Planter’s Inn originally built in 1748
Woke at 7 am new time and went down to breakfast. Luckily I
had taken my own bread because they had a toaster. A hot water urn that was
just for hot water and never had coffee in it! Always a bonus. Fruit and
powdered scrambled eggs and my toast. The rest of the spread was full of
gluten.
After breakfast I bought a ticket to go on the tour of
Savannah- well I actually bought a ticket that got me on the shuttle bus to get
to the tour trolleys where they sold the tickets and I was overcharged for mine.
The hop on hop off trolley, with commentary, was a great way
to see the historic section of Savannah.
I got off at every stop and walked around the area. They left space in
the town plan for 24 parks/ squares and there are still 22 left. And film crew
and trucks everywhere. They are
filming at least 2 major films in the town. One is Ant Man 2
I did learn not to touch the Spanish Moss- or you get
“chiggers”(mites) burrowing into your
skin. Yuk! I made sure my hat was glued to me head and I didn’t get closer to
the lovely moss than a camera distance. The beautiful live oaks do shed in
March when the new growth comes. The
town was created to stop any threat of the Spanish coming further up the coast.
The town was founded with four rules: 1.no slaves, 2. no lawyers, 3. no alcohol
and 4. no Catholics. No Catholics because they were afraid Catholics would try to help
the Spanish. And they did use slaves but borrowed them from
over the river in South Carolina.
I did a tour of Jim Mercer’s House – overpriced, no
photographs and unless you were fascinated by his story I didn’t think it was
worth it. I did learn about “Shriners” a kind of Masons.
 |
| Torah written on deerskin. |
Next was the Jewish Synagogue. Now this was fascinating. The third Jewish settlement in America, second
oldest religion in Georgia. They came via Spain > Portugal > England then
five months on the boat to settle here. This synagogue was originally built in
1820, but it burnt down in 1829. It was re-built in 1878 in a cross like shape
(like a Christian church), with a pipe organ and choir loft. The architecture
was specifically done this way to fit into the narrow 60’ blocks and in keeping
with other buildings of the time. They
have two original Torah written on deerskin now in the museum upstairs.
The Cathedral of St John was amazing. The stain glass and
painted surfaces are so incredibly beautiful. Even the water font was so
lovely.
Lunch at a small café called “Hitch“ .A deliciously fresh
salad. Then back on the trolley for more!
My next tour was of Owens- Thomas House. Great tour and an incredible
house. The tour guide was really good at giving both perspectives from the
slave and owner’s perspectives. Lots of things to photograph. I walked back to
the hotel from there, stopping for a sorbet and asked the hotel desk staff
about the morning ticket situation. By now it was 4:30. We worked out that I’d
been sold two tickets for the same day? So they suggested I go to the office to
organise a refund.
This was very difficult, but I managed to get down there and
get a pass for tomorrow. Then began the long walk back, only to be saved by a
pedibike. He dropped me off at the hotel for $5.
Shower and change of clothes. My left ankle now had a
slightly large bump on one side, so I used an elastic bandage on it. I went back downstairs
to listen to the piano and then some lovely jazz while I typed- finishing
yesterday and today. Then upstairs and transfer over all the earlier photos to
make enough space to download today. It was a very late night.
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