Friday's Events

Being our first "free day", we slept in a little later than usual which was very nice. My feet really appreciated it! Luckily I wasn't sore from my fall yesterday at Dover and there are no visible bruises.

We went to Regent's Park and had lunch before going through the London Zoo. We ate at "The Honest Sausage" which was an all organic restaurant. They even had a vegetarian sausage but there was no way I was going to eat it because it looked like a regular hot dog except it was made with corn. I opted for a tomato and cheese sandwich. It tasted good to me but how can you go wrong with tomato and cheese?


Lunch at Regent's Park


Zoo Flowers


Lindsey, one of my London roommates, hanging out with a gorilla statue


Penguins at the zoo


Tritoma Blooms at the zoo


African Bullfrog


Bi-Colored Poison Dart Frog


White-Lipped Tree Viper

We also went through the aquarium


Mr. Froggy Goes to London Aquarium


Salt Water Tank at London Aquarium


Saltwater Tank at London Aquarium


Seahorses at London Aquarium

and the butterfly house.


Butterfly and Flower in Butterfly House


Butterfly

All of this was very enjoyable and the weather was so cooperative.

After leaving the London Zoo, we came across the Little Venice. It was so beautiful in person and the reflections in the water were nice too. If time had permitted, I would have loved taking a scenic boat ride.


Little Venice outside of Regent's Park

We walked over to the Aldwych Theatre to check into getting tickets to see Dirty Dancing but once we discovered they were 47 pounds we decided against it. We did, however, book tickets to see The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. We were able to get good seats for 33 pounds and will be able to sit together.

Lindsey and Shana decided to eat Thai food for a cultural experience. Being the picky (non-meat-eating) person I am, I chose not to eat Thai. I would rather spend my money on something that I know will not go wasted. So, I struck out on my own and made it back to Angel Tube Station all by myself! I walked across the street to Tortilla which is California-Mexican cuisine. They have restaurants in Mexico, California and London. I got an awesome "to go" meal which I took back to the apartment to eat and work on my blog and photo processing.

Me, Shana and Lindsey are planning a few additional "culture points" during our free day tomorrow and then we must prepare to head out to Wales for an overnight stay.

Having fun in London.....

Thursday's Events

Today was a very busy day. We toured Canterbury Cathedral - absolutely beautiful and so much history. Since I wanted to take some photos in the cathedral, I told my roomies to go ahead and have lunch without me. I had just enough time to have some side orders of salad, chips (french fries) and buttered bread. Yummy! It was so good and very relaxing. I enjoyed having a moment of quiet to myself.


Entering the Canterbury Cathedral


Inside the fabulous Canterbury Cathedral


My tranquil lunch spot ~ Fern's Canterbury Cafe

Next, we boarded the bus with our tour guide, Tony, and headed for Dover Castle. Once there, we took a boat ride on the Strait of Dover which gave beautiful views of the Dover Cliffs, lighthouses and the castle from a distance. Shakespeare Cliff marks the point where England most closely approaches continental Europe. On a clear day, the cliffs are easily visible from the French coast but we were not able to see France from our vantage point.


Mr. Froggy goes on a boat ride.


A lighthouse at Dover.

Once at the castle, we walked around and looked at various sites. We were able to take a small tour of the underground tunnels but had to cut the tour short to make it back to London at our scheduled time. It would have been nice to spend more time here because I know there was lots to see. Like any other trip you take, there is just not enough time to do everything there is to do.


Mr. Froggy went to Dover Castle!


Lindsey, me and Shana on the grounds of Dover Castle.

Later in the evening, Shana, Lindsey and I took the tube and walked quite a distance looking for a restaurant named Arkansas but once we finally found the address, it was no longer open. We were a little disappointed that it was closed but glad that we were able to find the address. Since it was after 9:00 p.m. by the time we found a place to eat, Lindsey and Shana ordered an entree at Wagamama and since I don't eat Chinese food, I ordered dessert. Even the dessert tastes different from ours. The chocolate cake I had was covered in chocolate wasabi sauce!

