dude, where's my keys?: Hikes, Bru, and Saucy Mary

Greg was both our driver and guide. I was amazed how well he could talk and drive at the same time. Sometimes I looked toward the front of the bus wondering who was doing all the talking. He was both full of facts and funny.

A view in the morning.

We start off on an early morning hike with some "caves" at the end. I think all these early morning activities are just to help wake everyone up.

A view looking back once we reach the cave.

Inside the cave. There was a really tiny hole one had to climb through on their belly to get in. Apparently there was also a further cave to go into, but I was satisfied to have just reached the first one. It became quite crowded with everyone in there, and in reality there was not much to see. Just trying to get everyone awake and dirty, I think!

Helping people out of the cave.

For lunch we had a healthy meal of fish and chips, washing it down with Irn Bru. Irn Bru is the number one selling soda in Scotland, outselling even Coca-Cola. I found it to taste a bit like cream soda, though later on I think it hit my stomach pretty hard . . .

A bunch of sheep playing soccer.

We also stopped for another mini-hike and to see a waterfall.

Some signs in English and Scottish Gaelic.

Eilean Donan Castle. It is now one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland and a popular venue for weddings and film locations, such as "Highlander" and "The World is Not Enough." Eilean Donan is the home of the Clan MacRae. In 2001, the island had a population of just one person.

That evening we made it to the Isle of Skye and stayed at the Saucy Mary. The hostel got its name from a viking princess named Saucy Mary, who collected the fee from the sailors who wanted to park their boats in the harbor. One day Mary started feeling sorry for these sailors. After all they spent so much time at sea and then to get back home they had to hand over money in order to park their boats. Thus, Mary decided that she would give the sailors something extra for giving her the money. Then when sailors paid the fee to get into the harbor Mary would lift her top and flash them.