Today (see revised post for 9 June) we made two stops, the first on the Isle of Skye. Please consider this post a place holder till I get the photos downloaded.
In the morning we tendered for a couple hundred meters, then had an almost insignificant bus ride to our first castle complete with gardens. We were there slightly more than an hour before being bused, then tendered back to the ship. Following lunch we repeated the process to Eilean Donan Castle. Meanwhile, the buses had taken the Skye Bridge to the mainland and met us at the pier. Short drive to the castle where we hung out for more than 30 minutes before being in the queue to enter. The castle is mostly restored which was done in the 20th century by a quite ambitious man (added his English wife’s surname of Gilstrap to his in order to get the money from her family).
Meanwhile, we are all wondering why there wasn’t an option to take the bus rather than get back on the ship. Yes, taking the narrow passage from Skye to the mainland was interesting, but spending time in the port town would have been equally so (they had a train museum).
Photos not allowed inside, so you are spared another excuse.
We then were taken back to the ship. The UC Berkeley crew had a reception followed by a group dinner. Interesting dining companions – totally and completely forgettable food. Unlike the New Zealander who had decided that Veg & Cheese in puff pastry was THE answer to a veg option on the menu – this crew has decided it is pasta – tonight with a pesto sauce. According to my simple calculation – the menu provided minimal protein and max carbohydrate along with enough salt to send anyone sensitive into swollen foot or stroke territory. As you can tell, I am not thrilled. They have French staff. I much prefer the Indian cooks of the midrange lines….
Skipping whatever entertainment is being provided in favor of reading….
