Hi everyone! I'm going on an Erasmus adventure to Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, for 3 months! On this blog you can follow my every move and I can share all my experiences with you. I hope you enjoy reading about this exciting new chapter of my life!

vrijdag 21 februari 2014

Scotland baby :-)

Hello hello

Again it's been too long, I know :-)

Last week we went to the Town Hall and had a cup of coffee with the Lord Mayor. Sounds really fancy, doesn't it :-)
The Lord Mayor is a really nice and funny guy; he talked a bit about Belfast and then he wanted to know somethings about our countries. We had a very nice chat with him, very relaxed (even tho he was dressed very formal and was wearing a golden necklace that weighs over 14kg!! CRAZY).

In the weekend I went to the St.-Georges market. I't a market in a building, so really nice to visit even when it rains (which is basically every day :-/). The market is every friday, saturday and sunday. There are market stands for all different kinds of food, clothes, coffee, cupcakes, jewelry, assessors, ... and there is life music to create a nice atmosphere... Truly a nice place to spend a sunday afternoon for example :-)

After that one of the most excited things happened!! We went on a trip to Scotland!! Me and 4 other Erasmus girls.
We left very early on tuesday morning, the taxi picket us up at 6am to take us to the bus station. The bus drove us to the harbor of Belfast and at 7.30 am the ferry left for Cairnryan.
After a bit more then 2hours we were in Scotland. Since we were all very tired we had a little nap on the ferry and didn't see that much if the trip.
Then another two hours on a bus to Glasgow!
At first we were not that impressed by Glasgow, just another big city... In the evening we went to West end with the subway to go and see the University of Glasgow and for a drink.
I must say; waaaauw!! What a building! If I wasn't in my last year (and it would be an option) I would definitely transfer there!
It's so huge and just so beautiful! I tried to take some good pictures, but of course they're still just pictures.
Afterwards we had some dinner and a cocktail in one of the cutest streets we've seen there (and there was an offer for cheap cocktails! What does a girl need more ;-) ).

On top of the old lighthouse
Glasgow

On top of the old lighthouse
Glasgow

On top of the old lighthouse
Glasgow

Stairs in the lighthouse
Glasgow

Glasgow

First drink in Glasgow

Subway
Glasgow

Cute street with pubs
West End Glasgow

Cute street with pubs
Cocktail time!
West End Glasgow

Cute street with pubs
West End Glasgow

Cute street with pubs
West End Glasgow

University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow



The next day, again an early morning. We took the train to the national Park of Loch Lomond.
We wanted to go and see the waterfalls there, but when we arrived we came to the conclusion that we 'slightly' underestimated the area of the park and that it wasn't possible to walk to the falls (and because it isn't summer, the busses and trains only ride once a day). So unfortunately no waterfalls.
But we saw lots of other beautiful sights!
The weather was not bad, we had almost no rain, but it was very foggy and so the views were nice but could have been nicer with some sunshine!

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balloch
Loch Lomond

Balmaha
Loch Lomond

Balmaha
Loch Lomond

Balmaha
Loch Lomond

Panorama
Balmaha
Loch Lomond

Balmaha
Loch Lomond 
Balmaha
Loch Lomond

Balmaha
Loch Lomond

In the late afternoon we took the train to Edinbrugh. There we spend our second and last night.
That's what I call a city! BEAUTIFUL! It is not overrated when they say that it is the most beautiful city in Scotland.
On the one hand you have a very modern city part with a large shopping street; on the other hand you have the old town, with loads of nice old houses, a castle, small streets, ...
Yes, definitely one of my favorite cities so far :-)

Old Town
Edinburgh

Old Town
Edinburgh

Old Town
Edinburgh

Old Town
Edinburgh

Old Town
Edinburgh

Where J.K.Rowling got inspiration for some names from HP
*Tom Riddle*

Where J.K.Rowling wrote part of the first HP book



Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle
Panorama

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh

Edinburgh


It was a short but super nice trip. As the trip passed by, we came to conclusion that 3 days is not enough to see 2 cities and to do some stuff in between :-) So if there would be a next time, we definitely will plan less cities or go for a longer period! But it was worth it.



That's it for now :-)