Leading up to the trip was filled with shopping, packing, shadowing, and researching to get everything ready for the trip. I was overly excited about every aspect of the trip and couldn't spend enough time on the internet looking at blogs and other information about Europe and the Contiki group and anything else I could find out!
Needless to say the day finally came and I was headed to Charlotte airport with Katie, Patti, and GrandMarje. We got our bags checked and through security without too many hookups (Katie had worn a long skirt and was forced to be patted down because of it). The plane had all the bells and whistles! A personal TV at each seat with different movies and music and shows to choose from. It was super cool, especially considering I'd never flown internationally (besides Canada) before.
Because of the time change, London is 5 hours ahead of North Carolina, I had been advised to take Tylenol PM on the plane so I could definitely sleep and hopefully not be jet lagged. Unfortunately, I decided to only take one, because I waited too long into the flight, and though drowsy and wanting to sleep I never got comfortable enough to actually fall asleep for more than a couple minutes at a time. Thankfully the adrenaline was pumping and I never really got jet lagged.
The flight got in early to Gatwick airport because of a tailwind so we gathered our luggage and made our way to the train that would take us to Victoria station where we changed to the metro. First we took the Victoria line to Green Park and then we switched to the Piccadilly line to Russell Square. We got off at Russell Square and turned left out of the metro station, then walked 2 blocks and turned left again and another 2 blocks down was the Imperial Hotel where we were booked for the next several nights.
Lucky for us we were able to check into our hotel extremely early! We headed up to our room and dropped our stuff then decided to beat the jet lag by heading out immediately!!! We hit the British museum, which houses the Rosetta stone as well as many other cool things! Katie and I aren't ones for museums but we did enjoy seeing all the mummy things. After the museum we wandered around the area, found a Starbucks and eventually decided to find a map which was back at the hotel. Once we finally found our way back to the hotel we were exhausted both from jet lag as well as the walking we had been doing and we decided on a nap.
After the nap we found supper at a local Italian place. Then we went to the Contiki basement and got discount tickets for the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Globe Theater. After getting the tickets we wanted we wandered around some more just to get a feel for the area. We took tons of pictures and had a fun time with telephone booths, the Univerity of London, and Russell Square Park. Evening was soon upon us and we headed back to our room to get ready for bed.
The view from the our room windows on the 6th floor
Russell Square Park, we could see it from our room
The beds, the room was small but comfortable
At dinner the first night
Trying to navigate my way around
Taking pictures in the park
Pretty arbor way in Russell Square park
Traditional phone booth pictures
The University of London!!
No I'm not jet lagged.....
The British museum inside
Outside the British Museum
A double-decker with Sherlock Holmes advertised.
It was amazing how behind the movie releases where!
Contiki basement to get tickets
My pizza
Katie's pasta
The park again, super pretty and a gorgeous day on top!
So fun! Loved reading this and seeing London through your eyes. Can't wait to read the rest!!!
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