4th Day - 14.02.2022

The breakfast here is just as amazing as the snacks at the wine tasting. So much attention to detail. The only thing that annoys me endlessly is the stupid plastic dishes and cutlery. I unpack my camping knife set and boycott this senseless waste of resources at least minimally.

Tom and Jen want to enjoy some time alone today, so Rose and I head into town by ourselves. We explore Charleston's French Quarter - a unique collection of historic houses that all look well-maintained and beautiful. After 2 hours of awe, we meet back at the hotel to visit a plantation that is on the way.

And it truly is something special. Surrounded by beautiful landscape, I can't get enough of the trees and the scenery. As I walk along the river, I see two alligators lying on the edge. They are far away, but still clearly visible, and it's impressive to see these animals in their natural habitat. The tour of the house is interesting, although it completely lacks details about slavery, which is a part of the history. I suspect that they intentionally exclude this to not affect the beauty of the things we are visiting.

The drive to Abbeville, our next destination, is exhausting - especially for Tom, who is driving the whole time. We arrive quite late and still have the opportunity to admire the historical hotel where we will be staying today. It's also said to be haunted.

Before we get scared, we go around the corner to Wing 101, a typical American restaurant with a bar and booths, where we settle down under the warm care of Reyna. The atmosphere is very rustic and a complete contrast to yesterday. But they do what they do well, and so I enjoy the best wings I've had in the USA, alongside a canned beer.

I meet the restaurant manager of our hotel, which is closed on Mondays, at the bar, and she informs me that rooms 4, 8, and 10 are said to be haunted. We have rooms 11 and 20. So no luck. Reyna tells us that she will be getting married soon. That's not spooky at all and we're all happy for her.

I wake up a few times during the night and there's no ghost in sight. You also can't hear anything from room 10 next door. It has gotten quite cold and the heating is not on. So I'm freezing even without a ghost. American blankets are usually just a sheet.