Day 83: Flight from Halifax to Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Two days ago at about 7 PM, I bid farewell to my last Warmshowers hosts in Canada, Sang-gye and Mattias. Terry from Driver Dave drove me to the airport and helped me get a cart for my bike. I had to open my bike box for inspection since the X-ray scanner was too small for my bike box. If I had known that I wouldn’t have packed the box so carefully.

I wanted to sleep on the plane even though it was a 5:30 hours flight, but I was interrupted by a late dinner and an early dessert for breakfast. Needless to say, my sleep wasn’t good.

The plane landed in Edinburgh at 8 AM local time. After getting my bike box at the luggage claim I had trouble getting my bike through the door while it was on the cart. I had to slide the box through. I really dislike traveling in an airport with a bike box. This made me rethink about flying from Türkiye to Southeast Asia. If I can ride my bicycle to East Asia then I would do it. I guess I’ll figure that out once I get through Europe.

I put my bike together near the airport exit without any issue. I was so tired due to the lack of sleep and I had to ride my bike to the hostel. It was about 6.6 miles and riding on the left side of the road was weird for me. I had to be very careful while in a sleepy state.

Around 10 AM, I arrived at West End Hotel. Check-in was at 3 PM so I was early. I tried to take nap in the lounge, but I couldn’t sleep. After grabbing some food at Medo Cafe in the Haymarket district, I took a stroll on the Water of Leith Walkway before coming back to the hostel. After checking in, I went back to Haymarket and had Vietnamese noodles for dinner at Pho Viet before going to bed around 7 PM.

It was a bit interesting to be coming from Canada when the exchange rate was favorable to an American. In Canada, one US dollar was CA$1.37. In the UK the situation is reversed. One pound is $1.34 USD. The dollar is now the weaker currency by about the same amount. Luckily, tipping is optional in the UK and usually it’s 10% for restaurants.

I slept for about 13 hours last night. I think it’ll take a few days for me to get over the jet lag. I need to take my bike to a bicycle shop because my rear brake is a bit loose when braking. Also, I need to buy some snacks for the road at a grocery store. I’ll do these things tomorrow. Today, I will explore more of Edinburgh.

Riding on the left side of the road was weird for me

Interesting curved houses in Edinburgh

Dark clouds over the city

Haymarket district

My first meal in Europe at the Medo Cafe

This huge place must be very private because it doesn't have a name on Google Maps.

Water of Leith Walkway

A statue at Water of Leith Walkway

More Scottish houses