We’ve been dreading this part of the trip since we first made the reservations. And now it is here. Yuk. We board on time, but then can’t leave because there is a ground hold or something. Finally, we push off and get in the air a little before 1 am local time. The plane isn’t full, which is very nice (and so not what we are used to in the states or flying to Europe), so there is room to move around and – we are very fortunate in that all the screaming tiny children are way in front of us….yes! Hopefully we’ll sleep!
Surprisingly enough, the flight is much better than either of us anticipated. Food is served, free drinks (another nicety we’ve lost on American airlines), individual video screens which means tons of movies and TV shows. I’m excited because I get to watch Get Smart, which I’ve wanted to see since it was released! After dinner, we both fell asleep for about 6 hours, which was really nice. First good sleep we’ve had on a plane ever. Breakfast is really good – very British and very ample. We’re stuffed. I manage to finish off the X-Files, I Want to Believe, just in time before they turn off the entertainment and we land.
Wow! That was easy! We’re in England! Pretty cool – literally that is! It is freezing here – and we’re still pining away for our hot and humid Thailand days! Oh well.
Through passport control, it’s a long line, but we go right through. Not so with quite a few folks who they have pulled out of line and made to sit in a waiting section while they check passports, visa’s, etc. First time we’ve ever seen that.
We get the first hint of the election returns while we are in the passport line. When we left Bangkok it was mid-day election day, no returns or even exit polls yet, and when we land at Heathrow 13 hours later the election is all over including the concession. We hear snippets of conversations while we are in the line saying that Obama’s victory was pretty strong.
We grab our bags and make our way to the train to hit the central bus terminal. We’ve booked a 9:50 bus to Southampton, figuring it would take us much longer to get through customs, passport control and baggage than it actually did. We’re fortunate though, there’s an 8 am bus that we can get on – so an extra 5 pounds sterling and we’ve got our tickets. Bought a very pricey cappuccino while we wait (oh the sticker shock from Thailand…..it’s begun already…..) and finally ran out through the cold (brrrr) and hopped on our bus to the south.
Our driver was in a mood – growling at everything and everybody. But he made it safely (after a couple of near misses and one time we thought we’d go over when he turned a corner) to Southampton in about an hour and a half. Not too shabby. From the bus station, we hoofed it over to the Novotel hotel – a quick 5 minute walk. The hotel is in a great location. It’s right outside the port entrance, so we can walk over there to board tomorrow, and it’s near restaurants and shops and within walking distance of the old town and walking mall area. All in all, a very nice choice – good bed, amenities, internet and TV movies for 9.99 pounds. We’re happy – even happier because we arrive at 10:45 and they have a room for us! Lovely!
We settle in and thaw out, then re-dress in heavier clothes and head out to explore Southampton.
It’s COLD here – and the wind! Ack! But we soldier through it, knowing we’ve hit winter after our long, long summer days in the Far East. We make a dry run to the port – a really easy walk. Then we head down into the old town and the main commercial district. We visited the Maritime museum that has a small, but nice collection of Titanic artifacts. After warming up in the museum, we hit the frigid streets again, wandering around the main street of Southampton, window shopping, people watching and looking for someplace to eat. After Thailand, no matter how much we have tried to prepare ourselves, we are just still in shock over the prices. England is pricey to begin with, but in comparison. You just have to stop thinking about it after a while.
We lucked into a pub that was having a special – hamburger and a drink for 4.90 pounds. Can’t beat that. Good burgers, beer for Ed, and wine for me. Not too shabby. We got back into the pub swing of things – go up and order at the bar, give your table number, take your drink and wait. It’s an odd process, but, obviously tried and true since all pubs work this way here. Who are we to argue!
Walked back to the hotel looking for a grocery store so we could stock up on our liquid refreshments for the cruise. Saw the grocery carts, but couldn’t find the store. Back at the hotel, the desk clerk told us where it was – we were within a stone’s throw, but didn’t realize it. So, back out we go to get our beer and wine – then repack and get ready for tomorrow.
Later we went out to another pub we had checked out for dinner. They were having problems with their food deliveries and their phone was out, so no credit cards, but scraped together all the Pounds we had and were able to scrounge enough for 2 fish and chips and 2 drinks. It was crazy busy in there, but really a fun atmosphere. A nice little British experience before we launched on our totally British cruise (the Independence has been sailing from Southampton since it’s launch and is totally focused on the British market, down to hot water pots in the cabins for tea).
Back at the hotel in a jiffy, warmed up under the comforter covers and ready for our sailaway home.
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