Popularly known as the most haunted city in the United States, Savannah can be considered the playground of those belonging to the other world and a place where my adventure begins. As a historic port-city, the settlement has seen motley characters, ranging from voodooists and slaves to colonialists, traders and pirates. Before the official founding of the city in 1773, the area was known to Native Americans as a burial ground. Two yellow-fever epidemics, hurricanes, fires and fierce battles during the American Revolution resulted in makeshift graves all over the city, most of which may never have been exhumed. It is estimated that the historic section of Savannah alone may be built over as many as 9,000 graves. But in 1995, preservationists launched a campaign to protect the downtown area. And as a result, he 2½-square mile historic district now has more than 1000 restored Federal and Regency buildings. These factors work together to ensure that the city is a backdrop to a host of supernatural activities. Hence, a trip to Savannah, Georgia, wouldn't be complete without going on a ghost tour, with many operators offering options on foot, in horse-drawn carriages or even in hearses. I choose to take a trolley-bus ghost tour. Before starting, the guide passes around a photo album with pictures taken in The Pirate's House, a restaurant which is one of our stops. Each picture has white translucent circles, which the guides claims are orbs, or energy manifestations of spirits. I attribute the orbs to dirty lenses or reflections from the camera flash. Although I am a believer of ghosts and gods, but it just seems to be to be true for me though, unless I get to take a picture with real spirits showing themselves.

Telfair Museum Of Art

One of the first stops is the Telfair Museum Of Art, the oldest art museum in the South. Looking like a Roman temple, the museum contains several statues, including the 'Bird Girl' statues from the cover of Midnight. The former owner, Mary Telfair, bequeathed her family home to the Georgia Historical Society to be used as a museum when she died in 1875. In her will, she specified that the museum would have "no eating, drinking, smoking, or amusements of any kind". About 100 years after her death, the rules were gradually relaxed. One evening, the museum was hosting a reception on the lawn when a sudden storm came up. There was no choice but to move the reception inside. And according to an account by a guest, "a gust of wind blew through the building, a window rattled, a glass fell and broke and mysterious voices were heard". And from then onwards, all receptions are confined to the new annex, which is apparently not covered under Mary's prohibitions that were stated in her will.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

Located at 10 East Oglethorpe Avenue, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is an upper-middle class Victorian home dating from 1821, was the childhood home of the Girl Scouts of America founder. But do you know that there is a touching story behind the house and that it is of the love between Low's parents, General William and Nellie Gordon? They were deeply in love and when he died in 1912, she was devastated. Nellie died a few years later in her bedroom on 22 February, 1971, with her children surrounding her. Her daughter-in-law Margaret was resting in the next room when, to her shock, she saw General William coming out of his wife's bedroom. He walked down the front stairs and was gone. A few minutes later, Margaret's husband came and told her that his mother had passed away. And at the moment of her death, her face had taken on the radiance of a bride going to meet her bridegroom. However, it seems, the general may not have taken Nellie completely away. Today, there have been sightings of her still walking around the old Gordon home. The home's maintenance man claimed he frequently claimed glimpses of her sitting at the breakfast table when he arrived early in the morning. The faint sounds of a piano, which Nellie loved and played have been reported as well.

Tybee Island

Tybee Island is a small beach community with 3 miles of wide, sandy beach, good for swimming and castle building. There, crystal-clear waters kiss your toes while resting seagulls dot the landscape. Sand and blue sky meld into each other at the horizon, like colors on a paint palette. As far as the eye can see, there is an uninterrupted view of the ocean, with no islands or ships to break the horizon. The clear waters are ideal for swimming or just wading. The 154 feet tall Tybee Island Lighthouse is the oldest in Georgia. The 178 steps to the top reward you with magnificent views. Another good place to visit while on Tybee is Fort Pulaski. A national monument, it was built by the Confederate forces during the Civil War to guard the mouth of the Savannah River. An 18-year project, it was completed in 1847. With its massive 2.2m-thick walls, military engineers were confident the fort was impenetrable. Yet, in 1862, when enemy forces fired at the fort, the projectiles bore through the thick walls quickly. The Confederates surrendered 30 hours later. You can still find shells from the attack embedded in the walls. Apart from that, the fort is well-preserved. Standing on the second level, visitors get a panoramic view of the Savannah River, Atlantic Ocean and salt marshes. Even if you are not interested in history or the military, Fort Pulaski makes a pleasant afternoon romp, with its picture-perfect setting, wide open spaces and walking trails. Wildlife is abundant; you might spot an alligator swimming in the moat around the fort.

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