We went to bed late and now we are up early. Again we are out of the flat by 7 am before anyone is up. And just like the day before we took the train to London Victoria and met up with our tour group. We have a busy tour scheduled!
We started by driving through the city and saw Belgravia, a district of central London in the City of Westminster where the rich and famous of England live including Margaret Thatcher. We saw Trafalgar Square with the statue of Lord Nelson and the lions surrounding it, Downing Street, the official London residence of the British Prime Minister and we also saw the original Hard Rock Cafe. It was just a blur as we only drove by it.
Statue of Lord Nelson
One of the lions surrounding the statue
We stopped at Westminster Abbey. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster, London. It is the traditional place of coronation ( since 1066) and burial site for English and later British monarchs. Behind the abbey, at least from our point of view, was Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is actually the name of the main bell in the tower, but now in common use for the bell, clock and tower.
Big Ben with the London Eye behind it.
Us in front of Big Ben
In front of Westminster Abbey
Mike in front of the abbey
We then went to the Household Cavalry Museum. The Household Cavalry Museum is a living museum in the heart of Horse Guards, Whitehall, London. There we saw unique “behind-the-scenes” look at the work that goes into the ceremonial and operational role of the Household Cavalry Regiment. Mike was even able to try on the hat and vest.
Mike in front of the Household Cavalry Museum
One of the guards standing post in front of museum
Mike trying on the hat and vest.
Then it was off to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British Monarch. The Changing of the Guards takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Amazing how many people are there to watch this event that happens everyday.
In front of Buckingham Palace waiting for the changing of the guards
Changing of the guards.
More Changing of the guards
In front of Buckingham Palace
After Buckingham Palace we went to Covent Gardens. Here we had lunch and did some shopping and walking around. Covent Garden is a district in London. Dominated by shopping, street performers and entertainment facilities and contains an entrance to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. This was a major source of fruit and vegetables in London at one time and later during the 18th century was a well-known red light district. This was a fun place to see. Lots of street performers!
A street performer we saw
Mike kept pointing to this shop and I though he wanted me to go in and buy something but what he actually was pointing at was the maniquin on the left is not a maniquin but a real person.
In front of Covent Gardens
We stopped at St. Paul's Cathedral. One of London's greatest buildings with its Dome standing proud on the skyline. The present building, completed in 1708, replaced the medieval Cathedral destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The Royal Family holds most of their important marriages, christenings and funerals at Westminster Abbey, but St Paul's was used for the marriage of Charles and Diana. We took a tour inside but we were not allowed to photograph it. I can tell you that it was gorgeous and big!
Front of St. Paul's Cathedral
Another view of St. Paul's
Backside of St. Paul's
Another view of the Dome at St. Paul's
Statue of young lover's behind St. Paul's
Then we went to see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. We really enjoyed seeing this. During its 1000-year history this impressive fortress has been a royal palace, prison, mint and zoo. It has seen three Queens of England beheaded, and the torture of numerous prisoners, stretched on the rack and crushed in the Scavenger's Daughter. Some notable executions are William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings (1483), Anne Boleyn (1536), Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1541). Catherine Howard (1542), Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford (1542), Lady Jane Grey (1554), Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1601). We also saw the Bloody Tower, Traitors' Gate, the Royal Chapel and the White Tower, built by King William the Conqueror in 1078. And of course this would not be complete without seeing the famous Crown Jewels including the dazzling Cullinan diamonds and the exquisite Koh-i-Noor. Unfortunately we were not allowed to photograph the Crown Jewels.
Outside of the Tower of London
Crown Jewels in Jewel House behind Mike
Inside the Tower of London
Mike is sitting on the site (which is now a trash can) where the beheading's took place
A monument to those who where executed. If you look closer you can see Ann Boleyn's and other's name inscribed on it.
Me with a Beefeater
After the Tower of London we took a cruise on the River Thames. We saw spectacular views of Tower Bridge, London Bridge, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and Shakespeare's Globe theater. It was a bit nippy on the cruise.
View of Tower Bridge on our way to the cruise down River Thames
Another view of Tower Bridge.
Just about to board the boat for the cruise
Going under London Bridge
The Shakespeare Globe Theater
London Eye and Big Ben
London Eye behind me
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben behind us
Finally we ended our tour by taking a flight on the London Eye. It was a 30 minute flight and amazing views of London. Mike marveled at the engineering feat. From a distance you can't tell its moving because it is slow moving. We really enjoyed this ride and would recommend it as a 'can't miss'. One of the things we noticed of the views were all the cranes in the city. I guess London is doing a lot of prepping for the summer Olympics in 2012. That would be an interesting time to visit!
Closer look at the London Eye
The River Thames from The London Eye
Amazing view
Having fun on our flight
Spectacular views
Waterloo Train Station - Largest in London
Mike loved the engineering of the London Eye
Once we were done with the London Eye, we went to the Waterloo train station (largest in London) and made our way to HARRODS!!!!! My turn to truly marvel at this amazing feat! I just want to know why don't we have this store in the USA. On the other hand maybe that's not such a great idea for me at least. Harrods is the largest department store in the world. I wish we could have had more time. This store would take at least a week to walk through it's entirety. It has over 330 departments. We only had about 2 hours before it closed. Everything you can imagine is in it. We had heard about the champagne and oyster bar and that was our first stop. We ordered a dozen oysters and had a glass of Sancerre with it. Delicious!!! Then it was off to see as much as we could within the store. I won't say what but Mike, my amazing and wonderful husband bought me a beautiful gift. Thank you my sweet Angel! You truly do spoil me. I am very happy in this store!
Arriving at Harrods
Happiness
The store closed on us and we had to head back to the flat. Oh my aching feet! Even had a blister. We did lots of walking. Once we arrived, Carlos, Tatiana's husband had arrived. It was great to see him. His mother, Pilar, had made this amazing dinner called Chupe de Centolla (King Crab Pie). Carlos opened up a few bottles of some amazing wine. Dinner was spectacular. It was awesome to catch up with them. Unfortunately, this is our last night there. Not enough time! Guess we will have to come back one day. Pilar, Carlos and Tatiana - Thank you for the wonderful dinner!!!
Chupe de Centolla
Me with Tatiana
Carlos and his mother Pilar
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