Easter trip to Newcastle Day 2

Day 2, we traveled around by Metro which was only 3.90 pounds for the whole day. First stop was to Wallsend station to visit part of Hadrian's wall.

On our way - Our hostel reception recommended that we visit Segedunum to see part of Hadrian's wall and its museum. Initially we wanted to visit the actual wall but it was 2 hours away by bus and due to bad weather conditions, we decided to just go to the nearby museum. We happily made our way 6 metro stops away without asking for directions beforehand and without a map to this place. Initially we didn't even know what was the name of the museum. Very shocking. But in the end, thanks to the owner of a Blackberry and another with an iPhone, we were not as lost anymore.

Segedunum - Roman fort, baths and museum:

Segedunum fort was built to defend the far east side of Hadrian's wall almost 2000 years ago. The walls are 84 miles long but today, only parts of the wall remain.

What I can say about this place is, after visiting the actual Roman bath in Bath not long ago, this place was not as interesting as it was only a replica. However, we did find something interesting inside the bath house.

The bath house - Romans gather in the center hall to meet and change, some do exercise like weight lifting, food are sold by traders, others play board games. Very weird combination of activities if you ask me. Then, they will go into the hot and cold rooms for their baths.  In the cold room, there was a cute picture of a cupid riding a dolphin. Not sure what's the significance of it.

Ancient Communal Roman Toilet. No privacy at all! That's not actually how you use it, we're just answering nature's call the Malaysian way. The Romans sit on it and if you see the drain on the ground, that's supposed to have running water and they clean their bottoms with a sponge tied to stick washed in that water channel. How hygienic is it, I don't want to know.

Only the foundations of the Roman fort left after all these years

We climbed up the viewing tower to have a clearer view of the whole fort as it was raining.

A few steps away from the fort was part of Hadrian's wall built in AD 125-30. It is the most strongly defended frontier during the Roman Empire.

Groupie on the wall

The 10 seconds of sunshine that we got while waiting for our Metro to The Coast

Arrived at Whitley Bay. I saw this really cute telephone booth trying to disguise itself as a post office.

 

We walked along the beaches on The Coast but too bad, the weather was not a warm as I would like it to.

Lunch time

Initially, we wanted to eat at a Fish and Chips place next door, but decided to try out this pub instead as it was advertised 24 different scones at the door. Well, we were cheated as there were only 7 flavours left and we were restricted to ordering a scone and a pot of tea/coffee for 3 pounds. Price remained the same even for just the scone. Don't know why some places are so restrictive.

Our main meals of vegetarian pasta and fish and chips. Yummy. I really liked the mushy peas that came with my fish and chips, but the best fish and chips which I've tasted is still at Conwy castle. Must go back for more! One thing that I found excessive was the 4 slices of toast spread with butter that came with my fish and chips. There was already enough carbohydrate from all that chips and fried batter.

We were all smiles when our food came and when we left.

Back to Newcastle

Monument of Newcastle

Last picture of the beautiful Newcastle before we made our way to the train station to catch our train to Middlesbrough.

Bungee jump in my next post. Keep reading!