The Vienna Diaries~ Kelsie Visits

Yesterday was my gorgeous twinny cousin Kelsie's 22nd birthday. Oops, I almost wrote 16th there haha but she is definitely 22 (don't judge by height hehe). We were pretty much like sisters growing up and then she moved all the way north of England, to Scotland while I stayed down south in London.
It was so lovely to see her and I couldn't believe she was making the effort to come all this way to see me and my new city. We hadn't spoken for a year or so and we hadn't seen each other for about 5 years. I hadn't actually realised it had been that long, so it was really special having her with me.

Kelsie flew into Bratislava airport as there were no direct flights available into Vienna on the weekend she had planned to visit. I was supposed to meet her at the airport but in my true style, I was running late and missed my coach across the border. Poor Kelsie had a super low battery and managed to catch a train from the airport to Wien Hauptbahnhof where I met her and we made our way to my student halls.

The next day involved lots of sightseeing, which we all know means a load of walking.

It was a good idea until...

Ouch...

By the late afternoon, we were exhausted so we decided to head inside for some food and get ready for the Friday night fun to follow...

I had been told about a nice hip-hop event some friends were DJing at and so we headed to Praterstern where the event was taking place. The music was so so good but sadly the venue was a lot like a shed. We just thanked the bottle of Gin we had finished earlier and boogied the night away.

Saturday was a sunny but chilly day. We had a slow morning and then took a drive up to Cobenzl, 2/3rds up the mountain that overlooks Vienna. We brought some drinks, some music and a ball to wack about. It turned out to be extremely cold once up there but we made the best of it, as with good company always comes good vibes.

 

That night was a bit less shed like and a bit more messy drunk-extremely sober. Sadly we were the extremely sober ones... We headed to another DJ event to have some drinks and meet some friends and from there went to Pasage, one of the more 'boujee' clubs in Vienna. Maybe we weren't drunk enough but my gosh was it far from 'boujee'. More like messy drunk 17 year olds falling about the place to semi decent music. Kelsie wasn't impressed and to be honest neither was I. We tried to make the best of an awkward situation, especially as we had paid entry but after an hour or so, we left.
As we had left so late to head out we ended up getting in around 5am. Kelsie was leaving the next day and we hadn't organised her transport back to Bratislava, while Kelsie slept the little she could before the exhausting trek back home, I sat up trying to find a coach or train that wasn't completely booked up, back to Bratislava. Turns out none of the available trains would get her there on time for her flight, as so the only option was the 8am bus from the Hauptbahnhof. She managed to get an hour or two sleep and by 7:10am we were running for trains to reach the correct bus stop.

It all happened so fast and before I knew it, we were waving goodbye.

Thank you for making the effort to come and visit me Keke, it really meant a lot. <3

Peace&Love,
Willow

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COPENHAGEN - Frederiksborg Castle, Bakken Amusment Park & Australia Bar!

My final full day in Copenhagen began with a fruitful breakfast, then we headed to Frederiksborg Castle, in Hillerød, about 30km north of Copenhagen city centre. 

Frederiksborg Castle!

Frederiksborg Castle was built as the royal residence for King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway during the 17th century. It is the largest Renaissance Residence in Scandinavia as well as one of the most beautiful! After a serious fire in 1859 the castle was rebuilt in style of old paintings and plans and then once fully restored reopened to the public in 1882 as The Danish Museum of National History.
Shaylee and I tagged along to a Danish tour of the Castle, while Shaylee acted as a translator, but we soon tailed off on our own exploration. 





Alex then joined us and the fantastic four headed to the amusement park Bakken for some fun! For just 200kr you have access to all the amazing, fun rides this place has to offer. Unfortunately as I was on a budget we walked through the woodland, hung out and rode the scariest roller coaster we could find.


A BBQ was on the table once we got home, and was left to the guys whilst Shaylee and I got ready for the night ahead! Two of her friends Emilie and Sofie joined us for food and some Danish drinking games.
 I, unfortunately, didn't understand what on Earth was going on, and kept loosing... i.e. having to take a drink of my drink. By the time we were ready to leave for central Copenhagen, I was practically drunk! Sigh.
Once off the train and in the city, I realised I had forgotten my purse back at the apartment- with my ID and money!! Oh gosh...
Shaylee said not to worry because I could just pay her back... and also use her ID?! Huuh? When she gave me her ID to use, I realised it was a student card, and apparently, the bouncers don't actually care that much about what you show them, as long as you show them something! 



