Feeling Royal at Edinburgh Castle

The scene on the airport was like this:

Immigration Officer: So, what are you going to do here in Edinburgh (pronounce: Edinburr).

Me: I have business meeting in Glasgow Sir.

I.O.: Oh I see, well enjoy your stay in Edinburr and don't forget to visit the castle.

Was a little bit confused after I left the Immigration. First was why did he pronounce Edinburgh as Edinburr and second what castle is he talking about??

Turns out his pronunciation is correct (typical british accent, while mine is typical tagalog-bisaya accent) and castle he's referring to is the majestic Edinburgh castle!

And thank god for conflicting schedule, we need to enter and exit Scotland via Edinburgh going to London. Swerte!!!!

We're also lucky when we're in Edinburgh it was the Fringe festival! There was a lot of street performers and artsy stuff going around the city.

But before I rave about teh Fringe, me and Ms. Vadette (my colleague and travel buddy) first went to the castle. Excited much!!!

Welcome to the Castle Rock

 Neo-Gothic architecture at Edinburgh downtown

Castle in the horizon

Unlike the British Museum (which is my favorite museum in the world!!!) there is an entrance fee going inside the castle. I think it was around 20 pounds but as other cultural related edifices this one is so worth it!

It was raining, cold and midweek when we visited the castle but surprisingly there was a huge crowd inside the castle, and not much Asians din. Hahahaha. Lutang na lutang kami ni Ms. Vadette =P.

It's a little bit of a challenge to go to the castle since it is situated on top of a rock, but the view on it's battery areas are such awesome. It overlooks Edinburgh 360 degrees. Coolness!

Hello Ulan!

Ancient !

Sayang we didn't catch the One O'clock gun salute (we we're eating lunch palang that time!) but anyhow here's one of the artillery which they fired every one c'clock (which is some sort of tradition, to signal something daw).

The artillery area of the castle is located on the third tier-kind-of-thing of the castle. The main royal residence is up there on the top tier.

Hello Your Highness!

This is part near the guns are located, nothing much to be seen here but there's a small souvenir shop here. Dito ko nabili yung ref magnet ko haha (essential souvenir!) 

The entrance fee for the castle entitles you to enter all the museum inside the castle. The National War Museum Scotland is great to see because it exhibits many war related artifacts since the early times. 

Oh, and by the way, another part of the castle was the prison museum. At first it was kind of creepy because it was an actual prison pero once inside you'll get use to it =).

Prisoner's stuff

Hala lagot! Kulong!

Happy prisoner! LoL

The administrator of the museum did a good job to give the tourist a prisoner-type-kind-of-feeling. The hammocks are actually moving and there are sound effects (of the prisoner) while you are inside the prison. Kakakilabot lang hahaha!

Creepy sleeping quarters

 

 

And since ayaw namn ma-depress at matakot sa prison museum we headed up on the second tier of the castle. Along the road we pass by the Scottish National War Memorial. It serves as a memorial for all the soldiers who fought from WW1 and WW2 and all military campaign after 1945. #akonabestinhistory.

Salute!

The royal palace is on the top tier of the castle. Here tourist can see the rooms, salas, dining room, etc of the royal family. I think this is where I saw the birth room os Queen Mary of Scotland. Sayang we didn't take any picture due to lighting effects =(.

Her Royal QC Highness

Was surprised to see that the Great Hall of the castle is not that big. I was thinking of Harry potter like hall kasi. But I have to admit the metal armors and different types of weapon on the wall are very interesting. Mukhang gaganahan ka talaga kumain hahaha.

The Crown Square, outside the Great Hall and the Royal Palace

I just love Pole directions, yung totoo ha hindi yung pang display lang, because it give fast direction sa mga nawawala. When google map and gps are not yet invented, I always relay to this kind of street pole info for me not to get lost. During my childhood days, our mayor is addicted to street signs, which is good since i don't like asking for directions (diba Mikko??! =P ).

Pag nawala kapa ewan ko nalang!

Going back to the museum, they have a collections of art from the Royal house of Stewarts and the Honours family as well. Paintings, clothes, letters, etc. are located on these part of the musuem. But I think the most interesting part of the museum is the royal jewels on display here. the crown and the scepter are enclosed on a glass case here. Bawal nga lang picturan =P.

Not related to Martha, fyi.

Kings, Queens, Princess. Jack nalang ang kulang

Theo of Las Pinas (1981- )

No photography inside or else they will confiscate your camera. Eeep!

#bestinhistory #ahem #akoyun

It's more stunning in actual than in the picture. Promise!

