Preseli Venture Lodge, Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales.
While I was studying abroad, my girl friends and I decided to go to Wales. We were in London and it was only a train ride away, why not? The school planned a weekend trip with Preseli Venture-an adventure company with a lodge in the middle of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We surfed-or attempted to, kyaked andddd my personal favorite, went "coasteering". Let me just tell you-Wales in the middle of the winter...not the most ideal place to go swimming. See pics of the coast below.
Each morning you meet the staff, who were all 20-something amazing guys, in the "hanger" (see below). Here you squeeze into your wet suits, go over the instructions about the upcoming activity, and of course gossip about the night before ;)
Coasteering was the best. Clad in our wet suits & helmets, we got into our van and were driven down to the water where we began our adventure. If any of you are like me and are wondering what the hell coasteering is, here is a little explanation: You start off by climbing up and around the coast just until you get to that perfect point. The point where the frigid water beneath you is jussssst deep enough so you won't shatter all your bones when you turn into a little Lemming and take the ever-so-frightening, PLUNGE. After swimming around like the little lemming that you've become, you get out, climb back up that steep and slippery coast and do it all over, just at a new and scarier height each time.
Unfortunately, none of us thought far enough ahead to purchase waterproof cameras...so you'll just have to take my word on how fun and intense coasteering was.
BUT, it wasn't all outdoor adventure. I'd say one of the best parts of the weekend getaway at Preseli was the "lodging".
Bedrooms: The lodge sleeps probably about 30 people. There are a ton of different rooms, some with bunk beds, some with regular beds, and then there was this awesome room with lofts. It's not the Four Seasons, but that's what made it fun!
The kitchen: Yes, I know, who comments on the kitchen? Well you know what, the little fat kid inside of me was shocked and super excited that not only were all of our meals paid for BUT they were all prepared by these fabulous chefs. There is a little bit of a menu selection, but the chefs stick pretty close to the term "homestyle cooking". If you've ever been to Wales, that phrase may frighten you, but again, that added character to the place!
Game Room: For all of you out there that can't really fathom a great weekend vacation without some partying, this was the place to be. I won't say much except for the fact that we happened to luck out and share the Preseli Cabin with a Bachelor Party that weekend. Needless to say, they lucked out too...they'd never met a group of Lehigh sorority girls before :)
http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/
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