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OT Trip Report & Photos – London pt. 2
OT Trip Report & Photos – London pt. 2
Mon July 5 Tour Day. Had signed up for a full day tour that hit some of the major sights we wanted to see. We are do it yourself travelers, not normally tour people, but figured it would save some time and effort and circumvent some lines.
So the bus picked us up at the hotel in the morning, we had a pleasant but sassy female tour guide that was pretty entertaining and informative.
Drove through some interesting neighborhoods with some neat architecture, first stop was the Royal Albert Hall and the Prince Albert Memorial (they are REALLY big on memorials and monuments in England – they’re all over the place).
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ee ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmka ... 2.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ck ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmk1 ... 6.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ju ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmkA ... 9.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K3 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2o9 ... 1.JPG"></a>
Next stop was the tourist clogged changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Eh. Maybe better to see during off season. And maybe the Brits still like whatever monarchal pageantry they have left more than we do.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4Y ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pF ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b7 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pJ ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X4 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pH ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Eg ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEcMV ... 1.JPG"></a>
Onto lunch at a pub near Covent Gardens = an old outdoor marketplace. The guide was able to point out a lot of interesting buildings and factoids about the parks and neighborhoods we drove through. The lunch was pretty lame, which was unfortunate – could’ve done a lot better on our own.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zM ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pL ... 1.JPG"></a>
On to St. Paul’s Cathedral, second largest church in all of Europe. A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604 A.D. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
Notable services here have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the Service of Remembrance and Commemoration for the 11th September 2001; the 80th and 100th birthdays of the Queen Mum; and the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer (wasn’t the funeral there too, with Elton John singing?). Many notables buried in the creepy crypt in the basement, including Churchill and Florence Nightingale. Its impressive dome was inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome, which is the largest church in Europe.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xg ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmpG ... 3.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fu ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmw1 ... 0.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qr ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2o3 ... 1.JPG"></a>
No photography allowed inside – take my word for it, it is beautiful and HUGE. These images pulled off the internet just to give you an idea.
On to the fortress known as the Tower of London built by William the Conqueror in 1066 with the crown jewels (various crowns with huge shiny rocks on them - no photography) and its torture chambers.
The Tower of London is often identified with the White Tower, the original “keep” or prison built in 1078 and from which the castle derives its name. The Tower as a whole is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.
Although the Tower is popularly known today as a place of imprisonment, and was used as such from as early as 1100, that was not its primary purpose. Early in its history, the Tower also served as a royal residence.
It is actually not very photogenic (whereas the Tower Bridge next to it is incredibly photogenic), but it is loaded with history with impressive displays of armor and well done timeline displays, etc.
A wide angle view from the internet.
Its position relative to the Tower Bridge.
Norman chapel inside the White Tower
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S_ ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmmn ... 7.JPG"></a>
These Yeomen Warders popularly known as the Beefeaters, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London and live with their families live on site – I wonder if they ever see any of the ghosts that are supposed to haunt the place?
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6U ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmmW ... 4.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M4 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmn_ ... 1.JPG"></a>
Some stuff that went on there.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n- ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmm3 ... 2.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H_ ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmnD ... 3.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aG ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmnl ... 9.JPG"></a>
Executioners mask.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/et ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmnP ... 4.JPG"></a>
The Tower Bridge. I have lotsa shots of this.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RR ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2oU ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ji ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEm4g ... 8.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xb ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2oR ... 1.JPG"></a>
We were supposed to meet back up with the tour group at a designated time at a designated spot to go on the boat down to the final stop on the tour – the London Eye (that big ass Ferris wheel).
We split up right before that so I could take too many photos of the Tower Bridge and the girls could check out the shops and a nearby Starbucks. We go back to the rendezvous point 10-15 min early and wait.
Hey – we aren’t seeing anybody we recognize from the tour. We wait some more. WTF? Did all 3 of us misunderstand the rendezvous info? Did everybody else get back that early and complain about how late it was getting and how tired they were and they just took off? A mystery.
Finally we go down to the dock to inquire. Luckily the guide had given us our vouchers for the Eye, but not to the boat. The dock hand was nice enough to listen and understand what happened and let us on the next boat to go down to the Eye. Oh well, the guide missed out on a nice tip.
Down to the Eye, go to the much shorter tour group line, exchange the vouchers for tix, and up we go after only about a 5 min wait on line. I understand the lines can be massive for this attraction. Pretty cool to see the city that way. It takes about 25 minute to cycle around.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Hg ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEcN3 ... 7.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6r ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEC84 ... 9.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gV ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmoq ... 3.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7B ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmpZ ... 5.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Rt ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmqX ... 2.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uD ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEC86 ... 9.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h_ ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmrR ... 5.JPG"></a>
Walk back to hotel, to dinner that night down the street at “About Thyme” Really high quality for the price – we had the sea bass on potato, mushroom risotto, stuffed chicken, apple berry crumble.
http://www.aboutthyme.co.uk/bistromenu.shtml
Next up: the mind blowing British Museum, “Afternoon Tea”, and the World Cup Pub Crawl with my daughter.
So the bus picked us up at the hotel in the morning, we had a pleasant but sassy female tour guide that was pretty entertaining and informative.
Drove through some interesting neighborhoods with some neat architecture, first stop was the Royal Albert Hall and the Prince Albert Memorial (they are REALLY big on memorials and monuments in England – they’re all over the place).
