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| Isle of Wight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (An Island in the south of Britain) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Good Day Guys!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WARNING: This is a very long mail. I've tried to put my entire "Isle Of Wight " experience into it. Do find time to read. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We have just returned from a splendid "Isle Of Wight " (pronounced "eye'ill of White ") trip!!!! (Sigh) The three - day Easter vacation has whizzed past witth great speed just as the Eurostar! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It all began since Friday morning (April 13th, 2001/ 8:30 AM GMT) when we boarded the train to BrockentHurst from London-Waterloo Station. It was an ordinary train with about 6 coaches. Our journey was from London-Waterloo to BrockentHurst and from BrockentHurst to Lamington and then to Yarmouth by ferry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The journey to Lymington peer station is a train journey. On the way we can enjoy the countryside of UK. On the both sides of train we see greenery, beautiful landscapes and lush green trees. It's summertime in UK and this is the best season for tourism. All along the roadside we can see bright colored flowers and can feel the enthusiasm which is nearly lost in the dull winter (which lasts for more than 7 months...). People come out of their houses and the whole summer is a social and picnic time for them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| So all in the best spirits and bright sunlight we left London for our destiny- The Isle of Wight.. It is an island in the southwest of England. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The ferry from Limington peer is a big boat. Inside it is nothing less than a decent restaurant. Big sofas and a pub in the centre. One strange thing about this boat was, after giving space to nearly 500 People, it digested two big busses, nearly thirty cars and a herd of 25 bikes... that is the capacity of this boat and they call it "ferry ". | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It takes not more than 40 Mins to reach the island once is starts from the coast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We left the Britain-coast by 11:30 and 12:10 PM we were at "Yarmouth ", a small town and also a ferry link for the island. It was a relaxing breeze that well come us on the island. I was stunned to see the beauty of the place. I can compare this with Scotland! But still Scotland doesn't have Sea to see! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We had booked the youth hostel new Alum beach. The beach was just 10 mins walk from the hostel and on this short distance was lying the spellbound beauty of deep green sea beneath our feet and in front of our eyes! It was a dream scene. I just use to go there and sit looking at the sea and its silence. It took me far away from the busy days routine in London. I could here the tides and tides rhythm. That was the music of nature! Time to fall in love with nature.. Opening the window of the room we could see this beauty and i knew this is not going to be for a long! the day we reached there i was worried that we have to go back to London... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The places are not crowded at all. Though this is a tourist's favourite place, i didn't see much crowd there. People come and stay in there houses here. They hardly roam around. Only we (Myself, Nitin, Abhijeet, satyam, Seetharam, Prince) were walking there, all others had there car. But no regrets, they probably missed the tenderly touch of the breeze and the magic of nature on its sons. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The very first experience on the island was not good though! We reached our hostel and were supposed to drop our luggage and take nap, as we hadn't had enough sleep the day before. But tour surprise (say disappointment,) the hostel was closed and there was no one to answer our bell. Our mobiles came to our rescue in the bad time. We contacted to the manager on his phone, which was switched to the answering machine. Anyway we got the assurance that we have booking and the person will be coming back in the evening. The only trouble was then we had to carry our bags. Fine no worries. We all headed for Alum beach that day. We were there till the evening and then went to "New Port ". The only place which got a town center on the island. Town center is the central market area where we can get food and other stuff. This is the best thing about this place. There is only one commercialized are and all other places are occupied by nature to exhibit its beauty. We had Thai food and came back to youth hostel and went to sleep.. dreaming the dream world that we really saw in the day light! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next day morning we went to Ryde, a place with the same beauty.. We again went to alum bay from where we took a ferry to needle point (this are tips of sea mountains which can be seen from the boat). Geography may look at it as something to do with volcanic irruption, but i could see only the clean white piece of art in the necklace of the British channel. France is just 47 miles from this place by sea. There is a ropeway, which takes us down to the ferry port from the tip of a cliff. This experience is unforgettable! We go straight down from the cliff to the seashore. And the best (???) thing about this ropeway is, there aren't much guards to sandwich you! I can compare their freedom with bungee jumping without ropes!! Thrilling but exiting! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Funny thing about places there is their name has got nothing to do with the reality.. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| There is a place Cows (actually Cows) where there are no cows! