stayed We stayed at the Roccabella Mykonos and it was perfect. After a long 30+ hours of travel, it was such a welcome sight to arrive at this hotel. Roccabella picked us up from the airport on a private shuttle and when we arrived at the reception of the hotel, we were greeted with smiling faces and a glass of champagne. We were then given a walkthrough of all the amenities of the hotel and finally, we arrived in our room. We opted for a sea view room with rooftop jacuzzi. Needless, we were left wanting nothing more. It made it easy to stay in the hotel if we wanted some time to relax (ie. in the rooftop jacuzzi, overlooking the water, all the while with a glass of champagne) but with Mykonos town being only 10 minutes away, it also made it easy for us to get out and explore. Shuttle rides to and from the hotel were free. The breakfast served every morning was fantastic as well - fruits, greek yogurt, granola, omelettes, coffee, pastries, pretty much anything you could ask for.

What we ate Mykonos is full of good eats and great restaurants. Katarina's Restaurant in Little Venice within Mykonos Town has an amazing view from the patio that overlooks the water and the windmills. Great place for a few appetizers and drinks while watching the sunset.

Kiki's was a place I really wanted to go based on reading reviews but it was a ways away from our hotel and the town. That was the day that we decided to rent a car and drive around the island. Located north of Mykonos town, Kiki's is a restaurant that apparently does not have any electricity or telephones. In fact, there are no signs pointing to the restaurant at all. Yet, despite all of that, when we got there, there was an hour and a half wait. Good thing there was a great view of the water and the beach below! It was a scorcher that day with temperatures at around 30+ degrees so waiting wasn't fun but while you wait, there is free house wine and water. When we finally sat down for our late lunch, we had a great traditional Greek meal with whole grilled seabass, squid, and raki.

Funky Kitchen came as a recommendation from Rocabella and it was also fun and yummy. It was our first night in Mykonos when we were here so we were admittedly zombie like from our lack of sleep but from what we remember, the service was fantastic and the food was a great twist of modern and traditional Mediterranean. Aglio E Olio was actually a pleasant surprise for us because we felt like having some Italian after 2 months of essentially not eating any pasta leading up to the wedding. It was brand new and situated in the heart of Mykonos Town. We were commenting that the layout and decor of the restaurant was one of the most impressive we have both seen anywhere, not just Greece. The charcuterie board was... well... massive and beautifully presented. Unfortunately, by the time we finished that, we were full!

Overall We were very pleasantly surprised by Mykonos. We came in with the impression that this would be a party island but it was so much more than that. It was everything we could have wanted for our minimoon and we could definitely see ourselves being back.

P H U K E T

It has been a year since we vacationed in Bali, a vacation that was intended as a reward for having just found our apartment that would be our home for the next year in Melbourne. It was a fantastic break that made us yearn for another "resort-y" vacation where we can simply lazy about and worry about nothing other than what to eat and how early we should jump in the pool. Fast forward a year and a bit later and we are now planning our move back to the Pacific Northwest for a great opportunity so we thought we would commemorate it by going on another relaxing vacation - this time, to Phuket, Thailand. Having never been to Thailand, this seemed a good time to try. Phuket has great beaches, amazing food, and accommodations, so why not? We explored the islands surrounding Phuket by speedboat and it was incredible. The weather worked out for us despite it being the tail end of the rainy season. If you get a chance to visit Phuket, we highly recommend doing a speedboat tour. There are plenty of places to see close to Phuket and a company such as Phuket Sailing Tours will give you a great idea of what is nearby.

We were also taken to a floating village for lunch which was great cultural experience. The food was great too! 

