After trying to get it organised we finally went out to stay with our friends Andrea and Kris in Brighton. Andrea and Olivia went to University together and she and Kris had come into London on another occasion for a hangi so now it was our turn. (Kris works for Disney as an animator in Brighton, so when they first moved to the UK it made sense to be near work).Andrea met us at the train station and Brighton had turned on an amazing day for us. After going to their flat and dropping off our stuff the four of us walked the short distance from their place down to the Brighton Promenade. It was so refreshing to be able to smell the sea air and hear seagulls crying overhead after having lived in London for so long. Man talk about make you homesick! 
Eventually we came to the world famous Brighton Pier.
Surrounded by pebble beaches (not too appealing to be honest) the pier had all that you would expect. Lots of sideshow attractions and rides and of course lollies and takeaways galore. 
Andrea and Kris bought us some of the local specialty called Brighton rock (candy) and then we all had some chips before continuing on down the promenade to check out the stalls and find a bar as it was almost beer o'clock. The sun was shining and it was a gorgeous afternoon and they took us to one of the local favourite spots where we watched some really good live music whilst having a couple of beers. 
It was almost like being back on Oriental Parade. After a few beers we decided to go for a walk through Brighton and check out some of the other sites. We eventually found a little Italian place to get dinner and after a lovely meal and a couple of wines we headed back through town to check out the waterfront lit up at night. One thing that Olivia and I weren't prepared for was the number of stag and hens nights being celebrated in Brighton. We lost count of the groups we saw in various costumes and states of inebriation. We had planned a night out at our friend Olly's nightclub Audio that night but once we got back to Andrea and Kris's place and a couple of nightcaps later and no one really wanted to go anywhere.
Eventually we came to the world famous Brighton Pier.
Surrounded by pebble beaches (not too appealing to be honest) the pier had all that you would expect. Lots of sideshow attractions and rides and of course lollies and takeaways galore. 
Andrea and Kris bought us some of the local specialty called Brighton rock (candy) and then we all had some chips before continuing on down the promenade to check out the stalls and find a bar as it was almost beer o'clock. The sun was shining and it was a gorgeous afternoon and they took us to one of the local favourite spots where we watched some really good live music whilst having a couple of beers. 
It was almost like being back on Oriental Parade. After a few beers we decided to go for a walk through Brighton and check out some of the other sites. We eventually found a little Italian place to get dinner and after a lovely meal and a couple of wines we headed back through town to check out the waterfront lit up at night. One thing that Olivia and I weren't prepared for was the number of stag and hens nights being celebrated in Brighton. We lost count of the groups we saw in various costumes and states of inebriation. We had planned a night out at our friend Olly's nightclub Audio that night but once we got back to Andrea and Kris's place and a couple of nightcaps later and no one really wanted to go anywhere. We awoke to a delicious home cooked breakfast with all the trimmings which set us up nicely for another day of sightseeing. On the way to town we hit the coffee shop across the road from Andrea and Kris's flat to kick start our day.
We walked along the waterfront again and checked out the Sunday market at the beach. Olivia and I bought us some flash new hats for our upcoming summer trip and then we were off to find the pub for some lunch! It is such a cool town with alley ways and little lanes all over the place, full of quaint shops, pubs and restaurants and we found one basked in the sun and even had some incredible buskers playing jazz right next to our table. After a hearty meal we walked around a bit more and came across a huge street parade making its way through the town centre. We parked up and watched what seemed an almost endless stream of costumed dancers and street entertainers. There were even marching bands and floats and was a neat surprise to come across so unexpectedly. 
After that Olivia and I went to check out the Royal Pavillion. It's a rather eclectic piece of architecture for England to say the least. From the outside it looks like something straight out of India or Middle Eastern Asia.
Once you get inside the trend continues. The carvings, sculptures and fittings made this the once Royal getaway one of the most envied and famous buildings of its time. Many a noble and foreign dignitary was hosted here and it truly was magnificent. 
We walked along the waterfront again and checked out the Sunday market at the beach. Olivia and I bought us some flash new hats for our upcoming summer trip and then we were off to find the pub for some lunch! It is such a cool town with alley ways and little lanes all over the place, full of quaint shops, pubs and restaurants and we found one basked in the sun and even had some incredible buskers playing jazz right next to our table. After a hearty meal we walked around a bit more and came across a huge street parade making its way through the town centre. We parked up and watched what seemed an almost endless stream of costumed dancers and street entertainers. There were even marching bands and floats and was a neat surprise to come across so unexpectedly. 
After that Olivia and I went to check out the Royal Pavillion. It's a rather eclectic piece of architecture for England to say the least. From the outside it looks like something straight out of India or Middle Eastern Asia.
Once you get inside the trend continues. The carvings, sculptures and fittings made this the once Royal getaway one of the most envied and famous buildings of its time. Many a noble and foreign dignitary was hosted here and it truly was magnificent. 
When we have finished our look around, Andrea and Kris met us and took us back through "The Lanes" to another part of Brighton that reminded me of upper Cuba Mall and Cuba St. 
After looking unsuccessfully in every shoe shop for some new jandals we ended up going to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen or GBK for short for dinner. Originally started by three young Kiwi guys with the aide of a Burger Wisconsin franchise book GBK can now be found all over the UK. The best thing about it is that you can buy Steinlager and Mac Gold and everything about the decor and menu has a real Kiwi flavour to it (excuse the pun). I had a Kiwi burger which was amazing, complete with beetroot,egg, pineapple and cheese. It was so delicious and with a cold Steinie was the perfect way to end an awesome weekend.
After looking unsuccessfully in every shoe shop for some new jandals we ended up going to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen or GBK for short for dinner. Originally started by three young Kiwi guys with the aide of a Burger Wisconsin franchise book GBK can now be found all over the UK. The best thing about it is that you can buy Steinlager and Mac Gold and everything about the decor and menu has a real Kiwi flavour to it (excuse the pun). I had a Kiwi burger which was amazing, complete with beetroot,egg, pineapple and cheese. It was so delicious and with a cold Steinie was the perfect way to end an awesome weekend.
Completely stuffed and feeling the effects of a long, fun filled weekend we walked back to Andrea and Kris's apartment and collected our things and gave out heartfelt thanks and goodbyes before catching the bus back to the train station and the long journey home to Romford.
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