Day 2 Southampton

Ready for our day

Today I woke up refreshed, but I won't lie I didn't want to leave the comfort of the bed. It was molded to my body and cozy. I was excited to see what this adventure would bring me. I crossed my fingers that there would be no rain, which there wasn't, yippee! I planned from that day forward to pack in my bag for rain regardless of what the weather report said. I was not going to have another day like my first!

We loaded up on our coach and we were informed to find a group of 5-6 people. We had a mother and daughter join the four of us and we became group 3. The purpose of this was to have a quick head count every time we got on the coach or a meeting point. The leader of the group would make sure everyone was there and as our tour escort (Carter's) would ask if group 1 here and so on. We were the Blue Group 3.

As we drove through the countryside to our first stop of the day, I couldn't believe that I was really in England. Yes, I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I never thought I would see this part of the world and here I am flabbergasted and grateful for the opportunity. The beauty of the countryside was stunning! The different shades of green through the rolling hills that were full of sheep and a few cows. I could stare for hours and enjoy the scenery. I couldn't believe how narrow the roads were and I was highly impress of our coach driver. He drove that coach like it was no big deal.

Picture yourself in a coach that puts you high from the ground, you had climbed one large step from the ground and four more inside to the seats since the coaches are tall and narrow, you look out the window and see the sidewalk right next to you that it looks like the driver will go on it (in some cases they do when the road is not wide enough for the coach and car to get through), then on the other side for the sidewalk is a home or a tiny cement area that is usually a "driveway". I put driveway in quotes since it is nothing like what we have. It is more like a parking spot nook area in front of their home or their front yard for some. Everything is compacted, squished, no privacy and not quite. It almost gives a claustrophobic feel since we are use to wide roads and small gaps between houses and a driveway plus front yard. Majority of the homes we went by didn't have grass areas. The homes were attached to another on both sides. I was still memorized by it all as we drove by. It was a different way of living from us. I love seeing and learning about different cultures. I felt lucky that I have a home with a backyard and grass area in the front to enjoy. That I don't have a road so close to my window that I would be afraid someone might drive through it. In their minds it is the norm for them.

As we left the city and the country side came to view I couldn't believe how many shades of green were going past my window. The many herds of sheep that fill the hills. Which reminds me, black sheep wool doesn't sell well as white wool and white wool is expensive to buy. I thought it would be other way around since there weren't many black sheep out there. I was wrong. I will also admit that Sound of Music, The Hills are Alive was running through my mind as I watched the hills go by. You can't help it when it's your favorite movie!

As we drove to Southampton we relax and enjoy the beauty around us.

Stonehenge

The trip is going well so far, we get to Stonehenge and form a line to catch the shuttle to take us there. The gift shop/ticket office is about a mile and half away from the Stonehenge. As we patiently wait in line the wind starts to pick up, so we slowly start to bundle up in the gear that we brought with us. Then we hear our tour escort yell, "Fun For Less Group listen up!". I hear his voice in my head as I type it, haha. The shuttle is no long able to get down the road because of protesters. The protesters have blocked the road not allowing the shuttle to get by. Our tour guide said that we can walk down there and have the chance to see it, being that we are on a schedule and need to be back to the coach at a certain time, or wait to see if the protesters change their mind about the shuttle. The group all dispersed and started the walk except for those that weren't able to. I went into the gift shop thinking I would wait with my family for the shuttle. About five minutes in, my grandma and I decide to walk because we didn't want to be there and not get a chance to see the stones. As we walked we were able to enjoy the county side and the landscape around Stonehenge. We approached the area where the protesters where yelling "We don't pay to pray!" The reasoning was because Summer Solstice was approaching and they were being told they will have to pay. That is the story we were given. My grandma thought it was exciting seeing a group of older people who looked scary to me dressed up in Knight clothes and yelling. She wanted to take a picture of them. Me? I said no way and kept walking. She took one from the distance, haha.

Walking to the destination!

Quick Snap of Protesters

The walk seemed to go on forever! You couldn't see the stones from the road, but enjoyed the fresh air and walk. I felt bad when I saw an elderly man struggling to breath as he pushed himself to walk there. He was determined to not miss this sight. His children held him up as he tried to regain his strength and breath. Not long after we passed him, the shuttle came by with the other part of our group. They had stopped and picked up the man so he made it! We found out later that he was 90 years old and he didn't want to miss it! I don't think I will travel at that age! I don't want to struggle, but enjoy.

As we reached the Stonehenge my jaw dropped as the huge stones stood before me. I listen to my recorder that I was given to hear the history and the meaning of certain stones. Tourist are no longer able to walk within the stones or near for the ground is unstable. It is roped off with a path made to keep a far distance. I didn't realize how big the stones would be! I wish there was a stick next to one that showed a height of a person so you could get a better perspective of the size of them. How the huge wide stone laid across the top and stayed...it amazes me. Even thought this doesn't have the details and colors like a painting, it still catches your eye and has its own beauty. The green meadow surrounding the stone circle and how such big stones stay upright after all these years. Its amazing, just amazing. I was able to walk around half of the circle before having to head back to the shuttle. 

While we were listening and taking many pictures from all angles in the blistering wind, our guide made a deal with the protesters to let the shuttle bring the elderly and disabled through, then we all rode the shuttle back.

Below is a link to learn more about Stonehenge:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history/

Heeling Rock

Beautiful meadow we walked by

Finally seeing Stonehenge from the road

You can see the bottom of the stones haha

Salisbury

As we left Stonehenge and getting excited about heading to our Caribbean Princess Cruise ship our guide told us they had a surprise for us. Since we running on schedule and had some time before we needed to be at the port. We took a side trip to Salisbury to see a Cathedral. What a sight to see! I don't know much about religion to know the background of cathedrals, but the amount of time and energy put into building one is beyond me. I can't explain it and the stain glass work! Just beautiful! We were not able to go into this one, but went inside a few over the trip.

Below is the link about Salisbury Cathedral:

http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/

Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship

I have never been on a cruise so I didn't know the process and how it worked. I was a tad nervous and excited. Once we got there we were on our own getting through the ship customs, security and getting our ship card. When we arrived the port was not busy at all which helped my anxiety and felt more comfortable getting around with my luggage. I came to find the ship employees very helpful as they would walk me from one point to another and hand me off to someone else. They were very polite and they made sure I was well taken care of. This happened often on the boat, which I thought was excellent service. Once we were on the ship we headed to our room on the 11th floor at the back end of the ship. We unpacked our luggage, then headed to a meeting to learn what to do in emergency and learn how to put our life jackets on. After that, we headed to the 15th floor at the back of the boat where the send off party was happening. There was a DJ, ship employees leading dances and servers wondering around to take drink orders. My grandma got pulled over by the DJ and started dancing. Soon he came and got me as well. Grandma stayed dancing longer than me, haha. She is a kid at heart!