Cardiff, Wales

This last weekend, February 20-22, my friend Bailey from Northern Arizona University and I took a semi-spontaneous trip to Cardiff Wales to see a bit more of Great Britain and this wonderful world we have the opportunity to explore. This trip was a little more unique than the last few because I tried out my new backpacking backpack that works as a carry-on on an airplane and therefore, I had to pack a lot lighter. I only got to take one camera lens with me and no going-out clothes which was a little uncomfortable since our hostel, The Bunkhouse, was in the heart of the city center and was located directly above a pub.


We met a lot of very interesting people during our journey to Cardiff as well as once we were there. Some loud, some not so sane, others were some of the most incredible people I have ever met. It was a fantastic journey that all began with a six-hour bus/coach ride and a few drinks at a nearby bar. Met some really cool people there and prepared our next day's activities.

The "Armadillo" theater-Welsh on the left, English on the right

We started off with an eight AM breakfast and headed out for Mermaid Quay (pronounced KEY, I learned). This harbor was the freshwater entry point before merging with the ocean. This harbor was one of the most beautiful places especially in the morning when there was no wind and it looked like a large glass mirror.

Mermaid Quay

Aussie driver in red

We ended up splurging a little on our trip and went on a one-hour motor-boat tour of the islands out past Cardiff and got a bit of a history lesson as well. After the driver, an incredibly cool Australian, did some donuts in the harbor and showed us some of the local scenery we headed off for the harbor walk.

Bird sanctuary

Flat Holm island once inhabited by Vikings

Bailey and I after the windy ride

Cardiff pier

Cardiff city and storm clouds moving in

 On the walk around harbor was where I saw the most beautiful ocean landscape I have ever seen. The low tide left damp rocks that revealed a glimmering texturized shine on the sandy beach and was absolutely breathtaking.

 We then found the location of the three circles which have become a Cardiff tourist attraction and only cost the Wales tax payers forty thousand pounds (as we learned from the Australian boat driver). As you walk around the harbor and boat through the water gates you see strips of yellow paint seemingly randomly but when you stand in a specific square you see the random yellow lines turn into three perfect circles.

By the time we had gotten back around the harbor the rain sprinkles had began so we sat down for some lunch and found a nice day resort spa that we could crash for the rest of the afternoon and evening. And that is just what we did. For ten pounds ($15ish) we were able to use the spa facilities and relax in the pools, steam room, hot tub and relaxation room; fair to say I was in heaven.

Statue commemorating sailor who adventured to Antarctic and never came home

Millennium Stadium

We ended our night with an appetizer and were treated to drinks by a guy from our hostel. That was an interesting story to contribute to our pallet of interesting people we met.









On  our last day in Wales we spent the majority of our time at the gorgeous Cardiff castle on an incredibly rainy day. We got a guided and self tour and spent as much time as we could indoors to escape the downpours. Wet shoes and light-packing was an experience as I didn't have an umbrella or change of shoes which would have come in handy that day.

Cardiff Castle

Overlooking Cardiff

Terrible photo of me wet and cold at the castle!

On our walk from the castle to the Cardiff National Museum we got soaked by a roadside pond that a car conveniently drove through right as we walked by it. It was fair to say we were not dry until eight hours later when we finally got back home. The museum was really quite cool though, for both adults and children, and half-breeds like myself. There were tons of exhibits, all for free, ranging from the history of photography and historical artists to how the earth was formed with dinosaur exhibits. We spent some time there before we started on our six hour coach ride back to Nottingham where I slept fabulously that night.

I had an amazing weekend in Wales. It was such a blast traveling with my good friend and being able to share a laugh and have someone take a photo of me for once. We decided that overall, our favorite thing we did was go on the boat ride because that was such a uniquely Cardiff experience. We also loved the spa and exhibits as well as the stories we came home with. I can't wait for my next adventure!