CYPRUS- Part 2

Thursday was the day we had to leave, we made the most of the day at the hotel by using the pool, putting our luggage into the locked room and didn't leave till like 2:30! It was bliss and I will never forget my time there.


The next place we stayed for the next 3 days was a self contained compartment which was unexpected but had lovely views of the sea right on our doorstep literally.  We settled in enjoying the sea and as it was early evening we walked down the beach to a fish restaurant to eat.  It actually had really good food. Alex had the calamari and I had moussaka; for dessert they gave us free golden fried balls dipped in syrup which is a delicacy in Cyprus and Greece.
On Friday we finally head on down the waterpark in Ayia Napa!! I was so excited, I had been there before but years ago and I was so excited to go again with Alex!  We spent nearly the whole day there on the lazy river and various rides.  It was so fun and scary at the same time. I wish I could spend my whole time there. We had some nice food that night that I showed Alex too because I had been there before.

 Alex likes doing other things and not just be at the sea/pool, so on Saturday we decided to head down to the main part in Cyprus and do some shopping.  It was so relaxing and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would!!  We got back early and actually went in the sea with this cool ball we brought that bounces so if it goes the water it just bounces right up.  We had a really lovely dinner Saturday as this was our last night there and we were leaving Sunday, we also had some drinks in this beach drink place which was lively.  On Sunday we packed up, dropped our luggage of at the airport at stayed locally having some food to eat and a walk about before heading back to the airport for our flight.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

I thought  I would  write a post about Mental  Health  seeing as a lot of people suffer from various illnesses.

Mental health holds so much stigma- seen as bad, not coping, being over-sensitive and  a lot of people because  of this hide how they feel and suffer through it not wanting to be a burden to other people and this is not the way.

I don't know how the stigma came about but it should not be there we should see it in a positive aspect  so more people feel comfortable getting help. Although  actually  getting the courage to ask for help and do something  about the way you feel is hard if the world had a more positive  view if Mental  Health people  might want to reach out more.

There is such wide variety  of different  mental health  problems, such as:

- depression
- anxiety / panic attacks
- post natal depression
- anger
- eating problems
- bipolar
- Obsessive Compulsive  Disorder (OCD)

This is to name but a few and people  who suffer from any of these can range from extreme to mild but both can be serious if not dealt with.

I know people  who have had to deal with certrain mental health issues and what they have been through and I admire them so much to being so open  and honest as it can be so hard.

For the last couple of years I have dealt with mild anxiety which I think was started by a bad experience work but after seeking help  I think I always had  it but it didn't  overpower my life. Seeking help was hard, I went to the doctors  with my mum who referred me to a counselling  service where I had a telephone  session for an one hour discussing how I felt in different situations.  I had 6 sessions with a counsellor in cognitive therapy- where they help you learn about what you suffer from and how you can help yourself. I found it really  useful and learnt so much and about triggers myself and how to help myself calm down.

If you feel like something  is not right or you feel sad, please  try to find someone to talk to whether that is a close person, family member or doctors. People are out there to help you and they want to.

Moral  of this post is:  MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A NEGATIVE  THING. WE NEED TO TURN IT INTO A POSITIVE  AND HELP PEOPLE IN NEED!

CYPRUS- Part 1

Summer of 2016 I went to my second home Cyprus with my boyfriend Alex! I love Cyprus and used to go year after year when I was younger but stopped when I was around 15.  This was my first time back since then at age 23 and Alex's first time at all! I was so excited to show him all the beautiful things I remembered and introduce him to my world.

We booked with LowCost holidays which meant we could pay in two stages but it all became a mess when they went into administration in July before our holiday.  When I rang to confirm that our hotel booking was still there they sent me an email to reassure me that the booking was still there and everything was okay.  

