Monday 12 March 2012

Edinburgh


139We got into Edinburgh in the evening of the 19th Dec, and after a bit of confusion and an uphill walk, which left mum a bit grumpy, we found our accom. We had dinner at a really good Asian restaurant that was really busy, and reasonably priced. On the way back we found ‘Cafe Viarna’, which is my cousin’s name! AND we found BUNDABERG GINGER BEER. In Edinburgh. Of course, after not having any for over 18 months, I just had to have some!! I love Gingerbeer, and Bundaberg make the best gingerbeer. Smile


OK, so maybe not quite Viarna, but pretty darn close
On the way back from dinner - what the??

SAM_0698On Tues 20th we did a free walking tour around Edinburgh, followed by lunch at a pub recommended by the tour guide. Of course we had to have haggis, beening on a food tour and all. Well, seeing as I had already had some I didn’t have it again, but mum did. I think we both agree that while it’s not completely disgusting, it’s not something that we would go out of our way/purposefully order again. It’s not so much what’s in it that I don’t like, it’s the spices they add. I just don’t like the spice mix. In the evening we did a ghost tour. It was pretty interesting, and being locked in a tomb might have been a tad creepy..

Greyfriars Bobby

Where J.K. Rowling started writing H.P!

Edinburgh Castle

Hehehehe
The soul of David Allan isn't happy...

We got locked in one of them :S - also note the 'orb' -
it's obviously a ghost, and NOT a speck of dust, or anything like that

SAM_0706
Wednesday 21st we got up early and caught the first bus out to Rosslyn Chapel. I had wanted to go and see it since the 1st time I went to Edinburgh, which at the time was almost a year ago! The main reason I wanted to go is because I love the Da Vinci Code (as you will see in posts to come, it’s not the only Da Vinci Code location I went to). It was pretty cool, even though the outside is undergoing some significant restoration and most of it was covered with scaffolding. There are many rumours/legends of what is buried under the chapel, but the family that owns it won’t allow anyone to investigate, which further adds to the mystery of the little chapel. Unfortunately you can’t take any pics inside, so have a look here for some pics. The inside is full of intricate carvings, including the ‘apprentice’s pillar’ and many ‘green men’. Have a look at the wiki link above to find out the story behind the apprentice’s pillar. There is also carvings of what some people believe is coded music. Listen here.


In the afternoon mum and I split up and did our own things – she went to Edinburgh castle, which I had already done, while I went to the Edinburgh Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. It was a bit of fun, and the camera obscura showed a great 360 view of Edinburgh. I had wanted to go to the zoo while in Edinburgh, but unfortunately we run out of time. It was either the zoo (to see the pandas) or Rosslyn Chapel, and seeing as I had been waiting almost a year to see the chapel I chose that. Hopefully there will be other pandas in other zoos that I can visit Smile

View from outside the camera obscura

The castle... Is mum down there?!

A ladder to Australia -
if only it was that simple!


Shaking hands with myself!

This is awesome!

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