Our "Loch Ness Hunter" day tour started on the Royal Mile of Edinburgh at 8:00am. It finished at 7:30pm... in between was eight hours of driving, a few short toilet stops, and one hour and twenty mins spent at the actual destination - Fort Augustus on the Loch Ness. Kind of disappointing to be honest, but the tour guide told us lots of fascinating stories along the way.
Scotland has an incredibly gruesome history! I don't remember dates and stuff, but let's just say it all happened yonks ago...
One of the stories he told as we passed through Glen Coe was about the MacDonald and the Campbell clans. See, there were lots of "clans" living in the highlands yonkers ago, and for the most part they pretty much hated each other, and would often try to kill each other - and often suceed. This one time, however, the MacDonalds welcomed the Campbells into their clan - fed them and let them stay for the night. For reasons unknown, (or maybe the stupid Indians behind us who kept talking talking during the guide's stories made me miss the reason...), the Campbells took opportunity in the dead of the night to massacre the MacDonalds! They came into their tents and slit the throats of men, women and children.
This was a horrific betrayal, and to this day in the local hotel they have a sign that reads: NO CAMPBELLS. They actually have the legal right to refuse service or lodging to anyone with the surname Campbell. A few years back, an American (of course) Campbell was thrown out of the pub, so he tried to sue. He lost his case.
The guide also described in gruesome detail, the execution of William Wallace. It is not as it was portrayed in the film, which was horrific enough... He was whipped, drawn (stretched), given drugs to keep him alive and conscious while his intestines were taken out of him, and boiled before his eyes, while still attached to his body, then his manhood was cut off and stuffed in his mouth before his he was quartered - literally cut into four peices.
I am sorry I had to share that with you, but I couldn't keep this to myself!! I know... I could have gone the rest of my life without hearing this, too...
Anyway, the scenery was nice from the bus, but I can't say I would do it again. If you want to see the highlands of Scotland, hire a car and stay along the way for a night or two. That is my two cents for what it is worth.
That night we went to this FABULOUS Indian restaurant for dinner, and had the first of what would be many meals that Jessica would claim tasted like "canned spaghetti". Personally, I thougt the Butter Chicken she was referring to tasted great.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Kilt shopping and Castles
Edinburgh was beautiful in the morning. Jessica likes to sleep in... a lot... so as pure excitement had awoken me at 6:00am, I took myself for a wander around the Grass Market, the area in which we were staying. It's not far from Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile - basically a big long street with lots of tourist shops. Still rather freezing, but I dressed myself appropriately this time! I walked past some really funky looking vintage stores, one had a window display with Dorothy, Toto and The Tin Man.
Walking around Edinburgh is lovely, but you do have to watch your step on all of the cobbled streets... there may or may not have been a few trip ups, disguised as sudden breaks into a run... Actually, there wasn't, because I think a nice trip up is good for the ego. Doesn't hurt to mildly humiliate yourself in public every now and then.
Later, when Jessica woke up we went for a spot of shopping on The Royal Mile. I found myself a nice Celtic ring, but my favourite purchases for the day would have to be Jonah's knit jumper, cool tshirts, KILT, and little leather pursey thing, that does actually have a proper name... and maybe I shouldn't call it a pursey thing in front of his Dad... ha.
After shopping went to Edinburgh Castle, which has the best views of the whole city. Lots of interesting history there, but I won 't bore you with the details... mostly because I can't remember any of it.
That night we went further down into the New Town part of Edinburgh and had great tapas and cider. And, I think we passed the place on Princes Street, where one Cory Jay Cooper proposed to one Jenny Anne Vella!
Love to you all. Sorry... kind of a boring post, but I can't remember all of the funny stuff now. xox
Walking around Edinburgh is lovely, but you do have to watch your step on all of the cobbled streets... there may or may not have been a few trip ups, disguised as sudden breaks into a run... Actually, there wasn't, because I think a nice trip up is good for the ego. Doesn't hurt to mildly humiliate yourself in public every now and then.
Later, when Jessica woke up we went for a spot of shopping on The Royal Mile. I found myself a nice Celtic ring, but my favourite purchases for the day would have to be Jonah's knit jumper, cool tshirts, KILT, and little leather pursey thing, that does actually have a proper name... and maybe I shouldn't call it a pursey thing in front of his Dad... ha.
After shopping went to Edinburgh Castle, which has the best views of the whole city. Lots of interesting history there, but I won 't bore you with the details... mostly because I can't remember any of it.
That night we went further down into the New Town part of Edinburgh and had great tapas and cider. And, I think we passed the place on Princes Street, where one Cory Jay Cooper proposed to one Jenny Anne Vella!