The day of the start of our holiday went okay we did miss the bus but managed to get to Heathrow on time and awaited our flight!  The flight was okay and went quick, when arriving in Cyprus it was soo hot and humid! Our taxi guy was hilarious and made us laugh so much we actually used him again once! It all turned upside down when at the hotel I had printed out the emails the hotel had sent us to make sure it all went okay but when they looked up our booking it turned out to be cancelled- a week after I called- I was devastated, the worst news I could have heard, where were we going to stay? Thank goodness Alex was with it I couldn't even talk properly except from having a go at them at the beginning saying how it was unacceptable.  In the end they were able to place us for 4 days at a half board rate which we had to pay for again and then the other 3 days we stayed in a self contained apartment which was okay but not all that.

We decided to try and put the disaster behind us and concentrate on our holiday. We went to our room which was gorgeous and did still have a sea view as well as a view on the terrace below which came in handy a few days later in the evening when there was a magician person around.  After settling in for a little bit we headed straight for the pool not caring it had been a long day!  We had a good time around the pool, basking in the scorching sun! In the evening we just ate in the restaurant a la carte! We went for a small walk along the beach which was calming and peaceful exactly what we needed on the first night after what happened.

The next day we got up early to make sure we enjoyed our day.  I definitely overate big time at breakfast because there was such a variety of foods to eat that was available I helped myself to nearly all of them!!   When I could finally swim, it was amazing , the cool water around me, the sun shining down and best of all, Alex was right beside me!  The pool had a bar which was so handy because we were able to order drinks in the pool if we wanted to!   That evening my sister and Aunty came down from where they were staying and we went to the finikoudes which is a street of restaurants that lies by the palm trees.  We went to a restaurant that I had been to before with my family last time we went called Hobos and it looked just how I remembered it! We had a great evening with my sister and Aunty ending with crepes and cocktails.   We were able to have Tuesday as just our day and not have to rush around to do anything so we made sure to relax around the pool for as long as we could!  For the evening we went to another one of my childhood favourites Gregory's and this brought so many memories from when I ate here with my family and I was so happy to bring Alex to see what it was like.  It hadn't changed a bit, it was exactly how I remembered it and the food was excellent, I wish I could go there every week.  We got the bus into the finikoudes which took ages because we either had just missed one or it was late and we had a few cocktails in town.

On the Wednesday, we just chilled by the  pool, swimming, drinking and relaxing! It was our last day at the hotel and we wanted to make the most of it. We went down to the lovely sunny beach for a walk and we also sneaked into the hotel next door to use the pool.  We didn't leave the pool till late and then in the evening we stayed in and had the mezze that was on offer from the hotel which was included in half board.

SHOPAHOLIC SERIES

I started this book series when I was a teenager (about 15).

When I read the first book, I could relate so much because I loved to shop and buy things that I didn't  really need.  The author Sophie Kinsella, portrayed Rebecca perfectly, with just enough humour, wit and arrogance that made her memorable enough for me fall in love with and at the same time be annoyed with her.  Especially when she gets herself into sticky situations because she has brought something, told lies, or was too self centred.  Reading though the books to see what she would get up to was exciting because something different happened in every story and the ways she thought she could get out of them were funny and exasperating.

In the  first book it was an introduction  to her lifestyle and what she had to deal with.. especially  romantically!
In the second book, she moves abroad to start her career working on a TV show and get things in order. New York is one of the major places to shop which was not a good sign for Rebecca,  trouble before it even starts is written all over it. With endless letters to her bank manager and other clientele will it work out for her?
The third book  Rebecca gets married! She has finally found the one.. and obviously  with a wedding comes spending! Will Rebeccas dreams come  true... or  will they end up in nightmares? Such  an interesting read I loved to find out what she did!
The fourth  book she is back  from her honeymoon  and finds out  she has a long lost half sister she never  new about. Rebecca  thinks of shopping  trips and makeovers but hopes dashed as her  sister is the complete opposite- eco friendly  and money saving. So they do encounter trouble on the way!
The fifth book she is a mother to be! Yes that is right  Rebecca  Brandon is having a baby... and that means baby clothes, equipment, decorating and presents! Is pregnant life all Rebecca  thought it would be? All that spending  must tire her out!
The  sixth book is all about her as a mother and how she brings up her child! The shopping need has rubbed off onto  Minnie their daughter  and she causes mischief  from buying things she shouldn't  to throwing a wobble.. but that is normal  right?
The seventh book sees them move across the globe to Hollywood for Luke's job but Rebecca  has  lost the plot  for a while  and is snapped up in the high life of being a personal  stylist/shopper she loses context of what really matters  when her Dad and best friend  Suzes' husband  go missing together on a secret mission.
Which leads to the eighth and last book for now where  Rebecca  is now focused  on trying to find out why her dad and besties hubby  are on the run! What happened in his past and how  will everyone come forward...? You will have to read to find out.