We stayed at two places during our trip to Thailand. We will review both below:

Anantara Phuket Villas Our trip to Phuket started with a stay at the Anantara Phuket Villas. The resort is just 20 minutes from the airport so it was a relief to be able to relax so soon after our long flights. From the moment we arrived at the gates, we were treated like honored guests. We were served a refreshing drink and given jasmine bracelets (the smell is just heavenly) as we were checked in. The resort has a  traditional Thai feel to it, luxurious but not over the top. We rented a private villa with our very own pool and were we ever glad we did. The villa was beautiful and spacious. Everything about this villa oozed luxury but not in the cold, sterile, modern way. The pool was big enough for a nice swim to cool down during the day and attached to the pool was an outdoor bath. Our only complaint was that the outdoor bath took ages to fill up (you would need about an hour to fill it up so start drawing the bath early). There were a few options at the Anantara for food. La Sala is the venue for the buffet breakfast (quality Thai or western breakfast with lots of options, this was included in our room rate) but you could also come here for any other meal during the day. This is where you would want to go within the resort for a more traditional Thai meal. To be honest though, the food fell short of our expectations considering the price we paid for our meals ($30-40 per person). The other restaurant was Sea Fire Salt. More of a fine dining experience, your meals are served on hot blocks of Himalayan salt. It is a unique experience but again, the food was not exceptional. We paid almost $80 per person (keeping in mind that we are in Thailand and street food usually costs less than $5) and we were left feeling underwhelmed.  There were not too many local food options near the hotel, so we had to stick to what was available. Overall our stay at the Anantara was fantastic other than a few hiccups. If you want to experience staying in a resort that is more traditional, luxurious, and private, Anantara is a great option. However, don't expect great value for the food available at this resort.

Sri Panwa Well I will start off by saying that our stay at the Sri Panwa was the highlight of our trip.  The private ocean view villa with pool was everything you could ever want. The suite was enormous (over 1,000 square feet) and included two separate buildings - one for the bedroom and ensuite bathroom and a second one for a living area with a separate kitchen and bath. The views from our apartment were jaw dropping. Imagine a vacation where you have the choice to wake up to and/or swim in your very own infinity pool while overlooking the ocean from a view about 50 meters from sea level. You can expect the private ocean villas to all have fantastic views. The food at Sri Panwa was also really good. We found the food to be more authentically Thai and although much more expensive than the street food you could find in the city, still far better value than the food we had at our previous stay at the Anantara. The must-do at this hotel though, had to be the Baba Nest open air roof top bar. No pictures do this setting justice. Basically 360 degrees of unobstructed panaramic view of the ocean and islands in the vicinity, this is a setting that makes you feel like you're a million miles away from home and you're so content with that. Whether you're looking for a honey moon or just a vacation to really spoil yourself, the Sri Panwa was all that and more. We couldn't have asked for anything else here and we cannot wait to come back.

One of the highlights of Sri Panwa though... had to be the roof-top bar (below).

L B 2

Coffee has become a way of life for us here in Melbourne. I could not get through even a couple of hours of work in the morning without one. Luckily there are just about an infinite number of independent coffee shops within a 5 minute walk from the office. The problem with having so many choices is that it can make you indecisive, but one that we found recently called LB2 had me quit all other coffee shops in the vicinity. Located in the CBD, close to Southern Cross station, this is yet another coffee shop located in a laneway (aka alley). The coffee is fantastic here. Even though Melbourne has an abundance of coffee shops, I really can taste a significant difference between one served here and one served across the street. Not only is the coffee good (they have a lot of variety and consistently bring in new roasts to try), they have great people here too. While this place is located in the heart of corporate Melbourne (a lot of lawyers, accountants and consultants come here), Veng and Emily have become familiar faces to me now but they know their coffee inside and out and they help to create a laid back atmosphere to the whole joint. Anyway, talk is talk but they serve some fantastic coffee here. It is places like this that make me sad when I think about the options back in Vancouver. L B 2 Down a back laneway 2 Gallagher Place Melbourne, VIC 3000

The 10 things I learned through travelling

I was born and raised in Vancouver, a city that by all accounts has and always will be considered home for me. It wasn’t until I was 20 that I finally left the city to stay in Toronto for a summer. That was my first real taste of what it was like to leave my bubble. When I decided to pick up my bags and move to London for a year, I left with the feeling that there had to be more – more to be seen, to be heard, to be tasted and to be experienced. Since then I have had the privilege of living for extended periods in Melbourne and London and I have travelled to so many amazing places in Africa, Europe, Asia and now Australia. I have learned so much while travelling. The thing is, everyone takes away something different from the experience. But if I had to summarize what I had learned, it would be this:

1. The world is much bigger than your own backyard. It might have been easy to be content with staying in my home town of Vancouver but if there is one thing that I have learned, it is that the world has so much more to offer. Home will always be home. Travelling to Ghana/Zambia, Japan, Turkey, and Ireland amongst other places has taught me that not only is there so much more out there. Had I stayed in one place the entire time, I shudder thinking about what I would have missed out on.

