Texters, talkers and seat-kickers...

‘Why do I go to the cinema?’ I asked myself half way through the monotonous, overrated and utterly underwhelming 50 Shades of Grey.

I should have stayed at home, in the comfort of my own house, eating food that didn’t cost a small fortune and avoided the inevitable queue for the year’s most highly anticipated movie.

Before you roll your eyes at yet another critical review of 50 Shades, this blog post is actually not about the beautiful Jamie Dornan or the frustratingly annoying Dakota Johnson. It was, however, inspired by my visit to the cinema to see the movie last Wednesday night.

Now, I wasn’t expecting the movie itself to blow me out of the water but, all in all, I was looking forward to going to the cinema. Sometimes we go just for the experience more so than the actual film itself; for a night out with friends or for a date night with your other half.

Something very similar to this happened me last week...

But last week I questioned my own judgement as to why I bother going at all. To see a film I can probably illegally download on my laptop? To eat ridiculously over-priced popcorn? No.

Every now and again the cinema experience is not the relaxing night we had planned. Sometimes, like last Wednesday, it can actually be a living nightmare. Talkers, texters and people who find pleasure in kicking the back of your seat are all reasons your cinema experience can go oh-so-wrong. If you’re one of those people then maybe you should stop reading now…

 The Talkers

There’s always one, isn’t there? Someone who can’t quite seem to keep up with the plot and who proceeds to ask a hundred and one questions throughout the movie. Maybe if you stopped asking questions and focused on what was happening you might actually know. Just a thought. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there are the people who feel it necessary to provide a running commentary on every single movement. Yes I’m here too. Watching the same movie as you. Yes, I can see what just happened. No, I do not need to hear your annoying, little voice repeating what I can already see!

The I’m-super-popular-can’t-leave-my-phone-down-people

Yes, I’m talking about you with your head bent scrolling through your Facebook news feed or frantically texting some other I’m-so-popular-can’t-leave-my-phone-down creature. There is no need to text in the cinema. Seriously, can you really not leave your phone out of your hands for an hour or two? And as for the cinema snapchatters out there. Please. None of your snapchat buddies really want to see a pitch dark snapchat from you declaring how much fun you’re having in the cinema. Put the phone away.

The Food that cost an arm and a leg

 

Despite how over-priced it can be, food at the cinema is a must. Preferably a medium sized popcorn and coke or even some sneaky supplies you bought in Tesco on the way to the cinema. Some people just don’t think about the rest of the people sitting around them who might want to enjoy the film in peace. Eating pistachio nuts, or any other extremely loud and annoying type of food, is not ok and it never will be.

The Late-comers

The late-comers are up there with the seat-kickers. It’s just so annoying. Granted there are those who come in late and have the decency to be embarrassed by it but this, I’m afraid, is not the norm. The people who waltz in, ten minutes into the start of the film, and loudly ponder where they will sit or how much of the movie they’ve missed are the worst kind of people. This is not ok. Please, think of the audience.

The I'm-so-in-love-I-can't-stop-shifting-couple
Ah, couples. Shifting the face off each other might have been ok ten years ago when you were 14-years-old but it’s not ok anymore. Just because it’s dark doesn’t mean we can’t see or hear you. Have some self-control. 

Photos c/o: Wordpress and the National Times.

Best of Both Worlds in Lovely Lisbon

As dilemmas go, it can be a tough one. For couples with opposing opinions on what a relaxing holiday should entail, choosing between a city break or a beach break is a tricky question. In the end our destination turned out to be the perfect compromise between culture and sun, activity and relaxation. Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star attraction and strikes the perfect balance.

Like other cities, Lisbon is a hive of activity. The city is a flurry of activity and commotion and ensures that there is something for everyone. The city is easily accessible on foot but can also be explored through the cities affordable public transport system. The Lisbon Sightseeing hop on/hop off bus tour is a must do for anyone interested in capturing all the city’s most popular attractions in one open bus ride. The tour offers brief, but excellent, audio guide of the capital as it roams through different parts of the city.

We start our tour right in the heart of Lisbon at the Marques de Pombal Square where we first take in the modern side of Lisbon and the Baixa district, before delving back in time to some of the oldest most historical attractions such as the Se Cathedral and the Castelo de Sao Jorge, which overlooks the Portuguese capital from one of its highest points.

Included in the hop on/hop off bus tour is the option to explore the city in a totally different way; the GoCar. Voted one of the coolest inventions by Time magazine in 2004, the GoCar is a funky, yellow, mini convertible that takes you on a tour around the city while you drive. The GPS guided storytelling car takes you on an unforgettable journey around the city, through narrow alleyways and winding backroads, all the way into the heart of Lisbon and the hustle and bustle of city life. Renting out one of these cars allows you to see Lisbon as you want to and how you want to. You’re free to stop and start whenever and wherever you want. Although it was slightly stressful, it was also one of the funniest and exciting experiences I had while in the capital.

Once the sightseeing is done and dusted and you’re craving some tan time on the beach then the popular resorts of Estoril and Cascais are for you. The Mediterranean climate guarantees warm and blue skies for most of the year. The hottest summer months can reach blistering temperatures of 30 degrees and over, while even the winter months remain relatively mild compared to our harsh winters here. The average low winter temperature in Lisbon stands at 9.3 degrees making it a year round destination.

