Chasing Scottish Distilleries

Last August, my husband and I were in Spain for about two weeks for our usual August holiday then we flew to Edinburgh, Scotland from Madrid to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday.
When we arrived in Edinburgh, we rented a big car, drove directly to Perth to spend the night there then we continued driving around the following day. We didn't really stay at one place, we travelled around Scotland visiting different distilleries. It was one hectic trip but we sure had a lot of fun seeing different sites and attractions aside from the whisky. ;)


Day 1: Edinburgh- Perth.


Day 2: Perth- Highlands- Royal Lochnagar Distillery- Strathisla Distillery- Glen Grant Distillery- Glen Moray Distillery- Benromach Distillery- Loch Ness- Dornie.

At our B&B in Perth. I'm so ready to see Scotland! Our first distillery stop- Royal Lochnagar.

Highlands. Isn't this beautiful? What a picturesque view! So lucky we took this way going to the distillery.

Ahh! I can live here. So tranquil, oh! I just love Scottish scenery.

We have to stop to take photos, of course!

After an hour and a half driving plus plus stopping, we're finally here!

Behind me are the expensive whisky in Scotland.

Close to the distillery is Balmoral Castle. We weren't able to go in because the British Royals were there. But at least I was able to have my photo taken with one of the guards.

The panoramic view again! Look at the road, small but lovely.

Our second distillery tour, this time we went to see how the Scottish Whisky, Chivas Regal, is made!

While waiting for our tour, we can try different whisky at the bar.

So this is how it's stored! It was a lovely tour.

I get to try different whisky. My favorite here?  The Chivas 12 year old! But most in our group voted for the Strathisla 12.

Finally! Dream come true. Off my bucket list- Loch Ness. When I was a kid, I heard stories about the Loch Ness monster, there was even a movie about it and I've seen it many times.  

The beautiful ruins of Urquhart Castle along Loch Ness.

This town is lovely! We spent our second night in the village of Dornie. With a population of 300, there's not much choice in this village. With only 1 pub, it's unsurprising that it was full so we have to take dinner at the hotel which was good because they serve the best fish and chips. The best I ever had.

The most photographed castle in the world- Eileen Donan at night. So beautiful!

Day 3: Dornie- Isle of Skye- Dalwhinnie Distillery- Pitlochry.

Nature at its best in Isle of Skye.

The only distillery in the island! Talisker Whisky is famous in Asia.

At the lovely town of Pitlochry! Small but very cozy.

Day 4: (My Mother-in law's Birthday) Still in Pitlochry- Blair Atholl Distillery- Aberfeldy Distillery- The House of Bruar- Back to Pitlochry. Then we took a walk to The Edradour Distillery with a side trip in the Scottish forest and Malt fields.

Our breakfast drink! ;)

At Aberfeldy Distillery. Finally, got to have my photo taken with a Scottish man wearing kilt. ;)

This whisky costs £10,000.

Since it's my mother-in-law's birthday, declared the shopping day so we went to the luxury House of Bruar and shopped for some cashmere clothes. Happy! :)

After Blair Atholl, we went back to Pitlochry and took a walk to Edradour Distillery. Have to pass by a malt field then into the woods but it was lovely!

What a beauty!

I don't know how many distilleries we've been! To be honest, I've lost count! But I must say, this is the worst.The staff were rude, we have to pay the tour (even though my parents-in-law doesn't want since they've already been here many times) to get into the bar. 

Where my mother-in-law celebrated her birthday dinner. It was yummy food!

Day 5: Pitlochry- Glenkinchie Distillery- Edinburgh Airport.
Our last day in Scotland. My husband and I flew to London while my parents-in-law flew back to Sweden.

My Vintage Love Affair

My love for vintage started when I went out shopping with my grandmother. She loves vintage and would always go to Thrift and Vintage shops. I was in high school when my grandmother asked me to accompany her to a thrift shop and at that age, vintage wasn't really my thing! I was more into pink and glitter but then my concept for vintage changed during that trip. 

When I became interested with fashion and style, I was drooling over some of the lovely designer pieces I saw on Fashion TV or in the magazines but at that time, I couldn't afford to buy expensive designer clothes so I would go to a thrift shop. Although I'm not always successful of my trips to thrift/vintage shops but whenever I do, I would always find something really amazing. 

