One look and you were gone, is anyone going anywhere?

May 13, 2006

Got into Skye last night, checked into the hostel, and went to the pub for food. Chicken curry was alright, not as good as the vindaloo the other night, my god. Went to bed early, and woke at 8:30 this morning. All the Skye tours were booked up, so I rented a bike and rode to Castle Moil, which was a pretty shitty little wall of rock, not a castle at all. Then I mailed some postcards and continued on over the Skye Bridge and down the highway. I stopped and hiked 4 miles to Balmacarra and back along a beautiful wooded trail, then set off for Dornie, 5 miles away. I visited the Eilean Donan Castle, which was stunning. The first castle was built on the site in the early 13th century as a defence against Vikings, and has changed hands over the years until it was partially in ruin. Some dude restored it and the rooms are all done up in antique furniture and display cases of old-fashioned jewelry, weapons, etc. The kitchen display was the best part- shellaced food, a traditional oven, store rooms, and frighteningly-real models of chefs and maids. It was really well done, but unfortunately you weren't allowed to take any photo's. Back at the hostel now, sunburnt and exhausted, and needed clean clothes. By the way, petrol is 101.9 here, that's in pounds, so double it. Just a taste of what we're in for.