That moment when you glance upon something that leaves you breathless... that's when I knew that I made the right choice to come here. 

2. What matters most. What is the saying? “You don’t know what you got til it’s gone?” While I did say that the world is huge and I’m so glad that I didn’t remain content to stay in one place, being away from home has slowly made me realize what is truly important. Some might say that it would have been easier to realize sooner, only, you don’t really understand what or how much to appreciate something or someone until you do.

There's something about the west coast that will always draw me in. 

3. To reserve judgement. We’ve all done it. Whether in high school, uni or even now, we’ve all judged people or developed an opinion of someone or some situation. Travelling all over the world, you see all kinds of people, in all sorts of situations. You see people in a rush to catch their flight, people who drink a pint alone at a pub, people who make conversations with random strangers and it made me realize that we are all individuals and that we should never be so quick to judge. One of my most memorable moments in Europe wouldn’t have even happened if we let our judgements get the best of us. Myself and my friend Angela met a lone traveller on our ferry ride from Split to Hvar island in Croatia. He was really friendly and offered to drive us to Hvar town. This guy was huge and much older than we were (I mean, he could have easily crushed me and who knew what would have happened to Angela haha) but after some consideration, we decided to go with it. We ended up having a bottle of white wine in a completely off the road Croatian bar that a tourist would have never found, on a “VIP” table overlooking the Mediterranean – it was incredible. The bottom line, we are all different. We are all our own individuals and as much as coexist, we each have our own world.

People are inherently good - travelling has not swayed me from that belief one bit. You would be surprised at the goodness of people that you meet on the road. 

4. The world is not based on how others see you. When I lived in London, one thing I found about living in such a transient metropolis is that people will get by regardless of how others think of them. And that's the point – chances are you are never going to see them again. So, much to point no. 3, even if you had your opinions, you know what? It doesn’t matter. Worrying less about what others think and more about what you think of yourself is one of the most critical things I learned over the years.  Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s going to happen. So embrace it.

When you think about it, being happy in the moment has little to do with how the world sees you. 

It's a work in progress but I really learned to be comfortable doing... whatever. That included eating on my own while travelling through Europe - in fact, it became one of the most relaxing moments of the day. 

5. The little things make the biggest impact. I heard someone say once that the most dangerous thought that someone can have is that their contribution is going to be so small that it doesn’t matter, so they won’t do anything. I couldn’t disagree more.  From standing on the Cliffs of Moher watching the sun set, to listening to the current over the Victoria Falls as we swam on the edge, to sipping wine al fresco in the town of Vernazza, so many times, I remember moments where I stood there thinking… what could be more perfect than this? To me, it is the small things that make all the difference.

6. Shit happens. Forget travelling, in our everyday lives, shit just happens sometimes. To quote Bruce Wayne’s father, “why do we fall?” It’s so we can learn to pick ourselves back up. Travelling isn’t all great, all the time. From being ticketed at the beginning of my trip to Cinque Terre for having the wrong train pass, to having heat stroke in Zambia, to suffering food poisoning at the beginning of a road trip through the Isle of Skye, you learn to roll with it - to adapt. I learned that even if something happens, you still get there – if you want it. If we let every obstacle hold us down, we wouldn’t get anywhere in life. Push through.

Ah, Barcelona. The place where it rained all week long and I encountered bed bugs for the first time. 

I turned off my alarm and nearly missed my early morning hot air balloon ride in Cappadoccia, Turkey. Good thing the driver banged on every door to see where I was! 

7. That you may end up more lost than you were before but most importantly, that you are ok with it. Some people think that people who are well travelled just know what they want in life - That they are more enlightened. If an increased sense of wanderlust counts, then I agree with you. You realize that there is so much that you want to do, to see, to experience still and that even if you came back even less decisive, you’re ok with it. A trip doesn't change the person you are instantaneously. But you might find that your perspective on things change without you even realizing it.

