COOL CYMDU, (WALES). Review on Wales

My Son went to the University of Wales in Cardiff. I believe that Wales was once the home of the mystical place called AVALON. The Welsh people are mystical and talented was well. There are over 3 million of them waiting to welcome you.

TEN REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT WALES:

1) CARDIFF is the Capital City of Wales. It is the fastest growing City in Europe. There is a unique network of Edwardian and Victorian Arcades that give you a wide range of stores and cafes. I thought Cardiff was wonderful. I don't know why it is redeveloping it's dock side to look like Mermaid Quay. This Quay extends out onto a fresh water lake and it has a lot of shops, bars and restaurants.

2) The national sport of Wales is Rugby. The games are played at MILLENNIUM STADIUM. The Stadium has the largest retractable roof in Europe. Despite it's size it only costs $7.50 USD to open and close it. The University is charming with its older vine covered buildings. Would you believe that the University has a team that plays American Football? Trust me they do because my son was the quarterback of the team. Most major Universities in England and Wales have set up a league that plays football like they do in the U.S.A. They play football in the open fields at the Universities.

3) The NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF WALES was established in 1999. This was a historic occasion in U.K. politics. It gave Wales it's own Parliament. The buildings are on Cardiff Bay.

4) There are more CASTLES, (some are in ruins), in WALES than any other place in the World, (over 400). UNESCO has given their World Heritage designation to Beautmaris, Caernarfon, Conway and Harleck Castles. If you are visiting Wales you can even stay at a Castle. There is one at the entrance to the Pormerion Italiane Village. The Castell Deudraeth is now a luxury hotel.

5) MOUNT SNOWDON is the highest mountain in Wales. You can choose between hiking up to the summit or use the U.K.'s only rack and pinion railway. The rock face is so steep this is where Snowdone and the members of his team practiced before going to climb Mount Everest.

6) THE SUPER NATURAL BEAUTY OF WALES is everywhere you look. We visited the 3 National Parks, which are Snowdonis, Brecon Beacon National Park and Pembrokeshire. At Snowdonia we walked through the Coed Y Brenin Forrest. During our visit to the 519 square mile Brecom Beacons National Park we walked over the moors and saw the waterfalls crashing down from the mountains into the valleys below. Pembrokeshire is the U.K.'s only coastal National Park. The park covers an area of 187 miles. During our walk we saw puffins, seals and dolphins.

7) THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES is in the World's largest single span glasshouse. They are saving many of the endangered plants here for safekeeping. The park takes its cue from Charles Darwin, (the famous biologist and geologist), that shaped many of his theories while he was working in the northern mountains of Wales.

8) THE WELSH FOOD is more than mutton, lamb, seafood and cheese. Today Wales is producing some of the Worlds best food and drinks from the clear spring waters to gourmet food.

9) THE WELSH LANGUAGE which I never mastered but my Son and Husband did. Wales, (Cymru in Welsh), is one of the oldest living languages in Europe. To hear wonderful Welsh poetry and song plan to visit Wales when they are holding Royal National Eiseddfod, (festival?), when they hold it in St. David's each year.

10) You might want to meet some of the Stars who come from Wales. Some are alive and others are available at their graveside. Some names you might recognize are Richard Burton, Shirley Bassey, Anthony Hopkins, Zeta Jones, the Sterophonics pop band, the Manic Street Preachers pop band, the National Male Choir and the lady with a voice like an angle Charlotte Church.

If I made any spelling mistakes I am sorry as it was almost impossible to spell check this review. For more information on Wales please visit their site at: https://visitwales.com ©LL