Edinburgh Scotland - August 31, 2010

Our last port of call from the ship.  We're back in Edinburgh for the day.  Since we are not on a tour today, we decided to just wake up and go when we were ready.  Sadly I must say we were still up at 7:30 and off the ship by 9:00. 

We wanted to take the train into Edinburgh today instead of a shuttle.  Well worth the effort.  European trains are fast and clean.  People are fun to watch and talk to.  Like in Italy, people are just as interested in where we are from as we are in them.  You learn alot.  To get to the station you had to climb up 130 steps.  It seems that we spent alot of this trip going up hill.

The train station in Edinburgh was like what you see on Harry Potter.  They look just like that except with modern boards telling you where to go and where your train is located. 

In Edinburgh you walk the Royal Mile.  At the top of "the rock" is Edinburgh Castle which I've previously mentioned in another blog.  Again, straight up hill from the train station.  The train station is midway of the mile.

It's a beautiful and working castle as the Royal Regiment is still posted here.  Also here are the Scottish Crown Jewels (sceptre, crown and sword).  Magnificent!  and of course no pictures allowed.  The view was unbelievable and we enjoyed touring the grounds. 

We then started the mile trip to the other end where Holyrood Palace is located.  Holyrood is the Scottish house of the Queen.  It too is a working palace, and like Buckingham Palace you can tour certain parts.  The Palace was beautiful.  The history here of Mary Queen of Scots was better explained than anywhere.  (She was a doll I had and was intrigued by as a little girl.) 

The grounds were beautiful, but again I was struck at the lack of color.  Many, many bushes, trees, but all the plants are not in bloom.  It is our understanding that we missed the full bloom season here of July.

After the palace, we decided we were done with palaces and castles and headed back to the ship.  Back up hill we go!!!  Made a pitstop at the Fudge Shop for that extra needed burst of energy.  It was a beautiful day.  Warm and sunny.  I'm not sure if anyone has noticed but the only time we've seen rain this entire trip was at the Edinburgh Tattoo when some brief drops hit us.  We couldn't have been luckier and we know it!  I hope it holds off for Paris.

Tomorrow is a day at sea.  We have our Cruise Critic lunch with new friends and then just enjoy the day.  Maybe watch a movie outside.  Lots of packing to do as we will be getting off the ship tomorrow morning and heading into Paris. 

I can't wait!