Getting lost is not the end of the world - especially when you have views like this along the way. 

8. The realization that the place you left behind is actually perpetually in a time vacuum. After coming home from living in London, it was strange to see that nothing of significance had changed. You ask friends and family what’s new and most would say, “not much really.” It makes you think… how can that be? It feels like I have changed immensely over the same amount of time, how come it feels like time stands still here. If anything, this feeling gave me the push to keep exploring, to keep experiencing. It was a feeling that told me, "don't waste time, do whatever you can now."

9. Who your real friends are. I have had the pleasure to meet some incredible people along the way. From living in London and Melbourne to travelling elsewhere, I am so grateful to be able to call some people that I have met, friends. I learned from them that it is not at all about the amount of time that you've known a person that determines how good a friend they are. It can be hard to leave behind friends and family back at home, but I realized that true friends will be there no matter where you are. You make an effort, they will keep in contact and you will still be able to share your experiences with him, if only vicariously. Those that don’t stay in touch and don’t make an effort, well … they were not much of a loss in all likelihood.

You know you were a part of something good when you look at everyone and say that these are not just coworkers. 

10. To live a life that you won’t regret. I’ve come to realize that we have one life to live, so I’m going to live. Without regrets. Without the thought, “I should have done this” or “I wish I saw this or experience that.” Travelling to me, was a good step in that direction. Travelling with her makes it all complete.