The Cais de Sodre train from Lisbon’s city centre will take you all the way to Estoril, in just over 20 minutes, where you can then hop off and walk the rest of the way to Cascais. The two beach towns are joined together by a promenade and so it’s just a quick walk from one area to the next. Both resorts look like a picture off a postcard with their warm sandy beaches that extend for miles and the glistening turquoise seawater. Estoril remains the quieter of the two while Cascais has more of a buzz about it with water sports activities taking place throughout the day and a range of small bars, restaurants and shops to choose from.

For the foody in you the Portuguese cuisine scene is largely dominated by seafood, although if that’s not your thing then there’s still plenty to choose from on the menu. One word of advice; in every restaurant we visited we were given a plate of bread and olives with our starter without us asking for it. This is added to the bill at the end of the meal so if you don’t like olives or simply don’t want it then just ask them to take it back. Sunday is also a bad restaurant day as a lot of places are closed so just make sure to plan accordingly.

So, if it’s beach time you’re hankering after, but your other half is craving a city break then Lisbon is the answer to all of your problems. The capital city strikes the perfect balance between the relaxation of suburban beach life and the rush of city life. Everyone wins.

The rebirth of Belfast

Once considered one of the four “B’s”, alongside Bosnia, Beirut and Baghdad, as a place to avoid, Belfast has transformed itself beyond recognition. Today Belfast is a prosperous, thriving and successful city. The economy of the city is once again blossoming; new industries are being created and it proudly boasts one of the largest, brightest and most-educated workforces in the world. Investment into regeneration projects in recent years has seen the city of Belfast really come to life. The administrative capital and largest city of Northern Ireland is now one of the most visited cities in the U.K. and second most visited city on the isle of Ireland.

Tourism in the city has seen a huge boost in recent years with attractions such as the Titanic Quarter, Ulster Museum, Belfast City Hall and the Victoria Square shopping centre enticing tourists in their droves.
For anyone visiting the city, Titanic Belfast is a “must-see”. Located in the Titanic Quarter, alongside the historic site of the iconic ship’s construction, Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor centre. Visitors journey through an interactive exhibition of nine galleries in the exemplary six-floor building and can relive the full story of this world renowned ship; from her conception in Belfast, through her construction, launch, voyage and ultimate fateful end. Tickets are reasonably priced ranging from £7.25 per child and £15.50 per adult. Children under five go free and there are also special discounts available for students, senior citizens and families.
As well as housing Titanic Belfast, the Titanic Quarter also boasts one of the sets of Game of Thrones, where production for seasons one, two and three were filmed. So if you are a Game of Thrones fan and happen to be holidaying in Belfast you are in luck. This summer the Game of Thrones exhibition will take place at the Belfast Waterfront from 11^th-15^th June. The exhibit, which is free of charge, is designed specifically for fans of the acclaimed TV series, and aims to bring the captivating and magical world of the show to its viewers. This is the second year the exhibit will run in Belfast and, if reviews of last summer are anything to go by, fans are in for an unforgettable experience.

As well as enjoying the sightseeing and cultural attractions Belfast has to offer, if you’re looking to fit in some retail therapy, look no further than the Victoria Square shopping centre. Located in the heart of the city centre, this state-of-the-art shopping complex is home to over 70 stores including Hollister, House of Fraser, River Island and Tommy Hilfiger to name but a few. Opened in March 2008, this is a partly enclosed, partly open air shopping centre, offering customers a vast array of eateries such as an oyster bar, Spanish Tapas bar, McDonalds and O’Briens as well as many coffee shops, cafes and grill bars. If it’s not shopping you crave Victoria Square also has an impressive Odeon cinema, with eight screens, located on the second floor of the shopping centre.

If none of these eateries tickle your fancy then the Golden Mile will sort you out. Starting at Great Victoria Street, it offers a vast array of restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs to suit everyone.
For those interested in the history of Belfast and Northern Ireland, the Ulster Museum is the perfect place for you. Like the Titanic experience, this is an interactive museum, designed to showcase the history, art and natural sciences of the North. Entry is free so if you can visit it is definitely worth it.
Another historical attraction worth seeing is Queen’s University. Located in the city, Queen’s University Belfast, was founded by Queen Victoria in 1845 and is the ninth oldest university in the U.K. The Welcome Centre, based at the university, is an ideal spot for tourists as its offers a regular programme of exhibitions and serves as an important information stand for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

If you are holidaying in Belfast for a little bit longer and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day then a trip to the Giant’s Causeway is the solution. Although it is situated in quite a remote area on the Antrim coastline, it draws in almost three quarters of a million visitors every year to admire its breathtaking landscape.

 Belfast has something to offer everyone and, if you are thinking of making your summer holiday a little more local, then a trip to the North is the perfect answer.

Today Belfast, and Northern Ireland as a whole, is a far cry from the troubled and conflict-ridden area it once was. Today the people of Belfast are discovering pride in their country. They have found a new cultural vitality and optimism and are eager to share it with the rest of the world. Today they are confidently looking forward to building a future together.