Un Petit Tour de Paris

Bethanyinthebigcity first started life in the city of Paris, during a whirlwind year abroad spent in the greatest city on earth. Don't get me wrong, London is a fantastic home and I have been very lucky to travel to some other wonderful places, but Paris will always have my heart.  

I can't explain it but when I walk around the streets of Paris I feel at home, I know the back streets, the best restaurants and how the city works. I understand the brash french joie de vivre and I will never get bored of the golden hour sunlight bouncing perfectly off the Dior-grey Paris buildings. 

It seemed only fitting that I show AN where my heart really belongs, so just before Christmas (yes, this post is very late) we hopped on the Eurostar to the city of light. It also helped that we managed to catch Miss VN on her final few days living in Paris. 

VN acted as tour guide and showed us her Paris. I am a firm believer that you have to find your own slice of a city, you own 'quartier' of Paris and your own way. I was really excited to see V's Paris and to explore areas that I had not yet discovered. Thanks for being our guide V! 

We dashed about seeing all of the sights and even took a quick selfie under the Eiffel tower itself. 

On the final day we hired bikes and raced along the river from one side of the city to the other, and back again!. 

We were lucky enough to catch an old friend SAPG who kindly cooked us a lovely supper as we caught up over a fine bottle of wine. Again, we were fortunate to catch her just before she moved to South America! 

A wonderful few days in Paris which both warmed and broke my heart as I love and miss the city so much. 

Mood - In need of a croissant! 

Pin It Now!

Quarter Century Celebrations

With a holiday, exams and a change of job location the beginning of September was a bit of a crazy month. My birthday celebrations were put on hold until I could scramble together some last minute birthday plans.  I am now officially in my mid-20's, which is mildly terrifying  and very exciting at the same time as I am in a very happy and content position in my life. 

I decided to celebrate my quarter century with a sumptuous dinner at the Cavalry and Guards Club, Piccadilly surrounded by 10 of my most favourite people. We started with a pre-dinner G+T in the bar and then wandered slowly up the wonderful staircase to the dining room. 

After a delicious dinner we headed back to the bar for a few more drinks. AN and I didn't have too far to go as we could walk back up the winding staircase to our plush white bed to sleep of the champagne. I think this may be the start of a new birthday tradition.....

Thanks you all for celebrating with me!

Mood - treasured

Pin It Now!

Lagoons, Floating Villages and Giant Fish!

I did promise that the voyage became more exciting. Well, the next few days passed in a blur, with each  day blending into the next, as afternoon naps muddled everyones sleeping patterns perfectly. We sunbathed in the shade of the sail, lazily moving to make another drink or dip our feet over the side to feel the gentle splash as we cut through the waves. 

We visited places that are only accessible to the bravest of adventures, prepared to travel far and wide to the remotest of locations. On a fishing village we stopped to fill up on supplies and wonder around the floating houses, only swaying slightly on our sea-legs. I did my best to absorb the sights, sounds and fishy smells of the floating island as children ran barefoot along the creak floorboards and caged birds sang overhead. A local lady was frying up a feast in the baking mid-day sun whilst another savvy salesmen did his best to ply us with Thai gnome hats. 

On our voyage we occasionally spotted a passing boat in the distance, sometime a friendly fisherman selling the freshest of giant prawns. On another occasion we spotted a group of jellyfish farmers who were expertly scooping up giant jellies from the sea with one clean swish of their nets. 

All this time at sea finally paid off as we (well, our trusty skipper) made a giant catch! Truly the biggest fish I have ever seen, Ali reeled it expertly in and bopped it quickly on the head. A and the boys sliced up the fishy and popped him safely away for frying up on the BBQ later that evening. That is, after they had taken a few photos. 

I am pleased to say we became well adjusted to island life as we adopted swimmers as our main form of clothing, let our hair go unbrushed and enjoyed the sun kissed heat in our skin. 

We also became very accustomed to our daily swim in a hidden lagoon one day, a deserted white beach with sand soft as powder and a small monkey-filled beach the next. Some days we were contented to just drop anchor and dive straight into the see-through water, our skin wrinkling as we spend hours snorkelling and finding Nemo. 

Truly a wonderful few days aboard the wonderful Jimmy-Blue, with many more surprises to come! 

Mood - at peace 

Pin It Now!