Scotland Travelogue: May 22nd (Day 6)

I woke up 30 minutes earlier than the 8 AM departure time. I packed the luggage I had hastily prepared yesterday into the car trunk and headed to Port Ellen, the departure port. As there was some time before the ferry departed, I took a walk around Bowmore and Port Ellen. The weather was nice from the start of the day, making for a pleasant walk. ※Bowmore as seen from the sea side. I remember taking exactly the same photo from the exact same spot last time. ※Thinking that many people must take photos here when visiting Port Ellen, I took a photo as well. Then, as planned, we departed around 10 AM on the ferry. I said goodbye to Islay. Though not my first time, departing from Port Ellen always brings a bittersweet feeling. Behind the ferry, I could see the distilleries of Port Ellen, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg in order from south to north. I silently bid them farewell. My short stay on Islay was packed with experiences. When will I be able to return again? This ferry ride was quite different from the problematic one on the way there, with a fresh and luxurious atmosphere, though not quite a cruise ship. I had breakfast comfortably on the ferry while chatting with fellow passengers, and despite the journey only taking about 2 hours, it felt like we arrived at Kenmore in no time. From Kenmore, I drove to Glasgow. Due to the intricate bays along the way, the route was significantly longer than the straight-line distance, winding through mountainous areas alongside water. I encountered intermittent heavy rain several times during the journey. Though I was teased for having no day without rain during my stay, today's weather is typical of Scotland's changeable climate, so I'll forgive it. (Laugh) I drove along the shores of Loch Lomond, passing through the scenic town of Inverary in particular. However, due to rushing and chatting throughout the journey, I completely forgot to take any photos for records, which slightly regrets me despite the beautiful scenery. I also passed through the shores of Loch Rannoch, gradually moving away from the water and transitioning into urban landscapes, arriving in Glasgow around 2:20 PM. With very little time to transfer from Glasgow to Heathrow, I had to transport a large number of bottles. Though I was anxious during the weight check, we managed to pass. However, check-in was extremely tight. The nightmare of the previous trip's 'Too late!!' resurfaced. My companion, who had returned the rental car, was supposed to have a ticket but faced delays in procedures. An irritable BA staff member sternly said, 'We're closing in one minute,' just as they arrived and managed to make it! I'm grateful to my English-fluent companion who desperately negotiated, but I also felt a bit disheartened by my own lack of smooth English for emergencies. After check-in, I felt like I was dashing all the way to the boarding gate, but managed to board just in time. The flight from London Heathrow took about 1.5 hours. Due to lack of sleep and having run quite a bit, I fell into a light doze and arrived before I knew it. With so much luggage, I couldn't move freely, so I left all large items at the departure terminal in Heathrow Airport. Moving between terminals by train made transporting the cart (which couldn't be taken on the train) to the airport's luggage storage a bit of a struggle. I would have given up if I were alone. I moved to Paddington Station and checked into a small business hotel that had been reserved. ※Paddington Station. I remember not taking any photos since leaving Islay... I took a short rest in the room before heading to dinner. I entered a restaurant called 'HAWKSMOOR' located in central London. It's reasonably priced but well-regarded, and it was almost full inside. I probably wouldn't have gotten in without a reservation. I ordered a hearty steak since the purpose was to eat meat, and it was very delicious—juicy with rich flavor that developed as I chewed. It seems they raise cattle on their own farm. It was a wonderful experience that overturned my image of London having no good food. ※The meal here was delicious. ※Nighttime in London. This area had a vibe similar to Ginza. I thought about having a drink after dinner, but since it was Sunday, all pubs closed early, so I returned to the room, took a shower, and slept soundly. #Scotland Travelogue 2016