Overall I loved the books and always will go and read if u have time!

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship.

Such a broad subject.

Definition of friends:
1. A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically  one exclusive of sexual or family relations.

Definition  of friendship:
1. The state of being a friend; association as  friends
To value a person's friendship.

I think  friendship  is such a precious aspect of everyone's life to experience. It is important to have someone to talk to and occasionally  go out and have fun with!

However people  can find it hard to make friends, keep friendships and let friendships  go.

I found it hard to make friends when I was younger  because  I was such an introvert, didn't  like doing what the other children  "normally" did. I would prefer to stay at home and read a book then go to  the cinema.  I did have a few friends which  I saw out of schools but I realised a few  years  later they weren't  true "friends". From then on I made friends more wisely  and easier.

During uni I made friends so much easier I got on with everyone and talked to everyone. I don't know if I was trying to make up for lost years or trying to hard because I wanted to keep them but whatever the reason I enjoyed my uni life. Still staying friends with my old ones  making sure  I met them etc.

Now obviously  not  all friendship  last for various reasons. Majority probably because people fade apart at different  times of their life and they end for no one's fault, it just happens.
Other times it can happen because  of a massive argument between both sides which no one can fix or forgive.
Some  are one sided  which  leaves the other  person confused as to why it happened.

The reason  I have been  thinking about this is because  I have realised when friendships end  (and not on my part as in no major arguments etc) I can't  let go of it. No matter how much I try to ignore it all I feel  I have to try.  I think it is because I want closure, I would prefer someone  say to me  sorry don't want to be your  friend  rather than me text  and try and meet up with no reaction. Hopefully  as I grow this  fades  away and I can deal  with the end of friendships but I am such  a "hate change" person who knows.

Do you have any stories of friendships you want to share?

Afternoon tea like a queen

Being British I do love a tea.. not that I am being stereotypical  saying  Brits only like teas I am not.. but I know many that do.

Afternoon tea is a posh occasion to dress up in your best attire and basically have a cup of tea..... not any old tea though, so many  different  flavour tea some you would never have hears off!  It also comes with little sandwiches, scones and a few small desserts. 

Over the past few years I have been too 5 afternoon teas  (mostly last year). Each for different  occasions, pre wedding, birthday, Christmas  and casual. Each special, different and yummy.  

I thought I would do reviews of each of my experiences.

WEST LODGE HOTEL

My sister and I  went to this hotel  in North London for a pre wedding get together just for the girls. It was in a very  big room  with loads of tables set up and decorated  in white with  ribbons and balloons put up everywhere.
The tea itself was just normal tea (Earl grey I think), the sandwiches  were shaped as a finger and they were really yummy and kept getting  refilled when they were eaten. There were scones, macaroons and other little cakes to eat. Overall it was nice for a big group party.


MILLENNIUM  HOTEL KNIGHTSBRIDGE

January 2016, I took Alex here  for afternoon tea  as part of his Christmas  present. This was a very posh hotel, and we were seated in this lovely  room all done up! We each had  a glass of bubbly each; there was a wide range of tea selection with different  fruit infusions  but I just went for a normal English tea as I am not one for fruity teas.  The sandwiches were very delicate, with salmon, chicken, egg and cucumber; they were yummy and just enough.  The scones, jam and clotted cream were delicious!  They are quite filling though because of how they are made. I did eat both though... greedy me!  For the little desserts, there were a carrot cake, a chocolate cake and a fruit cake.  I couldn't have the carrot cake as I am allergic but had everything else.