When we went on top of the castle, i lost Ms. Vadette here! Panic mode agad, but thank god she emerged from the chapel on the side. I thought it was just a small chapel but it turns out it is one of the oldest structure in the castle. Must-pay-repsct-to-history!!!!

A saint once use these chapel for her prayers.

The Mons Meg artillery, though not in use, are large canons sit atop the battery area. I wonder when it was used before it can surely put enormous damage to its target. Afraid!!!

The view from the Half Moon Battery give you an awesome view of Edinburgh. Did I say that upon our entrance to the castle it was cloudy and it rained. Well after an hour this is the weather naman.

And after an hour it started to get dark and it rained again. Scotland has a eccentric weather, though I think it always rain in UK.

Ate you're blocking the view!!!!!!

Hello Edinburgh! Hope to see you again!

 By the way, on the entrance part of the castle is a stadium like area wherein the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo played. Another set of tickets are required to watch them play on night time. We didn't watch it since it's late na plus expensive din plus we didn't know where to  buy hahaha.

Edinburgh castle is one of a kind museum, since it is an actual historical edifice (which i'm a sucker at) plus the artifacts are well preserved and well documented. I really recommend to all those who will go to Edinburgh to visit this place at wag manghinayang sa pera. You'll learn a lot plus you'll feel royalty even for a while haha.

Special thanks to my super travel buddy Ms. Vadette for my UK trip. I have more stories about our trip in the UK soon..

Abangan!

Live in London! The British National Museum Escapades!!

I always believe that the three things that you need to do while on overseas is 1. Try the local delicacy 2. Visit their historical landmark 3. Visit the museum. While the first two sounds touristy item number 3 is somewhat geeky for to others.

Heck! Walang basagan ng trip =P.

Since our meeting end up earlier than expected, me and my boss decided to visit London one sunny afternoon.

Since we didn't prepare too much for this trip, all we have is a map (which we got from Heathrow airport) and the train schedule posted on the train station. Thank God the cashier was kind enough to tell us that there is a 1 day pass that we could purchase at her. Less hassle, less mistake. nice!

The trip last for an hour, which is ok lang since the train ride was pleasant and the view are spectacular! And also we slept almost the entire trip din, hahaha

Upon arrival in London and based on the scant information that I got from the internet (and the free map) the nearest tourist attraction from the train station was The British Museum (TBM). I remember as a kid I always read the history book and most of the important treasures from Egypt to India to Easter island are inside the museum. You have no idea how excited I was when we set foot at the gates of TBM! 

TRR @ TBM

Entrance palang you'll be amaze na with the spectacular ceiling. Nakakaduling nga lang!

The building is H.U.G.E. pala! We could get lost and not see each other again ni Mam Vadet inside (jazzs kidding!) so we decided to see each collection together (btw, in Edinburgh gallery we separated kasi since the place is not that big). And the rooms are separated by each country the British conquered all over the world. Hey, remember the old saying "the sun never sets on British soil"? The Brits have conquered as much country as Spain, Portugal, Netherland and France combined. Tama ba??!

First to check out are the Mummies and Sphinx from the country of river nila: Egypt!!

One word that best describe the collection: A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

The big Egyptian bust meets the visitors from the door

Di inalintana na mga diyos-diyosan ang nasa likod at baka isumpa ako for eternal cuteness, i still have my photograph taken with the deities of old Egypt. Creepy yes but stunningly marvelous naman.

Uyyy, hindi halatang takot si kuya!

Aside from the statues, a lot of wall carvings are in TBM. This huge lion wall carving is one of its example. Maganda siguro pang-display to sa bahay, don't you think?

(mental note: magpagawa ng ganitong carving sa future house....)

(mental note: ...at ito rin!)

I believe most of the collection here at TBM are from the British explorers and archeologist who dug up the historical places on their empire during their realm. And to protect this precious items they shipped out this items to UK for safekeeping narin. In fairness they did a pretty good job preserving this items.

Here's a re-construct tomb for the Egyptian Royals, with matching royal columns. Again, it's creepy. Baka biglang lumabas yung mummy inside! (insert paranoid here)

Next to the Egyptian collection are the Babylonian-Persian collection. I have to admit i LOVE Persian artifacts ever since i visited Persepolis and Shiraz countryside. They are just so amazing and out of this world! And don't get me started to talk about Persepolis, i can discuss about the place for hours! LoL!

I can still clearly remember when we're touring Persepolis, our tour guide told me that most of the important artifacts was taken away by the "foreigners" during the excavation of the palace. But still many significant items still remains in Persepolis and Iran Museum in fairness.

