Kia ora! Hello!

I absolutely love Edinburgh so to get to come here for Harriet's 25th birthday for her first time was exciting!

We spent the 3 days checking out some food & drink spots but also some of those typical touristy things so will try to keep it simple with bullet points - key word, TRY.

Day 1: This was both a travel & explore day as we arrived at 9am so we managed to get a bit in.

*Dropped our bags off at our accommodation where the other two had arrived the day prior and then first things first, grabbed a coffee - missing coffee back home!

*Surprise birthday lunch at Tattu - gorgeous inside!

*Walked the Royal Mile, Victoria Street and checked out the markets at Grassmarket Square

* Shared a variety of donuts from Kilted Donut. Whilst the donuts themselves were scrumptious, the themed flavours weren't that noticeable.

*Finished the day with some mulled wine at a local pub before heading home via Tesco's for snacks (of course!)

Day 2:

*Walked to town, via a stop at Upland Roast after seeing a tiktok about their famous hot chocolates - were pretty good!

*Went to Greyfriars Graveyard to see Bobby, the Covenanters Prison and search for the inspiration for the Harry Potter characters

*Greyfriar Bobby's Bar for lunch

McGonagalls Gin & Whiskey Emporium for both a Whiskey & Gin flight - safe to say I am not a whiskey gal!!

*Wondered through the Christmas Markets and looked at the lights, eyed up our lunch & dinner options for tomorrow, jumped on the the Waltz's carnival ride - chaotic with smoke machines, spins and speed but was accompanied by calm music haha.

*We had 2hrs to kill till our reservation so after picking up some playing cards we went to Wetherspoons to have a drink and for me lose at P's & A's the whole time.

*Checked out a new speakeasy, Encore, which was pretty cool experience.

Day 3: was a typical Scottish day with rain, but hey that just adds to the Edinburgh experience.

*Spent a few hours exploring the Edinburgh Castle.

*Ran off to the Christmas Markets where I finally got to relive my 2019 Mac & Cheese experience - was just as good!!

*Back to Spoons for some more cheap drinks and P's & A's to kill some time and digest lunch, where it appears I made a comeback as my losing streak was over.

*Back to the markets to have some crepes, and then say farewell to the girls as they head back to London.

*Needed to go to Primark to grab a sparkly number I had been eyeing up for Mamma Mia. Here I might have gone a little overboard as I no longer have bag space so thankfully we are traveling via train until Amsterdam where I can drop a heap of it off and back into my big pack.

Funny enough when I love through my photos from 2019 vs 2023 in Edinburgh there are numerous photos of the same spot, on the same angle & in one case even the same bag pipe player! Was nice being able to share my knowledge and insights from 2019 that I gained from my trip with Jay and pass it on, this doesn't happen often.

Next stop, London for Mamma Mia, Lion King, Winter Wonderland and catch ups with friends.

Haere rā! Goodbye!