This is what I saw in Salthill.

I have been studying my little butt off this last week, that when the weekend came along, I literally could not make myself read another text book. I physically couldn’t. I tried! I really did. But you know what is also important? Taking breaks!

And doing something that is fun. Fun for you.

I also have been feeling so trapped in my apartment these days. It seems I keep associating studying with both school and my apartment, and that is exhausting! I just want to be somewhere that I can just sit and think and be outside. I want to take really long walks.

No body is home right now because it’s study week and all the girls went home. I had the option of spending the day studying, or going for a walk. I decided to choose the walk because it was important for me. I could have done both but the timing would have been limiting.

So with my camera around my neck, I left. This is what I saw:

The first thing I loved was to be in wide open spaces.

People relaxing by the waterfront.

It’s the season to fall in love.

Lots of people were together.

And some people were alone. But they were okay with it.

(I love this photograph! And I love taking photographs of beautiful strangers)

This photograph and the following two are probably my favourites from the walk.

They make great desk top backgrounds.

This one is mine.

Go on, you’re allowed 🙂

This is  proof that I existed here.

And I witnessed this mean act of this swan biting another swans butt!

I fed the swans 🙂 the oocha!

More people in love.

And many people were just watching life happening around them.

Hi. This is me at the playground by the beach.

 

Hello Freshly Pressed,

Wooo hooo, first of all thank you universe for getting me Freshly Pressed! And thank you to all of you who have read, commented, and liked this post. It means the world to me – truly.

You may have noticed that I am a huge photo junkie, so if this is something you are interested in, subscribe to my blog for a lot more eye candy 🙂

<3

 

let’s have more fun.

m

181 Comments

    1. I’ve been wanting to go to Ireland for a really long time. Now, I know I must not delay any longer. I’m ready. Thank you. sebreno

  1. These picture are so nice. What kind of camera did you use? Good luck with your studying, but I think you should take breaks more often!

    1. Hehe thank you! I use a Canon Rebel Xsi. I’m glad you enjoyed them.

      Geez, I think I should take breaks more often too 😉

    1. I really liked the name “Salthill” when I first heard it too 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post, Lindsay. x

  2. Hi! there’s a study I’ve read that taking breaks while studying, (break= walking/exercising, looking at nature) can help retain more info in the brain. or it helps with the short-term memory. 🙂

    1. You’re totally right Margarita. The walk definitely did me some good. In fact, I am in the library “studying” as we speak! 🙂

  3. Wow! What a beautiful day! I am glad you decided on a walk instead of studying. Our minds need breaks too and in my opinion spending the day outside in the fresh air and sunlight helps to clear our mind and start fresh. Congrats on FP! So happy to have found your blog!

    1. It was a lovely day! I’m glad I decided to take the walk too. It was important for my soul <3

      I'm so happy to be FP! It really is an honor.
      And my blog is very happy to have found you 🙂
      Take care.

    1. Thank you 🙂 We all need a break sometimes – to create that space for what we are attracting to come into our lives!

  4. Wheres the love button lol……..Great post and great pictures…. Keep it up…. Where is this btw and that walk was probably long ….. Not too many thing over here to take pictures of except buildings 😀

    1. 🙂 aw geez, thank you! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
      This is in Salthill in Galway, Ireland. 🙂
      Where are you from?
      There is always something beautiful to take pictures of!

      This was a very long walk 🙂 Around 4 hours-ish, possibly more. I loved every minute of it!

      1. Great place im in new york …. staten island … Yeah great stuff to take pictures of but you have to search for it … Kool walk then lol..

  5. Beautiful day and place for a walk! Nothing clears out the cobwebs and cleans out the brain hard-drive better than some fresh sea-air!! Thank you for taking us along your walk- I feel invogated just by looking at the photos!

    1. I couldn’t agree more 🙂 It did a lot of good for me!
      Thank you for taking the time to comment 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the photographs.

  6. Oh to be in Galway today. I love the place. I love where I live in Vermont, too, but there is snow on the ground and rain falling heavily and tea in Salt Hill sounds heavenly. Great photos.

    1. 🙂 Galway is a great city. I’ve never been to Vermont myself (yet) but I hear its beautiful in the fall.
      Thank you for the comment!
      x

  7. What a great day – I’m glad you didn’t study more – would be a shame to miss that lovely sunny day… swans can be mean – but they are BEAUTIFUL! 🙂

    1. Hi Dhanya! I am from India too 🙂
      Trivandrum. So hello right back at ya from another indian 🙂

  8. What a nice, simple weekend getaway. And beautiful, leisurely pics. Sometimes, the simple in life is what is so satisfying. Nice post! Oh, and I’m also a photo-junkie!

  9. I totally agree with you that taking a break is definitely important and helps you concentrate more when you are doing something as important as studying. Your pictures are amazing….Keep taking more breaks and more pictures 🙂

    1. 🙂 Thank you, I am so glad you think so. There is always something beautiful around you to photograph!

