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Published: June 27th 2005
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Date: 09.09.2004
Destination: Edinburgh, Scotland
Day: 6
We reached Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland at 6am after a very uncomfortable 7 hours bus ride. Everywhere was cold and foggy. It was so windy and cold, just 11 degree, that we just stayed in the bus station for an hour...
Then, we start to search for our hostel. As we were walking along Princes Road, one can see how amazing Edinburgh is. It is divided into the Old Town and the New Town by a long garden in the middle. Very constrasting. The Old Town is rows and rows of centuries old building just separated by small alleys ending with the Edinburgh Castle on top of them. In constrast, the New Town is extra-modern. The buildings here are prefectly placed and.. just look new. The hostel was ok and just walking distance to the old town. Putting down our heavy luggage, off we go exploring..
First stop to again the Information Centre to settle about the next day Scotland Highland Day Tour. The Information Centre has a nice view of the Old Town too... The weather today is not sunny with thick clouds and fog, maybe just good for
us to walk. We started walking into the Old Town. It is interesting to see blocks of old high building full of activities around lining up and down on this small hill.. We headed towards Edinburgh Castle eventhough we didn't really know the way, just asking around. At last, after half an hour of walking uphill, we saw the castle. But we made a short stop by visiting a Weaving Shop and Musuem. The shop sells guy's 'skirt' or what they call kilt. I didn't buy one because it is not cheap!
We entered the Edinburgh Castle and it is actually similar to Tower of London, maybe looks older.. but certainly has its own character.. It has a great view of the new town but looks hazy. Cannons are lining up facing downhill as the castle was a fort few hundred years ago.. We managed to take photos with some real Scots wearing kilt. Ha! Then we headed to the dungeon in the castle and also a small churh in the middle. There was also the Crown Jewel and Stone of Destiny in one of the exhibition. Nearly half a day was spent just in Edinburgh Castle.
After
visiting the castle, we headed back to the New Town and saw a buffet chinese food promotion (buy one free one) which is quite cheap! At last some real chinese food after so long... Then it's a short nap after everybody was tired of the bus trip earlier.
Two hours later, off we go again to have a night perspective look at Edinburgh. Eventhough it was raining shower, the castle was clearer than in daytime.. But it's kind of creepy in the Old Town at night. The weird thing is there are some ghost trip organised by students, bringing them deep into dark alleys and cemetery and also telling scary stories. It was such a hit in Edinburgh... But for us, because some of the girls are tired, we have to cut short the walk.. chis! But nevertheless, Edinburgh is truly nice in so many constrasting ways..
Tomorrow another day but no need to do much... just follow the trip...
Date: 10.09.2004
Destination: Highlands, Scotland
Day: 7
Today, we took a trip upwards Scotland through the Highlands by following a day tour with Timberbush Tour.The tour costed 30pounds... It is a must to have
a look at the Scotland Highlands for her Lochs (big lakes), high mountains, beautiful villages and long histories...
It was a full day tour from 8am until 8pm and the weather was not that kind to us too, for the first time in Great Britain, it was raining. But anyhow, the show must go on. We met at the Old Town Edinburgh Weaving Mill at 8am and the transportation was a mini bus enough for 28 persons (it was full). The bus driver is also the tour guide so it's kind of amazing how he can concentrate but his knowledge of Scotland was so vast that he didn't stop talking for the whole journey.
We started by driving through Stirling Castle. A ruin that used to be the fighting spot of William Wallace (aka Braveheart). Then stopping for a tea break at a small coffee shop. The weather was foggy and that made the surrounding mountain and oak trees so enchanting and blury. There was a highland cow just beside the shop which was quite a hit with the tourist. It was different from those normal cow as it has more fur. We call that 'handsome' cow..
The journey continue and this time, on both sides were large Lochs with so many name that I can't really recall any. The view was nice... We then reach Black Mount to awesome, tragic Glencoe, scene of the myth and magnificience. The mountain was not as same as in Malaysia because it is without trees.. just grass and rocks.. Then the view completely change when we reach the Three Sisters. We had a stop here to take photos and the surrounding was so cold. Temperature reaching 4 degrees and raining subsiding.
After that, we continue until reaching Spean Bridge through some picturistic small village. Actually it is our lunch stop but there was an accident near the bridge so we waited for nearly two hours there. And how bad luck it was, the road has to be closed so we have to divert to another route. It is kind of sad that we have to skip Loch Ness and the monster there..
We continue our journey and stopping for a waterfall and another Loch. It was raining lighter now. As we pass by some farms and villages, one can see so many sheeps around, in very big flock.. hmm.. We had a break at Perth. It is a small Scotland town and 'famous' for its Salmon fishing. Bujt we couldn't find any during that time..
As we headed back to Edinburgh, we pass by Edinburgh Bridge. It is different from other bridge because of its unique design. And far too.. At last, we reached Edinburgh after an eventful day. Our bus to London was at 10pm so we still have a few hours to spend, shopping and eating... The bus trip will be a 8 hours direct trip from Edinburgh to London. Sigh!
Last day, London again.. but this time, we must make sure we see everything else in London...
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