A week in London ( Condensed version )
For the second from getting off of the bus that song has been in my head, London calling...
And after a short adventure, buying our oyster cards ( transport cards ) riding the subway for only one stop, to then realise that i don't even have my backpack on and that it is still at the bus depot.
So quickly rushing back and having to find the driver, got it back thankfully but after having to wait a couple hours for the driver before he left for the next town.
But thats how it starts in the big city, heart racing, having to learn a map in a short amount of time and minding the gap at subways.
First full day here we had taken the Big City bus ( Hop on Hop Off) on its several routes throughout the city, mapping out what we wanted to see during the week and making a couple stops along the way for the must sees.
After the day at night we ride the subways for a bit and going to stations on the Monopoly game, Paddington Station and seen the bear and chair itself on where paddington starts, and just riding the lines popping out of different stops to see whats around including Harry Potter 9 3/4 but that had a massive line up so not really worth waiting just the hold the cart in the wall.
Sadly this time of year, and for the next couple as well, it is the time for repairs and maintaining of some of the most iconic landmarks, things like Big Ben and Parliament Houses and the londen eye, lucky we got to go on the eye before it shut down, and if you do get a chance ride it the sights are great over the river.
But what wasn't covered up, Buckingham Palace and the whole changing of the guard which takes place several times a week, and if you can, get there early and off to the side for one of the closer better views as they walk past, and have a laugh and bro highfive with a couple of the police directing and stopping people at the gates. Or at least i did anyways.
We had gone to many different places, Chruchhills war rooms, the Calvary Museum guarded with horses and swordsmen, Wellington arch and even go inside it to learn the history of it, as we were there, we'd watched the horseback guard ride through the archway and down constitutional hill road towards Buckingham Palace, many great photos too.
Other things we'd done is walked ALOT, walked up the Monument for the great fire in london, which had over 300 steps up, then right after St Pauls cathedral which has over 1000 steps up, i don't recommend doing both in the same day unless you want to be really fit. But the trade off is the amazing sights on top of both The Monument, and the massive and impressive St pauls Cathedral with its incredible design, painting and artworks on the archs and roof, viewing platforms all the way to top on the Cathedral itself.
We had walked on the tower bridge which was awesome to go even with its glass floor to the road and water below, learn how the bridge was built and even got the amazing photo of the one thats first on display on this post :o
Checked out the Tower of London and surrounding grounds, which you can spend a few hours looking at all the history, the royal mint and how coins where made in the day, the crown jewels on display but cant take any photos of them, thats a BIG no no.
Lots of other places we had gone to with all were great and filled with history and wonder but can't write about them all or this post with go all week.
HMS Belfast Ship tour.
London Bridge experience which talks about the history of all 4 bridges and the rest is a horror walkthrough experience ( fun but not if you dont like jumpscares )
Had dinner in Trafalgar square on the Nelson Monument, watching some dance act that was happening.
Also other places we had been too, Cutty sark ship, Westminster Abby, Kensington Palace, Royal albert hall, Hyde park, Green park, MnM world and the largest wall of chocolate.
And many other sights, famous buildings, streets, shops and all, packed into a week of being here in London.
But to end our time and last day / night here, we set off on a river cruise on the River Thames, at night went up and seen the incredible View from the Shard with a glass of champagn, then walk along the Riverside looking off to the city and end up the Namco fun scape till late and won ourself a pair of shotglasses.
Now we are on our way to France / Paris, almost missed our bus by a minute but now we can kick back, relax, and stay in Paris for the weekend...
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