EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - 22-23/08/2009

I was dreaming about going to Edinburgh and Scotland. This summer my dream came true.

I went there with my boyfriend. We set off on 21st August in the afternoon. We went to Manchester where we had dinner and then we drove to Bolton where we stayed for a night in a beautiful place called Mercure Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa which was located in the suburbs. It was such a perfect place to stay. In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then set off for Edinburgh.

I enjoyed driving a lot because I could admire beautiful landscapes. Well, I was surprised to see great landscapes also in England e.g. close to the Lake District. When we reached Scotland it was better and better. The landscapes were breathtaking.

When we arrived at Edinburgh we parked the car and went straight to the Edinburgh Castle. It is located so high, which is amazing. The weather was great and we spent a lot of time in the castle which is different from the one in Warwick. I enjoyed the views from the castle. At that moment Edinburgh reminded me of Prague (because of the castle) and Melbourne (because of the sea I could see from the castle).

After visiting the castle we walked along the Royal Mile. At least we tried to walk as the streets were crowded with people and street performers (almost one next to the another one). I like this kind of atmosphere and the street performers were fantastic. We somehow managed to get to the Arthur's Seat, which is a mountain close to the Scottish Parliament and the Holyrood Palace which is the residence of British queen in Scotland.

Then we had some pasta for dinner. It was very difficult to find a place to eat as there were so many tourists everywhere.

After eating we went to the Calton Hill from which there were great views of Edinburgh.
It was getting colder and we were walking back to the car park passing a beautiful fountain in front of the castle and having some fun with a street performer.

We drove to Glasgow where we stayed at Ibis for a night. OMG and there was a street taken from San Francisco. I still cannot understand how it was possible for a car to stand and not move on the street which was almost vertical.

Next day we came back to Edinburgh and walked along the Royal Mile to the Arthur's Seat. The weather was not too good and so we decided to come back.

I enjoyed my visit to Edinburgh and I hope it will be possible to go to Scotland for longer next time.

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More

Coventry, Warwick, Leamington Spa, England

COVENTRY

Coventry is located in West Midlands, not far away from Birmingham. 

At the end of the 19th century Coventry became a centre of bicycle manufacture and in the 20th century it was the major centre of the British motor industry. That is why it is worth visiting Coventry Transport Museum, which has got a rich collection of bicycles, cars and buses. 

Coventry's historic St Michael's Cathedral, built in the 14th century, was severely bombed during the second World War by Germans. Nowadays you can visit the ruins of the cathedral which are quite impressive. A new cathedral was built next to the old one. 

Coventry is also famous for Lady Godiva, the wife of Earl of Mercia, who lived in the 11th century. According to the legend she rode a horse naked through the city in order to reduce tax imposed on the local people. There is the Statue of Lady Godiva in the city centre next to Primark. Apart from that a music festival known as Godiva Festival is held annually in the War Memorial Park.

During my stay in Coventry I enjoyed visiting Lady Herbert's Garden which is located close to the Pool Meadow, bus station.

Not far away from Coventry there is a nice place Coombe Abbey where you can relax, have a picnic and commune with nature.

WARWICK 

Warwick is famous for its medieval Castle, which was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. The castle is worth visiting with lots of activities for children.

LEAMINGTON SPA

Leamington Spa is another interesting place in West Midlands. It is a small spa town with a nice park opposite the Royal Pump Room, white buildings and my favourite tunnel - the perfect place for a photoshoot. 

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More

HONG KONG - LONDON 03/03/2009

I arrived at Hong Kong at 6:30 and I had some time before I had to board once again. I took off at 8am and arrived at London at 1:30pm.

Welcome back to Europe. I came back to Poland on 7th March spending some time in England.

I miss Australia a lot. It was the trip of a lifetime. I had fantastic three weeks in Australia and it is amazing that in such a short time I was able to visit so many places. It is also great that everything happened as I planned so my itinerary worked so well. Fortunately no flights or trips were cancelled and step by step I could move on and experience this wonderful Down Under.

Some people may say that I am crazy to go so far away or to spend so much money. Well, it took me many years to save money for the trip, but if I only could I would do this again. I do not regret it. I love travelling, especially to the places which I am fascinated by.