I'm still having trouble understanding the tubes but am getting better. I figure about the time I finally understand it we'll be heading for home. My tube pass got demagnetized so I seem to always be dragging behind (having to seek assistance at tube stations)! Speaking of behind, I fell today landing on my behind and elbow - nothing serious but it could have been since there was a car coming! They drive so fast here - it's crazy!!!! I figure I will be sore from my fall as I can feel pain when I touch the areas of impact. I seem to be really clumsy right now - not sure if it's tiredness or just trying to walk while taking everything in visually.

Tomorrow is our first free day so we're sleeping in a little late. Me and Shana, an apartment mate, have to pick up laundry first thing in the a.m. We had to leave it with them because we didn't have time to wash and dry everything before leaving for Dover.

We're having loads of fun but I sure am tired. :-)

Monday - Wednesday's Events

Since my Internet was not working in my apartment, I got behind on blogging. You will see that I combined Monday through Wednesday's events.

Monday morning, we arrived Heathrow Airport from Little Rock, Arkansas. We hopped on a tour bus and headed for Windsor Castle and Stonehenge before going into London.

Windsor Castle was fabulous! Even though the Queen was in the castle at the time, we were allowed to tour the state apartments and particular rooms in the castle. I was shocked at the dining table! It was so long.... The ornately decorated rooms with gold throughout was unbelievable. We also saw Queen Mary's doll house that is furnished with some duplicates of the castle, had running water and electricity throughout. It was amazing!


Mr. Froggy goes to Windsor Castle


Me standing with a Castle Guard


Changing of the guards at Windsor Castle
The Queen was home!

Our next bus stop was Stonehenge. I remembered Stonehenge from my Art Appreciation class but never in my life ever thought I would actuallly see it in person. It was a definite surreal moment for me.


Stonehenge

What can I say???? Awesome!!! I really liked the sheep grazing on the hills around the area of Stonehenge. There were none close enough to the rock formation to photograph though. I found the nearby burial mounds of interest also.

I had my first pub experience before hitting the sack after a long travel and sight seeing day. We ate a bite at The Arc Pub. Pubs are different than restaurants in that you go to the bar tender to place your order for food and drink. They deliver your food to your table and pick up the dishes when you're done.

Tuesday, we went to The British Library and The British Museum. I saw the Magna Carta and the Glutenberg Bible and I loved the Beatles display of records and song writings on napkins.


Group shot before going in to the British Library


Inside the British Museum


I love the phone booths here!
These were outside the British Museum

In the afternoon, during some free time, my roomies suggested that we visit Kensington Palace grounds which was one of my class presentations. I was absolutely thrilled!!!! In addition to the palace grounds, we had tea, wine, lemonade and desserts at The Orangery which was an awesome experience of its own! We saw statues of Peter Pan, Queen Victoria and Physical Energy. Since adults without children are not permitted to the Princess Diana Playground, we viewed it from the fence. The clock/pavilion steeple "Time Flies" was next to the playground.


Shana pours a cup of tea at The Orangery


The Orangery Exterior


Me with Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens


The Round Pond at Kensington
Candace, Colt & Shana


Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace


Physical Energy Statue


Queen Victoria Statue in front of Kensington Palace


Time Flies Steeple at Princess Diana Playground

We exited Kensington Park and went into Hyde Park. Pictured below is Serpentine Bridge which divides Kensington and Hyde Parks. The Princess Diana memorial fountain was very relaxing and we took a group photo with someone's camera while there. Notice the beautiful snapdragons we came across in Hyde Park.


Yellow Irises ~ Serpentine Bridge on Hyde Park side


Foxgloves in Hyde Park


Princess Diana Memorial Fountain ~ Hyde Park

Tuesday evening, we decided to try to find London's Hard Rock. Check out my photo in the entrance of Hard Rock! On the way there, we came across Wellington Arch. It was beautiful! Without a tri-pod, I wasn't able to get a really sharp photo but the one I took at least shows I was there. We did find Hard Rock cafe but there was 1 1/2 hour wait so we went to The Rose and Crown pub for dinner.


