Jersey Channel Islands {Deetour}

Today is the birthday of my friend Zenie, so I thought I should probably get around to blogging about that time I visited her in her current home, the Jersey Channel Islands in the UK, which was right before my birthday last year.

She brought me around her island for 2 days. My plane was delayed for more than 2 hours due to a runway situation, so all her plans for my first night were thrown out the window, which was too bad, but two days were more than enough to enjoy the place.

St Helier

On day 1, Zenie made me a British fry up for breakfast. The sun was hiding and the sky was gloomy, but we made the best of it by going around St. Helier, the center of Jersey. Zenie showed me around her new home, and I loved it. I was especially fascinated by how big the sea gulls were.

I had my first proper fish and chips at a place called Hector’s, where we had a funny encounter with a guy who works there. He had a lot of funny lines, some of which are below:

(1) Are you excited for the hot weather? There’s no need, you’re already hot.

(2) Him: You should marry a rich Jersey man.
Me: Where should we go to find one?
Him: How would I know? I don’t go looking for them.

(3) Him: But you don’t need a rich man, you need someone who is nice, who will bring you breakfast in bed, rub your back, rub you with baby oil.
Me: This is getting weird.
Him: Oh, you think that’s weird? That’s why you’re not married.

(4) Me: Just curious, are you Hector?
Him: I could be. I could be whatever you want me to be.

Elizabeth Castle

On the second day, the sun came out, brightening up the sky and allowing us to take gorgeous photos around Elizabeth Castle, which we got to after riding an amphibian bus, which can travel on both land and water. It’s that way because when it’s high tide, it needs to be a boat  because the water is so high but when it’s low tide, it needs to have wheels to navigate the sand. Quite clever, eh?

We arrived just in time to witness the midday cannon firing by the hilarious master gunner, who delivered typical dry British funny lines with a straight face, even involving the audience. It was quite entertaining and educational.

We huffed and puffed our way up to the top of the castle, where we got to have a gorgeous overlooking view of Jersey island.

We also got to see Saint Helier the hermit’s house on the rocks.

Corbiere Lighthouse

After that we had late lunch on a beach before taking a bus to another famous Jersey landmark – the postcard-perfect Corbiere Lighthouse.

It was low tide so we were able to walk as close to the lighthouse as possible.

However, on the way back, there was even more uphill huffing and puffing involved.

We went back to St Helier in time to buy creamy delicious ice cream made with the famous Jersey milk.

We ate them while watching the sun set along a boulevard which was reminiscent of the one we had in our hometown, but which was a lot cleaner and smells nicer.

Later that night, we had dinner with her husband John, who drove us up an overlooking spot so we could see Jersey at night. It was also beautiful.

I’m really glad I took up Zenie’s invitation to come visit her in her new home, which I honestly wouldn’t have thought of visiting otherwise because it’s not one of the typical tourist spots in UK. But it is such a lovely place to visit, made even more so thanks to Zenie and John’s generous hospitality by letting me stay in their flat and touring me around. 

P.S. Zenie, if you’re reading this, thanks and happy birthday! 😘