I MISS YOU A U S T R A L I A

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More

MELBOURNE 02/03/2009

I woke up early, packed my stuff and checked out. I left my luggage in a special locker for 8 hours and I went out to the Deveroli's to eat omelette. It was very tasty. Maybe not as much as the one in Kuranda, but still. After breakfast I bought a long hippie dress. Cool. Back in time.

Then I went to the beach. I had a photoshoot with the Australian flag. Then I discovered a fantastic place which you can see below. Isn't that pretty?

I  had ice coffee at Europa cake shop. Then I came back to the beach and spent there the rest of the time before we coming to the hostel and taking my luggage. At 7pm I had a bus to the airport and it was time to say goodbye to Australia. The last visit to Subway, then I bought some stuff including a mug with a kangaroo and Twilight to read.

Boarding was delayed 30 minutes and we took off at 00:30. GOOD BYE AUSTRALIA!

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More

MELBOURNE 01/03/2009

I was not in a hurry so I left the hotel quite late. I went to the Deveroli's dreaming about eating omelette, but it was too late to serve breakfast so I had lunch instead.

I was walking along Esplanada where there were a lot of stalls with paintings and handicraft products. I bought a painting with 12 Apostles. Well, it was more like a photo that's why I liked it so much.

Then I went to Acland Street and as I was able to find a place to sit in the Polish cake shop Europa I had coffee and cakes.

Later I decided to go to a different market, but when I reached the place everything was closed. When I came back I visited different parts of St Kilda.

It was a very lazy day.

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More

CAIRNS - MELBOURNE 28/02/2009

I woke up in the morning and took some pictures in my "rainforest" hotel. I met a Swiss who was on the same cruise as me yesterday and he was a bit angry because his trip was cancelled. It happened to him the second time in Cairns. Well, it only shows how lucky I was that I managed to go on the trips I planned and that nothing was cancelled. Thanks God.

I ordered a mini bus at 10am and went to the airport. My flight to Melbourne was at 12.30. I arrived at Melbourne at 5pm. It took me a lot of time to collect my luggage.

There was no bus to St Kilda. Besides it is a bit complicated to get to St Kilda from the airport. However, there was a woman who wanted to get to St Kilda, too. We both took one taxi and that is how I saved some money. The woman was talking to the taxi driver and they had a nice conversation. I was able to find out about interesting facts and things.

When I reached X Base Backpackers, I checked in and went out to eat something. I went to the restaurant Deveroli's and had garlic bread and nachos for starter and then I had pasta. I was full, but food was really delicious.

At night there was a party downstairs and I could not sleep. I will say it once again: I love St Kilda, but I do not recommend X Base Backpackers if you are not a party person.

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More

GREAT BARRIER REEF 27/02/2009

Early in the morning the bus took me to the harbour in Cairns. I boarded the ship Reef Experience. I had to take our shoes off, take equipment for diving, fill in some papers and pay for the cruise. I even had breakfast while sailing to the Great Barrier Reef. The crew was talking about the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelling and diving.

I got seasick and it was a real nightmare. It happened to me the first time in my life and I hope it will never happen again. I will spare you the details, but believe me it was a horrible experience.

Then there was the first time when people could go snorkelling or diving. Well, I cannot swim at all, but I decided to try and not to regret later that I did not do it. It was hard mainly because of my cold sore as salt water made my lips very painful. I had to give up. But still I had a great time. After the first stop there was lunch - smorgasbord. I risked and ate it, but everything was fine.

We sailed a bit to stop for the second time for snorkelling and diving. Later we were sailing back to the harbour in Cairns. It was great to lie on the top of the ship with wind in my hair. The only problem was that the weather was getting worse and it even rained a bit.

During the cruise I met two Polish girls. In the evening I went to the restaurant Cock&Bull where I had a great dinner or supper as you prefer. I had kangaroo steaks, chips and salad. There was a lot of food and the atmosphere was really nice with some karaoke of Australian country songs.

When I was going back to the hotel I bought a delicious chocolate: Cadbury Old Jamaica with rum and raisins. Yummy.

My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22762999@N00/

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lagnese

Find me on Facebook @ Lagnese Photography on Facebook

Read More