Joey Joe Joe

Upside, inside out she's livin la vida loca
She'll push and pull you down, livin la vida loca
Her lips are devil red and her skin's the color mocha
She will wear you out livin la vida loca Come On!
Livin la vida loca, Come on!
She's livin la vida loca.

- La Vida Loca, Ricky Martin

As I sit down on the second plane it hits me. Before now I have been writing lessons for school, but now, as I sit I realise I am in Madrid. I realise in an hours time I will be in Granada, Spain.

Now the plane begins to move, I look out the window to see the airport drift away…only it doesn’t. The plane isn’t moving at all, it me shaking and ready to jump out of my seat. I am so excited to see my Aunty and Uncle again I can’t sit still.

Has it really been eight months since I last saw them, in some ways it felt shorter but in others it felt longer.

Finally, the plane landed, I collected my luggage and as soon as I exit the automatic sliding doors I came face to face with an Ipad trying to take my picture. This time, it is not the paparazzi though. It is my Aunty Jen ready to capture my reaction.

I wrap my arms around my Aunty and Uncle. They begin to usher me towards the taxi. Relaxed again, I enjoy being picked up at the airport. The novelty of having someone welcome me is not lost on me. This time, I did not have to find my way around in a foreign city after my flight. I could just enjoy the view and follow.

It takes 20mins to get to Hotel Reino De Granada. It is now 11:30pm. I check-in, settle my things into my room and am taken out for Tappas. The city of Granada is alive. Restaurants are open and busy. It is Thursday night but due to their three-hour siesta at lunch time, the Spanish are enjoying their night.

The next morning we walk around the city. Uncle Tony is our tour guide. The city is both exactly like I imagined and nothing like I imagined depending on where you are looking. The beauty of small cobble stone streets, beautiful adorned old churches and humble apartments painted in oranges, whites, mild yellow and mild pink. Pure Spanish beauty. What I was unprepared for where the amount of modern clothing shops and boutiques in the city. I love it all and appreciate the contrast of the modern stores and more traditional markets. And being a true shopaholic, enjoy looking and buying from both places.

Catedral de Granada.

Statue of Queen Isabella giving money to Christopher Columbus for his voyage.

I loved this 'STOP' walking man. See him in red behind me.

An amazing spice shop with fresh spices, herbs, teas, dried fruit and nuts...so good!!!

The cave, where Jamón (a thinly sliced Spanish ham) hangs from the celing. It is so yum!

That afternoon we head over to the Alhambra (meaning the red rock in Spanish). The Alhambra was originally built by an Turkish Islamic king but later was claimed by Catholic rulers.

It is beautiful just have a look...

I really enjoyed our few hours there. Its ornate and detailed decorations are stunning. However, as the guide took us around and explained the palace you could truly imagining it in its former glory and were left speechless.

A traditional Granada cake and coffee.

When we returned to the hotel after a busy day my Spanish Uncle enjoyed a siesta as my Aunty and I explored the town of Granada.

We walked around the whole city.

My Aunty maintains this was her plan and we did not get lost for a little while.

Delicious pistachio ice-cream at Los Italianos (where Michelle Obama had ice-cream during her visit to Granada)

The next morning we went for another short walk around the city, enjoying delicious Churros Y (and) Chocolate and some more shopping.

We then headed into the mountains for lunch with my Uncle’s family. It was lovely to meet them, they made me feel very welcomed and we enjoyed a delicious lunch.

However, excited by all the good Spanish food I ate too much (and I'm Italian and German, I have been trained to eat)

4 different Tappas, a main meal and a plate of deserts and ice cream. It was delicious but I could have burst.

After lunch, we all surcame to the Spanish way of lunch and have a siesta. At 9pm, after a good rest, we are refreshed and ready for another exciting night in Granada. That night we were invited into a gypsy cave as they performed flamenco for us.

It was so amazing. Their feet move very rápido (fast), their hands delicately rotating and there is raw emotion in their voices and faces. I had to remind myself to shut my mouth constantly. It was such a unique experience. I even forgot to take photos after the first two performances I was so completely adsorbed.

with a hot chocolate for dinner - still so full from lunch - we headed to bed.

Sunday we headed back up the mountains to Uncle Tony's brother house for lunch.

