Port #4: Southampton (London and Bath)

The first day in Great Britain was spent almost entirely on the ship.  I was on duty.  It was a great way to rest up, relax, dive into some doctoral literature, and spend time with those students not interested in venturing off to London or other part of England on Day #1.  I did hop off for about an hour to meet up with other RDs for lunch.  My walk off the ship mostly consisted of passing through the industrial port and a shopping area, including several Starbucks, a Staples and an Ikea.  Nothing too impressive with Southampton.

On Day #2, I bussed it to London.  I’ve travelled to London before so the traditional tourist sights were not on the immediate to-do list.  What was though, was visiting a long-time friend who has been living there since graduating high school, Lavanya Thana.  Lavanya is studying for her doctorate in psychology and serves as a Resident Direct-esque position for Imperial College - the third ranked university in GB (after Cambridge and Oxford).  I was able to stay in her flat beside the medical campus.

It was tremendous catching up with her.  Although communication between us is not frequent, we picked up where we left off.  It was incredible being in sync after not seeing one another for a decade or so.  Additionally, it was a privilege to see the city through the eyes of a ‘local’.  We visited Wimbledon and that area in the south of the city and strolled from Hyde Park to Big Ben.  During my time in London, I dove into fish and chips as well as a traditional English breakfast - and, two different Indian meals.  Indian food (curry houses) has become a national food item.  Needless to say, I was able to experience it fully.

The last day in England was spent with Emily (an RD) and Jonathan (a SaS librarian) in Bath.  The whole of the staff on this voyage is incredible.  It was great spending the day venturing out of Southampton to an ancient Roman post with these two.  We immediately headed for the Cathedral and then to the Roman Baths tour.  It was very, very cool.  Actually the water was quite warm as the baths were built around natural springs.  The tour lasted much longer than any of us expected, but provided much more detail and depth than expected.  Following the tour, we walked the main corridor of Bath and happened upon a remarkable sandwich shop – Same Same But Different.

On the whole, The UK port stop was solid.  Although, I don’t feel the need t return to London (except to visit Lavanya).  I do feel the need to return to the country and visit as many small towns as possible.  A return to Bath is on the list, as is Cambridge, Oxford, Salisbury (Stonhenge), a coastal villages throughout.