Stonehenge

Even though we have been to England many times, Rabia and I have never been to Stonehenge, an ancient structure in Salisbury Plain (Wiltshire), England (it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Khala decided that is was a must-see for us, so we signed up to take a tour bus to Stonehenge, which is about two hours south of London.

The structures in Stonehenge are called megalithic because they are made of huge blocks with some of the blocks placed on others without mortar. It is an unbelievable sight, especially considering that people started to build it as early as 3500 B.C.

Stonehenge is a cromlech, the setting of religious rites (most likely sun worship). The huge effort required to construct Stonehenge must have been compelled by religious faith because the builders dragged the stones from as far as the Preseli Mountains in Wales, some 200 miles away. It is the result of several distinct building campaigns starting in the Stone Age and continuing into the Early Bronze Age.

Because Stonehenge is out in the countryside in a wide open plain, the wind was very strong and we all felt chilled to the bone. We had a little picnic, but we were reluctant to take our hands out of our pockets to eat (or listen to our audio guides for that matter) because it was so cold.

It was definitely worthwhile seeing Stonehenge though. Check out some of our pictures!
















(Listening to the audio guide as my hands turn to ice)




(iPad...gotta love it)












After the two-hour bus ride back to London, Rabia, Khala, and I ate at one of our favorite restaurants, The Med Kitchen. Then Rabia and I walked around South Kensington and through Kensington Gardens. When I was walking with Rabia, I realized how much I love London and how much it feels like home. We've moved a few times, so London always feels more like home than anywhere else.




(Kensington Palace)




(Me outside Kensington Palace)




(Queen Victoria outside Kensington Palace)




(The new gardens at Kensington Palace)
Kensington Gardens evoked a happy feeling in both of us too that we can't quite describe. It must be the English air.
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