Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Cruising to Newcastle

Martijn and I hopped on a boat and sailed to England last weekend.

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In keeping with our history of weird sleeping arrangements, our cabin had bunk beds. Which was okay since a real bed wouldn't have actually fit in there.

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We boarded this ship in IJmuiden on Sunday evening. On Monday morning we arrived in the port in England and hopped a bus to Newcastle.

Our first stop was the Discovery Museum. There were some interesting exhibits on the history of Newcastle and quite a bit on maritime history. I was a little disappointed because a ton of the exhibits were being refurbished for their anniversary celebration in July, but the admission was free so I can't complain too much.

After we were done with the museum, we walked over to the Grainger Market. This market opened in 1835 and is one of the biggest indoor markets in the country. They had lots of food stalls with tempting looking treats, and a book stall with some dirt cheap paperback books. I got a couple to read on the boat. I hate how expensive books are in The Netherlands. It's not even just that English books cost a fortune, the Dutch books are just as expensive!

Grainger Market

Most of the geocaches in Newcastle were micros (usually just a logbook in a film cannister) but we decided we ought to do one there just to say we did! We ended up walking down a very steep hill and then back up approximately 7283 stairs. I was rather thankful they weren't Dutch stairs, because I probably would've died right then and there!

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering about, finding a bite to eat, and enjoying ourselves.

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The bus picked us up and took us back to the port on Monday night where we set sail to come back home! It was a quick little trip, but I really enjoyed myself and I hope we do something similar again.

Also, I now FINALLY can say that I've been to England! I don't really count the time I sprinted through Heathrow to catch my connection.

8 comments:

Noodle said...

hey it sounds like you guys had a blast! England has so much history I would love to just wonder around for like a month seeing all the sites!

Amy said...

I think I have become a permanent shade of green. I need to learn to not envy you so much, but let's be honest, you are living a dream life! I am glad you had so much fun!

Martijn said...

It was a fun trip. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

Life Abroad said...

Sounds like a lot of fun, I love short little trips like this! That's interesting that you took a cruise boat from the Ij...maybe I will have to look into doing a similar trip, that sounds so cool! Beautiful pics too!

Spotted Sparrow said...

That sounds like a fun trip! I never though about taking a boat to England, but seeing as we're so close to the Netherlands, I'll have to check it out. I'm overdue for a trip to somewhere English-speaking! ;)

Sonya said...

We laughed when we took our ship to england aswell..gotta love those bunkbeds! lol I want to take the trip you just made aswell. I just LOVE going to England. It was so nice to hear english again..lol Glad you had fun!

Unknown said...

I just love your pictures. Even though I've never been to England you seem to capture what I'd be interested in looking at and taking pictures of myself. I am so glad you record such interesting things like this!

Wizardress said...

I've been thinking about taking this same cruise for a while. Marcel and I would really like to do it. Did yáll eat on board or did you bring your own goodies? 'How were the prices there?

Ooh and what do you enjoy reading. You knwo, I have a ton of english books here that I've read.

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