Love to you all. Sorry... kind of a boring post, but I can't remember all of the funny stuff now. xox
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thistle Do Nicely
It had been quite warmish in London, so when I stepped off the plane in Edinburgh in my denim shorts, light blouse, cardi and thongs, I was in for a rude shock weather-wise. I knew Scotland would be colder than London, but I hadn't expected this.
I whined and moaned at Jessica all the way to our hostel. I had little faith in her sense of direction as she led me, saying, "I think it's just up this way.... this next turn... oh no, maybe the next one..." - a few choice words flew out of my mouth at this point. It was my chilled bones talking. She actually got us there pretty quickly and directly, as Jessica had stayed at Budget Backpackers in the GrassMarket district twice before.
It was around 9:00pm as we wandered the streets, so we saw quite a few tour groups heading out for their graveyard tours. Edinburgh is one of the world's most haunted cities. It's no bloody wonder... the whole country has some pretty gruesome history, but more on that later.
On the way to our hostel, Jessica pointed out one of the best named stores I've ever seen - 'Thistle Do Nicely' - ha! It was a gift store, stocking tartan bits and pieces mostly. There are a number of gems in the way of store names over here, actually. Another of my faves was a kitchy little store called 'The Mutt's Nuts' and back in London, near where Jessica works is a falafel store called 'Just Falafs' - cool.
Once we checked in and showered, we went in search of a good coffee store and some desert, only to be turned away by every single place as they were closing up... by then it was close to 11pm, but come on!! This is a major city, people!!! This was quite a hilarious trip out as I had not packed well for the weather, and my only jumper was still drying after a wash... we should have taken a picture...
When our coffee planned foiled, we were forced to go home to bed. It was good to get a good sleep and revive for the next day when we planned to shop and visit Edinburgh Castle!
I whined and moaned at Jessica all the way to our hostel. I had little faith in her sense of direction as she led me, saying, "I think it's just up this way.... this next turn... oh no, maybe the next one..." - a few choice words flew out of my mouth at this point. It was my chilled bones talking. She actually got us there pretty quickly and directly, as Jessica had stayed at Budget Backpackers in the GrassMarket district twice before.
It was around 9:00pm as we wandered the streets, so we saw quite a few tour groups heading out for their graveyard tours. Edinburgh is one of the world's most haunted cities. It's no bloody wonder... the whole country has some pretty gruesome history, but more on that later.
On the way to our hostel, Jessica pointed out one of the best named stores I've ever seen - 'Thistle Do Nicely' - ha! It was a gift store, stocking tartan bits and pieces mostly. There are a number of gems in the way of store names over here, actually. Another of my faves was a kitchy little store called 'The Mutt's Nuts' and back in London, near where Jessica works is a falafel store called 'Just Falafs' - cool.
Once we checked in and showered, we went in search of a good coffee store and some desert, only to be turned away by every single place as they were closing up... by then it was close to 11pm, but come on!! This is a major city, people!!! This was quite a hilarious trip out as I had not packed well for the weather, and my only jumper was still drying after a wash... we should have taken a picture...
When our coffee planned foiled, we were forced to go home to bed. It was good to get a good sleep and revive for the next day when we planned to shop and visit Edinburgh Castle!
2 Days in Old London Town
Jessica was waiting for me at the airport. Hurrah!
We went straight back to her place, grabbing Danish on the way, as ever since I decided to come on this trip, I pictured myself eating really yummy Danish. My first London Danish did not disappoint. After a shower and a chat, we caught the tube to Leicester Square for a spot of lunch and shopping at Primark (aka Mecca). Bought a bucket load of great stuff for just 51 quid! (I call it quid now that I've been here a few days... me and the British Pound are like this now - old mates).
That night we went to a fabulous show in the West End at the Victoria Theatre, called Avenue Q. It's like an adult Muppets show about a bunch of 20-somethings just out of college, trying to make it in New York. It's centred around this dodgy apartment building, run by Gary Coleman. It was absolutely hilarious, featuring such songs as "The Internet is for Porn", "Everyone's a little bit Racist" and "One Night Stands". The actors/pupeteers were completely visible onstage with the puppets, and they all did the voice and movement for several puppets each - terribly impressive. They were so freakin' talented it would make you sick!! Can't recommend the show highly enough for those of you in London - anybody at all would have a fantastic time, even if you don't normally like musicals.
Next day we met Jessica's workmates, Chris and Mihal (sp?) near her work in Soho, and had fabulous Japanese food. We did a little souvenir shopping before jumping on a tube, another tube, and a train to Gatwick station for our flight to lovely Edinburgh! More on my new fave city next post.
