The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Davinci Code" Tour

sightseeing the intriguing places in Paris, London and Edinburgh mentioned in the Novel

"Every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith — acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration… Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical” - Chapter 82, pp. 369-370

I made this post due to curiousness and fascination on Dan Brown's famous novels, on how he played my imagination while reading his book and incorporating my backpacking passion to wander them around. The adventure started in Paris, France last October 2013 where I headed to Louvre Museum first going to the Gallery, the mysterious portrait of Monalisa, exiting through the Inverted Pyramid area, then to Saint Sulpice Church. On July 2014 continued to pursuit the places in Longdon, England  by visiting Sir Isaac Newton's Sarcophagus in Westminster Abbey. Finalizing the itinerary by going to Edinburgh, Scotland last December 2014 in Rosslyn Chapel where I visited the intriguing carvings, the Apprentice Pillar and the Crypt downstairs.

The Da Vinci Code is a 2006 American mystery-thriller film directed by Ron Howard and adapted from Dan Brown's 2003 best-selling novel of the same name that stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou. The film, like the book, was considered controversial. It was met with especially harsh criticism by the Roman Catholic Church for the accusation that it is behind a two-thousand-year-old coverup concerning what the Holy Grail really is and the concept that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were married and that the union produced a daughter. Many members urged the laity to boycott the film. Two organizations, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei figure prominently in the story. In the book, Dan Brown insists that the Priory of Sion and "...all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate".

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Davinci Code" Tour

Edinburgh City Tour last part; other tourist spots

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Edinburgh City Tour 4th part; Inside the Castle

How to go to Edinburgh's other tourist spots;
From Prince Street (bus station on left side of Edinburgh train station exit), almost all of the Edinburgh's tourist spots are just walking distance only from this spot. In Royal Mile Street and just after the Edinburgh Castle, you can find the Scotch Whiskey Experience, Camera Obscura, St. Giles Cathedral until the end to "Our Dynamic Earth", Greyfriars Kirkyard and Holyrood Park.

Camera Obscura has admission fee of 11.6 GBP, photography and video taking is permitted inside. Camera Obscura is formerly Outlook Tower has 5 floors of interactive fun for all ages. Enjoy 360 degrees rooftop panoramas. Spy on the city's superb detail through the powerful free telescopes. Excellent panels identify all the sights. You will love the rotating Vortex tunnel, find your way through the Mirror Maze, lose yourself in world of illusions and feel sparks fly at the giant plasma ball.

Edinburgh City Tour other tourist spots; Camera Obscura (vortex tunnel)

Edinburgh City Tour 4th part; Inside the Castle

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Edinburgh City Tour 3rd part; on the Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat

How to go to Edinburgh Castle;
From Prince Street (bus station on left side of Edinburgh train station exit), Edinburgh Castle is around 20min walking distance on the opposite side, along the end of Royal Mile street. Admission costs 16 GBP, photography and video taking is mostly permitted inside. 

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland from its position on the Castle Rock. The castle stands upon the plug of an extinct volcano, which is estimated to have risen about 350 million years ago during the lower Carboniferous period. The Castle Rock is the remains of a volcanic pipe, which cut through the surrounding sedimentary rock before cooling to form very hard dolerite, a type of basalt. Subsequent glacial erosion was resisted by the dolerite, which protected the softer rock to the east, leaving a crag and tail formation. The summit of the Castle Rock is 130 masl, with rocky cliffs to the south, west and north, rising to a height of 80 metres above the surrounding landscape.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle

Edinburgh City Tour; Inside the Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh City Tour 3rd part; on the Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Edinburgh City Tour 2nd part; short hike to Capital View Walk

How to go to Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat;
From Prince Street (bus station on left side of Edinburgh train station exit), Calton Hill is just 10min walking distance going to the right side, just along the Prince Street. Arthur's Seat is just infront of the Calton Hill with 10mins distance walk also, inside Holyrood Park. Free admission, photography and video taking is both permitted inside the park. 

Gouged by glaciers during ice age, Calton Hill has a long and fascinating history. Today, Calton Hill is part of the Old and New Towns od Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Take the easy climb to the top and you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the city and the Forth. Explore the many monuments built to commemorate some of Scotland's leading figures, climb the 143 steps to the top of the Nelson monument, or follow the network of paths which still lead round the hill.

