Tag: uk

Stonehenge

ah.rinLeave a comment

A while back, I had the chance to jump on a bus and take a tour of Stonehenge and the city of Bath. Honestly, I wasn’t as excited for Stonehenge because a ton of rocks, well, that’s just the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever heard of. As it was the first stop, I was more than ready to step off, take a quick glance, and move onto Bath. It’s probably one of the most photographed sites in the world and most visited sites in the UK, so it makes you feel like you’ve been there already, right? How many history textbooks have Stonehenge in it, or rather, how many don’t?

When our group actually got to the area, we learned that we had to take a shuttle to the Heritage site and then walk ourselves. The museum and tourist info site are where the shuttle bus is located; you can learn the history and take a quick break in there. The shuttle bus takes about ten minutes, plus or minus some, to actually get to the stones.

This is the distance from the stones.

From far away you can spot the stones and it’s actually amazing to see in person. I guess you could say I felt the magic from seeing one of the wonders of the world; it’s similar to saying I went to a castle compared to actually going into Neuschwanstein. Part of it, I think, is also the mystery surrounding how it was built. You can’t help wonder how and why, and also just savor the ancient beings in front of you.

Stonehenge was actually opened to the public with no boundaries but visitors were climbing on the stones and even scenarios of graffiti made the officials rope it off. When the solstices come by, I have heard there are large parties organized to see the sunrises, so plan accordingly! The walking path can get quite muddy, especially if you go after a rainy day.

My favorite picture from Stonehenge. Looks like we’ve traveled back in time.

The stones themselves range from one to a few stories high, depending which one you walk by. According to the experts, there used to be more standing, but just like how they were made, many people don’t know where or how they got there. Many helpful placards are spaced out on the walk and it helps explain the history and background of the site.

I went in February a few years back so I definitely needed a coat, but on the bright side, there weren’t as many tourists as I’ve been told. In the summer months it can be hard to walk down the path without bumping shoulders. I remember it was pretty windy but a peaceful walk. It does really make you wonder how they came to be and what happened while the stones were being constructed.

I would recommend going here if you’re exploring London, but I would combine it with another tour. It’s a good day trip if you go to Stonehenge along with a nearby site like Bath or the Cotswold. I gotta say, I had an amazing and hilarious tour guide, so that just amped up the experience for me as well. Go to Stonehenge to soak in the experience and history, not just to say you’ve been. The stones also are a good photographing subject; expect to get NatGeo quality pictures soon!

Hugs!

Bath: England’s Own Venice

ah.rinLeave a comment

Who’s ready for a relaxing, steamy, sulfurous bath? The rotten egg smell really does wake you up. I was so excited to visit Bath and tour the Roman Baths. I’m not really sure why I was so hyped up for it, but thinking back, it may have been the small-town feel and the architecture.

Fairytale-like, isn’t it?

Located in Bath, Somerset, The Roman Baths are made up of several buildings like the Great Bath, temple, and many indoor baths. The whole building is set up like a museum so you can follow a path that will let you see just about everything. Starting with the Great Bath, this large outdoor bath was used in older times and still steams on a brisk February day. Surrounded by Roman statues, the bright green of the pool is an amazing sight to take in. The geothermal springs warm the pools and give it the slight sulfur smell as you walk through.

Gender separated pools and common/sitting areas are some of the rooms you can walk through in the tour. It’s very informative and you can even taste the water in the Pump Room. Fair warning though, it tastes a lot like liquid metal and does not leave a pleasant aftertaste. I haven’t seen so many teenagers scrunch up their faces in my life. While you can’t dip your toes into the Roman Baths (and you probably shouldn’t*), there are many spas located right around the corner of the museum that offer similar experiences.

Let’s talk about the small town itself. The Royal Crescent Houses are one of the popular sites to walk around because of the distinct architecture and apparently housing some of the wealthiest people in England. Bath is also known for the Sally Lunn buns, which is a large bun that used to be regularly eaten for breakfast in the past. They still make it the same and for a small price, you can purchase them at the shop itself. If you walk around city centre, there are quite a few glass stores. I was told that Bath was also known for their glassworks and I couldn’t resist buying some for myself.

Walking around, you’ll also notice the large parks and canals that make you think of Venice. It’s such picturesque place, I definitely recommend to visit. A random thing I learned that the smokestacks on the buildings were a symbol of wealth back in the day, though correct me if I’m wrong. There are so many little stacks on houses and it probably meant that there were more fireplaces or meals to heat up, which was only affordable if you had the money. I do distinctly remember being told that some of them don’t work (😉).

At the end of my trip, I went into a liquor store to collect some local spirits before I left. I bought a small bottle of botanical gin, a bottle of Bath’s whisky, and sampled mead. I do regret not getting the mead because it was deliciously sweet with no alcohol taste. All of the alcohol was made locally and it’s a good gift to take home (for yourself, of course).

I wholeheartedly miss Bath and recommend it to anyone who is willing to look for a day trip away from the city. Stonehenge (previous post) and the Cotswold are nearby, as well as Shakespeare’s birthplace—Stratford-upon-Avon. Bath is so charming and takes you back in time as you walk through the streets.

If you plan on going, or have been before, don’t forget to leave a comment!

*The last known person who went for a swim in the baths got meningitis and died, and the baths have been tested for pathogens, so don’t go wading in those waters!

Hugs!