Sign in entrance to London's Hard Rock Cafe


Wellington Arch

On Wednesday, we visited Westminster Abbey . I especially enjoyed the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey and it was touching to see the grave and monument of the famous composer George Frederic Handel as well as many other composers and poets. It was also an honor to be in the church where Princess Diana's funeral was held.


Westminister Abbey


Westminster Abbey Detail

Next door to Westminister Abbey is St. Margaret's Church. This particular church, the third one at this site, was dedicated in 1523.


St. Margaret's Church

While we were in London, Sri Lanka's military announced the death of feared Tamil Tiger rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. On our way to and from Westminster, we witnessed a protest by Sri Lankans. The protest took place below the statue on Winston Churchill.


Protest at Churchill Monument

We also visited Big Ben.


Mr. Froggy Goes to Big Ben


Close up of Big Ben

As we walked by #10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lives, we were excited to learn that he was actually leaving at the moment we were there. We also saw the paparazzi at the prime minister gates. There were police escorts ahead of and behind him. It was a pretty exciting moment for us, especially just walking up on it.


Quick Departure

The group split up at this point until later in the afternoon. A few of us stopped by the Horse Guards. Two different squads alternate guarding this entrance. The guards we saw, dressed in red, are known as the Life Guards. The other set of guards dress in blue and are known as The Blues and Royals. Together these guards are considered the Queen's personal body guards. Both Prince William and Prince Harry have served in the Blues and Royals. I posed with a guard (look at my face!) but got nervous when the horse started acting up. There was a sign that read "Beware ~ Horses May Kick or Bite! ~ Thank You" so I already had the fear in me! I didn't know it at the time but this arch leads the way to Buckingham Palace!!!!!


Me and a Horse Guard

We took a Thames River Cruise which was great for lots of scenic photos


London Bridge Beam


The International Shakespeare Globe Centre


Hungerford Bridge


Royal Airforce Memorial
Unveiled in 1923


Westminster Bridge

and then we toured the Tower of London - what an interesting place.... We saw Traitor's Gate which is the Tower entrance from the Thames River. The centrally located White Tower was filled with exhibits of guns and swords and suits of armor. A must see was The Crown Jewels - the crowns and sceptors were fabulous! I loved this section of the Tower. We walked through the Bloody Tower on our way out and viewed the different types of torture that was used on prisoners of the London Tower.


The Queen's House


The Ravens


Tower Guard

Hopefully I'll be in bed early tonight since I'm exhausted from running all over.

Departure Flight Delayed

We learned a moment ago that our flight will be delayed about an hour. We're just hanging out in the LR airport waiting for 4:30. :)

Wales here we come!!!

Four of us have scheduled a two day trip to Wales. We're staying at Village Hotel & Leisure Club in Swansea. I can hardly wait!!!

The scenery looks awesome so I know we will have a wonderful stay here. I'm so glad that someone else is doing the driving of the rental car!! Thanks to Colt we have an awesome itinerary of things to do while traveling up the coast and back to London.

Two Weeks Away....

I will be leaving for London in exactly two weeks. I've called my banks and all that jazz. I have a room booked in Paris for an overnight visit if I can now figure out how to get there without spending a fortune!!! The chunnel got more and more expensive as each day passed and now it's looking virtually impossible to make it over. Any suggestions?

Getting Closer

As the semester is winding down, I have one more presentation to give.

We were instructed to prepare a presentation on a "culture point" - something we might do on one of our free days. I chose Kensington Palace for my first presentation. After researching the palace, I do hope I have the opportunity to visit Kensington and its grounds as well as have a cup of tea and a scone at The Orangery. :-) I enjoyed very much putting the Kensington Palace slideshow together and presenting it to my classmates.

My last presentation will be on Althorp, the Spencer family estate of Princess Diana. Since their normal hours of operation are July-August, I doubt that we will have a chance to go here. Plus, it's almost $80 round trip for the train ride there and additional money to tour the grounds. The only way we could go is if we piggy-backed on an already scheduled group tour and I don't know so much about going to this much trouble.

I know there will be many, many things to do during our three free days. We just have to decide which is most important to us.