A Tale of two cities (mainly)

After a great rest (equivalent to at least two days at sea) we headed South. Steve and Jilly also joined us for these couple of days. We had a quick leg stretch at Georgetown en route to Charleston. The water front has two distinct views. The Boardwalk to cafes and pleasure craft. 

And the other way to the industrial area of scrap metal and pulp mill! The town itself looked to be a little quiet however we did manage to get a good coffee in town as well as introduce the proprietor to the potential marketing of the application “Bean Hunter”. (The application suggested the nearest coffee shop was over 80 kms away!) 

However, our main focus for the day was an overnight stop at Charleston. We explored the town on foot in an effort to be energetic rather than succumb to the horse and carriage mode used in our last visit. It is a wonderfully colourful town with its own architectural style. One aspect is the penchant for balconies at the side of buildings. This helps to catch the airflow generated by breezes between the buildings.

The gardens that some of these balconies overlook are very neat with plenty of cool shade.

Another trait is the Charleston brick wall which is distinct but pleasing when tempered with lots of greenery.

The town was heavily involved in the various American wars and the confluence of the Cooper and Ashley rivers as they enter the bay has the mandatory Battery park.

Some of the cannon (or mortars) on display were remarkable. This 13 inch 1863 mortar was one of 4 on display and are some of the oldest in the world.

En-route to our second city we called in on the “Angel Oak”. This is a very old tree estimated to be somewhere between 300 and 400 years of age and apparently about half way through its life.

The branches have got progressively heavier over the years and are either propped up or have met the ground and then try and  rise  upwards again. The resultant configuration is right out of Tolkein.

Here are some of the more modern day but no less small Hobbits.

Upon our arrival at Savannah we had a quick rest and then went to explore. The city has the normal grid plan but, at every other block intersection, there is a park with large shady trees and surrounded, in most cases, by historical buildings. It is just wonderful to meander around. Again we were good and did not succumb to other forms of transport despite the heat. I think the horse preferred this treatment to working anyway.

Many had fountains….

All had wonderful trees…

And the surrounding architecture was varied (brick, masonry, timber) and in most cases (ignoring the one with a modern day car park) pleasing….

Closer inspection also threw up some quaint ideas such as these fishy downpipes.

or the more quirky (note the dead one at bottom left).

Our hotel (the Bohemian) was in a prime position on the waterfront. The waterfront has been claimed by new buildings but the old river wall still remains behind them with (fixed not draw) bridges to enable access.

Upstream is a thriving port and our balcony on the 4^th floor had magnificent views which were occasionally blocked by huge vessels. The ships were so close that it was not possible to get them all in one shot even with a wide angle lens.

Below our balcony was the WWII war memorial aptly named “Worlds Apart”. The only down side to what is an imaginative sculpture is that Australia is in the foundations! However, a local proudly showed us a little pin mark which shows the location of Savannah.

The hotel (like many others) had the normal Happy Hour from 4 – 7 (really Maths here needs improving) which was held at the rooftop bar. We were treated to a spectacular sunset.

The following morning we had a further walk around more of the squares, said goodbye to Steve and Jilly (having made plans to catch up next year) and then headed South to Florida.