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Cardiff---The liveliest city of Britain
After 4 ½ years, I decided in Easter time to give in the withdrawal syndrome and visit Britain, the country where as a student I had one of the best years of my life. Avoiding all the places I’ve lived at, as I felt nostalgia is not suitable for Springtime, I decided to visit a dear friend in Reading and make that my base. Taking advantage of the fact that he wasn’t working in Easter, we decided to take small trips to places I’ve always wanted but never quite got around to visit. And since both of us love road trips, we thought Wales is a nice and close enough destination. So we unfolded our maps and headed to Wales.
Crossing over the spectacular bridge that connects England to Wales, the first thing that caught my eye was the bilingual signs. Croeso i Gaerdydd, Prifddinas Cymru - Welcome to Cardiff, Capital of Wales
Cardiff, lies at the edge of river Taph and is the biggest city and capital of Wales. It’s a very lively, commercial, cosmopolitan and nautical city in which the fact that is also a university city, combined with the amazing landscape, gives
it a rhythm, completely different from any other British city I’ve visited. Even I who love Britain realize that it can be a bit stiff, at least for the Mediterranean temperament. Wales however and particularly Cardiff, wins you over at first glance. During the Victorian times, it was one of the greatest centers of coal extraction in the world. Because of that and the fact that it is also a port, Cardiff gained great commercial importance. The fact that it hosts one of the most numerous universities in Britain, gives the city a warm, and full of energy atmosphere. Also it is considered one of the most popular touristic destinations and is well known for athletic and artistic inheritance and holds great nautical tradition. It is a city full of surprises, where all people of all ages and interests, can find something to do.
When one reaches the city the very first thing one should do is visit the coastal visitor information center - The Tube. The building alone is a sight worth seeing and apart from offering any information one may need (accommodation, sightseeing, etc) it also offers a panoramic view of Cardiff Bay. In a few minutes we
had a handful of prospectuses and fliers of everything there is to do and see in Cardiff and also we had booked a room in a central, very nice and clean BUDGET B&B, with spectacular views over the city. The atmosphere was very friendly and the quality of customer service higher than anyone would expect and the best part of all ----for FREE.
After we made sure we had a place to sleep, we headed out in the sunny bay for our first scroll. The people there were very friendly, very hospitable and particularly proud for their beautiful and very VERY clean city. The money that have been invested here have made Cardiff a well established athletic center, where European and universal sailing and other sea sport competitions take place.
Our first stop was the very impressive building of the Welsh Parliament. Located in the center of the bay, this wooden built construction catches your eye and draws your curiosity, mainly because of its unique architecture. One can enter it’s public places and drink a coffee or tea in the coffee house from where due to its glass windows, one has an amazing view of the bay. The most intriguing
part of the construction is a mushroom formation in the center, that allows for a natural circulation and lighting.
Moving on a few meters (or feet away) we saw the Pierhead building, whose difference in building materials (red bricks), makes it very impressive and perfectly complementary to the puzzle of sightseeing-buildings of the Bay. Like a Greek cosmopolitan island, around the bay one can find dozens of small coffee-shops, bars, pubs and restaurants for every taste and pocket, conveniently placed so they all enjoy a fantastic panoramic view. Picturesque ice cream selling cars, seem as if they are taken out of another epoch and their inviting music resembles children’s songs.
Placed at different parts of the city one can see a lot of street art, witch bear witness to the fact that the artistic inspiration and expression are not only a way of life, but also a natural need in Cardiff.
After running around all day in the sunshine, on our way back at the hotel, we had to put up a fight in order not to indulge in the nightlife the city was screaming it has.
Next morning we woke up early for the light that was coming in
the room, and as we looked outside from the 8th floor of “The big Sleep Hotel”, we got a better appreciation of how well built this city is. The port with the graphic walks, the business center, the millennium Stadium and finally the Castle, standing out as it is built on a hill in the center of the city. As most castles I’ve visited in UK (and I have visited quite a lot) this too is very well preserved, making it a tourist attraction. Astrological and biblical themes make up its interior and that’s what makes it unique. The smoking room is located at the Clock Tower and is themed by time and the four seasons. The Arabic room is also very interesting as it is decorated by gold, sandalwood and parrots, which apparently were the favorite animal of the architect (Burge). Wallpapers in the childrens quarters are taken out of fairytales and huge marble fireplaces decorate most of the bedrooms. Very distinctive are the stone made animals that seem like they are escaping the castle walls.
A walk around the Cardiff flee market closes this short trip in the best possible way. A small paradise for book, antiquity and
record collectors and also the best place to buy small gifts and souvenirs. Welsh food, fresh fish, meat and vegetables can be found in great variety.
For more information please visit : http://www.visitcardiff.com.
***A big thanks to Brian who made this trip possible and incredibly magical***
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