Hello! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that I visited Edinburgh at the end of March. Whilst I shared a few snaps at the time of what I was doing and getting up to, I thought that I would bring you a full and detailed account of my week away (ok, it was more like 4 days but a week sounded better!). In order to keep things interesting, I’ve decided to split the posts into days to avoid a long and winding post. You can read Day 1 here . Let’s carry on with Day 2!
Edinburgh – Day 2
Tuesday was very exciting as that was the day WE WERE GOING TO THE ZOO! I was finally going to see a panda! (achievement unlocked) . When we arrived, we were told it was a panda “free for all” that day and we didn’t have to stick to our allocated time. I am SO glad that we didn’t have to stick to our time, as both Tian Tian and Yang Guang were asleep when we first went in. I saw the pandas twice during the day; Tian Tian was STILL asleep when I went back in (lazy bint) but Yang Guang was awake and bouncing around and I managed to get some pictures of him. That’s him above! <3
We also saw meerkats, koalas, zebras, tigers, flamingos, lemurs, chimpanzees, and a lot of penguins! We also saw other animals, but I cannot for the life of me remember what they were called. I would warn you that Edinburgh Zoo is built into a hill, so there will be a lot of walking up steep hills! Hannah and I had to have a 20 minute break before we could tackle the zebras. I am so lucky to have a best friend that does not judge me for being grossly unfit. <3
We then braved the bus back to the town centre. We weren’t famished, but we did fancy a little snack. We decided to have afternoon tea at a fancy hotel called Mercure , after spotting an advertisement for it. It was just the thing we needed. How does afternoon tea have the power to make you feel so fancy? Afterwards, we had a stroll around the area, including the art gallery, and soaked up some Vitamin D.
Even though I am laughing writing this now, at the time it wasn’t funny. Hannah decided that we should go on a ghost tour that night. I’ll admit that I am a very jumpy, nervous person, and I don’t watch or read anything remotely scary. Hannah, on the other hand, watches horror films for fun, so I assumed I would be fine with her by my side. We picked a ghost tour that was offered by one of the companies on the Royal Mile.
We were initially joined by a group of Latvian tourists. Straight away I could tell that they were made of steel and would not be fazed by the ghost tour. At the beginning of the tour, they were answering back to the tour guide and not letting themselves be taken in by the stories. I’m sure that if they had stayed, the tour wouldn’t have been that bad. Just our luck, they ended up leaving the tour at the beginning of the vault tour to get back on a train home. *gulps* This left just Hannah and I in the vault with the tour guide (we discovered he was a Geordie!), who seemed to take pleasure in scaring the daylights out of us. Not cool, bro.
The tour started on the Royal Mile, and then through Greyfriars Kirk, and ultimately finishing in an underground vault. We were regaled with many horror stories about Edinburgh, both local folklore and what had (allegedly) happened in the vaults. Hannah and I ended up clinging to each other desperately in the vault, especially when the Geordie REFUSED to put the flashlight back on after a not very nice story. That tour guide made a powerful enemy that day. I also learned that Hannah has nice hands to hold…
After we escaped the evil Geordie’s clutches (I kid, I kid – he was lovely afterwards!) , we decided it would be best to have a drink to calm our frayed nerves. A stiff drink. We ended up in The City Cafe , where the nervous knot formed in my chest was healed by the wonder of a gin and lemonade (and of course a good burger). I wasn’t too impressed with what they put my chips in like, what on earth is that?
It seems that our night was destined to be full of Geordies, and back at the hotel we ended up watching Geordie Shore to distract our minds from the ghost tour (which is where the GS obsession began!). After that, it was time for bed. After pushing our beds together and leaving the light on, we slept easily.
Are you ready for Day 3?
Dannie x
Those penguins look adorable!!
Sammie
http://www.littleblondelife.com
They were amazing :) x
Hahahah I love the story! I went to Edinburgh back in November and I loved the pandas and the penguins too! You’re lucky, seems like you went on a super sunny day too! x
We were very lucky, especially as the pandas were taken off display two days later! x
I love love love Edinburgh I really need to go back soon! When I was a kid my dad shut me in one of the castle dungeon rooms and I cried cause I was petrified aha.
Also those chips may come in some weird basket but they look amaze!
Kloe xx
skullsandkisses.com
Awww your dad is mean!
They were ok, I was more bothered about my gin! x
Sounds like you had an amazing time! I visited Edinburgh towards the end of last year and loved it! Such a beautiful city and great for shopping ;) We were a bit disappointed with the zoo, but maybe that was because the weather was a bit cold and miserable at the time! Can’t wait to read your next post!
Alice / Alice Grace Beauty
x
It really is such a lovely city. I agree about the shopping ;) I think the zoo would be better in nice weather, you will have to use this as an excuse to go again ;) x
I AM READY FOR DAY 3 YES!
Day 3 went up!
I remember going to see the pandas a couple of years ago – we were really lucky that they were both awake during our time slot – they were amazing!
And you know I agree about the power of afternoon tea!
I’ve ever done the ghost tours in York in massive groups so they haven’t been too bad but I can imagine yours was pretty terrifying!
Lucky duck! :)
I still haven’t forgiven Hannah for making me go! Never again!