LaughAtlantis

Technically speaking, I was there for a day on a twelve-hour layover between flights – just enough time to go out and see the Book of Kells. I’m choosing not to count that though… I need to see more!

If you are willing to spend the money, take both the Mansion and Behind-the-Scenes tours (it costs about $6 extra). You will see how amazing and bizarre the house is on the first tour and then see how Sarah Winchester’s employees tackled the craziness of working for her with all her eccentricities and restrictions on the second.

I have known about the Winchester Mystery House since I was eight years old and have wanted to go there ever since. I finally got there at age 34 and, while I didn’t see any ghosts, I was not disappointed by the house at all. It is a fascinating story and, despite its inherent oddness, a beautiful home.

We were too late to take the factory tour but getting to buy the belly flops at greatly reduced prices was pretty kick-ass for a jellybean lover.

On a random detour in Scotland, I found myself in Inverness and I FORGOT ABOUT THIS BOOKSTORE. I am a mental midget.

Wigtown is the “Book Town” of Scotland. Its main street is filled entirely with used bookstores.

Sounds like pure paradise.

Half the theatre is couches and you can cuddle while you watch the movie!

While it’s not a huge zoo, it is reasonably priced and has a great variety of animals. Their polar bear, snow leopard, elephant, and giraffe exhibits are particularly good. And their groundhog exhibit is SO much fun!!

They are sadly lacking in monkeys. Lots of lemurs, but not much else in the monkey field.