Take care of yourselves, and each other. xo
We went straight back to her place, grabbing Danish on the way, as ever since I decided to come on this trip, I pictured myself eating really yummy Danish. My first London Danish did not disappoint. After a shower and a chat, we caught the tube to Leicester Square for a spot of lunch and shopping at Primark (aka Mecca). Bought a bucket load of great stuff for just 51 quid! (I call it quid now that I've been here a few days... me and the British Pound are like this now - old mates).
That night we went to a fabulous show in the West End at the Victoria Theatre, called Avenue Q. It's like an adult Muppets show about a bunch of 20-somethings just out of college, trying to make it in New York. It's centred around this dodgy apartment building, run by Gary Coleman. It was absolutely hilarious, featuring such songs as "The Internet is for Porn", "Everyone's a little bit Racist" and "One Night Stands". The actors/pupeteers were completely visible onstage with the puppets, and they all did the voice and movement for several puppets each - terribly impressive. They were so freakin' talented it would make you sick!! Can't recommend the show highly enough for those of you in London - anybody at all would have a fantastic time, even if you don't normally like musicals.
Next day we met Jessica's workmates, Chris and Mihal (sp?) near her work in Soho, and had fabulous Japanese food. We did a little souvenir shopping before jumping on a tube, another tube, and a train to Gatwick station for our flight to lovely Edinburgh! More on my new fave city next post.
Take care of yourselves, and each other. xo
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Near Stoning Incident
My four-hour stop over was in Abu Dhabi and it was not without incident. It seemed as though the airport was under construction as we travelled from the plane to our terminal in a shuttle bus, guided by four flashing cars front, back and sides. The part of the airport we went into was largeish, but the amazing part was the rounded palatial ceiling and floors - all blue and yellow mosaic tiles. I wouldn't describe it as particularly attractive... but it was impressive in that it would have taken an awful lot of man-power and vision to create it. Sadly, the end result is kind of... well, tacky - ha. Too bad, Abu Dhabi!
Everywhere I looked, I found the eyes of young Arab men staring, nay leering, back at me. And catching my eye and being caught in the act did nothing to discourage them. They just kept right on staring. So, of course, I whipped my cardi off and gave them something to look at! No, not really... it was 11:45pm and it was 31 degrees outside. Inside it wasn't much better, so I did take off my cardi to reveal my forbidden bare arms - yikes. Rest assured, I wasn't the only one, though. I didn't get a reputation for being that one Western slut with the bare arms or anything.
So, the incident. Well, I left a book on the plane, so I had to line up at the Etihad transit counter to enquire. Serving one customer each seemed to take forever and a day for the girls on the counter, and while there were only a few of us in line, the wait wasn't short. When it was almost my turn, an Arab man came out of nowhere and waltzed straight through and butted in line in front of all of us. For those of you who know me well, I don't need to tell you this infuriated me. Several curse words were exchanged between me and my airplane buddy, Josh, but... although it went completely against my principles, I let the mangy varmint get away with it. When it was finally my turn, the girls at the counter told me to come back in fifteen mins when the cabin crew had come through - maybe my book would be here by then.
When I returned the line was even bigger. I was waiting at the head of the line when the mangy varmint turned up again. This time, he stood at the side of the counter, trying to attract the attention of the counter girls to no avail. He spotted one lady was just about finished up, so he tried his old trick again... and I'm afraid my earlier saint-like behaviour disappeared quick smart...
"Excuse me! As you can see, there is quite a line-up and we've all been waiting here for quite some time..."
*Incredulous look with slight sneer* - was all he could say
"You butted in front of me before, you're not doing it again. I'd prefer it if you would join the end of the line like the rest of us had to"
*sneer continued*
I eyeballed him right back.
Meanwhile, behind me were four or five young men... don't really know where they were from... I think they were Arab, but they were a lot taller than all the others, they wore university jumpers and spoke english. They exchanged a conversation that I could not understand, but pretty much sounded like they were shocked and appalled at my outburst, and then one of them said, "He won't understand english". The varmint got my drift though, because he skulked off and went back to where he had come from and continued to try and wave the counter girls down.
I willed everyone to hurry up, as by now my heart was beating a little fast as I realised I had no idea who this man was... for all I knew, he could be an airport official, or a prince....?? I kept my eye on him, and just then he caught the attention of an official-looking man dressed all in white. I kept on with my enquiry, as it was my turn again by now, as he was then joined by another three men dressed the same...
"Oh my gosh, I was about to be hauled off and stoned... What have I done?!?!" - was what was running through my head, along with some more curse words...
