Day on the Beach

White sand, crystal clear blue-green water, cool breeze, clear blue sky - sounds like the Bahamas? Maybe a Greek island?

Try a Scottish one! The picture above was taken on the beach of the little island of Iona. Yesterday we took a tour of two of the Hebrides islands - Mull and Iona. Mull is a huge island, complete with lochs, mountains, wild glens, and forests. We were driven through it on a tour bus, with a proper Scotsman as our driver. His Scottish burr and dry sense of humor were great as he pointed out the highlights of Mull - while flying down a narrow winding road! They don't believe in two-way streets in Mull, apparently. Anyway, after an hour and a half, we were on the other side of Mull, and we took a ferry over to Iona. The water around that island is incredible! A beautiful turquoise color on white sand, with black volcanic rocks jutting out here and there. Annika and I got some lunch, walked around the ancient Abbey and Nunnery (built around 950), and then sat on the beach and enjoyed the view.

Apparently Scotland is putting on a show for us, because it is has been beautifully clear and warm everyday. Today is our last day is Scotland - tomorrow we'll be heading south for Wales.

Oxford, and Glasgow, and Oban, oh my!

On Thursday we left London and took the train to Oxford. We made all of our connections, and the trip was generally uneventful. We got into Oxford around 1pm and went to the little B&B that we had booked. It was run by a nice older lady, who was very helpful - making us coffee as soon as we got there and lending us all the maps we needed to get around.

We walked around Oxford for most of the afternoon - it is filled with absolutely beautiful architecture! There were students everywhere - some of them where their formal black gowns with pink carnations, due to end-of-term exams. I walked through Christ Church college and cathedral- stunning grounds, church, halls, etc. It was quite a thrill to walk the same halls as so many famous British people! I'd love to go back there someday and spend several days.

Next day we left Oxford to go to Oban - and didn't get there. One of our trains was slightly delayed, and we missed our connection to Glasgow. Two trains later we finally were on one that went to Glasgow. But by the time we got in, the last train and bus had already left for Oban. We were stuck in Glasgow!! We managed to find a Rick-Steves-recommended B&B and found a room for the night. Glasgow, by the way, is not a pretty city - kind of dirty and filled with roudy students. They all speak very quickly with a very strong Scottish accent - it's almost impossible to understand them. They were shouting and laughing until the wee hours of the morning (very annoying when you're trying to sleep!). I don't think either of us ever want to go back there.

Early Saturday morning we caught our train to Oban, and it was a BEAUTIFUL trip! Lasting about three hours, it meandered through the Scottish highlands - mountains, lakes (or lochs, as they're called here), and woods filled with heather and rhodedendron trees. For the last couple of days we've been enjoying the weather and the water - we went to a rocky spot on the beach for a few hours today, and went on a boat ride yesterday. The seafood here is incredible! Well, anyway, it's getting late here, so cheers!

WA state reunion - in Oban, Scotland!!

Sorry - we've missed a few days, and don't have time to say a whole lot now...hopefully we'll get caught up soon. We're now in Oban, Scotland, north of Glasgow - it's a beautiful harbor town. We're staying in a nice little B&B, and this morning we went to breakfast to find that not only were all the other guests American - they were from the Seattle area! One couple was from the Olympia area, and then there was a family from Woodenville. I, of course, mentioned that I too was from that area, and we had a nice little chat. What are the odds?! It was pretty funny. We all were enjoying the weather that is pretty similar to the Northwest, and of course everyone knew where all the Starbucks were. lol Typical Washingtonians! Poor Nika was kind of left out of that conversation.
Speaking of Washington weather - these last few days have been beautifully sunny and warm. I got pretty burnt yesterday - hopefully I won't look like a lobster for the rest of the trip. =) Well, gotta go, but we'll update later!

