On a busy Sunday morning, we decide to go on a quick tour. Our first stop was Rochester, where we visited the historic Rochester Cathedral ( place of worship since 604 AD) Attending mass at 10:30 AM was a profoundly moving experience. The solemnity of the service was enhanced by the choir of altar boys, which added an air of gravitas and pomp. We learned from the leaflets provided that the cathedral requires around five thousand pounds daily for upkeep, and contributions are appreciated. Despite its relatively small size, the church was about 70-80% full, indicating a modest local population. Although it was a Catholic Anglican service, it closely resembled a traditional Catholic mass with a few variations—a meaningful experience I'd recommend to anyone.
After the mass, we took a short walk to Rochester Castle. The castle is largely in ruins, a shadow of its former glory, but its grounds provide a pleasant stroll and an opportunity to appreciate its historical significance.
From Rochester, our journey continued to Canterbury, just over an hour away. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we missed the chance to explore St Augustine and St. Martin's church, as they were closed for the afternoon, and our schedule required a morning departure the following day. Instead, we attended the Evensong at the Canterbury Cathedral, (the seat of the Anglican Church) a unique form of prayer similar to a mass but without the Holy Eucharist. This particular service included an initiation ceremony for new members of the cathedral team, presided over by Bishop Rose from Dover. The choir's performance was outstanding, with some hymns sung in Latin and available translations in English. Evensong was a novel experience, filled with a sense of spiritual presence and joy.
We spent the night in Canterbury, sampling craft beers from the Foundry Brew Pub, conveniently located near our hotel. Nearly everything in Canterbury seems to be within walking distance. Although the cold weather meant there weren’t many flowers, I imagine the city bursts with color in the summertime. Christmas time is also good to visit the city with its market and lights
Our travels then took us to Dover. Knowing the Dover Castle was closed, we admired it from afar on our way out, before heading to the National Trust Office at the Dover Cliffs. Many visitors park their cars here to enjoy a walk along the cliffs—a beautiful three-mile (around five kilometers) stretch. We chose to extend our walk to St. Margaret's Bay, despite the cold, damp, and occasional rain. This walk along the cliffs was a highlight, with refreshing sea breeze and dramatic landscapes. While there are intriguing tunnels at the top, they were not accessible to us.
Arriving at St. Margaret's Bay, we indulged in a traditional English meal. Returning to our starting point was a bit of a challenge as Uber doesn't operate there, but the restaurant kindly arranged a taxi for us. From there, we made our way back to the city via London Victoria, concluding our memorable travel adventure.
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