Their house is stunning complete with lovely people and an adorable tiny dog.

We had delicious Tappas of homegrown pomegranate (the national fruit of Granada as it is red like Granada) and also home grown tomatoes in oil, salt and herbs served with bread and cheese. Delicious.

Then the main event came out, Paella. Fresh, home made paella in Spain, definitely a memorable first time.

The family claim they own a clothing business but their skills in making alcoholic beverages says other. A tasty Vermouth cocktail welcomed us, delicious red wine complemented the main, homemade Chocolate, Creme, Caramel, Berry and Cherry liqueurs accompanied desert and a variety of Gin and Tonics to finish the afternoon.

A skilled family to say the least, decorators, farmers, chefs, bar staff and retailers.

It was a wonderful last day.

That evening we looked down at Granada city enjoyed the cool night and ate more delicious Spanish Tappas.

Granada truly was more amazing then I imagined. Such a fantastic time and lifelong memories. I am so thankful that my Aunty and Uncle invited me to join them for the weekend.

These days I wake up and go to bed with the same thought: Thank you Father.

"Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures."

James 1:17-18

Well sometimes I go out by myself
And I look across the water
And I think of all the things, what you're doing
And in my head I paint a picture

- Valerie, Amy Winehouse.

Good morning Guinness!!! 

We began our Paddy Wagon tour with a 9am visit to the Guinness factory.

Surely, the warmest way to be welcomed into Ireland. 

As well as learning about the process of making Guinness, we experienced a tasting and also learnt  how to pour the perfect pint! 

Our nine day Paddy Wagon Tour took us around all of Ireland stopping at: Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Galway, Derry and Belfast. And as we boarded the bus we were ready to begin our journey!

As we hit the road we began to experience the stunning natural environment of Ireland.

It truly was breathtaking (and I am not that much for views) unfortunately, photos do not show even half of it's beauty!

On our lunch break in Dingle we were faced with the age old question...

And ate the most delicious Ice cream, Murphy's Ice Cream. Flavours include Dingle Sea Salt, Irish Brown Bread, Crunchy Peanut Butter, Caramel Butterscotch...mmmm...you get the picture, I'm gonna stop there! The best thing is THEY LET YOU TRY ALL THE FLAVOURS YOU WANT BEFORE YOU BUY ONE!

We were all so very impressed!

One of my highlights from the tour was horse ridding around Killarney National Park!

Megan, Almut and I had an amazing morning trotting and cantering in the lush, green park!

Enjoying an 'Irish' Coffee.

The tour allowed us to hit up all those infamous Irish sites...

Kissing the Blarney stone (hopping I didn't get aids)

Exploring the Giant's Causeway

Hanging out at the Cliffs of Moher

(I'm the king of the castle and you're a dirty rascal!)

Chilling at Castles

Northern Ireland was definitely one of the most interesting places to visit. The divide between the Catholics and the Protestants is massive. It is not a history or past story to them but the present and something they still fight with.

In Derry or Londonderry, depending on which side of the wall you are on, we went on a guided walking tour around the town and on the dividing wall.

We saw the murals and sites of Bloody Sunday, where in 1972, 26 Irish protestors were shot-down by English soldiers. Our tour guides father being one of the men who was shot and killed.

In Belfast we did the Black Cab Tour. I would say it is a must for anyone who visits Belfast!
The cab drivers take you around Belfast and explain to you much of the history and fighting that still takes place. A lot of people are angry and hurt and so they are fighting for what they believe to be right!

This mural on one wall was by far the creepiest as the barrel of the gun was pointed at you no matter where you stood. This neighbourhood was quite intense and all of felt quite on edge as we walked through it. For a first world country, I personally could not understand how such hatred, acts of terrorism and physical fighting could still be so present. It was such a surreal contrast to the beauty, friendliness and joyful Irish people we had been meeting on our journey.

We ended our tour by signing and leaving messages on the peace wall.

I was excited when I saw another Joey had visited this year and so I signed underneath the other Joey.

In Belfast we also visited the Titanic Museum which was absolutely fascinating!

We learnt about how Belfast was a BOOMing town...

and got excited about a cool interactive ride

The night life all over Ireland was quite impressive. No matter the size of the town or the day of the week, every one is out, having a drink, a dance and enjoying themselves of an evening.