  10. My parents live in Salthill, so I am there often but I saw it with fresh eyes when I looked at your pictures, really lovely, well done!

  11. Yes. That’s the Claddagh Fishing Village, where over four hundred and fifty years ago, the famed Claddagh ring was found. You also have the sun going down on Galway Bay. I yearn to be in a pub there quaffing a Pint of the Black Stuff. Slainte agus go n-eiri an Bothar leat.

  12. Beautiful pictures. I really like the photo of the walkway with the railings and with the single yellow line running down it. It seems to stretch out across the sea, taking you along for the ride. Wonderful!
    Much Love
    Astra Wally

    1. Yes it was totally beautiful. The walk way stretched out right into the sea, to a small island 🙂

  13. Amazing pictures! I LOVED the first one. Can I take it for my Mac Background?! It’s shwweeeeeeet and relaxing. As for the studying – I’l feeling ya. Im studying for exams too….who said law was a good idea?! haha X

    1. Oh thank you Peter!
      Sure, you can use it for your background. I give you permission 😉

  14. Ahh I was at most of these places in October! Love your photos! Makes me miss my dear friends in Galway.

    1. Thank you for commenting James 🙂 And for letting me know which photograph you like the most! I like knowing that 🙂

  15. hi Malavika. You know what, I know another Malavika Suresh 🙂 She’s a good friend of mine.
    But we’re at the University of Cape Town…yeah, all the way at the bottom on the world.
    Doing engineering and I can identify with the need for you to take a break…infact, that’s what I’m doing right now. But I think you’re ‘walking break’ is a much better idea 🙂

    1. Oh wow that is super neat! I’ve never met someone with exactly my name. That’s exciting. HI to her from me! And a big hello and thank you to yourself too. I’m glad you enjoyed the photography!

  16. Those are beautiful… I know you had to be relaxed after that walk, because I am relaxed after viewing the images–and I wasn’t even there!

    Good luck with the rest of your schooling, and you are very smart to take a break now and then to recharge your battery. 🙂

  17. beautiful pictures.
    swan, road, building, shore, and so on. enjoying and taking a rest time are good for our mind and soul. 🙂

  18. Geez, I love your photos. I love the style, the balance and the mood of your snaps. Cool! I really hope I could visit that place sometime. Looks beautiful. Keep sharing! 🙂

  19. those are great pics! my granny lives about five minutes away from the spanish arch and shop street! (i think thats the name of the street) I love that you took pics of all the great things about galway! the swans, the brightly colored houses, the people! 🙂

    1. Hehe it is indeed! Oh thats really nice. Do you visit often?
      Yeah it’s great here, I tried to capture the “Galwayness”. I think I did an O.K job!

  20. Photos are nice and contemplative perhaps something to do with meditation. Did a post recently on hipstamatic app for iphone alpenglowpro.wordpress.com some of yours look post-processed with a slight bit of colour shift looks good. Galways a great spot had a cousin that was based out of there, nice idyllic long walks big bike rides.
    greg …..lots to to do in BC Chilcotin chilco lake 52 miles long is preternaturally blue.

    1. The photographs are post processed in photoshop 🙂
      I adjusted the curves.
      Galway is a great spot!
      Hey I’m from BC too 🙂 Kamloops.

  21. Area great story/narration. They are great shots and yet they are also a great collection of images. Well done.

  22. I’m a snapper myself. Saving up for a 550D 🙂

    Clicking random pics and later going through them only to find some of them feel so full of life is what gets me going. You never know when you might capture something amazing 🙂

    1. Ooh the 550D (OR as I know it – the Rebel T2i) looks dreamy! I would love to “upgrade” to the T2i but I just don’t think I can right now!

      Maybe one day!

      That’s true, there is so much life happening all around us. And when you can take just one picture that captures just a moment of it – that’s amazing. Thank you for your comment 🙂

      Have fun with your future 550D 🙂

  23. First of all, your photos are awe-inspiring.

    Second, I’d like to pick that photo of an oldie (forgive the term i used) where your note on it goes, “And some people were alone. But they were okay with it.” I find the picture full of something I can’t explain at the moment but one thing is for sure, the oldie’s facial expression got me.

    Forgive me to slightly argue though that he’s not okay with it. I think he’s like carrying the black beast of the universe.

    Peace!

    Congrats, by the way.

    1. Thank you so much Sony 🙂
      I’m glad you enjoyed my photography. As you can see photography is a big hobby for myself.

      I love that picture of the “oldie”. And I think you are right – his expression feels much deeper than I let on with my commentary.

      Thank you for your comment x

      1. From now on, I will make your blog as one of my “mentors” not only because of this FP thing but your talent – in writing and photography. I am aware that I still have a LOT to learn so I need brains and eyes like yours in action, through your blog posts, to mentor me on creating a better piece of work.

        Thanks for responding. I appreciate it.

