This morning we decided to get up a little bit later- 8:30. We had a fantastic breakfast of sausage, eggs, bacon, beans and toast that Chris (The owner of the bed and breakfast) prepared for us. We got ready, sorted our tours and tickets and were close to on our way. Chris saw us out the door and gave us a huge bag of prawns that he caught so we had something to snack on while we explored the island. Leaving the bed and breakfast was strange- it didn't feel like leaving a hotel, it felt like leaving the home of a close family member that lives far away. He told us that all of the island was like that- people did everything they could for one another. It was a small community where everyone helped and supported everyone. He told us he never locked his door and that if anyone were drunk at the bar, instead of taking their wallet, people of Skye would ask where they're staying and drive them home.
Since there were not many tours this time of year, the tours available were expensive or sold out. Buses only ran on the island 3 times a day so we knew we couldn't really get far. The first bus would take us somewhere, the 3rd bus would take us back to Glasgow, so we really only had the option of whether or not to be on the 2nd bus or not. We decided to take the first bus to the capital: Portree and to spend the day exploring there. The ride there was great - amazing scenery as we passed by mountains, waterfalls, sheep and a bull. It was raining and windy again which was awesome because we were able to watch the wind blow the raindrops around from inside the bus. It looked really neat, little vertical waving lines of raindrops kept together by breezes of wind. It's really hard to explain, as it was like nothing I had seen before.
Even though it was the capital, it was still very small! There were a few gift shops, a couple cafes, a couple restaurants, a harbour and some homes. We checked out all the gift shops and a cafe recommended to us by someone in the hostel yesterday (we had popped in to inquire about the hostels tour bus and they recommended Ariba cafe and hitchhiking to see as much of the island as we could due to the limited bus schedule. We only took their advice about the cafe). Portree was nice and we had just enough time to explore before it was 3:30 and the last bus of the day going to Glasgow departed.
The bus ride home got in around 10:10, but it didn't feel as dreadful as the bus ride to Glasgow when we arrived (although this one was 2 hours shorter). This bus was just a city bus, but it stopped for a dinner break and another break for us to stretch, use a proper toilet and get moving again. I wish the bus company from England did the same! Matt spent a lot of the bus ride playing games on his phone. I spent the time listening to music and sleeping from brief portions of time. We are now in the hotel in Glasgow again. An oddity of the trip- we actually managed to get tickets for a tour tomorrow!!! So we will once again be up bright and early to take a walk, meet the tour bus and explore some more of Glasgow and surrounding areas such as Loch Ness- home of the sea monster :)
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