London!

May 27 London

Later started each morning!  Did not leave the house until about 11.30!!!!  

Headed to the Vietnam Embassy to start the visa process, only to find out they are closed, I was reading the wrong schedule!  

So instead headed into Kensington Gardens and the Kensington Palace.  Walked around the park.  Saw the Albert memorial, Royal Albert Hall, and the Princess Diana fountain.  An amazing park!

Then into the British Museum where they had some amazing displays of dinosaurs, whales, dolphins, fish, elephants (but not pink) etc.  The building itself was a work of art!

Seems to be a lot of Darwin, so that will be good when get to Galapagos!

Then into the Albert and Victoria gallery!  Here they have many sculptures from 300 BC on!  Oh I know, way too many museums and galleries!  But they are everywhere and they are free!  The magic word!

May 26 London

Not much exciting today!  Spent the afternoon at the travel agency office getting the trip organized!  About 5 hours after sitting down, the plans had been basically made.  Unfortunately can not make the Trans Siberian Railway as planned as you can only get a Russian visa while in your home country!  Too bad!  But instead I have substituted Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Jordan, Easter Island!  I think that is a good trade off!  Now just need to work out a way to get the money to them!

That is a challenge!

May 25 London

Caught the train into London centre!  Got lost a few (sort, if you do not count the going around and around and around in circles) (they have round abouts) times, but I got found as well!  I am sure that took me 2 hours of walking around in circles and more circles when it should have taken about 10 minutes.  Oh well, saw lots in the process.

Went to Westminister Chathedral.  Beautiful RC church.  Also took the elevator up the tower and got a great view of the city around the Victoria station.

Then off towards Westminister Abbey, but the streets were blocked off and could not get in.  Turns out the Queen was in the area, but I missed her.

Got lost a few more times, but found some very interesting back alleys and stairs.

Walked by Downing St, through the Horse Guards square, into ST James park, Trafalgar Square and then the the National Gallery!

Walked by Big Ben and then over the Thames to the London Eye.  This is a huge ferris wheel that takes about 30 minutes to go around!  Great views.  Before the ride they give you a FREE 4D short film, sort of riding on the back of a seaull that flies around the area showing the sights!  WEll done, got sneezed on by a dragon, caught bubbles from a party, but good thing nothing from the seagull.

Then met Kyra for an exploration of English beers/ales!  Couple of pubs, and then to the Canadian Pub.  Quick drink and then off.  Saw 7Dials, and Neals corner, a couple of great streets/areas.  Found a Moroccan restaurant, so had to stop to have a drink!  Then  off to a Belgian restaurant.  Mussels the specialty and they were very good.

May 24 London

Arrived last night, and had a great visit.

Spent the day wandering around Sutton city shopping area.  Very nice.  Interesting people.  Got saved from my sins a couple of times!  As if i really need that!  lol

Very easy relaxing day.