VALERIE PATISSERIE

My mum and I went here mid last year for a treat together as we always talked about having one but then it never happened!!  I was interested to see what it would entail as  I have had it in a hotel. We were seated straight  away and ordered our tea. When the tray  of goodies  came out there looked really  yummy! We had the normal kinds of sandwiches  and scones  but  when it came to the little dessert treats there were a different  range which  were yummy! I don't know if I would  go again as  I could go there and get a normal dessert!

SOMEWHERE IN EUSTON

I can't remember the name of this hotel/ restaurant that Milly took me too for my birthday in July.  She took me too this very chic place where we sat upstairs, the decor was minimal which suited the white interior perfectly.  Again there were a lot of different teas to choose from and I had a breakfast tea because I don't like changing aha.  I can't remember what Milly had!  The sandwiches that came with it was very cute and tasty just enough to fill us up! The scones were so yummy and crumbly with strawberry jam and clotted cream, just the way I like it! The desserts were different because of my nut allergy so I had one specially made for me which was a really nice chocolate mousse.  I appreciated that they did this as they had late notice.  The other desserts were just as good and we spent a good while chatting, eating and enjoying ourselves on such a lovely sunny day.

MILLENNIUM HOTEL MAYFAIR

I took Milly here for Christmas not realising it was a different branch to the one I had been at previously.  I was intrigued to see what laid ahead in the hotel and I must say I was amazed.  It was better than the one in Knightsbridge in the sense it was far more posh and fancy.  From stepping into the hotel, there was an air or efficiency and helpfulness.  The area where the afternoon tea is held was breathtaking, all the cutlery and plates were matching, the decor was lovely and it had such a good atmosphere.  There were so many teas too choose from which I knew Milly would love as she loves her teas and trying different ones.  In the end, she chose white rose and fig tea and I had my normal English breakfast tea!  When they came, it also came with a tea timer where you had to wait for the specific timer for your tea to end before pouring into your cup!  As I am allergic to nuts, I had informed them beforehand, when the selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts came, they were on two different stands and I was explained what was there and which ones were different.  This was my first experience where they had remembered my allergy and that they had gone to great lengths to make sure I was safe.  The sandwiches were so nice, I did have two cucumber sandwiches as the chicken one had nuts, I wish they had asked me before what I would have preferred as I love salmon and cream cheese one! The scones were delish as usual but could only have cream cheese as they had a mixed berry jam which included cherries and I have a slight allergy to that and the other option was something I didn't know but was like a mango.  The desserts were all nice, apart from the creme brulee it didn't really hit the spot I think especially as I was so full by then.

Medieval Banquet

For one of my friends  Christmas  pressie I took her to the Medieval Banquet at Kathine's dock in London!  I didn't know what to expect as I am not really into history  as much as my friend but it was wonderful!! We were the first ones there which was good and from the moment we stepped in it was like time had turned back and we were in a different era. The staff definitely played the part using the right vocabulary, body and face language to show as well.

When we arrived to where we will be eating it was an eye opener, down the whole room were arches on each side where 2 long tables of each side of the arch sat. When we were shown where we were sat the table was like it would have been in the olden days, 2 large pieces of bread placed in the middle down all the tables for us to enjoy as we pleased, the décor around us was all historical as well! My friend was loving it so much  recognising all the symbols and writing on the wall and knowing about them.  It soon began to fill up and the man himself Henry V111 came to join where we all took pics with him!

When we were all sat, our waitresses came by and introduced  themselves  and said they want to be called "wenches", which felt so weird because I wasn't  used to it and it felt rude!!  The food came soon after starting with  a vegetable soup which  we had to it with bread or pick the bowl up and eat it like that, followed my cheese and cooked meats, the main was chicken, potatoes and veg and dessert I had sorbet (but should have been fruit  tart).

In between  each meal there  was entertainment for us all to watch. It was really nice to see it and just relax. We made friends with the people next to us, they were really cool  and talkative  which was nice.  When the banquet came to an end there was a disco and we stayed for an extra 30 mins before heading out!