Today was full of glorious sunshine and a cool breeze. We decided to visit Mont Orgueil Castle on the east coast, and the Durrell Wildlife Park; The Jersey Zoo. We walked down to the bus terminal from our hotel and used the great Jersey bus system to get around. This was more of a tourist day than a walking day, but we really enjoyed ourselves while giving our feet a bit of a break.
This island is a busy place, especially around St Helier, and around the coast. Although we could walk on most roads, most are busy with cars, and there are relatively few walking trails. The bus worked perfectly and allowed us to fully explore both the castle and the zoo.
She Said:
Today was a banner day - great weather, blue skies, plenty of sun, and two outstanding sightseeing venues.
We jumped on the bus, activated our bus cards (like the Bay Area’s Clipper Card) and settled in for a nice ride along the coast to our first destination- Mont Orgueil Castle.
The coast route was spectacular in the bright sunshine and the ocean water was an almost tropical aquamarine color. Lucky residents who live in the houses along the water! And, the houses were pretty packed in there, like in all seaside towns.
Mont Orgueil Castle holds the highest and best spot on the coast (of course) and is part of the Jersey National Trust so it is meticulously maintained, clean as clean can be (NO litter), and beautifully explanatory about all details, with extensive signs, drawings and statues. An added bonus is some very good large-scale art depicting medieval castle life, medieval battle treachery, royal lineage, a chained dragon and the obligatory picture of the Queen (this one a giant hologram).
We roamed around for hours. Even though it is Saturday, the Castle was mostly void of tourists as the many, many stone steps to access it probably put most day-trippers off.
We ate a late lite lunch in the Castle Cafe and headed to the bus stop.
Our next bus ride brought us inland, through very lush farmland and past some very affluent villages and homes. We did learn (after we’d made our trip arrangements in the States) that the Channel Islands are somewhat of a tax haven for wealthy Brits and the countryside shows that. Big properties. Big houses. Well-taken care of. Since the islands are “bailiwicks”, they govern themselves and only tangentially pay attention to the Crown.
Next Destination: Durrell Wildlife Preserve/Jersey Zoo.
Now, we usually don’t make a point of visiting zoos while on vacation, but the Jersey Zoo is an exception.
Gerald Durrell was the patron. We came upon his story when we watched “The Durrell’s of Corfu” on a few years ago on PBS. The Durrell’s were a wonderfully eccentric family who made homes in India, England and Corfu, Greece. Gerald (Gerry) was the youngest of the kids (3 boys,1 girl) and had a love of animals and nature from a very young age.
Gerry came into an inheritance (a wealthy aunt is referenced in the PBS series) and was able to follow his passion of caring for and saving endangered animals, eventually from all over the world. The Zoo is his vision of how animals should be treated.
The Zoo is a well-thought out haven for species in distress, those on the brink of extinction. The Zoo employs vets, animal researchers, scientists and keepers who work diligently to save (and propagate) animals who face being wiped off the planet.
Success rates are great, but, as we know, the job is enormous.
Still, all the animals are so happy there! Their habitats are huge and fun. Their keepers give them plenty to do, as the end objective is to release them into the wild. The Zoo has has made good progress with birds and reptiles. Mammals are too different and a process for that will take longer.
But, the work continues apace and we were so grateful to see this Zoo.
Stand-outs were the Fruit Bats, a mom and son Orangutan, and a flock of red- breasted geese, once numbering only 50 in the world, that is now part of 300 worldwide.
The animals are so happy in their habitats that they do not pay much attention to people, which make viewing them a treat.
Back on the bus (good bus system on the island), back to our town and a stop at a grocers, and we are relaxing in our room at the Savoy.
Tomorrow, the Durrell Challenge footrace (benefitting the Zoo!) runs past our hotel so we will cheer the runners on before we start our own day of walking and sightseeing.
Total Mileage:
4.5 miles
The Castle:
Durrell Wildlife Park
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