When we arrived in Edinburgh we were exhausted as none of us slept much on the flight. What got our adrenaline going were the mega-winds and cold rain falling as we made our way to the taxi stand! While we anticipated the rain and cooler temps, we didn't anticipate how cold it would feel when mixed with high winds. Once we got through customs, which was a breeze, we had to figure out how to get to our hotel. How exciting when after standing in the taxi queue, we were able to get a traditional black cab with a very Scottish driver! I loved listening to him talk.
After an educational drive, we arrived to the Double Tree by Hilton (Edinburgh City Centre) and hoped our room would be ready upon arrival, but it wasn't. We had to figure out how to stay on our feet and make the most of the few hours we had.
As we walked around, the first thing I realized is how old the city is. All of the buildings were of old architectural style and building materials. It gave the town a very quaint feel from another time. There were cobblestone streets too which meant I had to watch each step to ensure I wouldn't trip or roll an ankle. I've been known to trip and fall on perfectly paved paths, so disaster is always a step a way for me on uneven pavements.
Given the weather, we thought touring Edinburgh Castle would be a good idea. We pre-purchased the Scotland Explorer Pass which provided entry into a number of historic/tourist sites. For some reason, they weren't able to validate our pass that day, so the Castle was out of the question. We ended up going to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions instead. It was a fun experience, especially for Keira.
 |
| Part of the Royal Mile |
 |
| One of the many illusions at Camera Obscura |
 |
Keira - She's what's for dinner
|
Following Camera Obscura we walked along the Royal Mile, grabbed lunch at Pizza Express, and ducked into the National Library before heading back to the hotel. Our room was ready and we couldn't be more excited. I think we pulled the suitcases into the room, closed the blinds and took a near-three-hour nap! Like I said, we were exhausted! (Note: The room at the DoubleTree was very similar to what a room would be in the U.S. but smaller. However, it was better kept, aka clean, than rooms I've stayed at in the U.S.)
After peeling ourselves out of bed, we found our way back to the Royal Mile where we went in and out of shops. We picked up Aran hat and mittens for Keira (yes, it was that cold) along with cashmere scarves. They were cute and would make practical souvenirs. Afterward we grabbed a late dinner at a pub called Greyfriars Bobby. Upon entering, we were greeted right away by the bartender. Turns out I have a hard time understanding folks with a thick Scottish accent. He asked, "Are you in for some food?", but I could not understand him. After he repeated himself, I looked to Mark who answered, "Yes, we'd like some food.". Gah!
Mark ordered food at the bar and then we enjoyed our first taste of haggis. Well, Mark and I did. Keira stuck to fish and chips. Haggis wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. It didn't taste like much actually. But, I couldn't help but think about what it was made of, so couldn't stomach (pun intended) eating more than two bites. Mark finished it off - he'll eat anything! After dinner, we unpacked a few things and all crashed for the night.
 |
| Left to right - Carrot mash (I think), mashed potatoes, haggis |
 |
| There was still some light even at 10pm - thank goodness for darkening shades |
No comments:
Post a Comment