We ended up at the Australia Bar- an Australian themed bar, no waaay- where we got a table and danced the night away! Not that I remember much of the night, but I do remember one Danish guy saying how SEXY English girls were?! Pardon???? We all just cracked up laughing!
The next morning  my head was pounding and I hardly remembered the journey home, apart from McDonald's and laying on Alex.  I was hanging, but I had a flight to catch- urghhh. After a yummy fry up I was homeward bound. 

Thank you to all these lovely people for making my time in Denmark so wonderful... and a special thank you Shaylee, my beautiful cousin, I wish we lived closer together, but hey... distance makes the heart grow fonder ay!

Peace&Love,
Willow

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COPENHAGEN - The City Centre & Christiana

It was my second day in Copenhagen with my love, Shaylee, and it was really time to explore!

Shaylee had a full day planned and as I wasn't actually visiting for very long we had so much to squeeze in!

We began with a hearty breakfast nice and early, something I commend the Danish for. I usually skip breakfast due to laziness- a habit I am trying to break- but during my trip, I never actually missed a meal! 

We set off into Copenhagen by train. Now since I'm such a public transport enthusiast- I'm only kidding I don't drive (yet) so I'm forced to take in the ever so scenic train and bus each day- I couldn't help notice the super spacious trains! Literally, there are separate carriages for buggies and bikes and they can hold approx 10/15 bikes. No one else really uses these carriages unless they have a bike or pushchair because people are respectful of each other's needs, and wouldn't want to take up space. Well, that was the vibe I got anyway.

Within 25 minutes we were in the centre of Copenhagen! Shaylee and I took a stroll through the pretty streets and went into the famous department store Illum. Copenhagen, I couldn't help but notice has a very different atmosphere to the likes of London. The pace seems much slower, more relaxed and far less busy. It is as if people are actually enjoying their day rather than rushing off somewhere. Although the prices are roughly the same...I exchanged my £ to Krona in one of the only exchange places in the city... and it was a rip off! I lost around £30 to commission!!!

Cool House! 

After doing a bit of shopping, and picking up a super cute top in Zara for 69K (basically £6.99), we headed for an all you can eat Turkish Buffet. Yum!

After having a tasty lunch, we caught the metro to Christiana. The metro in Copenhagen only has 2 lines, which I thought was crazy in comparison to the London Underground, so as you can imagine it really didn't take long. Shaylee and I met with Patrick after hopping off the metro and took a stroll along the canal down to the small village of  Christiana.

For those who are unaware, Christiana is Copenhagen's 'free town'. It is an outlandish place where societies rejects are welcomed. 

Also known as a hippie village, Christiana is a great place to visit for music and arts festivals, organic and vegan-friendly foods, and of course cheap beer! It is also popular for its Amsterdam style attitude towards smoking. For 50K I thought, 'When in Rome'... In Denmark however, Weed is illegal, so therefore the market style stalls that sell the illicit product have reinforced the law of the land: No Photography!! Fair enough, no one wants to get caught!


Our day ended with a scrumptious bowl of tagliatelle conjured up by Shaylee's (and now my) friend, Alex who is training to be a chef. I, of course, assisted as the Sous Chef, by setting the table and mixing the pan... and yes, the food was wonderful. Thank you ALEX! 

Peace&Love,
Willow

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COPENHAGEN- Rungsted Kust

Time always flies whilst travelling... I left for Copenhagen on a sunny Wednesday during July, and before I knew it I was back on the plane to London! 

The journey down was pretty interesting as I met an English Doctor who lives in London and flies down to Copenhagen almost every week, to see his Danish girlfriend! We got into conversation after he was eaves dropping on my phone conversation- about the #blacklivesmatter protest I had organised three days previous (over 3000 people turned up and the media were loving it). Turns out he was a Buddhist and also going to Copenhagen to meet with his Guru. I thought I'd mention this man because he was ultra cool and made my journey that bit more interesting. Lately I've noticed that I keep meeting insightful, conscious and gracious people more and more regularly.

