Bucket List: Dive into the Streets of Glasgow

UK, Scotland, Glasgow

Time do fly indeed. This article was originally posted in this blog on 17th September 2014 describing my trip to Glasgow even further back by another 3 years, in 2011.

This was my one and only trip to Glasgow. 

During the trip, I had spent time exploring the city on foot, alone. Without any digital GPS-assisted map to guide me. Why? Because I was neither looking for anything nor going anywhere in particular. Thus, began my love for uncharted and unplanned walking trips around cities I travelled to. I often will spent a day or so, diving straight into parts of a city; walking, sightseeing, discovering and enjoying what the city has to offer. And hopefully, serendipitously chance upon a minor adventure or two that I can translate into a travel tale after the trip. And while on my little "adventures", maybe to tick off an item or two on my travel bucket list. ⛰

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Glasgow..... The name of this famous city in Scotland seems to evoke an almost magical nostalgia in me. Why is this so? I don't know actually because I have only visited Glasgow once in September 2011 despite being a fairly frequent visitor to the UK.

Stone sculpture of a Lion at George Square, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Glasgow has many beautiful buildings with their awesome architectural designs. This is a relatively large city with a population of more than 3 million but yet it seems uncrowded and romantic, unlike many other large cities.

During my trip to Glasgow, I had the time to take leisurely strolls around this wonderful city. This afford me the luxury to simply walk and explore the city at my own pace, without any agenda or timeline to adhere to. Basically, I had the time to enjoy the city for what it is!

Glasgow City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

George Square, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Merchant City, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Merchant City, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Merchant City, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Along Argyle Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Along Argyle Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Street performers at Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Shop along Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Along Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Buchanan Street Sign and Map, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Because I visited around the beginning of the season of autumn, both the day and night time temperatures at the time of my visit were comfortably cool. That allowed me to better enjoy this city for what it is as I take leisurely strolls wherever the paths ahead lay. During my walks around Glasgow, I intently leave the maps in my hotel room. I wanted to explore the city as I encounter it; instead of exploring the city as the guide books dictate!

Sights of Glasgow along the River Clyde, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow along the River Clyde, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow along the River Clyde, walking tour of the city; note the beautiful street graffiti of the Tiger, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow along the River Clyde, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow along the River Clyde, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

Sights of Glasgow, walking tour of the city, Scotland, UK (2011)

I also visited the GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and spent several hours marveling at both the exhibits as well as the architectural ingenuity of the museum building! Entry to the GOMA Museum is free.

GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) Museum, situated in the heart of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) Museum, situated in the heart of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Close-up view of the top of the GOMA Museum Building, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Ceiling of the GOMA Museum as seen from within the building, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

Nice cafes with friendly staff abounds around the city and I truly enjoy my cups of coffee and the arrays of delicious pastries while I sat by the sidewalk to people-watch, read my book and simply live life for what it is... the present!

There are also many nice book stores around the city which had very good discounts on older titles and by the time I had to pack my luggage to catch my flight to London, I realized that I had actually bought myself a whole lot of good reads... 17 paperbacks and 2 hard covers. That was a good haul of reading materials for the bookworm in me. 

Coffee and books aside, my friends and I also absolutely enjoyed our glasses of craft beer at the end of each day in Glasgow.

My usual indulgence at the end of each meal when I was in Glasgow, a glass of craft beer, Scotland, UK (2011)

Affordable yet delicious meal in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)

An absolutely delicious serving of seafood! Glasgow, Scotland, UK (2011)