We’re there! A fair bit of research went into using the Homewood Suites, which offered us the following perceived benefits:
Large accommodation, suitable for lounging around and as a base for activity
Smoking allowed in the suite!!
Hhons Points with Double Dip Avios
Good location with shopping malls in the vicinity
A few acceptable (but not high-end) restaurants nearby
The hotel has a central Admin and Reception block, where breakfast and a light evening meal is provided [the latter only 5 days a week], a small pool and 3 separate 2 or 3 storey accommodation blocks. We were in #300 on the 1st [Ground] floor with parking right outside the door. Nothing glamorous, no gold-plated bathroom fittings or luxury furnishings, all very basic, but it suited us just fine - we are honestly not DYKWIA
Plenty of space … open-plan except for the bedroom and bathroom
… with a kitchen and full-size fridge and dishwasher …
… and a typically large and comfortable bed.
Spanish Moss is everywhere, giving the hotel [and indeed the whole surrounding area] that classic Southern look!
We spent the first few days doing essential retail, non-essential retail and generally getting to know the area. Oglethorpe Mall was about 1/2 mile away, and Savannah Mall about 3 miles away, both straight down Abercorn St/Hwy 204. Typical American eating places abounded. All in all, a very convenient location [if you like suburban America, which we do], and the Malls are safe …
A few touristy pictures now. I’m not a great photographer, and I only use a pocket Lumix, so you’ll just have to accept the limitations that imposes.
Savannah and the Waterfront.
Head North up Abercorn St and keep going! Wide tree-lined streets and numerous shady City Squares are the norm!
Parking is supposed to be an issue, but on Sunday parking meters are not required so [at 1000] it was just too easy for words! We parked a few blocks back from the Waterfront, and walked in. There is also a FREE trolley service run by the City …
http://www.connectonthedot.com … and clearly a better option than the private Tour companies that charge a LOT …
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g6....Trolleys.html
In addition to being ‘historic’, Savannah is also a working port as was soon evident.
Fort Pulaski
Another short run up Abercorn St, turn right onto US-80 and keep going for about 15 miles. Well maintained by the National Parks Service, this historic fort has an interesting history which you can read about here >>>
http://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm
It was a gorgeous day, and kept us interested for 2-3 hours.
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
All the way back to just before SAV airport [Exit 102 off I-95 North] is the 8th AF Museum, commemorating the US Army Air Force’s strategic bombing force in WW2. It’s a bit short on aircraft, but awash with good displays of artefacts.
National Mighty Eighth Museum
Aircraft and Air Forces being “our thing”, we spent about 3 hours there.
The B-17, being lovingly restored …
… and the nose of an early model B-24 …
That’s about it for the Tourist bit. I’ll get back to the journey in a moment, leaving you to ponder the merits of good ole’ Southern food … deep fried battered steak with white gravy ... and
veggies!!
Journey home hopefully to come later today.