Day 14: Traveling through the Highlands and down to Glasgow

Today, we got up early had breakfast and then made our way to Stirling. On our way we stopped at Glencoe for a photo op of the Highlands and then a group picture. After we hopped back on the bus and slowly made our way out of the Highland to Stirling. During this time, some of us had to do evaluation report of the tour manager and driver. We also got a contact list of everyone in the group and tip envelopes. Since the tour is a service industries, we should tip them kindly. We got to Stirling before lunch. At Stirling, we had a choice, go see Stirling castle, go for lunch and shop, or go see the William Wallace Statue. Basically, a free couple of hours in Stirling to do whatever.

I went to Stirling Castle. It was a grand castle with lots of history of Robert the Bruce and the battles. We try to see everything, but we missed a few things due to time restraints. After the castle, we hopped back in the bus and made our way to Glasgow which was about an hour away. Before Glasgow, we got a map, and the tour manager showed us where the shopping and dining areas are. We arrived at the hotel at 14:00 which was a bit earlier than expected. Most of the rooms were ready but a few would be ready at 14:30 and 15:00. I, unfortunately, got the room that was ready at 15:00 so I had an hour to wait. So I had a bit of lunch since I didn't eat at the castle and then went on the free Internet in the lobby computers. My roommate left her luggage and went out exploring. I thought she would be back at 15:00 to pick up the key.

When I got into my room, I just laid out my stuff and went back down to the lobby to wait for my roommate to come back which I had hope soon. I had both the keys a day the room number. I eventually waited for her for a couple of hours. During this time, I just hanged out on the lobby and talk to my fellow Canadian traveller. I didn't get a chance to explore the city but that was OK. My roomie didn't get back until about 17:30. Some of the people in the group was planning to have dinner somewhere around the hotel at 18:30 before heading for a night out on the town at 20:00.
I got ready in jeans and a nice top as it was my last day on the tour it would've been bad if I didn't go partying with my fellow Contiki people.

At 18:30, a bunch of us met, about 14 people and went to dinner at Wetherspoon. Apparently, it is a franchise chain and the food is good and inexpensive. Since it was a pub type, we ordered attention bar and paid then. I had the breaded deep fried scampi (shrimp) with mushy peas and chips. It was good and only £6.55. I was the last one to get my food but was not the last one to order, though.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel a few minutes early to do the bar scene of Glasgow. We were informed that we were going to three and the third one was just a couple blocks away from the hotel for easy walking. The first place we went was called The Monkey Bar. It was a small place to hang outing since a part if it was reserved. So we just hang around and talked. There was a live dj but they don't really have a dance floor. The music was OK in that I knew the songs. I didn't get anything to drink except for a coke. I didn't what types of drinks they make. So, we hang around there till 21:30 and then went to the next bar. The next bar was 'walkabout'. Apparently, it is an Australian bar. The tour manager said that if you were Australian then they don't accept your driver's license as a valid ID. They need to see your passport. It's a good thing I'm not Australian and I got in with my driver's license. Yeah, the music was not recognizable and bad. I didn't get a drink here but I did dance with the drunk people. I think they were surprised that I dance.

After a while, a few of us decided to leave to go back to the hotel.  The music was bad and we could just as well hang out in the lounge of the hotel.  When we got back we did just that.  After a while, we saw some other people come in and said that the third place sucked as well.  Good thing we didn't have to pay any cover charge for the bars.

After we all headed back to our rooms.  Everyone had to wake up early tomorrow to have breakfast and then to either catch the bus to continue onto to Ireland or the train down to London.

Tomorrow's agenda: Going to Northern Ireland