I decided, completely on a whim, to spend just eight hours on the Isle of Man to ring in the new year of 2019. Not on New Year’s Eve itself, mind you, but on January 2nd. Who does that, right? But winter travelers to the Isle of Man are so rare that flights were ridiculously cheap, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a quick solo escape. The journey began on a bone-chilling Manchester morning, with me dragging myself out of bed at some ungodly hour to catch a 6 AM bus to the airport. The city was still half-asleep, wrapped in that peculiar winter darkness that makes early mornings feel like the middle of the night. My flight departed from Manchester Airport at 8 AM, and I landed at Ronaldsway Airport about an hour and a half later.
After landing, I hopped on a bus to Douglas, the island’s capital. My first order of business, naturally, was caffeine and sustenance, so I ducked into a Starbucks for a muffin and coffee. But I didn’t travel all this way to sit in a Starbucks, so once properly fueled, I set out to explore the island’s coastal beauty. The Irish Sea stretched out before me, vast and grey under an equally grey sky, creating this monochromatic landscape that was somehow both bleak and breathtaking.
My feet carried me toward the Douglas lighthouse, which stood sentinel over the churning waters. The Douglas Promenade Gardens offered a perfect vantage point for taking in the coastal scenery. It was completely overcast that day, not a patch of blue to be found in the sky, but that’s exactly the atmosphere I love most. There’s something about those dreary, colourless coastal scenes that speaks to some deep part of me. When there’s no one around and the world is washed in shades of grey, it feels like stepping into another dimension or onto an alien planet. The solitude creates this bubble of tranquility where the usual noise of life fades away.
From the lighthouse, I discovered a path leading down to a secluded black rock beach that was entirely deserted. The only sounds were the rhythmic splashing of the Irish Sea against the rocks and the occasional cry of a distant seabird. Standing there alone, with the vast expanse of water before me and the empty coastline stretching in both directions, I felt this profound sense of peace wash over me. Eventually, I pulled out my phone to play some music, because as much as I love silence, there’s something about the right soundtrack that can enhance the mood of a moment like this. I imagined myself in some dramatic film scene or, more amusingly, in a villain’s lair where nefarious plots were being hatched. And honestly, in that moment, I could absolutely see the appeal of choosing such a remote location for whatever world domination schemes one might be cooking up!
After soaking in all the beautiful solitude the Douglas area had to offer, I decided to make my way to Port Erin, partly to explore more of the island but also with the specific goal of finding some proper fish and chips for lunch. The bus ride itself became part of the adventure, for most of the journey, I was literally the only passenger. The thirty minute ride took me through rolling hills and past stone-walled fields.
Port Erin welcomed me with the same glorious emptiness I’d experienced in Douglas. The beach, was completely deserted. I took a panoramic photo to capture this perfect moment of solitude, proof that I’d had this little slice of paradise entirely to myself. After finding a small shop open despite the off-season, I got my fish and chips wrapped in paper and took them back to the beach.
My “ideal world,” at least for those few hours, natural beauty, meaningful solitude, and good food, with no obligations or expectations.
All too soon, it was time to head back to the airport for my 6 PM return flight. As I boarded the bus at 4 PM to make my way back to Ronaldsway, I felt like I’d experienced something special, a condensed adventure that proved you don’t need elaborate plans or even overnight stays to create meaningful memories. Just eight hours on an island in the middle of the Irish Sea, in the dead of winter, with nothing but my own thoughts and the landscape for company. It was, without a doubt, the most unconventional yet perfect way to kick off 2019. Whenever life gets too hectic now, I think back to those empty beaches and grey skies, and find that sense of peace all over again.
Blog title credit: Aishwarya S