Calton Hill together with Arthur's Seat and the Castle rock was formed by volcanic activity about 340 million years ago. Around 2.5 million years ago the first of many Ice Ages began in Scotland, and Edinburgh was buried under a massive ice sheet, hundreds of thick. Throughout each Ice Age when the glaciers were at heaviest.

Edinburgh owes its existence to a volcanic past. Arthur's Seat is the remains of a 350 million year old volcano. Hiking the Arthur's Seat with highest elevation of 251masl on a hike for 2 hrs. From the Holyrood Palace car park, take the red paved path which climbs gently away from the road (not the steep path to Salisbury Crags). Take the left fork and head towards the St Anthony’s Chapel ruins.

Edinburgh City Tour; on the Calton Hill

Edinburgh City Tour 2nd part; short hike to Capital View Walk

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Edinburgh City Tour 1st part; Intriguing Carvings of Rosslyn Chapel

How to go to Capital View Walk;
From Prince Street (bus station on left side of Edinburgh train station exit), ride a bus #15 going to Hillend. Travel time is around an hour and buy unlimited ride day pass of 3.5 GBP. Free admission, photography and video taking is permitted in the park.

Hiking the Capital View Walk with highest elevation of 203masl on 4km trail at 2hrs trek. Starting from Hillend Country Park, next to the number bus terminus. with stunning views of Edinburgh and Firth of Forth. This waymarked walk climbs above the back of the ski-centre across the northern slopes of the Pentlands, offering excellent views over Edinburgh. It offers a less strenuous alternative to climbing right up onto the ridge. Follow the Edinburgh skyline symbols to visit the Hillend Country Park and get great views of the City. The walk is 2.5 miles/4km long and includes steep uphill sections and rough paths. It will take approximately 1.5 hours.

Edinburgh City Tour; short hike to Capital View Walk

Edinburgh City Tour 1st part; Intriguing Carvings of Rosslyn Chapel

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Glasgow City Strolling at Night

How to go to Rosslyn Chapel;
From Prince Street (bus station on left side of Edinburgh train station exit), ride a bus #15 going to Rosslyn. Travel time is around an hour and buy unlimited ride day pass of 3.5 GBP. Entrance fee to Rosslyn Chapel costs 9.0 GBP. Photography and video taking is NOT permitted inside the chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel has long been a building shrouded in mystery and one of the most mysterious places in Scotland. Founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair, as the Collegiate Church of st. Matthew, the Chapel took forty years to build. The beauty of its setting and the mysterious symbolism of its stonework have attracted, inspired and intrigued artists and visitors eversince. Legend tells that a vault as deep as the chapel is high, is carved out beneath the building - the final resting place of medieval St. Clair knights who are laid out in their full suits of armor. Many believe that knights are not alone in being buried here - rumors abound that the Holy Grail, the Ark of Covenant, even the head of Christ all lie hidden within the Chapel. But just like Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" which catapulted the chapel into the limelight, many see these as tales of fiction. However, there are plenty of secrets waiting to be discovered all over the Chapel.

Edinburgh City Tour; Intriguing Carvings of Rosslyn Chapel (front)

Glasgow City Strolling at Night

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Scottish Highlands last part; Loch An Eilein and Craigellachie Nature Reserve

How to go to Glasgow City;
There is a direct train from London and just an hour travel from Edinburgh.

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland. Located at the west end of Scotland's Central Belt on the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow's historical importance as Scotland's main industrial centre has been challenged by decades of change and various regeneration efforts. The third largest city in the entire United Kingdom (by population), it remains one of the nation's key economic centres outside London. Glasgow has become one of the most visited cities in the British Isles, and visitors will find a revitalised city centre, the best shopping outside London without a doubt, excellent parks and museums (most of which are free), and easy access to the Highlands and Islands. 
http://wikitravel.org/en/Glasgow

Glasgow City Strolling at Night (Glasgow Cathedral)

Scottish Highlands last part; Loch An Eilein and Craigellachie Nature Reserve

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

Scottish Highlands 1st part; Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

How to go to Aviemore;
Aviemore is the main town in the Cairngorm National Park, the central Scottish Highlands. There is a direct train from London but what I did was after visiting the Loch Ness I rode a bus bound to Aviemore which has around an hour travel from Inverness bus terminal.

Hiking the Loch An Eilein has the highest elevation of 70masl on 7km trail starting from Aviemore town for 2hrs hike. An extremely beautiful sheet of water, reflecting the magnificent pines of Rothiemurchus Forest in which it lies; a ruined island castle is the final touch to help make this one of the most popular short walks in Scotland. Free admission to this Loch, photography and video taking is permitted.

