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Sunday 7 September 2014

Macarons & more | Paris + London

One of the great things about travel is that you get to try all different kinds of delicious food. Unfortunately the food was so good, I forgot to take a picture of most of my meals. So only the best looking dishes managed to get snapped. Coincidently most of these were my desserts. 

Pistachio macaron w/ pistachio cream and fresh berries | Laduree

Chocolate Brownie w/ vanilla ice cream and caramel popcorn |
Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant

Angus Beef Burger | Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant 

Honeycomb Cheesecake | Prezzo

Pistachio, Chocolate and Strawberry Guimauve macaron's | Laduree

Friday 5 September 2014

Paris

After nine days in London we boarded a train and headed to Paris for the remaining five days. Here are some of the highlights.


Friday night markets along the Seine

The view from the Pont Alexandre III

The gardens at the Palace of Versailles

Sunset on the Seine

L'Arc De Triomphe 

The View from Mont St Michel

Mont St Michel 

The view from the top of the Eiffel 

Le Eiffel Tower

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Harry Potter Studio Tour

The Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour had to be one of the highlights of my trip to London. I absolutely adore Harry Potter and it was so amazing being able to see all the sets, costumes, props and really just experience the world that is Harry Potter. The level of detail put into the production of the Harry Potter films is insane and I don't think I really appreciated it until after I saw the studios. We also managed to score ticket to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at the studios and the whole time I was watching it all I could think was "the actual great hall is just on the other side of the screen". And I mean literally on the other side. Like, there's not even a wall separating the theatre and the Great Hall entrance chamber. Anyway, it was so amazing I just had to share it with you all. Please don't hate me to much out of jealousy. 
For real though. 



Diagon Alley

Great Hall Shenanigans 
Gryffindor Common Room

Driving Lessons in the Ford Anglia

The Burrow

The Cupboard Under the Stairs 

I found the Chamber of Secrets!

Dumbledore's Office

Me about to trash Umbridges office 

Hagrid's Hut

Butterbeer  Skepticism (and rightly so)

Hogwarts


Monday 1 September 2014

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

While I was getting lost in the expensive labyrinth that is Harrods, I somehow managed to stumble upon Percy Jackson's Greek Gods. Keep in mind this was ten days before the release date. I immediately picked up a copy and went straight to the nearest cash register. I was so excited that I walked straight past a goldmine of Harry Potter merchandise without even noticing it until after Rick Riordan's latest book was safely in my possession.

I hope that gave some idea of the level of my excitement for this book and thankfully it didn't disappoint. I rate this book 5/5 stars and it deserves every star.

I know some people who've read the Percy Jackson series might be reluctant to read this as it's about Greek mythology not Percy adventures, but don't be put off this book is both interesting and hilarious.

When I imagine Rick Riordan writing this book I picture him writing the basic myths then going "you know what? I'm gonna add ALL the sass."
Seriously though, this book is still written by the POV of Percy and he is the one who is retelling the myths and he is so hilariously honest about his godly relatives and the ridiculously stupid and selfish things they did. It's fantastic!
I studied Ancient Greece in school last year and we did a whole term on myths and legends, so I was quite familiar with most of the myths, but the whole time I was reading it I was wishing this book came out a year and a half earlier. It would've been so useful! It gives a great recount of various myths, but unlike most 'informative' websites the stories are clear and entertaining. That being said I don't think it would be the best book to reference in my assignments. For some reason I don't think 'the promise of delicious cookies' would be accepted as a reason for the Titans turning on Ouranos by my teacher.

Another awesome thing about Percy Jackson's Greek Gods is that the brilliant chapter titles are back from Percy Jackson and the Olympians. My personal favourite titles are 'The Beginning and Stuff', 'Persephone Marries her Stalker, or, Demeter the Sequel' and 'Hephaestus makes me a golden  llama (not really but he totally should)'.
Seriously though, Rick Riordan makes learning fun.

One thing I was disappointed with was that I brought the British edition which doesn't come with illustrations and an uglier cover. This cover features a Logan (movie Percy) Lerman wanna be, some lightning, statues of Poseidon and Athena and the caption 'half boy, half god, all hero,' on the cover. Yeah. That happened.
But it's okay. I have ordered the other edition online.
The book also came with a sneak peek of The Heroes of Olympus which comes out on the 7th of October and I'm SO flipping excited for it!

For real though, if you're still reading this you should just stop and go and buy this book.
Bye! xx

London

I recently got back from a 2 week holiday in London and Paris with my parents and even though it's a bit different to my usual book reviews I thought I'd share my holiday photos on this blog. So please enjoy.


Regent Street

The Queen Elizabeth Tower & Parliament House 


Piccadilly Circus

Trafalgar Square


Stonehenge


St James' Park

Me at the top of St Paul's Cathedral


Windsor Castle


London at Night


Bath


Bath (again)


The Top of St Paul's Cathedral (again)
I will have two more posts on my Trip coming up soon. One is of Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio's and the other will be of Paris.
xx
     
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