These wall carvings adorned the palaces in ancient Persia. And a lot of these are now in TBM. Very nice actually. I can't believe I'll be seeing this items again (after 6 years hahaha).

Hall dedicated to the Persian wall carvings

Next to the Persians are the Roman/ Greek collection naman. It was actually a dream come true to see a original Greek and Roman Statues. Most of the statue that i've seen are either 1). fake 2). very fake. but here in TBM they are all original! Very very nice!

One of the muses of Greek mythology

Same as the Persians and Babylonians, meron ding wall cravings ang Greeks and Romans. I wonder what's the fuss about wall carvings?? Ito siguro ang uso during that time!

(note: ignore the guy at the center. conceited lang mashado si kuya!)

This is collection fascinates me. These are bunch of sculptures na you've seen on top of the triangle on the facade of a greco inspired buildings. Think of the Philtrust bank (now puregold building) in downtown Lawton area (near Sta. Cruz church). They collected the pieces and re-arrange it as if it's still  in a uilding. Ganito ang itsura nila sa totoong buhay =)

M.A.R.V.E.L.O.U.S.

Shempre hindi mawawala sa any Greek-Roman inspired museum ang mga hubad na rebulto! Que barbaridad! Paki damitan nga po ang mga hubad na rebulto na ito! Ora mismo!

They have this fascination for sculpture that are life figure size hence the statues as big as humans adorned the museum. I wonder kung ni-cast nalang siguro yung tao para gawing statue, mas mabilis pa siguro yun (joke lang powh!)

C.R.E.E.PY.A.F.R.A.I.D.Y.

Headless Romans (or Greeks)

Though it's not always in big size, surprise can sometimes comes from small figures. A lot or miniature sculpture, jewelries, old things cna be found on TBM.
Priceless figures i must admit. Kahit maliit, mahal naman!

Not only humans, they sculpt also animals!

And here are the priceless Greek ceramics. Wonderful! Puedeng gamitin sa handaan ang mga ganitong klase ng platoi. Soshal ang dating!

I remember this vases from the Hercules movie, wherein the Muses adorned the vases. Cool!!

Maganda sigurong gawing flower vase yung mga ganitong vase. What you think??!

Here's the complete package ala Greek-Roman style building. Statue (check), Columns (check), mini statue that adorned the triangle ceiling (check). Perfect!

One room was dedicated to a certain Lord Millibank, he has donated a large amount of sculpture to TBM, hence the dedication. Ang yaman lang ni Sir! #shanamayaman!

If i have those collection, i'll build my own musuem (with pay shempre!)

Oh btw, the good thing about TBM is it's FREE of charge sa admission. Galing noh?!

(Note: hindi po kasama sa collection ni Lord Millibank yung lalaking naka blue)

After spending 2 hours on the first floor palang, we kinda got tired as we step on the second floor. Here lies the great Mummies of Egypt naman.

Funny thing is i used up all the SD card memory taking pictures at the first floor. When we arrived here i only got these photos......

Well, hello there Cleopatra!

Oh, who could have not seen the precious Rosetta Stone at the front lobby of the Egyptian artifacts. It's one of the main attraction of TBM. A must see item.

Besides the Mummies, the second floor host also the Asian collection. Here are some traditional chinese bells which Mam Vadet would love to bring home to her friend daw. LoL!

Most of the countries the British occupy in Asia are Buddhist countries like Burma and India. Hence the great collection of Buddhas and other deities from Buddhist religion. Fascinating i must say!

The great Shiva artifact. I've been familiar with this item since i was in Grade 6! Great experience to finally see it in person (nerd alert!)

For the kids from the 90's this huge Easter island statue are commonly seen on what Japanese action hero series? Any idea??!

One of the original statue are here in TBM as well, since the British occupy Australia and New Zealand and most of the Pacific islands. 

Welcome to the Oriental collection of TBM!

Was surprised to see some Chinese antiques in TBM, since I knew they never occupy China (well HongKong perhaps), but still they have a small collection of chinese artifacts, most notably this three chinese buddha.

I wonder if they give luck to those who touch them (p.s. bawal pala humawak sa mga artifacts hahaha)

All in all the visit to the museum is a great experience. The place is actually huge, we didn't went to the Americas and Pacific island collection since we don't have time na. But I highly suggest to visit this place if you're in London. It's one of the best museum in the world. It's huge collection, free admission, clearly designed lay-out and courteous staff makes this visit a truly memorable one!

Keep it up guys!

Next post: Rumblings in London. Abangan!