R I N G O F K E R R Y

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Europe. When I dream about the next destination to travel, my mind inevitably goes to London, Italy, France, etc. I have extremely fond memories of traveling in 2011 and 2012 and I can’t wait to be back. I can’t wait to get back to road trips through the country side, the amazing food, and the incredible culture and architecture. This post on Ireland is from 2011, when I first visited this tiny country. Ireland was never one of the places that I sought to visit up until recently. It was always a place associated with that weird accent – or so I thought when I was in highschool. But when I arrived in London just over 3 months ago, I realized that it had everything that I now wanted to see: natural surroundings, ocean, great food, and a varied culture. That is when the research started. While it only begun with Dublin and Galway, I soon discovered through the wonders of Google that there was much more to be seen in Ireland. One of those things was the Ring of Kerry. As the control freak that I am, I had an itinerary in mind but what we saw in Ireland was far from what I expected. The first day began with us (Jennifer and me) spending a day in Dublin – Ireland’s capital. While Dublin was a place that you had to say that you at least saw, we were mildy disappointed by the city as it was just that, a big city. The architecture was not particularly unique to Europe but I have to confess, I don’t think I give Dublin enough credit. Well, this trip was more about the country side anyway. After spending a day in Dublin, we took the early train to Galway in western Ireland. It was a smooth train ride and only about 2.5 hours long. Since I don’t mind long trips (good earphones will do the trick), I actually enjoyed it! We didn’t spend any time in Galway though as we caught a taxi straight to the airport to pick up our car and headed off. The first thing I noticed about the roads in Ireland was how incredibly narrow some of them were. Lots of curves, narrow roads, blind corners, and lots of hills. That was essentially what we drove through. Some roads were so narrow that only 1 car could get through at a time yet the speed limit in both directions was 100km/h. Not surprisingly, people have been killed on this road. Driving around the Ring of Kerry, we were told by many to go counter clockwise but we went clockwise anyway because it was more convenient for us and we had a small car. The reason for this is that coaches and big buses go clockwise and well, if you went around a small bend with a coach in front of you, there is a danger you could be hit! For those of you who watch anime, it was like Initial D but with oncoming traffic lol. Eventually, when you got used to the speed and the curves though, it became a very fun drive!   When it comes down to it, the experience would not be the same if we had not driven. Those of you who are looking to visit the Ring of Kerry, you really should consider driving. Just rent a small car and drive carefully. People in Ireland are very nice and patient, they will just pass you if they get a chance but rarely do they honk on that road. By driving you can venture off into off paths and you can stop whenever you want! Plus, the drive along the coast of Ireland is incredible. There was stunning landscape after stunning landscape. We wanted to stop every chance we could get. P l a c e s V i s i t e d   The first stop along the way down south was the Cliff’s of Moher. Leading up to it, the landscape was gorgeous. Rolling green hills, stones, old houses, and lots and lots of ocean. It all looked so natural and untouched. The Cliff’s of Moher are a huge landmark in western Ireland. In fact, it is being lobbied for being named one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The first thing I noticed was just how huge those cliffs were (over 200 meters high). The sheer scale of it was jaw dropping. The waves crashed up on the foot of the cliffs and the winds carried crisp, cold, fresh air. It was really a sight that takes your breath away. I came back again during sunset the next day to get some pictures in that lighting. Note that you can stay on the cliffs as long as you want or at any time.   We then drove about 3 hours further south to reach the town of Killarney where we stayed the second night. A great town where there are loads of nice restaurants, pubs, and scenery. It is also the home to Killarney National Park, which apparently has some incredible natural green hills and beautiful lakes, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time to go. I did have an amazing meal there though (see below on food).   The rest of it is history. Along the Ring of Kerry, we drove through many towns but made stops in Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Ballinskelligs (where you can catch a boat out to the Skellig Michael). All had different characteristics but they all had that small town feel to them. People knew each other and how could they not? The houses don’t even appear on the GPS and they don’t have house numbers in some of these towns. I loved how laid back and friendly the people were and it made me realize that this is the way it should be. We have it all wrong in the city sometimes. All in all, we saw so much while we drove around. Ireland is an incredibly beautiful country with so much to see. I might not have enjoyed this as a kid when I was less appreciative about scenery but this trip wow’d me. I will definitely be back to see the rest of Ireland sooner rather than later. A c c o m m o d a t i o n s We had a total of just 3 nights to complete what we had in our itinerary and we moved around quite a bit (being a road trip and all) but we ended up staying at some nice places that were not too expensive. Call me a snob but we did not stay in any hostels along the way. A big part of the experience in places like Ireland is the fact that you get to stay in just about any bed and breakfast and enjoy the home cooked meal, the homely hospital and comfort. Of course, while I say this, we ended up staying in a hotel in Dublin (haha). First Night - We stayed at the Central Hotel  (1-5 Exchequer Street, Dublin, Ireland) for our first night in Dublin. It was only €89 for the night and it was situated within the centre of the city so it was very convenient (ie. Temple Bar, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ’s Church were all within a 10 minute walking distance). The room was also very clean and lots of natural light came in as well. Wifi was also provided for free all over the hotel. Believe it or not, this is a huge benefit as you have to pay for this service in most metropolitan tourist hotspots such as London and New York for example. Overall, I would recommend this place for a short stay.  