We spent this weekend in the UK, but this time in Scotland. It was our first domestic trip, and no one missed Passport Control! Pictures should be up soon.
Friday
Friday traffic and typical after-school madness got us to Gatwick in just enough time for bag drop and some dinner. The flight out was just about one hour, and was mostly on time! We had an easy time getting a taxi in a 6 seater to the hotel.
We were staying in the Balmoral in Edinburgh, and it is in a great location. There were cookies and teddy bears waiting for kids. We watched TV for awhile and then off to bed. Since Edinburgh is only an hour by plane, it was not too late getting in and settled.
Saturday
We slept in a little but since sunrise is around 7:30. Went to get breakfast and then to the jewel of Edinburgh, the castle. There are such amazing views of the city! We enjoyed walking around, but we somehow missed the dungeons. After the castle we had lunch and then went to the Scotland museum. Many kid activities, but the presentation of the artifacts was somewhat abstract. Fun, but not our favorite. After that we walked around some more and did some shopping in the traditionsal Scottish stores.
We brought our swimming suits this time, so after black-mailing the kids all day with pool time for good behavior, we donned our suits and nice cozy bath robes and went to the pool. Again, the swimming pool was way too deep, and not all that warm. We managed to stay for about 30 minutes but it wasn't a stellar swimming experience. It did though, prompt a good dinner-time conversation; if you owned a hotel, what amenities would you have.
Edinburgh is a lot like London food-wise, with many of the same chains. There is some regional food like haggis but we didn't have a chance to sample any. It was different to travel within the UK and see the similarities. Even the street signs and placards are all the same as in London.
Sunday
We went to breakfast in the hotel and tried the Full Scottish which is similar to full English but has potatoes scones and black pudding. After that we checked out and placed our bags with the steward so we could explore some more.
We walked down Princes Street to Carlton Hill. Again, what great views!! We were even treated to see the Scottish Rugby Club taking pictures in advance of their New Zealand game at half two. The Hill was a good exercise and tons of cool monuments at the same time. We walked down Hume path which leads into New Town. Grabbed a coffee and walked around New Town then back into Old Town. We saw the Edinburgh office of Stringers where we get our instruments!
After that we went back to grab our bags and then we had a really hard time getting a cab. It took about 20 minutes (we are on the main road here) and we finally got a taxi. But of course then there was quite a bit of traffic for the game, and then a second bought of traffic at the airport for a Remembrance Celebration. But, still enough time to get snacks and of course some scotch at the airport :).
The flight was very short with a super strong tailwind and took only 45 minutes. But it was really, really bumpy. Like free roller coaster ticket bumpy. But then we had to sit for 20 minutes while they decided how to deplane us!! The plane next door was boarding, and they can't mix boarding and disembarking passengers. We were rather surprised this situation hadn't occured before, they seemed quite confused! The only plus was that they put us on a bus so we were driven to baggage reclaim instead of the long walk.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city and we loved it. Small and easy to get around, clean and tons of friendly people. We plan to go back and explore the Highlands and see some more castles too!
Friday
Friday traffic and typical after-school madness got us to Gatwick in just enough time for bag drop and some dinner. The flight out was just about one hour, and was mostly on time! We had an easy time getting a taxi in a 6 seater to the hotel.
We were staying in the Balmoral in Edinburgh, and it is in a great location. There were cookies and teddy bears waiting for kids. We watched TV for awhile and then off to bed. Since Edinburgh is only an hour by plane, it was not too late getting in and settled.
Saturday
We slept in a little but since sunrise is around 7:30. Went to get breakfast and then to the jewel of Edinburgh, the castle. There are such amazing views of the city! We enjoyed walking around, but we somehow missed the dungeons. After the castle we had lunch and then went to the Scotland museum. Many kid activities, but the presentation of the artifacts was somewhat abstract. Fun, but not our favorite. After that we walked around some more and did some shopping in the traditionsal Scottish stores.
We brought our swimming suits this time, so after black-mailing the kids all day with pool time for good behavior, we donned our suits and nice cozy bath robes and went to the pool. Again, the swimming pool was way too deep, and not all that warm. We managed to stay for about 30 minutes but it wasn't a stellar swimming experience. It did though, prompt a good dinner-time conversation; if you owned a hotel, what amenities would you have.
Edinburgh is a lot like London food-wise, with many of the same chains. There is some regional food like haggis but we didn't have a chance to sample any. It was different to travel within the UK and see the similarities. Even the street signs and placards are all the same as in London.
Sunday
We went to breakfast in the hotel and tried the Full Scottish which is similar to full English but has potatoes scones and black pudding. After that we checked out and placed our bags with the steward so we could explore some more.
We walked down Princes Street to Carlton Hill. Again, what great views!! We were even treated to see the Scottish Rugby Club taking pictures in advance of their New Zealand game at half two. The Hill was a good exercise and tons of cool monuments at the same time. We walked down Hume path which leads into New Town. Grabbed a coffee and walked around New Town then back into Old Town. We saw the Edinburgh office of Stringers where we get our instruments!
After that we went back to grab our bags and then we had a really hard time getting a cab. It took about 20 minutes (we are on the main road here) and we finally got a taxi. But of course then there was quite a bit of traffic for the game, and then a second bought of traffic at the airport for a Remembrance Celebration. But, still enough time to get snacks and of course some scotch at the airport :).
The flight was very short with a super strong tailwind and took only 45 minutes. But it was really, really bumpy. Like free roller coaster ticket bumpy. But then we had to sit for 20 minutes while they decided how to deplane us!! The plane next door was boarding, and they can't mix boarding and disembarking passengers. We were rather surprised this situation hadn't occured before, they seemed quite confused! The only plus was that they put us on a bus so we were driven to baggage reclaim instead of the long walk.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city and we loved it. Small and easy to get around, clean and tons of friendly people. We plan to go back and explore the Highlands and see some more castles too!
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