Exploring Douglas, the Capital City of the Isle of Man
Shortly after check in at our Bed and Breakfast, Marc and I began exploring the city of Douglas. It was a Sunday and while some businesses were open, they didn't stay open late. In fact, everything closed for the day by 5 pm. After that, the entire city was literally quiet and deserted.
We later found out that the following day, Monday, was a bank holiday which meant most businesses in the entire island was closed for the long three day weekend. I must say, given the absence of people everywhere we went, the city looked and felt like a ghost town.
We loved the architecture though. The buildings followed many different designs. There were Victorians, Art Deco, Edwardian, and more. In fact it was the city's overall look which I remember most of all.
The War Memorial along the waterfront
Beautiful houses like these lined many residential streets
The Parish Church of St. Thomas which we later visited
A very colorful street though deserted because of the three day weekend
An old mailbox
Half timbered houses reminiscent of French houses of the past centuries
The absolutely picturesque marina
A drawbridge which let a few boats go through
Art Deco in the midst of hundreds of Victorian houses
A bigger picture of the building with the Art Deco design
THe Jubilee Clock
The base of the Jubilee Clock
Thought this was a Filipino Restaurant given the name. But no, it was a Thai Restaurant! Imagine that!
A piece of Switzerland in the island
Art next to the Market Hall
The Market Hall built in 1899, Douglas, Isle of Man
A fuller view of the main façade of the Market Hall
Another side of the Market Hall
Despite mixed reviews on the internet, we had no problems with the Steam Packet ferry company that we traveled on from Belfast to Douglas. The ferry wasn't very big but it was comfy and the ride was smooth despite the grey skies and off and on drizzle
The Steam Packet office
Lloys Bank of Douglas, Isle of Man, right next to the ferry terminal
Shopping street in Douglas
The Isle of Man Bank, Douglas
The Isle of Man POst Office, Downtown Douglas
There was a Marks and Spencer in Douglas
The commercial district of Douglas deserted due to a bank holiday
Where has all your people gone Douglas? It's a bank holiday!
Nice clock over the entrance to a local cinema
I tell ya, we Filipinos are in every corner of the world