Our visit to Cardiff was Yuri’s choice. Turns out Cardiff is a sister city to Lugansk. And it was amazing. I would love to go back someday. It was a great choice.
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and has a population of 350,000. It became a city in 1905 and has been a major port for many years. Cardiff is popular for many reason, but primarily for its castle, its waterfront area and the British science fiction television show, Doctor Who. The castle dates back to 75AD and was first a Roman fort. The port was built in 1793.
Throughout our journey for the next two weeks I have made reservations in hostels and hotels, and one night with friends. Our first hostel is amazing. The River House Backpackers Hostel in Cardiff is incredible and I am already looking forward to going back. The hostel was along the river and across from the Millennium Stadium.
The fall weather was in full swing when we arrived and the colors were wonderful. We spent our first day wandering the city.
I could sometimes be found uploading Instagram updates to my Facebook page, which Yuri found both annoying and hilarious.
First stop for the day, the train station to get tickets for our trip to Shrewsbury in a few days.
Beautiful….absolutely beautiful…. Here is the old philharmonic building. I have no idea what it is being used for now, but the building is gorgeous.
And after train tickets…there were priorities…STARBUCKS!!! And I got so lucky. The fall menu was being served, that means Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Salted Caramel Lattes. YEH ME!!!
Mary Street, the center of shopping in Cardiff. It was great to just wander.
The Cardiff Market was a wonderful place. I loved all the colors and began some of my gift shopping here. Yuri enjoyed talking to all the locals, much to my dismay, but I began to just find another way to amuse myself while he was chatting. So I wandered into this church.
Here is the inside and outside of St John the Baptist Church. It is oldest operating church in Cardiff. It was one of those hidden churches in city center. A building you would never find if you were looking for it, but loved to come across when you are not looking.
The city council building. We had a map in hand, or I did, but Yuri does not like maps and I enjoyed simply surprising him with cool things.
The end of our walk finalized with a large city park. It was wonderful to be out and wandering through a new place. We had boarded a train in Lugansk two days before and after a train, a plane and two buses, with a little bit of running…we were happy to be settled into Cardiff for a few nights and simply wandering.
We met some great people at our hostel…we all had a room together and found that we all really liked each other, so we spent the evening searching out food and spirits together. Again, thanks to Yuri and his need to get to know new people. I tend to stick much more to myself, but I would have missed meeting Laura and crew if that had been the case.
Wagamana for dinner. Asian Fusion…and it was so good. It was wonderful to understand the menu, all of it, and be able to order for myself.
A tea pot with a mixed alcohol drink, that was awesome. And with new friends to enjoy such treats with, we had a great time.
Yuri and I had a wonderful first day together with only a few bumps (really 24/7 together, who doesn’t have a few bumps)…and made us…or me extremely excited for the days ahead.
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