A nippy two hours later, and I had landed in Copenhagen. This time I travelled down alone, to visit my gorgeous cousin Shaylee. 

Her and her boyfriend, Patrick picked me up from the airport which was located on the outskirts of the city. Shaylee lives in a suburb, outside of Copenhagen that I can't seem to remember and couldn't pronounce anyway. In fact the majority of names and words in Danish I struggled to say.. though may I add that I love the way the Danish say 'Organic' - 'Økologisk' (pronounced: Oo-kol-oisk).

That evening Shaylee had planned for Patrick, herself, her best friend Alex and I to go to an elegant Sushi restaurant in one of the wealthy suburbs, along the Rungsted Kyst. We had a table booked for 9pm and at around 8:30pm, decided to pass through the sandy beach 5 minutes from the restaurant and just 20 minutes drive from the house. The visit to the beach took me by surprise when I saw an elder man stripping down to his trunks and getting into the water! It was late and the weather wasn't exactly hot. The water itself was so cold, yet he swam for around 10 minutes and exclaimed that 'the water is not cold at all,' after I gave him that typical shocked Brit look. 

Sticks 'n' Sushi. Boy was it incredible. We ordered in pairs and when Alex spoke in Danish to the waiter, asking for 'The Perfect Day' sharing platter, the waiter gave me a smile and then responded to Alex by explaining our date will be The Perfect Day. I of course had no idea what was going on and just smiled politely. Shaylee started giggling, knowing that I have a boyfriend and Alex has his 'side chicks'.

Once the food came, we all tucked in. If I could explain how the raw fish danced and pranced on my tongue, creating a tickling sensation and causing pure joy to run through my veins... I would, but it's not something that people really understand till they experience it themselves.

Oh and may I add this Sushi restaurant had the coolest toilet I've seen...

After the meal we took a stroll along the dock and got some ice cream. 

Yeah, we have wongaaa... Well kinda, the exchange rate is roughly 10K:1£ haha!

It was a lovely start to an exciting four days in Copenhagen, the 'coolest kid on the Nordic block!'

Peace&Love,
Willow

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SPONSOR MY SKYDIVE!

HEY BLOG LOVIN PEOPLE...

So, I have decided to take part in something a bit wild and crazy... something a bit out of this world (well almost); A SKY DIVE!

Now this skydive will be holding a special place in my heart, and I am going to need all my AMAZING READERS help!

Here is my story:

 As most of you know, I am Capres Willow Turner, an 18 year old that loves adventure, travel and food. 

During 2001 my mother, Lindy- Lou was diagnosed with breast cancer. She battled long and hard, like many cancer sufferers do and unfortunately passed away 5 years later on 18th December 2006. Now, I know you're probably thinking - as harsh as it may seem- she is another statistic as countless people are diagnosed each year, and yes not all of them make it our the other side.

So why are you here?

Well here's the thing. I've decided to do a charity skydive not only in my mothers memory, but for a special charity that has made a direct impact to our lives. The Willow Foundation. This charity contributed towards a very special trip for my mother, sister and I during her final years with us. A trip to Centre Parcs. Now this may not sound like much, but my mother had been our sole carer through the whole ordeal of her Cancer. She never failed to wake up and take us to school. Treat us to the cinema once in a while. Love us, cherish us and most of all never give up hope. I know I was young, but I truly did not see her death coming, and neither did many of her friends and supporters.

Through The Willow Foundation my sister and I were able to create a happy, lasting memory of my mother, where her disease was left at home and we, as a family were able to live, laugh and love! Lindy-Lou had filmed much of our trip in short bursts, to help us, when we were older remember exactly who she was, how she looked, her voice and her personality; wonderful and free!

Through following this link at Virgin Money Giving, https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/capreswillowskydive you can sponsor me on my crazy skydive and donations will be quickly processed and passed to The Willow Foundation where they can continue to provide special days and trips for other seriously ill people, bringing a little light into their lives! 
Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.
I really appreciate you taking the time to read my message to you, and of course all your support and donations.

Peace&Love
Capres Willow Turner x

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/capreswillowskydive

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