Thur. and Friday, July 27 and 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
We were compelled to pull an “all-nighter.” We didn’t quite sleep on the flight to London. Flying from 11 PM last night until 7 AM this morning was tough. We were all excited, thinking of home.
The Sheridan was only 10 minutes bus ride from the airport where we dropped off our luggage and caught the tube to the British Museum.
The museum turned out to be full of old stuff. We looked around anyway and then had lunch: “fish and chips.” The real thing!
Next we got a 24 hour pass on one of those double-decker – open topped tour buses. This was very cool and we enjoyed the humor of our guide. I think I took over 250 pictures from the top of that bus. At the end of the two and a half hour tour of London, we spent 2 hours trying to navigate our way back to the hotel. Very confusing. We rode the tube, the train, the bus, and finally our sneakers! At one point as we tried to get onto a train, we were almost pushed on like sardines. The packers couldn’t get us on so we waited a while for the next one. All in all, it was an interesting way to see the “seedy” side of London.
We got checked in and had a bite to eat and then a shower. A SHOWER! Hot water – from above – that I didn’t have to pour – pressure – steam! I’m in tears! Actually, it had been 22 days since our last hot water experience and our first real shower in as many days.
And then: ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……..
Friday, July 28, 2006
London calling! Wake up call at 6:30 AM! David was up and out while Rick and I explained “London can wait!” It was a 9:30 wake up for us. Being seasoned veterans of the London public transit, we quickly navigated our way to Piccadilly circus and hopped aboard our double-decker tour bus. We rode straight through the tour yesterday, and wanted to hop off and on at places that interested us, today.
Our first stop off was Buckingham Place. After all, we are used to meeting all the chiefs when entering their villages, why should London and the Queen be any different? Well, we were told the Queen was out, but we could look around the palace anyway.
Next, Westminster Abbey. This was great. You could just feel the history in the air! Rick and I took the opportunity to relax on the south lawn of the Abbey and eat our lunch, which consisted of 2 starburst candies each. You see, in London when you loose your Pound$, you loose pounds yourself.
Following the Abbey, we bussed it to the cruise on the historic Thames River. Our captain took us to the Tower of London. We popped off the boat by the Tower of London just like the heads of the enemy’s of England did 400 years ago on the very same site. Talk about history, this area was covered in it. We walked around the old castle, down past Tower Bridge, and then on to Tower Hill where we caught the bus again.
The bus took us back to Piccadilly Circus. From there, we walked about a mile to Old Hyde Park and the original Hard Rock Café – London! This is where we planned on spending our last few pounds … gaining a few pounds! (That joke just never gets old). We enjoyed some big American style hamburgers and the atmosphere for a bit.
Then it was a walk through the park to Trafalgar Square. Here we spent an hour taking in its spectacle. It is much like Times Square in NY City.
It was getting late so we decided to try our luck getting back on London’s underground. No problem this time. A quick shower (long actually) and off to bed. David came in later and we were all reunited. Tomorrow we go home!!!
We were compelled to pull an “all-nighter.” We didn’t quite sleep on the flight to London. Flying from 11 PM last night until 7 AM this morning was tough. We were all excited, thinking of home.
The Sheridan was only 10 minutes bus ride from the airport where we dropped off our luggage and caught the tube to the British Museum.
The museum turned out to be full of old stuff. We looked around anyway and then had lunch: “fish and chips.” The real thing!
Next we got a 24 hour pass on one of those double-decker – open topped tour buses. This was very cool and we enjoyed the humor of our guide. I think I took over 250 pictures from the top of that bus. At the end of the two and a half hour tour of London, we spent 2 hours trying to navigate our way back to the hotel. Very confusing. We rode the tube, the train, the bus, and finally our sneakers! At one point as we tried to get onto a train, we were almost pushed on like sardines. The packers couldn’t get us on so we waited a while for the next one. All in all, it was an interesting way to see the “seedy” side of London.
We got checked in and had a bite to eat and then a shower. A SHOWER! Hot water – from above – that I didn’t have to pour – pressure – steam! I’m in tears! Actually, it had been 22 days since our last hot water experience and our first real shower in as many days.
And then: ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……..
Friday, July 28, 2006
London calling! Wake up call at 6:30 AM! David was up and out while Rick and I explained “London can wait!” It was a 9:30 wake up for us. Being seasoned veterans of the London public transit, we quickly navigated our way to Piccadilly circus and hopped aboard our double-decker tour bus. We rode straight through the tour yesterday, and wanted to hop off and on at places that interested us, today.
Our first stop off was Buckingham Place. After all, we are used to meeting all the chiefs when entering their villages, why should London and the Queen be any different? Well, we were told the Queen was out, but we could look around the palace anyway.
Next, Westminster Abbey. This was great. You could just feel the history in the air! Rick and I took the opportunity to relax on the south lawn of the Abbey and eat our lunch, which consisted of 2 starburst candies each. You see, in London when you loose your Pound$, you loose pounds yourself.
Following the Abbey, we bussed it to the cruise on the historic Thames River. Our captain took us to the Tower of London. We popped off the boat by the Tower of London just like the heads of the enemy’s of England did 400 years ago on the very same site. Talk about history, this area was covered in it. We walked around the old castle, down past Tower Bridge, and then on to Tower Hill where we caught the bus again.
The bus took us back to Piccadilly Circus. From there, we walked about a mile to Old Hyde Park and the original Hard Rock Café – London! This is where we planned on spending our last few pounds … gaining a few pounds! (That joke just never gets old). We enjoyed some big American style hamburgers and the atmosphere for a bit.
Then it was a walk through the park to Trafalgar Square. Here we spent an hour taking in its spectacle. It is much like Times Square in NY City.
It was getting late so we decided to try our luck getting back on London’s underground. No problem this time. A quick shower (long actually) and off to bed. David came in later and we were all reunited. Tomorrow we go home!!!
posted by TQDivemaster | 4:51 PM
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