Men in uniform - American vs. British

Today Nika and I were provided with several examples of British military. We were on our way to the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside of Buckingham Palace, and we saw a British officer walking ahead of us. Then we passed a couple more in fatigues. A few blocks farther down, a whole company of soldiers in fatigues were practicing with mortars. Nika was very excited about them, but we had to hurry or we would be late for the changing of the guard. It was very crowded around the gates of Buckingham, but we managed to get some pics of the ceremony (really pretty anticlimactic - I wasn't sure it was worth the bother). While that was happening a company of the Horse Guards came through - perhaps just on parade, we weren't sure.
We looked up at the flag pole above the Palace and suddenly realized that the flag was flying that indicates when the Royal Family is in residence. A few minutes later, two gilt carriages came out, with their windows covered. Police and security surrounded the procession as it drove out of Buckingham. Apparently the some of the Royal Family had just taken off! We later came across a large military memorial service, and are supposing that it was the destination of the mysterious travelers. Pretty cool, huh?
So anyway, after passing by the dozens of cops and military-types that surrounded the area, we came to a conclusion: British cops are, as a rule, cuter than American cops. However, the British military (though there were some cute ones) just can't compare to the American military. We wanted to mention that to the British soldiers we passed, but that may not be polite. And in London, you must at least be polite. =) More later, folks!

Crazy days in London...

Well, it is now the end of our second day in London. We are very tired, but I thought I should update so ya'll can know what we're up to.

Yesterday we started out in Trafalgar Square - quite a sight! You can see Lord Nelson on his pillar there. We spent some time there, then made our way by St. James Park and to Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, there was no changing of the guards, due to some big charity race that was happening there. Nika was very disappointed. We also managed to visit the National Gallery, Covent Gardens (you should have seen all the street performers!), and more - all in one day.

Today we went to the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London - they were incredible! We took a ton of pictures, and they all turned out beautifully. Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures of some of the exhibits in the Tower, but we enjoyed them. We also went to St. Paul's Cathedral, and listened to part of the Evensong service (incredible boys' choir!). Nika didn't want to take the long hike to the dome, though, so perhaps I'll get to do that another time.

We had a VERY interesting ride back home today - we made the mistake to get back on the Tube (the subway system) at "rush hour" and boy was it rushed! There were SO MANY PEOPLE!!! I kinda liked it really, it was quite exciting. We got a little turned around, but finally ended up on the right Tube. But when we got on, shoving through people like experienced Londoners, we barely got in the doorway! We were so packed in that we cuddling with strangers in a way that we wouldn't with family members! It was kinda funny, kinda gross, and very, very interesting. We have decided that New York will be cinch after this.

We've noticed that people look at us really funny - partly cause we're Americans (which apparently is very obvious, even before we speak), and partly cause.....?? We're not sure yet. We're hoping that it's for flattering reasons, but we're afraid that its just because we're weird, even for Americans. So we just smile, say hello in a very American way, and keep on walking. One fellow greeted us in gibberish - we just sort of nodded and kept walking. It wasn't for another five minutes that we realized he'd said, "Cheers!" lol I guess he was trying to say hello! It sounded a lot more like "Chz" - and who expects anyone to say "cheers" anyway? lol Great fun. Well, that's all for now, folks, we hope to add more tomorrow!

Internet problems - sorry!

For those of you who might have been wondering, we've been unable to access the internet for the last couple days - our hotel's wireless has been down. But now it is finally working, and we're trying to make up for lost time. We'll put our travel update on shortly... thanks!

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...

Well we're finally here! After a long, very exhausting flight, we entered Heathrow airport. We passed through customs, where a tiny little Indian lady questioned us suspiciously. She was very surprised that we didn't have any friends here, didn't have hotels booked the whole time, etc., etc. Nika and I thought it was pretty funny. Perhaps we looked suspicious!

We exchanged our lovely familar greenbacks for some pretty money that looks very fragile. We bought our cool little Oyster cards, which we confidently scanned to enter the "Tube" (the English version of the subway system) as if we knew exactly what we were doing. We rode the Tube for about an hour and a half, before boarding a neat, red double-decker bus. We got off the bus a little too early, so we had to walk several blocks to our Antigallican Hotel. It is a bit of a disreputable looking place - we were kinda scared for a few minutes. But the greasy gentleman at the front desk was very friendly and allowed two exhausted Americans to check in early. Yay! Our room is much nicer (and cleaner) than we anticipated - it even includes a private bathroom (or en suite, as they call it). That is definitely not a foregone conclusion here!

Nika is happy, for we have a coffee/tea maker, but, alas, no iron. We may look a little wrinkled for the next few days! Ah, the joys of traveling.

So far the only noticeable differences between the UK and the US are the accents (they're so cute!), the signs ("Way Out" instead of "Exit"), and extreme quietness of the British masses. In queues (lines), on the subway, and the bus, everyone is silent or speaks very quietly. A lesson Americans would do well to learn!

Well, that's all for now - we are very tired (well, I am - Nika slept most of the flight) and are going to rest and take it easy today! Love you all!