        1. That means a lot to me. Glad I can inspire you in some way.
          See you around!

  24. Stunning photographs! I really like the one of the man walking along beside the sea front 🙂
    I hope that taking a walk helped you to feel more relaxed about your work 🙂

    Fi

  25. wow!! very beautiful!! it makes me want to lay down on the grass. 🙂 very nice. it’s like i can feel the wind from there. haha! 😀 and i do agree, breaks are REALLY important. 😉

  26. Hey Malavika…….gr8 post…I so totally love wide open spaces…gives one a feeling of freeing up mind space and clutter!
    Gr8 pics…gr8 colour and you’ve got a unique eye for beauty.Keep clicking 🙂

  27. Malavika,
    For much beautiful the photos may be, the one were you are is clearly the sunshine of it all.
    Good luck with the studies and I hope you have a bright and successful career.

    Peace,

    LMC

  28. Hi, you have a very nice blog! Love the pictures – there’s something interesting about them, the way you take them! 🙂
    Best wishes to you!

  29. Thanks for posting these photos. I used to live in Salt Hill. I really loved it there. I would walk to the beach all the time. One day it was even warm enough that we were able to swim. Everyday I would walk into downtown Galway to go to work at the Eyre Square Health food store or work at the Eyre street Hostel, are they still there? Is Java still there. So many great memories. Thanks again for sharing.

    1. It’s so fascinating for me to get comments from Irish people who live in Galway or have lived in Galway.
      I am sure you must miss it sometimes!
      It’s a great city for sure.
      I recently moved here last september, so I am still exploring the city. Java is still here. I have been there 3 times, I love it there! I was surprised to see such a quaint little coffee shop with such a huge selection in the menu! I really appreciate your comment 🙂 Take care.

  30. these are really nice photos and really beatiful sites. i live in the suburban and would never be able to see such views just coming out of my house for a walk.

    1. Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed them.
      This place was about a 20-30 minute walk away from where I live. Just outside of the city! Not far at all.

  31. Hey, BEAUTIFUL pictures! Makes me want to visit Ireland even more!

    Btw, I have a Canon Rebel Xs (I love taking pictures too :D) – I was wondering what mode you used for these.

    Happy studying! (From a fellow slogger, lol)

    1. Hola 🙂 Glad you enjoyed them. Oooh do you love your Rebel too? Mine is my baby 🙂

      I had it on manual mode (p), and manual focus 🙂

      1. Is it my baby?! I’m in love with it, haha!

        You captured such beautiful plays of colour, it’s amazing. =D

        1. 🙂 Good. That’s a good way to be.
          These photographs were also post processed in photoshop as well 🙂

  32. Congratulations from Moscow on FP. I’ve never been to Ireland but have always wanted to visit, I love the Irish and their accent. Thanks for the great tour of Salthill, it was nice to get out of my mind for a while.:)

    1. Thank you very much! It is all very humbling for me.
      It’s a great place, you should come and visit for sure! I’m glad you enjoyed this post.

  33. hehe, i just saw this on the opening page and clicked. i don’t regret doing that, i enjoyed so much and the pictures are cute 🙂 nice i’d say. thanx for sharing this with us and have a nice day.

    1. 😀 I’m glad you don’t regret it! You are very welcome. Come back again soon!
      malavika
      x

  34. Nice pictures, especially the one with pedestrian/bicycle lanes. I work with asphalt, so this one got my attention.The next best photo was the one of you. Keep exploring Ireland and keep taking more shots, Tetya.

  35. I am amazed by how the water looks! I wonder how much of that is your camera, how much is editing, and how much is just your picture taking.
    And of course taking breaks is important, too!

    1. The water was beautiful. It was a greenish blue colour.
      I adjusted the curves in photoshop.
      I used my Canon Rebel XSi in manual (p) mode and manual focus.
      I’m sure you can fill in the blanks.

      Thank you for taking the time to comment! 🙂

  36. Ohmygosh i started reading your post and it was like you were reading my MIND! :O I’m having exams right now and havn’t been able to touch my camera for almost a week now! So many pictures just waiting to be put up, it’s sad really. But i really liked your pictures! It made me want to just grab my camera and run outside. Also, Ireland’s been on my list since a year now, maybe i’ll be where you were on day. I’ll remember this post for sure.
    One junkie to another,
    yummy pictures!

    1. Hehe! Woo, I love when that happens.
      Yeah I always feel strange and off balance when I haven’t been able to take photographs in a long time. This is why I try to do it all the time, regardless of what is going on in my life. But of course there are always times when it just feels impossible – and sometimes even your inspiration is lacking. Especially during exam time. Eeek.
      And you should visit Ireland! I am sure that if you like these pictures, you will like it.

      Thank you for commenting!
      m

  37. Wow, I really envy your surround areas! Your photographs look amazing, I love the landscapes and couples shots.

    Good luck on your school work! 🙂

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