08 Easter Break Chornicles - Cardiff

Date of the trip: 17 March 2008
(By the way, it is St Patrick's Say in N. Ireland)

The trip to Cardiff begins with a convenient train ride from Bristol Temple Meads station right into the heart of Cardiff Central. These are some of the vistas that greet you on the way.

Besides the train station stood the huge and modern Millennium Stadium.

It is worth noting that there are plenty of sporting facilities or open fields with goal posts ready for use near the city center, particularly in the adjacent Bute Park.

On the southeastern corner of the park stood the Luxurious Cardiff Castle which I do not happen to have too many pictures. After all, we aren't allowed to take photographs in its lavish interior. One of the defining characteristic of the structure is that it was decorated with numerous animals carvings. These sculptures took many forms, from majestic lions down to delicate butterflies, kangaroos and platypus. Even snails have a place of honor. This is because the 3rd Marquis who commissioned the work, was devout Catholic and firm believer that God's glory is seen through the natural created world.

This is the clock tower of castle, even the theme of the rooms within it deals with the motive of time - from seasons, months, days to hours.

This is one of the less prestigious part of the castle enclosure (which really doesn't represent what the rest of the castle looks like). It seems almost out of place compared with the extravagance of the much decorated main building. I suppose a structure for defense and holding prisoners have to be concerned with more practical aspects.

A view from the tower top with the bridge across the moat and a well.

This is the City Hall as viewed from the tower top.

A close up of the City Hall as viewed from its shadow.

Let's take a break from marveling at the ancient architectures and behold something more transient but no less beautiful - the blossoming flowers.

Taking about being different. I wonder what is this lonesome magenta patch doing here among the whites.

In many ways, the simplicity of flowers reminds me of something more modernist in design. This piece of artwork glistered elegantly under the setting sun.

The piece stood outside the Millennium Center, an impressive state of the art theater and a rising star among the World's iconic arts and cultural destinations. I'm definitely planning on a trip to revisit this spectacular landmark and maybe catch a play there too. The very building itself is an inspiration and stimulation to creative minds. (As for its picture, that will have to wait for my next visit.)

This is the Mermaid Quay, a restaurant complex by the Millennium Center.

What better way to seal the perfect day out than to catch the sunset by the coastal wetland?

I definitely look forward to revisiting Cardiff again. Here are a few reasons: I didn't get to visit the gallery and museum because it is closed on Monday. I want to experience a performance in the Millenium Center. Sunsets and wetlands, who can grow tired of them? And above all, there is a 2nd hand bookshop with so much treasures that I can spend a whole day there alone. Just in that claustrophobic palace of books are more comics than I've seen since as far as I've been here. Lastly, who knows if I might get to visit the Games Workshop again and try another free game of tabletop miniature or paint some models.