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Cardiff - Detour to Wales

Published: 11.08.2024

which took place in a newly built school (its facilities, which were also very modern and generous for English public schools, made us a bit envious). Before and after the service, we chatted with some locals and got tips for the afternoon's plans.<br />We took the bus to the city center and first visited the castle.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/4ba5d2642596dc3eed13e941bae254b3_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle</figcaption></figure><br />There are four exhibitions, all of which are rather small.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/fa0076512bf5c8be8cf6bf0e26d3b946_large.jpg' alt='Mural from Roman times ' /><figcaption>Mural from Roman times </figcaption></figure><br />In the basement, there is a work from the 1980s on display: next to the old Roman wall, a massive wall relief was created that shows motifs from Roman times.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/351e87b821d365d3cb1a814a59c110fa_large.jpg' alt='Mural from Roman times' /><figcaption>Mural from Roman times</figcaption></figure><br />Not far from there is the entrance to the

Firing Line

museum, which showcases the role of Welsh soldiers in the British Army's overseas deployments from Waterloo to the present.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/f7e0f501602663ed83b889f9d84c9369_large.jpg' alt='Exhibition 'Firing Line'' /><figcaption>Exhibition 'Firing Line'</figcaption></figure><br />We found it rather strange that even the wars of the colonial era were commented on uncritically, and the British troops were more seen as liberators.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/79d4b51accb68fa54ecb7f28225bb179_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle</figcaption></figure><br />We also found the opportunity in the museum to shoot with a toy tank or at a virtual shooting range rather unsettling.<br /><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/cb4b9a0ae2695fbc5c6992ff5093ba09_large.jpg' alt='Keep ' /><figcaption>Keep </figcaption></figure><p><br /></p><p>We walked across the large courtyard of the castle to the Norman keep, one of the few remaining older parts of the castle.</p><p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/4567616b943ec8b5fba10aadfa024b41_large.jpg' alt='View from the Keep' /><figcaption>View from the Keep</figcaption></figure><br />Not much remains of the earlier rooms inside, but stairs lead to an observation platform, from which you can look over the castle grounds.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/765821b1faa48cb7c4eb406db05d84ac_large.jpg' alt='Keep' /><figcaption>Keep</figcaption></figure><p><br /></p>Finally, we went to the newer part of the castle from the 19th century, which was constructed and renovated by the third Marquis of Bute.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/81a748e2ebbf8c0fe970ace81268716f_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle Library ' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle Library </figcaption></figure><br />Thanks to the coal boosted around Cardiff, he was one of the richest men of his time and used his money to turn the half-decayed Norman castle into an eccentric residence according to his taste.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/6f090dab1f93485e7ec7d196a6a9f202_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle: Small Dining Room' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle: Small Dining Room</figcaption></figure><br />In doing so, he mixed styles from different eras, creating his personal dream castle.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/912c053ed7656a7021fe9b2f0fd11565_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle ' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle </figcaption></figure><br />The interior decor of the rooms is still impressive today.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/ab39649e02c3c30df23d30d690e7802d_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle: Banqueting Hall' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle: Banqueting Hall</figcaption></figure><p><br /></p>You walk from medieval knight halls into more oriental style rooms.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/1254bead0b6c67f57d07b1094f76323b_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Castle: Arab Room' /><figcaption>Cardiff Castle: Arab Room</figcaption></figure><br />Afterwards, we walked through the city center and explored more of the many arcades connecting the pedestrian zones.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/dcdcc2741817bf4151b4ca06db02c8dd_large.jpg' alt='Arcade' /><figcaption>Arcade</figcaption></figure><br />Then we followed a recommendation we received in the morning and made our way to the

docks

.<br /><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/09be655e91231a99801032cf7bd73837_large.jpg' alt='Cardiff Bay' /><figcaption>Cardiff Bay</figcaption></figure><p><br /></p>Actually, we wanted to take the bus, as we had specifically bought a day ticket. However, when we wanted to board, the bus driver explained that it was the wrong bus company and not for his bus. Obviously, one must pay attention to which company the bus belongs to, and cannot use just any ticket...<br />Since the distance was not too far, we walked to the water. On the way, Cardiff did not show its best side but rather its run-down side.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/21b1c99b9bb18c6d8bef8ba737ee55f6_large.jpg' alt='Millennium Centre' /><figcaption>Millennium Centre</figcaption></figure><br />But when we arrived at Mermaid Quay, everything was new and modern, filled with people.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/d695d217654e745bef2d0af668bad103_large.jpg' alt='Mermaid Quay' /><figcaption>Mermaid Quay</figcaption></figure><br />Numerous cafés and restaurants invited us to linger in the bright sunshine.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/b006a18b236bb37d27393b1e773226b1_large.jpg' alt='Mermaid Quay ' /><figcaption>Mermaid Quay </figcaption></figure><br />The line in front of the ice cream shop was so long that we sat down in a restaurant and ordered an ice cream sundae, which we then enjoyed with a view of the water and the promenade.<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/b4ac83113c7b34b528a112c0dda18823_large.jpg' alt='Ice cream sundae at Mermaid Quay' /><figcaption>Ice cream sundae at Mermaid Quay</figcaption></figure><br />After strolling along the promenade for a while, we headed back to the parking lot (this time taking the right bus).<p><br /></p><figure><img src='https://img1.vakantio.de/uploads/fa636b9830469aa570fb68f2439b953f_large.jpg' alt='Mermaid Quay' /><figcaption>Mermaid Quay</figcaption></figure><br />

Cardiff's bizarre castle, city center, and waterfront

Cardiff Castle

Bute Park

Bute Park

Church Street

City Center Cardiff

Mural from Roman times

Exhibition 'Firing Line'

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle

View from the Keep

Cardiff Castle: Arab Room

Cardiff Castle: Banqueting Hall

Cardiff Castle: Small Dining Room

Cardiff Castle Library

Arcade

Keep

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Bay

Ice cream sundae at Mermaid Quay

Mermaid Quay

Mermaid Quay

Mermaid Quay

Millennium Centre

On our tour of England, we made a visit to Wales. At the moment we passed the sign welcoming us to Wales on the highway, it began to rain.

Cardiff Castle

In Cardiff, we met up with friends who showed us the city.

Bute Park

Still rain, we walked through Bute Park past the castle into the city.

Cardiff Castle

After a shared pizza meal, we walked through the covered arcades dating back to the Victorian era.

Arcade

Here you can enjoy a coffee under a glass roof or go from one of the small shops to the next (very practical in the Welsh weather).

Church Street

When we stepped outside again, the rain had stopped, and we walked a bit through the city center.

Old Library

We walked past the castle back through Bute Park.

Bute Park

The next morning, we first attended a service at the

Answer

Don't forget to be nice :)

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