Epic Towns
Caernarfon – A charming small town surrounded by ancient walls built in the 13th century, with a towering castle constructed by King Edward I. Caernarfon town and castle are UNESCO World Heritage Sites because they’ve been well-preserved in their original condition. Sipping beer at a pub next to the Menai Strait while listening to Welsh folk music feels like stepping back to the days of Robin Hood!
Portmeirion – Famous as the filming location for the 1960s TV series The Prisoner, this village was designed by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who spent 50 years (1925-1975) building an Italian-style village. It features a castle, colorful pastel Mediterranean buildings, statues, fountains, and even a domed church. Located on the banks of the River Dwyryd with Snowdonia mountains in the background, Portmeirion isn’t actually a village since it has no residents; it’s been turned into a five-star resort. Celebrities who have stayed here include Ingrid Bergman and Paul McCartney.
Llandudno – My favorite town, Llandudno, is a coastal town with elegant Victorian architecture from the 19th century. It’s no wonder Llandudno was ranked the third-best tourist destination in the UK by TripAdvisor, after London and Edinburgh. Even more exciting, you can follow in the footsteps of Alice in Wonderland, as the real Alice (Alice Liddell) lived in Llandudno in the 1860s.
Epic Landscapes
Menai Strait – This strait separates Anglesey Island from mainland Wales. A speed boat ride around the strait offers views of Anglesey’s cliffs, charming villages, centuries-old bridges, and ancient churches. The land views are equally stunning, with lush greenery and cows grazing peacefully.
Snowdonia – This mountainous region is named after the highest peak in Wales, Mount Snowdon, which stands at 1,085 meters above sea level. Snowdonia’s breathtaking beauty made it the filming location for the movie King Arthur: Legend of the Sword! While most people come here for hiking, there’s an easier, less strenuous way to enjoy the scenery: take the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog to Caernarfon. The Ffestiniog Railway, established in 1832, is the world’s oldest railway company. What makes it even more unique is that the train is a vintage steam engine, so traveling through the green mountains feels like a journey to Hogwarts!
Epic Language
In Wales, there are two official languages: English and Welsh. As a result, traffic signs, menus, and all other information are in both languages. Welsh is mostly spoken in North Wales, and it’s very different from English! For example, “Good afternoon! How are you? Goodbye!” in Welsh is “Prynhawn da! Sut ydych chi? Hwyl fawr!” If you feel Welsh has more consonants than vowels, it’s because letters like ‘w’ and ‘y’ are considered vowels in Welsh.
The epic part is that I visited a town called. Yes, you read that right! This 58-letter name is the second-longest place name in the world (the longest is in New Zealand, with 92 letters in Maori). In English, it means “Saint Mary’s Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave.” When I entered the town, there was a luxury car dealership, and the name was stretched across the entire building. To take some selfies more easily, I went to the train station, and sure enough, the name spanned the length of the building! I imagine the printing costs must have been sky-high. Fun fact: actress Naomi Watts spent part of her childhood in this town.
Also Epic
Smallest House in Britain – Located in Conwy, this tiny house has a floor area of just 3.05 x 1.8 meters and two floors—the lower one for the living room and fireplace, and the upper one for the bed. Built in the 16th century, it was once home to a fisherman and his family of six. In the 19th century, the local government closed it down for being unfit for habitation, and it was turned into a tourist attraction. Isn’t it funny that we have plenty of small houses in Indonesia? covering my face in embarrassment.
World’s Best Beach Bar – Named Ty Coch Inn, this bar is located in the village of Porthdinllaen on a beautiful white sandy beach. It was voted one of the top 10 beach bars in the world by a survey. What makes it special? It’s on a beach that can’t be accessed by vehicles, so visitors have to park on a cliff and walk about 20 minutes to reach the bar, the only one on that beach. Their drink of choice is Welsh Ale. Ah, refreshing!
Epic Tips
- To travel to North Wales, the most efficient way is to fly from Jakarta (CGK) to Manchester (MAN) via Dubai (DXB). From Manchester, it’s only about a 1.5-hour drive to Llandudno in Wales.
- Apply for a UK visa at VFS. The process is simple; just follow these three steps. Don’t worry—Indonesian passports have a high success rate for getting a UK visa!
Since I was in a hurry, I opted for the Priority Visa service, which was completed in just two working days. I also used the VIP Premium Lounge service at VFS Kuningan City to avoid waiting in line, enjoy a coffee while waiting, and get assistance, including SMS updates on the visa status.