My first trip to London, to enjoy the sights in the city and the Christmas decorations. Although United Kingdom and the United States are similar in many ways, there are some differences which make it clear we are in a different country. In the United Kingdom, people drive on the left side of the road and drivers sit in the right side of vehicles. Everything is priced in Pounds. Also in UK English, some terms differ from US English. For example:
Chips = Fries
Concession = Discount
Lift = Elevator
Queue = Line
Take-away (when ordering food) = To-go
Toilets = Restroom
Tube (in London) = Subway
For the flights, I cashed in frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business. On the flight to London, the seats are like a recliner. The return flight was on a new airplane with updated business seats - these new seats convert to a bed and have more storage space. The main meal is served in multiple courses, like in a cruise dining room. Business class makes for a much more enjoyable experience on those long overseas flights, especially for sleeping.
December 26
We arrived London's Heathrow airport and took the Tube to the city. Checked in to the Doubletree by Hilton in Victoria which would be our London home for the trip. This hotel is a few minutes walk from Victoria station and is close to many London attractions. We spent the evening walking along Oxford and Regent streets, enjoying the Christmas decorations.
December 27
Took a tour of the House of Parliament. This place used to be a royal residence and now serves as a meeting place for the legislature. Hard to believe this building is almost 1000 years old. Next place was Museum of London, which showcases London's history going back 2000 years. We then attended the evensong service at Westminster Abbey, which featured singing hymns and scripture reading. We also got to see Big Ben and House of Parliament at night.
Central London pictures
December 28
Headed to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard. It is a ceremony where many guards enter, along with a marching band. The old and new guards meet, the band performs a short concert, and the new guard takes over. If you're going to watch, get to the Palace at least 1 hour early. Afterwords we walked across Westminster bridge, with great views of Big Ben, to the London Eye. We joined a Thames River cruise, with great views of the Tower Bridge and Tower of London. Great way to relax as you see sight along the river. After the cruise, we took a ride on the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel with enclosed capsules. It was a sunny day so we had great views of London from all directions, including the House of Parliament, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. In the evening we visited Harrods, an elegant upscale mall. The highlight of the mall is the Egyptian area, which includes a Princess Diana memorial.
December 29
Joined a tour group for a day trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford University. Windsor Castle is home to England's royal family and consists of luxury state apartments, Queen Mary's dollhouse, St George's Chapel, and an art gallery. Stonehenge is a series of stones aligned with the sun's movements. The reason for building Stonehenge remain a mystery. Oxford is one of the world's most famous universities. Admission is highly competitive and rigorous - applicants must have excellent academic records, submit applications, and go through an interview to gain admission. After enrolling, all students must pass exams to continue their studies. Oxford highlights include Christ Church college and the Cathedral.
December 30
Visited the Tower of London. This castle served as a fortress, palace, and prison. I loved the crown jewels - so many artifacts made of gold, diamonds, and shiny stones. Other highlights include: White Tower, Medieval Palace, Wall Walk with a great view of Tower Bridge, and the Bloody Tower where you try to solve a murder mystery. We then headed to the financial district to see Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, and the Royal Exchange.
December 31
We spent most of the day at the British Museum. This museum has many artifacts from many cultures and different points in history. Best way to see the museum: look at the maps and focus on the exhibits that interest you the most. Around midnight, we hung out in the hotel lobby to have drinks and watch the New Years Eve coverage near Big Ben and the London Eye. A very spectacular way to ring in the new year.