Hiking the Craigellachie National Reserve has the highest elevation of 400masl on 5km trail starting from the Aviemore Youth hostel (where I stayed) for 3hrs hike. From the Youth Hostel follow the path uphill and then down and through the tunnel under the thunderingly busy road; There are stunning views over Aviemore and the Lower Spey valley. Free admission to this Loch, photography and video taking is permitted.

Scottish Highlands; Loch An Eilein

Scottish Highlands 1st part; Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

London City Tour last part; Another night on West-end and on the Streets

How to go to Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle;
Going to Loch Ness is served only by a bus trip from Inverness, roundtrip fare costs 5.3 GBP. There is a direct train from London to Inverness. Since this type of transportation is expensive, what I did was 11 hours night Mega-bus ride from London Victoria Coach Station to Edinburgh then Edinburgh to Inverness bus terminal. Entrance to the Urquhart Castle is 7.9 GBP that includes audiovisual presentation. Photography and video taking is permitted inside the park.

Loch Ness is the longest of the lochs scooped from the glen by Ice Age glaciers. Its deepest point, which at 227meter is more than twice the average depth of the North sea. Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie". Urquhart Castle is one of the greatest castle of the Scottish Highlands. Within its ruined walls, you can discover stories of the remarkable people who lived here, learn about some of the most dramatic chapters in Scotland's history and share memorable views over Loch Ness with generations of visitors. Urquhart Castle is a jigsaw puzzle with most of the pieces missing. Walls have been demolished and new ones raised many times during the last 1,500 years. Timber buildings have rotted away entirely.

Some of the things to see are the magnificent panorama over the Great Glen - one of the most stunning views in the Highlands. The Grant Tower - the most complete building of the castle and formerly the fashionable residence of the 16th century laird.

Scottish Highlands; Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

How to Apply for United Kingdom Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

an adventure of Pinoy backpacker in processing travel documents

Filipinos can enter Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory) if holding a valid UK multiple entry visa issued for 6 months or more regardless of category

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/civil-status-and-registration-office

general info:

* apply for a visa up to 3 months before date of travel
* Single, double and multiple, valid up to 6 months (general visitor)
* strongly advise not to confirm travel arrangements until visa is received

APPLYING FOR UK (BRITISH) TOURIST VISA AS ORDINARY CITIZEN IN THE PHILIPPINES  

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/philippines/

visa fee:

$141 payment through credit card.

requirements:

1. online application form

2. current and valid passport
3. One passport sized color photograph (45mm x 35mm)

4. Evidence of your current employment - letter from employer on company headed paper that includes salary and the length of your employment, confirm that you have been given time off work, and state whether this time off is paid or unpaid. You should consider submitting further documents which could support an employment letter such as, pay slips or tax returns. If you have recently entered new employment you should consider providing details of your previous employment and salary history.

5. Evidence of your marital status - n/a if single

6. Details of accommodation and return travel bookings - This could be, hotel booking confirmation (usually email), travel booking confirmation (can be email or copy of tickets), travel agent confirmation of both, accommodation details with a supporting letter from the occupant confirming that you are able to stay there

United Kingdom (Great Britain) multiple entry General Visitor Visa (June 2014)

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)

Loch Ness - Cairngorm - Glasgow - Edinburgh tour, maximizing the UK multiple visa
December 05 to December 13, 2014

"Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, power and grace" - W.H. Murray

My 3rd visit to the United Kingdom (1st visit was last June 2014 and 2nd visit was last Oct. 2014), 38th solo backpacking trip, 39 countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Scotland is a beautiful country well-known for its dramatic scenery of mountains and valleys, rolling hills, green fields and forests, and rugged coastline. While everyone knows Highlands for this, Scotland is beautiful in the Lowlands, islands and the flat lands of the North-East as well. Scotland has lively and friendly cities, often of great architectural significance, and a rich history and heritage dating back thousands of years with many ancient and historic sites. A person from Scotland is called a Scot, or described as Scottish. The word "Scotch" applies only to things - for example, whisky, Scotch eggs, Scotch beef and Scotch Corner (a road junction leading to Scotland). Do not to refer Scottish as English - it is very likely to cause annoyance.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Scotland

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (overlooking Cairngorm National Park)