An unforgettable journey to the UK (4ST)
On Apil 5th we excitedly embarked on our 12-day journey to England by bus. On ourunforgettable trip we saw a lot of outstanding landmarks, cities and many picturesque landscapes. So let us share some of our impressions.
Our journey started early in the morning, to be specific at 2 a.m. It took us about 18 hours until we arrived at our final destination: Canterbury. To get a first impression of the city, we went on a walk around town at night.
We spent our first proper day in London. This is where we accidentally got distracted by a half marathon taking place, even tough it wasn’t part of our plan, we think it rounded up London well. Of course we did lots of sightseeing in UK’s capital. On our route we saw Tower Bridge, London Eye, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and we even took a boat ride on the Thames.
On the next day we drove to Brighton and visited the Royal Pavilion. This sight is a stunningly decorated place, which was built for King George IV. In the afternoon we continued our bus ride. Our next stop was Portsmouth, where we visited the HMS Victory.
The following day, we went surfing in St. Ives, which was one of the most exciting days of our tour. Later that day we enjoyed our free time in the city, where we interviewed the locals.
(Laura H. & Marlene M. 4T)
Day 5 – St. Ives, St. Michael’s Mount and Penzance
Our fifth day in England started with a lot of action. In the morning, we went to the beach in St. Ives and got wetsuits. We were split into two groups and had a short introduction and warm-up. Then, we went into the cold water. It was hard to keep our balance and we got salty water in our faces, but it was really fun! Everyone laughed a lot, and I would love to do it again. We also did a few short interviews after the activity.
Later, we took a boat to St. Michael’s Mount. A guide told us some facts about the island, and then we walked up to the castle. It was very big and old, but also beautiful. After asking staff members some questions, we went back to Penzance.
In the evening, we relaxed and played Uno and football. It was a perfect ending to a fun day.
Day 6 – Minack Theatre, Land’s End and Trengwainton Garden
After such an exciting day, we were ready for something new. The next morning, we drove about 30 minutes to the Minack Theatre. This open-air theatre is right next to the sea. A actor playing the role of “Billy the gardener” gave a short presentation. He had a strong Cornish accent, and it was very windy.
Our trip continued to Land’s End, the most southwestern point of England. We walked along the cliffs and enjoyed a stunning view. It was a bit windy again, but the view was amazing. We had some free time to explore the area.
In the afternoon, we visited Trengwainton Garden. It was full of colourful flowers and interesting plants. We walked through the gardens by ourselves and bought some souvenirs for our families. Then we relaxed in a small café. After this peaceful stop, we were ready for the next adventure.
Day 7 – Glastonbury and Wells
On the seventh day, we travelled to the mystical town of Glastonbury. The atmosphere there was very special. We saw people dressed in spiritual clothes, including a white witch. Some believe that energy flows beneath the ground. Everyone seemed free to be themselves, and no one was judged for how they looked.
We also visited Glastonbury Abbey. A woman dressed in old clothes gave us a tour, and we used audio guides to learn more. The ruins were outside and they were full of history.
In the afternoon, we went to Wells. We saw the oldest example or terraced houses in Europe and then walked to the cathedral. It had a special clock on both the inside and outside. We even saw a cuckoo clock! During a Even Song, we listened to the choir. Their singing was beautiful. In the end, our bus driver Hansi cooked sausages for us – a funny surprise!
Day 8 – Bath
After visiting historical places, we continued to the famous city of Bath. There, we explored the Roman Baths with German audio guides. We saw old sauna rooms and hot springs. The water was very warm and relaxing. It was very interesting, and we learned a lot about Roman times.
Later, we had three hours of free time. Many of us tried real English scones with jam and cream. They tasted amazing! We also did interviews and met some very friendly people. Shopping in Bath was fun – the shops were cool, and the city had a nice vibe.
In the evening, we arrived at our hostel in Streatley. We had a fun time playing games and even had a pillow fight. It was a great evening that made our class feel even closer.
Day 9 – Oxford
Our journey continued to the famous university city of Oxford. We took a double-decker bus and got lots of interesting information during the ride. We saw many colleges and visited Christ Church University. The Great Hall there was used in the Harry Potter films! It was very beautiful, and we took many photos. The garden was also lovely, although the weather wasn’t perfect.
Inside the university, we visited a small cathedral with colourful windows and pretty decorations. After the tour, we had free time. Some of us talked to students – they were very friendly.
We also used our bus tickets to explore Oxford a bit more. Although it wasn’t the most exciting day of the trip, it was still enjoyable. In the evening, back in Streatley, we played Uno and a hand-clapping game. We laughed a lot and had fun.
Day 10 – Tenterden and Sissinghurst Garden
The next morning, we left for a quieter place. We visited Tenterden, a very small town with hardly any tourists. Most people we saw were locals. We had some free time and went into second-hand shops. We also interviewed a few people. The people were friendly, but some older people were hard to understand.
In the afternoon, we explored Sissinghurst Garden. It was a large garden with many small themed gardens, like the White Garden and the Rose Garden. In the centre, there was a big tower with a lovely view. We also visited a cute café and had some delicious cake. A gardener there gave us an interview, which was very interesting. It was a calm and beautiful place, and we all enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Day 11 – Canterbury and Goodbye
On our final day, we travelled to Canterbury. There, we visited the big and famous cathedral. It was very impressive and full of history. With the help of audio guides, we explored the inside and saw beautiful stained glass windows and a large cross.
Afterwards, we had some time to walk around. We found cute second-hand shops and bought our last souvenirs.
Before leaving, we had a final group meeting. Everyone shared their personal highlight of the trip. It was very emotional and nice to hear all the memories.
Finally, we took the bus to the harbour. It was time to say goodbye to England – a country full of great people, exciting places, and unforgettable experiences (Anna S. & Shirin S. 4S)
