To Scotland

A trip of a month ago.

Day 1:

A trip started in the early morning from the train station at Nottingham. Tired enough for 5 of us to fall asleep in train and watch the train at Meadowhall Interchange departing. Just one thing that came across our mind.

We couldn't travel without you, Josephine..

Then hopped on to another train and interchange again at Newcastle. And so we arrived at Edinburgh.

 Edinburgh train station.

Then have to go up a hill to reach here.

Then go down again.

 A model of Edinburgh city.

'I will follow you~'

Feels like Harry Potter?

 The Monument.

 Muscular guys as tricyclists~

At Calton Hill.

 Beautiful view from the top.

 

 Then we found a statue.

A frozen one.

Souvenir and Disney shops.

Just found out that eejits means idiots in Irish.

Day 2:

Up to the Highlands and Loch Ness (loch = lake). A journey guided by a Scottish guy who doesn't need a kilt to make him Scottish. A journey that exposed us to the grandeur of Highlands. Such exquisite and magnificent.

The bridge is actually in red.

Stopped by at Pitlochry. Had a simple lunch (just a pie) and a chat with an American tourist here.

 'Holes' on the mountains.

Atlantic Ocean.

Got to see many biri-biri.

Highland cows too.

Stopped by somewhere. It was freezing cold.

Unfortunately motion sickness approached me for the first time. Funny together with embarrassing moments during the search for a bag in a bus. But eventually the bag didn't have a chance to contribute. Then the bus stopped and we'd reached Loch Ness.

Greeted by Scottish music.

Cute terriers.

Nessie.

Behold Loch Ness.

So where is Nessie?

Maybe a prey is required.

It appeared!!

Hello Kitty too!!

Enough prank. 

Departed and stopped at The Three Sisters.

View around The Three Sisters.

Yellow fields along the way back.

A guy from Australia came in to join our 6-person room at night. Kinda embarrassed as we occupied everything belonged to him -- pillows, blanket, locker and even his bed. 

Day 3:

Zoo day.

Not many species. No puffins. Just some birds, tapirs, lions, leopard, rhinos, sealions, wolverine, apes, koalas....

Many penguins though.

 Swimming penguins.

Static penguins.

Baby penguins.

Many cute squirrel monkeys too.

Yup, the zoo is on a hill.

At the souvenir shop.

Lovey-dovey.

Ghost appeared.

Monkey: Help!!

Zebra & Giraffe: ♥

 Ah~~

Then to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

 Kinda amazed by camera obscura.

View from the top of the building.

 Illusions.

Shadow-printing.

Dinner.

A combination by us -- sashimi on bread.

Then proceeded to the Ghost Tour guided by a lady dressed like a reaper.  Not to witness but to listen to true stories of the past. For example, Deacon Brodie.

It was said that the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was based on Deacon Brodie, who was an absolute gentleman during the day and a criminal at night.

The stories involved a few props and interaction with tourists. A bloody finger sure had frightened the kids following the trip. And Kar Lai was a gossip girl, had her tongue clamped by a tool with sharps, that will punch holes on the tongue when the tongue is moved. Just an imaginary tool.

Below the numbers was once the jail.

Notice the spittle? 

It's the most hated heart in Edinburgh due to its bloody history.

'Never judge anything or anyone in Edinburgh,' said Ms Tour Guide.

Not really a scary tour. Thanks to Mr Sun for working harder during summer.

Day 4:

Subway as breakfast. Met the faithful dog.

Greyfriars Bobby.

At National Museum of Scotland.

A puppet that growls.

Huge chess.

Chessmen.

Edinburgh Castle through telescope at the top floor.

Flexibility of knight's shoes.

Reflection of dustbin.

Back to 16th century.

A smart machine that arranges the word entered.

A short break at The Chocolate Soup.

The last stop.

Edinburgh Castle.

It was a trip to relax ourselves after the exam. Without Josephine, we managed to get ourselves there and back home safely, though missing a train and getting stuck in the middle of the road sometimes.

Hmm, guess I'm starting to like the city Edinburgh.