We were lucky to have a full English breakfast this morning. It sets unrealistic expectations for food the rest of the trip but we aren't complaining.
Our city guide today was Keith. He is considered a rock-star in the tourism industry. He was very informative and cleverly funny. The kids missed about half the jokes he snuck in as we explored the city but the adults enjoyed him. We started at the Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the original from the time of Shakespeare. From there walked across the Thames on the Millennium Bridge. The kids knew this bridge well since it was the one used in the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. On the other side is the University of London where Daniel Radcliffe went to school. Then a quick stop at St. Paul's Cathedral, the official church of London. The kids know it from Mary Poppins (Feed the Birds) and as the wedding church for Charles & Diana.
We hurried across the city and made it in time to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Then was a leisurely walk to the borough of Westminster where we took some time for lunch. In the afternoon it took an hour in an enormous line before we got to go in to Westminster Abbey. The gothic architecture is stunning and there is so much history there. It is considered the church of the British Commonwealth. Most of the kings & queens of England are buried here. There are also many famous English artists, poets, authors and scientists either interred or memorialized. The hot spot today was a new marker. The day before yesterday a new stone was laid for Stephen Hawking. Half of his ashes are in the Abbey and the other half sent into space. Fitting!
Dinner was Wagamama's - a noodle shop. Yummy as always. We were early enough and ate fast enough that there was over an hour for the kids to do some shopping in the area.
Last stop of the day was Wicked. An excellent performance as always. The kids were super tired but were good sports about the late night. An interesting end was the bus ride home. Our crew was joined by another EF group on the bus. It was crowded! We had a sing along to keep us alert while we drove. We're back in the hotel after a full day!
Our city guide today was Keith. He is considered a rock-star in the tourism industry. He was very informative and cleverly funny. The kids missed about half the jokes he snuck in as we explored the city but the adults enjoyed him. We started at the Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the original from the time of Shakespeare. From there walked across the Thames on the Millennium Bridge. The kids knew this bridge well since it was the one used in the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. On the other side is the University of London where Daniel Radcliffe went to school. Then a quick stop at St. Paul's Cathedral, the official church of London. The kids know it from Mary Poppins (Feed the Birds) and as the wedding church for Charles & Diana.
We hurried across the city and made it in time to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Then was a leisurely walk to the borough of Westminster where we took some time for lunch. In the afternoon it took an hour in an enormous line before we got to go in to Westminster Abbey. The gothic architecture is stunning and there is so much history there. It is considered the church of the British Commonwealth. Most of the kings & queens of England are buried here. There are also many famous English artists, poets, authors and scientists either interred or memorialized. The hot spot today was a new marker. The day before yesterday a new stone was laid for Stephen Hawking. Half of his ashes are in the Abbey and the other half sent into space. Fitting!
Dinner was Wagamama's - a noodle shop. Yummy as always. We were early enough and ate fast enough that there was over an hour for the kids to do some shopping in the area.
Last stop of the day was Wicked. An excellent performance as always. The kids were super tired but were good sports about the late night. An interesting end was the bus ride home. Our crew was joined by another EF group on the bus. It was crowded! We had a sing along to keep us alert while we drove. We're back in the hotel after a full day!
No comments:
Post a Comment