Second Night - By the second night, we had taken a 2.5 hour train ride to Galway and driven over 5 hours south so we were fairly tired. Eventually we made our way down to Killarney within the County of Kerry. We booked our stay at the Earls Court House (Woodlawn Road, Killarney, Ireland). From the outside, it looks like a very nice country style home. You could tell that they placed an enormous amount of attention to detail as it was very presentable both inside and out. The bedding and the room itself was spacious, clean, and in many ways, looked quite luxurious.  The great thing about a bed and breakfast is how there is a distinct lack of commercial feel to the surroundings. The lady we spoke to at the front desk (who, I’m not afraid to say was easily the prettiest girl I saw all trip long haha) gave us great advice for places to eat for dinner. The breakfast that was served at the B&B was also extremely tasty and very filling. Be sure to try their porridge! I highly recommend this B&B not only for value but for convenience as well. It was only €99 per night for our room and it was a 10 minute walk into the main road where a number of great restaurants are situated. Third Night – On the third evening, we chose to stay nearby Galway but out far enough that we could still enjoy the country side. We ended up booking a room at the Atlantic View B&B  (Pier Road, Doolin, Ireland) in Doolin (which was about an hour and a half drive from Galway). Situated right by the coast, you get a fantastic view of the coast straight out of the bedroom window and you can see the cliff’s that lead up to the Cliff’s of Moher (only a 10-15 minute drive). The other side of the house, you could see fields with cows grazing on the grass. You get the picture, this place is situated right in the midst of the country side and that in itself is the experience. The decor was very country style but again, very homey. It wasn’t quite as luxurious as the Killarney experience but it was a fine place for a one night stay. We were also provided with a decent breakfast before we headed back to Galway for our train ride. Overall, I would recommend this B&B for its location and simple hospitality.   F o o d Dublin. When I thought of Ireland, I did not originally think of the food as being a major highlight. I thought, bacon, sausages, poached egg and black pudding, but did not think about how good this food might be. In Dublin, we had quite simple meals such as Irish Fish and Chips at the Elixir (not too different from English fish and chips but the sauce was distinctly more citrusy than that of the regular tartar sauce we get). Not a place I would necessarily come back to.   We also found a cafe called Queen of Tarts which was packed with tourists. Providing caffeinated drinks as well as many different types of desserts and pastries was their specialty. I enjoyed a carrot cake (dubbed the best in Dublin) and double espresso for an afternoon snack here. Overall, nice out door setting and the food was quite decent.   Killarney. On the second day, we didn’t have a proper meal until dinner since we were driving around and did not have much time to waste but after we checked into our B&B, we asked for a recommendation for good ol’ Irish cuisine. The pretty lady suggested Bricin down in the heart of the town. It was only a 10 minute walk and when we arrived, we found the place was very busy (always a good sign). We ended up getting the 3 course set menu for €26 and enjoyed it thoroughly. The last time I had such a good meal was... probably back at Vij’s in Vancouver! The seafood chowder made me want to take my friend’s plate and finish it all off for her. I couldn’t put the spoon down it was so good. For the entree, I had the boxty (an Irish specialty that is essentially a potato omelette) filled with chicken and vegetables in cream sauce. Now, if that isn’t like a home cooked meal, I don’t know what is. It was delicious! Absolutely, I would recommend this restaurant to ANYONE in the area. Though, I heard that there are impressive restaurants all around Killarney, this one definitely stood out to me.   For breakfast the following day, we ate at the B&B (breakfast provided) and it was great. There is a self serve counter filled with all your essentials such as cereal, porridge, milk, coffee, tea, juice, fruits, etc. Their porridge had won awards in past years and it was indeed so good that I had to go back for seconds. They also serve a great Irish breakfast as well (consisting of sausage, bacon, poached egg and tomato). Doolin. By the time we checked into our B&B it was already 9:45pm and most restaurants in the small town of Doolin were closed or no longer serving. However, we were recommended to go to the O’Connors Pub just down the street and grab some grub there. Now, I don’t know about you but I have learned not to expect much from pub food. So we went there and noted right away how busy it was despite it being based in such a small town. It was loud in there but not in any way that would be obnoxious, people were greeting one another and they all knew each other it seemed (other than the tourists) and this made for a great atmosphere! We quickly ordered our meals (lamb stew with mash and baked salmon) and grabbed my first of a few pints of Guinness and sat down. The food came within 10 minutes and we were given a table even though it was packed with people (the waitress had taken the initiative to ask others to give way for us – talk about service!). Remember how I said that I don’t expect much from pub food? Well this was on a league of its own. The lamb stew was mouth wateringly good. The meat was tender and the stew had enormous flavour. It was the best meat stew I have ever had. I also then tried my friend’s salmon. If you are like me, I am always afraid that salmon would be overcooked. Well, we were very happily surprised. The salmon was delicious and very moist. Far above average... in fact, if this had come from a Michelin star restaurant, I would be surprised in terms of texture and overall flavour. Really great food and a great atmosphere, what more could one want from a neighbourhood pub? Sorry, no pictures of this since we were too hungry and forgot to take pictures before scarfing our food down haha. Guinness. Since this beer is world famous and is from the country of Ireland, it deserves a section of its own. I love my beer and Guinness is definitely high on the list. It doesn’t matter which country you are in, you can find some good Guinness wherever you go. However, it is different in Ireland. If you get a pint from the tap, you will taste the difference in that it is smoother and somehow seems more refreshing than compared to the other parts of the world. I m p r e s s i o n s Our impressions of Ireland were a surprise to us. When people ask me what my favorite country was, I have to say that Ireland is right up there. Maybe we got lucky with the weather but Ireland is truly an incredibly beautiful place that everyone should give a chance.