Saturday, September 3, 2005

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DAY 6


Aerial View - Glasgow!


Saturday, Sept. 10 10:15am

Landing in Glasgow, we got through the customs gauntlet fairly quickly, and immediately tracked down the nearest Starbucks! Enjoyed a long-overdue cup of real coffee, outdoors on the patio, waiting on the shuttle to the car-rental. The sun was trying to temper the bronze morning haze, and it was a beautiful 65-70 degs.


Glasgow Airport


Over coffee, we studied our driving directions, preparing for the three roundabouts, on the way OUT of the airport - driving on the left! And while we're at it, Glasgow is pronounced "Glesca" and Haggis means egg McMuffin! (Not really)!


Know Yer Haggis!


We got to Glasgow's downtown, making it past all the busy roundabouts, with only a couple of wrong turns. We parked across from the Royal Concert Hall . . .


Royal Concert Hall


And walked to the main shopping district.


Bustling Buchanan Shopping District


Our first order of business was to visit the tourist office, to try to find a Double-Decker Bus tour.


Double-Decker Bus Tour


We were in luck, as there was a bus tour every hour on the half-hour, and we were just in time for the next one, and it left practically right in front of the office, right in George Square!


First Double-Decker Bus Tour


If you ever go to Britain - you HAVE to ride the double deckers, while they're still around! It is quite a treat! They tell you all the major spots and attractions, and you really get a feeling for things, so you don't miss anything!

We went all through Glasgow, learning about all the important historical parts, namely, St. Andrews; . . .


St. Andrews Church


The Tollbooth; . . .


Cross Tron Tollbooth Steeple


Glasgow Green, containing the world's largest terra cotta fountain; . . .


Verdant Glasgow Green


The People's Palace, formerly the estate of a wealthy tobacco baron; . . .


People's Palace


The 3 major shopping districts, (Sauchie Hall, Argyle and Buchanan); . . .


Buchanan Shopping District


Glasgow Cathedral; . . .


Glasgow's Renaissance Cathedral


The world-renown University of Glasgow; . . .


Beautiful Grounds of University of Glasgow


Kelvin (as in Kelvinator) Art Museum; . . .


Spectacular Architecture - Kelvin Art Gallery


The Hunterian Museum on the University Campus; . . .


Beautiful Hunterian Museum



The SECC Science Center, Imax Center and Tower ("Needle"), "The Armadillo", and Finneston Crane, along the tranquil River Clyde; . . .


Science Center


The BBC; . . .


BBC at night!


The Tate Modern Gallery; . . .


Beautiful Tate Modern Gallery


And so much more! I should have taken notes, there was so much compacted into that short time!

We finished our bus tour around 4pm, and headed back to Buchanan St. for tea at the Buchanan Tea Room. Then took a stroll through the Buchanan Gallery (Indoor Mall), and did some shopping, before departing for Edinburgh, where we'd be staying for the next week!

Glasgow is the most awesome city. You don't want to miss it!

Next: Edinburgh

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.