London Eye and the river Thames
We've arrived in lovely London. The weather isn't too bad, it's been a little misty but that is to be expected. We did take the high speed train (only business class, not first class) to London from Paris and we went through the chunnel. That was an experience. All of a sudden our ears popped and things stayed dark for awhile. We tried not to dwell on the fact of where we actually were. But we made it out. Our hotel is incredibly huge and impressive only there are no real windows in the rooms. The pictures boasted big promises of location and they were delivered. We are a two minute walk to the London Eye and the Thames which is fabulous. Also from the front entrance you can see Big Ben. I was impressed.
After we settled in we walked down and took a ride on the London Eye. You can see an impressive distance. It was a nice start to get us a little bit orientated on where things are. We did walk down to Westminster Abbey and took some pictures, tomorrow we go to St. Paul's cathedral so I think that one church will be sufficient.
I also walked along the river and saw Cleopatra's needle and just walked around. We did also do a little run on the hop on hop off bus. It does seem like a good way to get around the city to all the tourist sites, especially since we are going home soon. Which is sad. The real world is starting to call.
Technically for this tour London was an add on so we were all sad to learn today that we've lost our wonderful tour guide and driver. We all gave them hugs and our goodbyes were emotional. Our tour guide wouldn't even really look at us when we hugged as she was afraid of being tearful. But all we have together are really just a breakfast and a city tour. So I'm sure breakfast and the city tour will be a little emotional for everyone as we are all leaving on Sunday.
It's been a strange few days of security. When we arrived at the train station in Paris there were military guards walking around with machine guns in plain sight. And London has been a little strange with the olympics and the Queen's jubilee coming up. Even on the London Eye you have to get your bag checked and they have people look under the benches with mirrors to see if anything has been left behind after every group. And terribly one of the ladies we are traveling with just got her phone stolen at dinner tonight. Which is terrible because she has two weeks of pictures and all of her life on that phone. What a terrible way to end vacation.
Another thing that I've learned from traveling is the art of the action shot. I really noticed this in Disneyland where NOBODY will even pause if you are trying to take a picture. So you learn to take it fast and hope for the best. However, people really struggle with that idea. There are so many people that have to pose and take five minutes to ensure it is the perfect picture. I heard one girl today tell her friend to just take the picture already, it doesn't have to be perfect! I got a good laugh on that one. But it's true. There are thousands of other people who are trying to take the same shots but they're taking the opportunity from everyone else. So I'm not so much the polite Canadian as much, my time is precious, take your pictures faster!!
Tomorrow is our last full day, we have a city tour and are planning on going to the Tower of London as everyone tells me how good it is. Then we have a free river cruise and after that we're playing it by ear. I'd love to go to Harrod's and Harvey Nicks just to wander around at the very least.
After we settled in we walked down and took a ride on the London Eye. You can see an impressive distance. It was a nice start to get us a little bit orientated on where things are. We did walk down to Westminster Abbey and took some pictures, tomorrow we go to St. Paul's cathedral so I think that one church will be sufficient.
I also walked along the river and saw Cleopatra's needle and just walked around. We did also do a little run on the hop on hop off bus. It does seem like a good way to get around the city to all the tourist sites, especially since we are going home soon. Which is sad. The real world is starting to call.
Technically for this tour London was an add on so we were all sad to learn today that we've lost our wonderful tour guide and driver. We all gave them hugs and our goodbyes were emotional. Our tour guide wouldn't even really look at us when we hugged as she was afraid of being tearful. But all we have together are really just a breakfast and a city tour. So I'm sure breakfast and the city tour will be a little emotional for everyone as we are all leaving on Sunday.
It's been a strange few days of security. When we arrived at the train station in Paris there were military guards walking around with machine guns in plain sight. And London has been a little strange with the olympics and the Queen's jubilee coming up. Even on the London Eye you have to get your bag checked and they have people look under the benches with mirrors to see if anything has been left behind after every group. And terribly one of the ladies we are traveling with just got her phone stolen at dinner tonight. Which is terrible because she has two weeks of pictures and all of her life on that phone. What a terrible way to end vacation.
Another thing that I've learned from traveling is the art of the action shot. I really noticed this in Disneyland where NOBODY will even pause if you are trying to take a picture. So you learn to take it fast and hope for the best. However, people really struggle with that idea. There are so many people that have to pose and take five minutes to ensure it is the perfect picture. I heard one girl today tell her friend to just take the picture already, it doesn't have to be perfect! I got a good laugh on that one. But it's true. There are thousands of other people who are trying to take the same shots but they're taking the opportunity from everyone else. So I'm not so much the polite Canadian as much, my time is precious, take your pictures faster!!
Tomorrow is our last full day, we have a city tour and are planning on going to the Tower of London as everyone tells me how good it is. Then we have a free river cruise and after that we're playing it by ear. I'd love to go to Harrod's and Harvey Nicks just to wander around at the very least.
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