North and South Carolina

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After leaving DC we headed towards North Carolina and then to South Carolina. Still having such a good time and seeing new things and meeting new people all the time.

Mon 23rd Aug- Jacksonville North Carolina- We had an early getting up at 5.15 am to leave DC for Jacksonville, a 12 hour day on and off the bus was ahead of us. We passed through Richmond and Raleigh before arriving in Jacksonville at 7pm. We were asked on several occasions why we had stopped in Jacksonville as apparently it is only famous as a marine training base and not a lot else. The motel was nice though and we headed for a Mexican, I had the biggest Burrito ever!!

Tue 24th Aug- As there was literally nothing to do in Jacksonville we had a lazy day in bed watching TV with the highlight of the day being a trip to Wallmart and the $ shop, 6 bottles of mineral water for $1, you can't complain. We also went for an attempted swim in the pool but it was tiny and not very deep. Had dinner and drinks at a sports bar and planned to head to bed but got talking to other people staying at the Motel, they were def true American's.

Wed 25th Aug- Much the same as yesterday in Jacksonville, didn't even venture out to eat but order in Pizza instead.

Thurs 26th Aug- Jacksonville to Wilmington- Another early start to catch the Greyhound to Wilmington, it was only a short journey this time though. We were staying just outside downtown in a motel with loads of places to eat around it. We had lunch at dunkin doughnuts just across the street before catching the bus to downtown. This went a little wrong when we missed the stop for downtown and had to go all the way back round which took about an hour but for 70cents you could not really complain. We headed to the river front which is featured on Dawsons Creek and One Tree Hill as well as there being a us navel ship to look at. The woman at the information desk told us that they were actually filming One Tree Hill that day just up the street, ( I have never watched this show but Katy is a huge fan and was really really excited). We waited outside a building in which they were shooting and then not long after some of the stars came out and waved. The actress who plays Brooke then spoke to everyone and posed for photo's and signed autographs, see Katy's pics for the results. This motel had a lot nicer pool so we went for a swim we went for a really nice Asian meal where I had the best Thai curry I think I have ever tasted.

Friday 27th Aug- Wilmington & Wrightsville Beach. The taxi driver who had taken us from the greyhound station to our motel said to call him direct if we needed him to take us anywhere so we gave him a call to take us to the beach at Wrightsville which we had been told was really nice, ( he also gave us discount which was very nice of him). The beach was so nice and the sun and sea were warm despite it being overcast. Had a dip in the Atlantic with some wave jumping thrown in for good measure. Also thought I was going to be asked to be on the news but the actually wanted to film my can of Pringles for a feature on beach litter and as there was no litter around they were creating some. Also, had fun laughing at some drunk men on a lads weekend trying to chat up groups of women, they used the same chat up line of every group so when they came up to us we knew what to expect and stunned them with a witty response as when they asked us if we wanted to play football with them we replied that you needed a round ball to play football where we came from, they were the most silent they had been all day and the friends who hadn't joined in laughed. When we got back from the beach we had a swim in the pool before going to an Italian for dinner.

Sat 28th Aug- Wilmington- Can now safely say I am addicted to Dunkin Doughnuts whole grain bagels with cream cheese toasted for breakfast yum yum. Katy went on a studio tour of where One Tree Hill is filmed but as I have never watched the show I just sunbathed around the pool , my tan is coming along nicely even if i do say so myself. We had dinner at Hooters where you get your food served to you by girls in tiny orange shorts and tight white tshirts but the food was good and they were really friendly. We then headed downtown for an hour as the last bus back was at 9pm and went for a drink in a roof terrace bar and a walk by the river.

Sun 29th Aug- Wilmington to Georgetown (South Carolina)- The Dunkin Doughnuts man started to recognize me as I went and got breakfast from there again but I cheated on the bagel with a muffin as they had just come out the oven and looked so good. Our taxi man came and took us to the Greyhound station and we headed for Georgetown via Mrtylebeach. Georgetown could possibly be renamed ghost town- it was Sunday but still it was soo quiet- there was not a taxi or any sign of life at all really, luckily a girl who also got off the bus and lived in Georgetown asked her Aunt to give us a lift to the Motel which was so nice of them. The only places near the motel were a pizza hut and garage and a taco bell so we headed to pizza hut then went for a dip in the pool but there was a lot of bits of tree and stuff in it so we soon got out. Spent the rest of the evening watching movies.

Mon 30th Aug- Georgetown (S.C)- Had a lie in before taking a walk to the center of historic Georgetown, it was only a 10min walk and we passed some grand old colonial houses. The main street, Front Street had lots of little cafe's shops and art galleries (KIND OF REMINDED ME OF BRIGG!!). We went for lunch at a little cafe where the owner was really friendly and they served the tasted homemade lemonade. We also took a walk to the harbor and along the water front before tucking in to some yummy homemade ice cream. We also bought a pack of cards so spent the rest of the afternoon playing cards and Katy taught me some new games. Had dinner at Taco Bell which wasn't very impressive and took a walk.

Tue 31st Aug- Georgetown- Took another walk into town and had lunch a the deli as the other cafe was closed on Tuesday's. We then sat people watching and reading for the afternoon. We headed back into town for Dinner and sampled some of the local catch in the form of prawns and rare sushi style tuna. We realized like any small town people are nosy and when we were walking back a group of elderly men just leaving church said hi to us and stated that they had seen us walk by earlier in the night and wondered what we were up to.

Now in Charleston- still in South Carolina before heading to Columbia on Saturday.x

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