Whenever I travel and if I have time, I would go to an antique or vintage shops to look if there's something for me. What I'm really interested in is vintage costume jewelry. I love to collect gorgeous pieces of vintage costume jewelry of any designer but I guess my favorite would be Chanel because of the bold and eccentric design, although I only have 1 vintage Chanel earrings since the others were bought new. I wish my next visit to a vintage shop, I would find a nice Chanel earrings or brooch. ;) 

Below are some of my good finds during my thrifting adventures.

This is a Versace sweater, one of my favorite vintage finds! Got it some years ago at a thrift shop in the Philippines for about 5 USD.

Got these Trifari earrings for 5USD each at a Vintage Jewelry shop in Saigon.

I got this Anne Klein necklace for 10 USD, also bought at a vintage shop in Saigon.

This Marcel Broucher bug brooch (10USD) was also acquired at a vintage jewelry shop in Saigon. 

London Musicals

As the capital of one the most powerful countries in the world, London is not only rich in history but as well as performing arts. Known for its magnificent theatre, the vibrant city hosts many musicals that will surely make your trip unforgettable.

This spring, my husband and I were crazy enough to consecutively watch two musicals during our 3-day trip in London. The first night, we headed to Prince Edward Theatre to see Miss Saigon. I wanted to see Miss Saigon because many of the casts are from the Philippines. Miss Saigon is a love story about a young Vietnamese girl and an American soldier that occurred during the Vietnam War and even though it has a tragic ending, it is one of the best musicals I have ever seen.

While preparing for the Musical date. :)

Outside the theatre and very, very excited for my first London Musical.

Inside Prince Edward Theatre, patiently waiting for the show.

The second night, we watched Les Misérables at the Queen's Theatre. Originally a French historical novel written by Victor Hugo, the musical elaborates upon the history of France, politics, moral philosophy, anti-monarchism, justice, religion, and love. Les  Misérables is definitely a must-watch musical if you're into history.

Outside the Queen's Theatre, the musical was packed.

Glad to have watched Les Miserables- The world's longest running musical.

:)

So when you're in London or planning a trip to the city, never miss a chance to check the musicals.

West End Theatre

#ootn

Dress: Hervé Léger

Shoes: Asos

Bag: Chanel

Coat: Bershka

Necklace: Zara

Earrings: Silver Amber from Lithuania

Watch: Tissot

Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Back from our almost-a-month holiday in Spain and Scotland! Photos will be posted soon.:)
One of the disadvantages of travelling long haul is Jet Lag and right now, it has been really difficult for me to adjust back to Asian time. I wake up in the middle of the night with a growling tummy (So hungry!). Good thing, before we left for the holidays, I baked some healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins and stored them in the freezer. So whenever I feel hungry, I just microwave or heat them in the oven.
This is my very own recipe. Hope you like them!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

2 ripe Bananas (crushed)

2 cups White Whole Wheat Flour

3 tsp Baking Powder

3/4 cup Honey Granules

1 cup Non-Fat Milk 

1 cup Melted Low Fat Butter

1 tsp Salt

1 Egg (beaten)

1 cup Sugar-free Dark Chocolate Chips

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

2) In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, honey granules, salt. Mix them well.

3) Add egg, milk and melted butter. Mix thoroughly.

4) Add crushed bananas and chocolate chips; stir the batter for 5 minutes until it's thin.

5) Spray muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the muffin pan.

6) Put in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. 

Serve while hot and you can put leftovers in a ziplock bag and freeze them up to 2 months. :)

Parque Warner Bros. Madrid

I have always been a big fan of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck so when I learned that there's a Warner Bros. Park in Madrid, I went there to see it myself.

Located 25 KM south of Madrid, Spain in the municipality of San Martin de la Vega. The park spans 30,000 square meters and is divided into 5 themes: DC Super Heroes World, Warner Bros. Studios, Cartoon Village, Old West Territory and Hollywood Boulevard.

Parque Warner Bros. is more like a summer park with many fun water activities, great rides, souvenir shops and good restaurants. The park has so many to offer and is truly an enjoyable place for both children and adults. The only downside to the amusement park is they only speak Spanish and for non-Spanish speakers, it is a little difficult to follow especially the shows and attractions with narrators.



Parque Warner Madrid
Address: M-301, Km 15.5, 28330 San Martín de la Vega, Madrid, Spain
Coordinates: 40° 13′ 48″ N, 3° 35′ 37.32″ W