A day in Bath

Bath, rhymes with swath, NOT as in path, is a charming town, about 90 minutes away from London by train. The Romans found hot springs here, and using their engineering skills and penchant for bathing, built an extensive bathing complex here.

The photo on the left shows Bath Abbey, a medieval church founded in 1499.
The photo on the right is one of the areas of the bath complex. Note the green and gross water. The Romans would have had a roof, thus preventing sunlight from getting in. With no roof and warm water, algae forms. There were also steam rooms, cold water bath, etc., even a temple outside the bath area.

After visiting Turkey and seeing the collection at the British Museum, I've become much more interested in mosaics. There were some impressive mosaics at Bath. The one below is from the Roman bath.

Another view of the Abbey from inside the Roman bath. Too bad the Romans wouldn't have seen the Abbey, which was built a thousand years after the Romans were long gone. I like the juxtaposition here.

Your tour guide in the central part of the Roman bath.

The Pultney Bridge in Bath. It reminds me of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. It's very solid and it doesn't "feel" like you're on a bridge.

Treat yourself to a spa experience when you go to Bath by going to Thermae Spa. The 2-hour treatment is ample, and allows you access to their 2 large heated pools, and 4-chamber steam rooms. The steam rooms have essential oils (one is eucalyptus, another lavender, and two I couldn't make out). More intensive pampering is also available, but the mortgage needs to be paid next month! :)

Try going after dark, since one of the hot baths is on the roof and provides a fantastic view of the Abbey, which is lit up at night.

Cheers, JP