SCOTLAND - Day 10

Day 10 (23/11/06) – Thursday:
- Had breakfast with Yasmin. She’s a nice sweet gal. Had fantastic breakfast; mushroom, scrambled eggs, baked beans, tomatoes, yogurt, cheese, and cereals. Now I am amazed at how much I ate!
- Went to Edinburgh Castle. It was a fantastic day; though cold and windy. We enjoyed every part of the history there (though I suck at remembering historical events); admired at the structure of the ancient buildings; I am amazed by the fact that this castle existed ages ago.
- Took lots of pictures. Here are some of the good shots.

View of the castle from the entrance

View of the city from the castle

Yasmin and meThe tiny St. Margaret’s Chapel, built in the early 12th century by King David I to honor his mother

- The Dog Cemetery – the resting place of mascots and officers’ pets since the 1840s.

Robert the Bruce crowned with a circlet of gold in 1306

In 1507, King James IV was presented with the new Sword of State

Craftsmen and the crown

The Honours saved from Cromwell - 1652

- There was a section for Prisoners of War Experience in the castle vaults; it vividly recalls the conditions the captives endured; parts of the castle were used as a jail to hold captured sailors of many nationalities. When come to think about it; it’s astonishing to be in a place where those prisoners were held during the late 18th and 19th centuries; I tried to imagine the agony they had to endure as captives and how they lived their life there; it’s easier to imagine when you are in this vault; it provoked a strong feeling in me.

Sleeping place for the prisoners

- I am most captivated by the exhibits of the graffiti carved by the prisoners on the wooden doors; wow, these are real things from ages ago; amazing; sort of like reliving the past and appreciating the present.
- There was also a special exhibition containing forged banknotes made by the prisoners; amazing.
- We also visited the Scottish National War Memorial, which was built to commemorate the dead of the Great War of 1914 to 1918.
- Took a few video clips of the castle’s interior; the Great Hall; the king’s dining room; the interior is amazing. This was one of the most impressive buildings; built for important ceremonies and feasts; absolutely stunning!
- We also went to the Crown room where the crown, sceptre, and sword of state (the oldest royal regalia in the UK) are kept. It’s absolutely amazing. I marveled at the crown jewel; so majestic.

- By the time we finished our tour around the castle it was almost 2 p.m. Headed back to Princess Street to catch a bus back to the hotel. Had hotdog for lunch.
- Ordered room service for dinner that night; had seafood lasagna; yummy to the max! Watched the movie “Descend”; chronic movie; with all the disgusting-looking-man-eating creatures; everyone died at the end.
- Nite nite…