While I was in London we took a trip to the area where Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Prince Charles' favorite palace, and Harrods are. Westminster Abbey was very pretty, well from the outside. Unlike my trip to Paris where during mass tourists are still constantly milling around you, here at the abbey since it was Sunday you were only allowed to enter if you were a member of the church. Interesting huh? I thought that was very refreshing after Notre Dame but was slightly disappointed I didn't get to see all the historic stuff inside. So note to any travelers headed to London; remember not to visit the abbey on a Sunday.
Conveniently, Big Ben is basically in the same square as the abbey. My group arrived in the sqaure right at 11 a.m. so all my pictures of the clock are taken as its bonging the hours. It was a great thing to see in London. Possibly not the most entertaining but a definite must.
A very interesting part of the tour was viewing Prince Charles' favorite palace. It was a hair smaller than Buckingham Palace but was still very pretty. It also had those guards with the great hats that everyone tries to make laugh. The one I am pictured with was rather young but true to tradition did not say a word. Our tour guide said they do not usually like to have pictures taken with them but he said he always encourages the tourists to do it since they can't object.
While at the palace we saw a humorous site. A tour group came by in their motive of transportation which was a giant duck!
In the same neighborhood as all this great stuff was Harrods. Harrods is the largest department store in the world. It's at least a block long and wide and three stories. Absolutely amazing. Now this is a store just to look since everything is so expensive you would have to sell your own hand to get a glove. However, don't let that dissuade you from going because it trully is an amazing part of London. Try not to carry backpacks in though or you will be asked to carry them in your hand. Don't ask me why; I just know that's what the doorman told me to do. Also make sure you try the bathrooms and view the formal dress room. AMAZING!
Around these three large landmarks are several other interesting sites for tourists. One is the Eye which is a gigantic ferris wheel where you stand in what looks like a fishbowl and go around. This is fairly expensive but a offers a great view of the city. There was also a very old Methodist Church and a statue of Abraham Lincoln.
In the same neighborhood as all this great stuff was Harrods. Harrods is the largest department store in the world. It's at least a block long and wide and three stories. Absolutely amazing. Now this is a store just to look since everything is so expensive you would have to sell your own hand to get a glove. However, don't let that dissuade you from going because it trully is an amazing part of London. Try not to carry backpacks in though or you will be asked to carry them in your hand. Don't ask me why; I just know that's what the doorman told me to do. Also make sure you try the bathrooms and view the formal dress room. AMAZING!
Around these three large landmarks are several other interesting sites for tourists. One is the Eye which is a gigantic ferris wheel where you stand in what looks like a fishbowl and go around. This is fairly expensive but a offers a great view of the city. There was also a very old Methodist Church and a statue of Abraham Lincoln.
In other parts of my touring of London I had the opportunity to walk through Hyde Park which is the largest park in all of London. And believe me it is HUGE! It was decorated with the most beautiful yellow flowers. A little futher down I witnessed the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and got to look around the outside of the palace. The guards outside the palace only numbered two meaning Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth was not at home. These guards double when she is staying in the palace. The gates were gorgeous black with gold and an amazing fountain stands directly outside.
While wandering in this area I saw the street you go down to enter Notting Hill, yes like the place from the movie! And also a yellow door. This yellow door is where the famous writer of the play Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, once lived.
At the far end of the park there are many vendors and an interesting site. It is a white arch and we were informed that this is where many people were beheaded hundreds of years ago.
Finally, the London Bridge! Another amazing site. I didn't have the opportunity to actually cross it but I was able to see and get some great photos of it as well as the London Tower where the crown jewels are located. If I ever go back I am definitely stopping by there!
Interesting fact about the bridge; the top portion was a walkway in the past so people did not have to bother traffic or wait for boats to be shuttled through. Today our tour guide informed us that it is now a home or workplace for prostitues. The things you learn while vactioning! This same tour guide also informed me that if anyone bugged me in London just to call them a wanker. If you're unsure what that means just think about it a little.
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Looking forward to your Brittany and Normandy post.
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