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Then Fresh water, you cannot drink the seawater anyway! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| And many more to list? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Following are the lines from their official website: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Wonders of the Isle of Wight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 'Wonders of the Isle of Wight' is a play-on words based on the name of Island Towns or Places. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1) "Lake " where there is no water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2) The "Needles " you cannot thread. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3) "Ryde " where you walk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4) "Cowes " you cannot milk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5) "Freshwater " you cannot drink. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6) "Newport " you cannot bottle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| These are the famous places there and the tourist attractions off course! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1) The Needles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Needles is the name for a series of rock formations off the western point of the Isle of Wight. On the outermost rock is the Needles Lighthouse, which was manned until 1997. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Needles is best viewed from Alum Bay, known for its colored sands used to make ornaments and pictures. Alum Bay also has a chair lift to the bay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2) Cowes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cowes is probably the most famous place on the Isle of Wight, thanks to its annual international yachting festival, known simply as Cowes Week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A mere huddle of fishermen's cottages at the mouth of the River Medina until Henry VIII's reign, it grew into a village round West Cowes, one of two coastal forts he ordered to be built. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Today, long narrow High Street curves along the west front, hiding the sea. At its western end, Watch House Lane (named after the Customs House) leads down to the Parade, a wide square fronting the Solent. A plaque on the shelter commemorates the sailing of the Ark and the Dove in 1663 to colonize Maryland. Westward the promenade narrows, passing seaward at the Royal Yacht Squadron, with its round tower and lookout, the hub of Cowes Week where crowds gather all day hoping for a glimpse of royal visitors. Parts of the building are the original West Cowes. The row of cannon comes from William IV's yacht Royal Adelaide. Further on the seawall widens on to Prince's Green, which was given to Cowes by George Stephenson, of railway fame. The long grass bank makes a natural grandstand for viewing yacht races or the Solent shipping. At the far end stands a small automatic lighthouse (no longer in use) marking Egypt Point. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Just off the High Street, at Beckford Road, Cowes Maritime Museum displays many elegant model ships, shipwright's tools, prints and paintings, as well as maintaining a huge collection of maritime books. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fountain Pier is the terminal for hydrofoils to Southampton. The pier has a good view of the waterfront with its boatyards, yacht clubs, dinghy parks and jetties. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inland lies Northwood Park, with its ornate gateway. It is open to the public, with lawns, mature trees, putting, bowls, a croquet lawn and tennis courts all surrounding Northwood House. This is a classical style mansion built in 1837 for the Ward family - now the scene of many of the Cowes Week Balls, which conclude with the traditional firework display off the Parade. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We saw people surfing (not on the net?) on the sea. The literal meaning of surfing is much more beautiful than the vitual one that we do straining our eye! I envy the kind of life they live. The surfing board and the costume costs around 2000�s (nearly 1.3 Lakes of rupees).. Just a dream for me. The sea sport is very exciting and thrilling. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| These are the only two places, which are different. Rest everywhere are beaches and greenery. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We Went to Black-gang the last day. It is an artificially developed hillside landscape. I'll compare it with the "Golden Beach " near Chennai. It is good place to spend couple of hours. This is a kind of kid's attraction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| That was the last of our tour, sadly! We then had our Lunch and left for our hostel to pack our bags and retire for the day. Our train to London was early at 5:00 PM. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In three days we made a round trip to the island and covered all the places avoiding all the museums (I hate museums...). It was time to part from the nature. Half-heartedly, we all said good-bye to "Isle Of Wight " with a hope that it'll invite us again. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I have captured some stills in my camera, which I'il mail you as soon as i get them scanned. This time I had my handycam with me, so I can show you "Isle of wight ", live. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hope to see you all soon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bye for now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rahul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (April 27th, 2001/London) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Travel Home | Rahul Naodhar Home | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||