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Published: June 24th 2011
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Kenneth and I were like two kids at an all you can eat candy buffet when we woke in the morning. We were all packed and ready to go the night before, so the morning was spent chilling with coffee, waiting for the hours to tick by. The time DRAGGED on ever so slow until it was time for our friend Wayne to pick us up and bring us to the airport. Thanks Wayne!
By 1pm, we were on the plane, heading for Toronto. After an uneventful flight, we had a two hour connection there, then back on another plane for our overnight flight to London Heathrow. Overnight flights suck... especially if you are like Kenneth and I, who couldn't sleep! We had the luxury of lots of leg room, pillows, blankets, ear plugs to drown out the screaming kids, eye masks, everything, but sleep stayed very far away. Free food on international flights is nice... no sleep, not so much!
At arrival at Heathrow, we were utterly exhausted with hours still to go. Heathrow is a pill. I do not like Heathrow airport at all!!! 5 terminals, some you can walk between, others require the shuttle to and
fro. I do have a suggestion for the airport authority... GET RID OF THE MILLIONS OF SHOPPING BOUTIQUES TO CUT THE SIZE OF THE AIRPORT IN HALF! Basic, really! Kenneth and I had 4 hours connection time in Heathrow... plenty of time! We made it through a long customs line, walked to Terminal 1 from Terminal 5 for our other flight, ate breakfast and people watched! A word to the wise, your gate info is posted no more than 45 mins before departure in Heathrow, so dont be alarmed if you are there two hours before and there is no gate info posted.
The short ride to Edinburgh on BMI airlines was smooth and uneventful. BMI charges their passengers for everything, coffee, pop, snacks, if you are not seated in the first 5 rows... keep that in mind! We arrived in Edinburgh to rainy skies at 130pm local time. Chris, our transfer guy from the airport to the hotel was waiting for us when we got there. We got our luggage and off we went.
It is at this point I had my first case of culture shock. Driving on the left side of the road, at top
speed, down very narrow lanes of traffic, I am confident you will never get my hand prints out of the leather seat in that van again! As we drove along, Chris was kind enough to point out some areas of interest as we quickly sped by them. It sounds cliche to say this of Scotland, but it must be said. It is so GREEN there. The trees and lawns, such a vibrant green! The houses, all cream colored sandstone with walls of rock surrounding them. There was so much to see, our heads were at a constant swivel!
We arrived at our hotel, the Roxburghe. The hotel is located in the ''new town'' section of Edinburgh, fronted by a beautiful park in memorial to Prince Phillip. Across the road, the home of Alexander Graham Bell! A few blocks over, the home of Robert Lewis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island with the park that inspired the novel. A few blocks further, the cafe that JK Rowling got her inspiration and wrote much of the first Harry Potter book. History, old and new, at every turn!
The Roxburghe is a beautiful boutique hotel located on Charlottes Square. High ceilings,
chandeliers, ornate ceiling decos, open air garden just off the lobby, there was an air of high standard about it. When we strolled in, an air of a different sort wafted through. 24 hours with no sleep, no shower, coffee-stained, wrinkled clothes, greasy haired and faced, we walk in smelling like last weeks laundry! We quickly checked in and made our way swiftly to our room. A rest was in dire need, so a 2 hour nap was taken, then up for showers and grooming before our meet and greet with the tour director and the rest of our tour mates.
Rob, our tour director, greeted us in the lounge and started us off with a drink (the first of many), recommending Budveiser. Sound familiar? The brand is actually hundreds of years older than the American brand and much tastier too! Kenneth and I sat with a couple from Canberra, Australia, Tony and Jan! They were just delightful! As we went around the room, the people were from all walks of life: most people were from Australia, 2 ladies from Long Island, 2 young ladies from Singapore, 1 couple from India, 1 couple from South Africa, 1 couple from
Florida with their granddaughter, and 3 couples from Canada. A healthy mix, eh! Everyone was cheerful and friendly! After a brief orientation from Rob, we were left to our own devices i.e. to drink! Tony, Jan, Kenneth and I sat and chatted until our dinner reservation at 8pm. After dinner, Kenneth and I went to bed as we had an early start in the morning... day 1, not too shabby!
Things we learned on day 1:
1. UK hotels, if not part of a US chain, do not have face cloths. The reason for this was so eloquently explained in this manner: "Scots know where it was used last...". But they have wonderful towel warming racks in the bathroom. Amazing feature!
2. The Scottish speak fast... I thought Newfies were bad!
3. YOU are the one who talks funny in Scotland.
4. Kenneth and I overtippped.... A LOT!
5. Getting "knocked up" in the morning takes on a whole new meaning in Scotland... I'll explain next time!
Cheers!
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