Long overdue...our UK trip :)

Neel and I took off for the UK early April this year ( 2007 ) and it was one of those impromptu trips that happen because often times Airlines offer really good rates.. not the most romantic motivator but nonetheless, this turned out to be one of our best impulsive trips yet... London was a treat, and the continuous sunshine was the added bonus.. I could live in that city.. it is so not like what I had anticipated... People were friendly, open, the cakes tasted a lot better, the tuna sandwiches were really good and of course the legendary fish and chips was greasy and good as it should be..

Whether one was walking along the Thames or perched high on the London Eye or was in awe of the Abbey.. the city is sheer magic.. there is something in the London air that is classy, chique, fun .. oh wait ! may be it was just the British accent that has got me all wound up ;)

Stonehenge was phenomenal.. it is hard to describe what one feels when one is that close to history..the mystery of that place in spite of years of research still leaves you breathless. The cold hair and the hot pies were a fun touristy combo ! The nice lady at the Salisbury station directed us to the Cathedral as we walked down cobble stone streets and over a little bridge over River Avon, to walk in to the grounds of this amazing Cathedral that houses the 4th and most legible copy of the Magna Carta.. Meeting Father David there and hearing him talk about his Missionary experience in Hazaribagh, India, completed our day in the most delightful and spiritual manner...

We took the Southwest trains back to Waterloo and headed up to Edinburgh.. The train journey upto Scotland was picture perfect as it felt like we had walked in to a photo gallery as acres of green woods and fields, little woolly lambs, the babbling brook.. everything that Wordsworth could think of was on either sides of the train.. I particularly enjoyed the ride along the North Sea as there were these little fishing villages that were gradually getting lit up as twilight began to set in.. it was truly amazing...

Edinburgh has created a hunger in us to see more of Scotland which we hope to satiate some day.. Neel and I loved the Rosslyn Chapel ( Da Vinch et. al) and the walk up to the Castle.. I have seen various skylines from NYC to Tokyo.. but the the imposing Edinburgh Castle totally lends a different feel to this cityscape.. We happened to listen to a lone bagpiper play at a wedding up at the Castle in the historic St. Margaret's Chapel... Scotland's folly was fun visit too; the imposing pillars reminded me of the Parthenon in Greece.. The City of Edinburgh offers a lot in terms of the famous walks, the Royal Mile, the Vaults and really good gorumet Haagis and Indian food.. what more could one ask for.. :)

On our way back to London, we made our final stop at York and stood in line to enter the Jorvik center which was a great and smelly walk ( they want it that way) down several centuries.. then as we made our back to the station.. we walked along the boardwalk by River Ouse and then wandered into the Museum which has several architectural remains of the old City.. walking along the old York City wall was a real treat.. before we boarded the train back to London St Pancras and headed back over the Atlantic the next day....

It was a special trip.. cos it was with Neel.. and my cousins made it that much more fun..it was one of the most memorable 5 days of my life...