A City of Squares

On to Savannah, where we received a warm welcome at lunch with Erica, the local tourism rep in the Collins Quarter Café on Bull Street, owned by an Australian couple and known for creative food and excellent coffee.

Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia, established in 1733 as a British Colony and designed by James Oglethorpe, who became famous for his town planning: in equally sized plots with over 20 parklike squares. It’s very different frorm Charleston, more spread out, greener and, excellently preserved, since it wasn’t destroyed in Civil War. General Sherman had presented this city to President Abraham Lincoln as a gift. Starting in the 1950ies a private initiative was able to make sure that Savannah's historic district is now one of the main attractions in the Deep South.

At almost 90 deg. F we explored the city all afternoon. Last time we had last visited was in the late 1990ies. Not so much has changed with the historic buildings - as the Cotton Exchange, the Factor’s Walk and the Riverfront below, connected by stairs and walkways. Completely new to us was the Jepson Center (a modern art museum, which is part of the Telfair Mansion & Museum - see pic) - spectacular esp. in regard to its architecture, and SCAD - the new College of Arts & Design.

We checked out the History and the Railroad Museum briefly and enjoyed the special atmosphere of the series of parks, before we checked in in our B&B, the Azalea Inn, a beautiful historic home with 10 rooms and three villas, pool, evening reception, gourmet breakfast and immeculate service.

After a warm Southern welcome by the innkeeper, we headed out again for dinner at the Olde Pink House. Excellent food, though a little over-prized, and good company by the tourism rep of Coastal Georgia. Walked back home at about 10 pm and were bone-tired.

On the next day, wednesday, after an excellent three-course-breakfast, we continued our exploration of Old Town Savannah in the morning with more picure-taking, checking, museums' visits and walking in pretty humid-hot weather before we headed out to the Islands in the afternoon.