A traveller's reflection: 2017 UK Trip: 20 Cardiff, Wales

“Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost...” - Erol Ozan

(Two gentlemen and a dog by the Mermaid Quay)

Date: 14 May 2017 (Sunday)

Route: Penrhyndeudraeth - Cardiff

Distance: 151 miles (3 hr 36 min)

Hotel: Travelodge Cardiff Whitchurch Hotel (£46)

As it was raining very heavily in the morning, we decided to explore the city of Cardiff on our own. We drove to city centre and using the GPS, we located several tourist attractions and interesting places in Cardiff.

Cardiff is the capital and largest city in Wales and the eleventh-largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is the country's chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for Wales.

(It was raining cats and dogs)

(A castle and Victorian Gothic mansion)

(Cloudy sky over Cardiff)

Cardiff is a significant tourist centre and the most popular visitor destination in Wales. Cardiff was ranked sixth in the world in National Geographic's alternative tourist destinations.

We drove to Cardiff Bay, a short distance away from city centre. Wales Millennium Centre is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay. The site covers a total area of 4.7 acres. The centre has hosted performances of Opera, ballet, Dance, Theater, comedy and Musicals.

(Wales Millennium Centre)

(An outdoor public entertainment area)

The Centre comprises one large theatre and two smaller halls with shops, bars and restaurants. It houses the national orchestra and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, a total of eight arts organisations in residence. It is also home to the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre.

The main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre, has 1,897 seats, the BBC Hoddinott Hall 350 and the Weston Studio Theatre 250.

(The National Orchestra and Theatres)

(Posters of up-coming events)

(Dr Who experience and interactive exhibits)

The Pierhead is a building of the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay. It stands as one of the city of Cardiff's most familiar landmarks and was built in 1897 as the headquarters for the Bute Dock Company. The clock on the building is unofficially known as the "Baby Big Ben" or the "Big Ben of Wales", and also serves as a Welsh history museum.

(The iconic Pierhead building in Cardiff Docks)

(Built from terracotta from North Wales).

(Ivor Novella - Composer, Playwriter and Actor)

Mermaid Quay is a waterfront shopping and leisure district in Cardiff Bay. The 14,000 sq m development was opened in 1999, and includes restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.

Before the completion of the Cardiff Bay Barrage, Cardiff Bay was tidal, with extensive expanses of mud flats exposed at low tide. Construction of the barrage, one of the largest engineering projects in Europe, has turned Cardiff Bay into a 500-acre freshwater lake with 8 miles of waterfront.

(Taking a leisure stroll in Mermaid Quay)

(A vibrant, captivating waterfront)

(Cardiff bay and a stunning waterfront)

(The board walk at Mermaid Quay)

Mermaid Quay was designed by architects Benoy and opened in August 1999. Since that time there has been vast regeneration of the Bay including the construction of Lloyd George Avenue – a new link road between the city centre and the Bay – numerous iconic buildings, and residential and commercial developments including Mermaid Quay. Cardiff Bay is now one of the top destinations in Wales attracting a range of visitors from day-trippers to tourists from around the globe.

(Many tourist attraction in Mermaid Bay)

(The La Cha Cha restaurant)

(The park at Mermaid Quay)

We visited a mosque in Cardiff. Shah Jalal Mosque was formerly a church. It had been transformed into a mosque due to low Christian involvement from the community so the church committee chose to sell it. The Muslim community has taken guardianship of this place of worship and are continuing on the religious tradition within the community.