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ee ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmka ... 2.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ck ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmk1 ... 6.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ju ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmkA ... 9.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K3 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2o9 ... 1.JPG"></a>
Next stop was the tourist clogged changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Eh. Maybe better to see during off season. And maybe the Brits still like whatever monarchal pageantry they have left more than we do.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4Y ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pF ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b7 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pJ ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X4 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pH ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Eg ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEcMV ... 1.JPG"></a>
Onto lunch at a pub near Covent Gardens = an old outdoor marketplace. The guide was able to point out a lot of interesting buildings and factoids about the parks and neighborhoods we drove through. The lunch was pretty lame, which was unfortunate – could’ve done a lot better on our own.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zM ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2pL ... 1.JPG"></a>
On to St. Paul’s Cathedral, second largest church in all of Europe. A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604 A.D. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
Notable services here have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the Service of Remembrance and Commemoration for the 11th September 2001; the 80th and 100th birthdays of the Queen Mum; and the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer (wasn’t the funeral there too, with Elton John singing?). Many notables buried in the creepy crypt in the basement, including Churchill and Florence Nightingale. Its impressive dome was inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome, which is the largest church in Europe.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xg ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmpG ... 3.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fu ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmw1 ... 0.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qr ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2o3 ... 1.JPG"></a>
No photography allowed inside – take my word for it, it is beautiful and HUGE. These images pulled off the internet just to give you an idea.
On to the fortress known as the Tower of London built by William the Conqueror in 1066 with the crown jewels (various crowns with huge shiny rocks on them - no photography) and its torture chambers.
The Tower of London is often identified with the White Tower, the original “keep” or prison built in 1078 and from which the castle derives its name. The Tower as a whole is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.
Although the Tower is popularly known today as a place of imprisonment, and was used as such from as early as 1100, that was not its primary purpose. Early in its history, the Tower also served as a royal residence.
It is actually not very photogenic (whereas the Tower Bridge next to it is incredibly photogenic), but it is loaded with history with impressive displays of armor and well done timeline displays, etc.
A wide angle view from the internet.
Its position relative to the Tower Bridge.
Norman chapel inside the White Tower
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S_ ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmmn ... 7.JPG"></a>
These Yeomen Warders popularly known as the Beefeaters, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London and live with their families live on site – I wonder if they ever see any of the ghosts that are supposed to haunt the place?
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6U ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmmW ... 4.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M4 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmn_ ... 1.JPG"></a>
Some stuff that went on there.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n- ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmm3 ... 2.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H_ ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmnD ... 3.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aG ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmnl ... 9.JPG"></a>
Executioners mask.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/et ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmnP ... 4.JPG"></a>
The Tower Bridge. I have lotsa shots of this.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RR ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2oU ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ji ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEm4g ... 8.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xb ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TD2oR ... 1.JPG"></a>
We were supposed to meet back up with the tour group at a designated time at a designated spot to go on the boat down to the final stop on the tour – the London Eye (that big ass Ferris wheel).
We split up right before that so I could take too many photos of the Tower Bridge and the girls could check out the shops and a nearby Starbucks. We go back to the rendezvous point 10-15 min early and wait.
Hey – we aren’t seeing anybody we recognize from the tour. We wait some more. WTF? Did all 3 of us misunderstand the rendezvous info? Did everybody else get back that early and complain about how late it was getting and how tired they were and they just took off? A mystery.
Finally we go down to the dock to inquire. Luckily the guide had given us our vouchers for the Eye, but not to the boat. The dock hand was nice enough to listen and understand what happened and let us on the next boat to go down to the Eye. Oh well, the guide missed out on a nice tip.
Down to the Eye, go to the much shorter tour group line, exchange the vouchers for tix, and up we go after only about a 5 min wait on line. I understand the lines can be massive for this attraction. Pretty cool to see the city that way. It takes about 25 minute to cycle around.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Hg ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEcN3 ... 7.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6r ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEC84 ... 9.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gV ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmoq ... 3.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7B ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmpZ ... 5.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Rt ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmqX ... 2.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uD ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEC86 ... 9.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h_ ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/TEmrR ... 5.JPG"></a>
Walk back to hotel, to dinner that night down the street at “About Thyme” Really high quality for the price – we had the sea bass on potato, mushroom risotto, stuffed chicken, apple berry crumble.
http://www.aboutthyme.co.uk/bistromenu.shtml
Next up: the mind blowing British Museum, “Afternoon Tea”, and the World Cup Pub Crawl with my daughter.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
They drink tea in England. And all of their tea brands are superior to ours.
I love the Tower of London. I am not sure what I am going to do after I get through the last six episodes of The Tudors. It brings back memories of our tour there.
I am not much for guided tours, but having done London both ways, I think I am less of a fan of spending vacation in line than I am of guided tours.
I thought Princess Di's funeral was at Westminster Abbey, but I am off to google it now!
I love the Tower of London. I am not sure what I am going to do after I get through the last six episodes of The Tudors. It brings back memories of our tour there.
I am not much for guided tours, but having done London both ways, I think I am less of a fan of spending vacation in line than I am of guided tours.
I thought Princess Di's funeral was at Westminster Abbey, but I am off to google it now!
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gymnastika
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:01 pm
- Location: texas
