Last Friday, we walked to the bus station bright and early, rode the bus to the ferry terminal, rode the ferry over to Scotland, begged to be put on an earlier bus to Glasgow, and finally walked to our hostel. If you think that's crazy, that's pretty much how it goes on all our travel days...
The ferry ride over was actually really cool. I classify it as a mini-cruise... but not really. There was a spa, a few restaurants and an arcade though! But the only comforts I needed were a juicy hamburger with chips and the ocean air.
Glasgow was pretty uneventful. We only stayed one night so there was little time to really get to know the city. We did check out the Glasgow Cathedral, George Square an the shops. AND (for all you nerds out there) We stumbled across a TARDIS replica! (I know it wasn't the real thing because I called and called but the Doctor never came.... if you don't get it, don't worry about it)
On Saturday, we rushed to the train station to continue our fast and furious journey to Oban. Though, however fast and furious WE are, I can't help but feel that our modes of transportation are slow and tiresome... at least we had good views on this train ride.
Oban is a nice coastal town that is nicknamed "The Gateway to the Isles" since it is so close the many isles of Scotland. I'll get to the isles later... but for now, here are some maps so you all can picture what I'm talking about.
We were in Oban for just two days, but we certainly made the best of it. The day we got there, we walked up a steep hill to check out McCaig's Tower - an unfinished colosseum of sorts on a high hill behind Oban.
The steep climb was worth the views. We could see the many isles in the distance and the giant ferries carrying passengers to and from them. After stumbling back down the hill, we walked along the coast until the sidewalks stopped. Even then, we kept going for awhile anyway to get closer to a castle we had found. The walk was really refreshing after being cooped up in a train for so long.
The next day, we hopped on one of those giant ferries to the Isle of Mull - this is one of the larger islands. We took a bus across the island while our driver pointed out miscellaneous wild life and geological wonders of the island that I didn't understand. One fact did stick with me though: did you know that Phil Collins lived on the Isle of Mull for 5 years at one point?? Apparently these islanders don't listen to rock and roll so no one knew who Phil was. He found this solitude so nice that he tried to buy an old house on the island intending to turn it into a recording studio. I cant help but wonder whether he wrote "I Wish It Would Rain Down" before or after he lived in this rainy part of the world.
From the bus we rushed to make the first ferry to the Isle of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. The picture below is St. Columba's Abbey, where St. Columba resided and spread Christianity on the island. I am sure that he must have climbed to the top of Dun'I (the second picture) to gain a greater understanding of God's creation... that's what we did!
And so, we ended our day rushing back to the first ferry, the Mull bus, and the last ferry to Oban.
Today begins the climax of Fast & Furious 7. We'll be spending the next 3 days on the Isle of Skye chasing trains, buses, tours and who knows what else - you'll here more once the credits start rolling on this crazy section of our trip!
-C&C
So glad you are sharing your journey will all of us mainlanders! It's a treat to get your updates!
ReplyDeleteSheila