As it turns out, the officials seemed to have the same opinion as I did of the man and appeared to be telling him to beat it and quit making a nuisance of himself. PHEW!!!!
So, I wasn't stoned after all. I did learn a lesson, though. To shut my freaking mouth when Arab men piss me off in Arab countries - just incase!!
Now, please please please, whatever you all do - DON'T TELL MY MUM THIS STORY!!! I will never hear the end of it...
As we flew out of Abu Dhabi, it was 2:45am local time and the lights of the city were like nothing I have ever seen before. Ridiculously and beautifully over the top - just amazing. I would love to see more than just the airport there one day... but then again, that could be dangerous if I can't learn to shut the hell up!
xox
Everywhere I looked, I found the eyes of young Arab men staring, nay leering, back at me. And catching my eye and being caught in the act did nothing to discourage them. They just kept right on staring. So, of course, I whipped my cardi off and gave them something to look at! No, not really... it was 11:45pm and it was 31 degrees outside. Inside it wasn't much better, so I did take off my cardi to reveal my forbidden bare arms - yikes. Rest assured, I wasn't the only one, though. I didn't get a reputation for being that one Western slut with the bare arms or anything.
So, the incident. Well, I left a book on the plane, so I had to line up at the Etihad transit counter to enquire. Serving one customer each seemed to take forever and a day for the girls on the counter, and while there were only a few of us in line, the wait wasn't short. When it was almost my turn, an Arab man came out of nowhere and waltzed straight through and butted in line in front of all of us. For those of you who know me well, I don't need to tell you this infuriated me. Several curse words were exchanged between me and my airplane buddy, Josh, but... although it went completely against my principles, I let the mangy varmint get away with it. When it was finally my turn, the girls at the counter told me to come back in fifteen mins when the cabin crew had come through - maybe my book would be here by then.
When I returned the line was even bigger. I was waiting at the head of the line when the mangy varmint turned up again. This time, he stood at the side of the counter, trying to attract the attention of the counter girls to no avail. He spotted one lady was just about finished up, so he tried his old trick again... and I'm afraid my earlier saint-like behaviour disappeared quick smart...
"Excuse me! As you can see, there is quite a line-up and we've all been waiting here for quite some time..."
*Incredulous look with slight sneer* - was all he could say
"You butted in front of me before, you're not doing it again. I'd prefer it if you would join the end of the line like the rest of us had to"
*sneer continued*
I eyeballed him right back.
Meanwhile, behind me were four or five young men... don't really know where they were from... I think they were Arab, but they were a lot taller than all the others, they wore university jumpers and spoke english. They exchanged a conversation that I could not understand, but pretty much sounded like they were shocked and appalled at my outburst, and then one of them said, "He won't understand english". The varmint got my drift though, because he skulked off and went back to where he had come from and continued to try and wave the counter girls down.
I willed everyone to hurry up, as by now my heart was beating a little fast as I realised I had no idea who this man was... for all I knew, he could be an airport official, or a prince....?? I kept my eye on him, and just then he caught the attention of an official-looking man dressed all in white. I kept on with my enquiry, as it was my turn again by now, as he was then joined by another three men dressed the same...
"Oh my gosh, I was about to be hauled off and stoned... What have I done?!?!" - was what was running through my head, along with some more curse words...
As it turns out, the officials seemed to have the same opinion as I did of the man and appeared to be telling him to beat it and quit making a nuisance of himself. PHEW!!!!
So, I wasn't stoned after all. I did learn a lesson, though. To shut my freaking mouth when Arab men piss me off in Arab countries - just incase!!
Now, please please please, whatever you all do - DON'T TELL MY MUM THIS STORY!!! I will never hear the end of it...
As we flew out of Abu Dhabi, it was 2:45am local time and the lights of the city were like nothing I have ever seen before. Ridiculously and beautifully over the top - just amazing. I would love to see more than just the airport there one day... but then again, that could be dangerous if I can't learn to shut the hell up!
xox
Thursday, May 8, 2008
In my beautiful balloon
I wish I was travelling via hot air balloon. How cool would that be?! Might take awhile, though... suppose that's why I'll find myself on a 23-hour long flight to London Heathrow in just three short days.
I'm leaving behind my baby boy, my broken down car and most of my shoes in favour of London's shopping, Edinburgh's castles and Italy's pizza! Hurrah! Of course the best part is that I will get to see my long lost sister, Jessica. I can't believe it's been a whole year since we last saw each other.
Well, this is the boring part. It will all happen soon enough, and I will endeavour to keep those of you who give a crap up-to-date.
Here's to me and my trip of a lifetime!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
