Today was very productive and busy. We have a list of things that we want to try to do before heading back to the States and we were able to mark a few off today. We had an unexpected surprise though, a baby bird in our backyard. He was so cute and sweet and we played with him a bit before he got bored and left. We then went down to Borough Market for a quick coffee before taking the Clipper to Greenwich. We walked around Greenwich town and found Greenwich Union for some Fish & Chips and Meantime beer. We then walked through Greenwich Park over to the National Observatory.
The baby bird:
Telescope at the National Observatory:
Here we were able to go through the museums and stand on 2 Hemispheres at one time. This is the place where all time for the world is set and determined. Once we got all of our pictures we wanted we walked through the Greenwich Market and then took a boat down the Thames River, past the O2 Arena, and then on to the Thames Flood Barriers. They were really neat and actually bigger than I had expected.
Me & Greg at Greenwich:
Me, standing in 2 hemispheres:
Prime Meridian Line:
The Thames Flood Barriers:
O2 Arena:
When we got back to Greenwich we walked under the Thames River over to the Isle of Dogs and from there got onto the DLR front carriage for an amazing ride around the different wharfs to Bank station. We then headed to Westfield to hit Wagamama's for some dinner. It was a bit chilly so some soup would hit the spot.
Tami walking under the Thames River:
Sunday, May 24, 2009 - Brighton!!!!
We had been wanting to go down to Brighton ever since we moved to London and we finally have done it. We thought it was just going to be a peer with the beaches but there was so much more. Our first stop in Brighton was the Royal Pavilion. This palace was absolutely stunning inside and out. It was completely done up in Chinese decor and looked sort of like the Taj Mahal. Unfortunately no pictures on the inside or I would show you the most elaborate chandelier I have ever seen, complete with a massive dragon.
The Royal Pavilion:
After the Royal Pavilion we went to Harry Ramsden's for some fish & chips. This was one of the places that was recommended by all of the books. When we got there there was no line so we thought maybe it wasn't really that good, but the food was excellent. What was funny was the interior, it reminded us so much of Denny's or any other American restaurant that serves diner style food. When we left there was a line at least 20 people long waiting to get in, good thing we beat the crowd and now we know we were at the right place.
Next we walked across the street to the Sea Life Acquarium Brighton. We spent over an hour there looking at all of the fish, turtles, sting rays, etc. The cutest thing was the baby sting rays. I had never really noticed this before but the way their tank was set up you could see everything about them. When they are babies they are nearly clear, you can almost see through them. There were a couple of babies that were playing along the side of the tank (not the bottom), so you could see all of their bellies, legs, eyes, and everything clearly. And when they started to move it looked like they were dancing....hilarious.
A baby sting ray:
A Sea Turtle:
After being entertained by the rays we left and walked down The Lanes for some window shopping. We then went by Chockywoccydoodah chocolate bar but were still too full from lunch to actually get anything. Next we walked by the ruins of the West pier, it burnt down some time ago, but the skeleton still remains, but is slowly sinking. We then walked along the beach. Let me explain the European beaches to you. It is NOT anything like what we think of as beaches. They call them pebble beaches, but they are not. They are full on rock beaches. Everywhere that we have gone (except Barcelona) is like this. Small rocks, but rocks none-the-less, that people just put their chairs and towels on and lay on, I don't know how they do it, I cannot even walk on the rocks.
Some chairs on the rocky beach:
The old pier:
We made it down to Brighton pier and spent quite a while there playing games and riding some of the rides, it was like being at Coney Island. After a few hours at the pier we walked back towards the train station passing by St. Peter's Church and then on to find the Banksy art that is famous here. It is of the 2 bobbies kissing. We stopped into the Grand Central Pub for a pint before getting on the train back to London.
The Brighton Pier:
Banksy art:
Banksy-like art in Brighton, with my prize from the pier:
Monday, May 25, 2009
Today was another day of checking things off of our list. We went up to Kensal Rise and had breakfast at Harvest, just pastries, nothing major. We were going to go to the Diner but they weren't open yet. We then took a bus over to Battersea Park to see the Peace Pagoda, Power Station, the park, and 2 bear-sized dogs. They were so cute but there is no way that the owner lives in a flat, those dogs were massive.
Battersea Power Station:
Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park:
We decided to walk instead of catch the bus that we had gotten off of (big mistake) and ended up walking across the Prince Albert Bridge and ended up walking for nearly 45 minutes more just to find the nearest bus stops. Once we finally did we were exhausted but finally got on a bus and went to Holland Park. We walked through Holland Park and to the Kyoto Gardens, which were stunning.
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park:
Greg on the bridge in the Kyoto Garden lake:
Beautiful bluebells in Holland Park:
Once done at Holland Park we caught a bus to High Street Kensington where we had lunch at Whole Foods. A combination of sushi and burritos, could a meal get any better. We then jumped on another bus and went to Prince Albert Gate of Hyde Park and over to the Serpentine Gallery. The fountains in front (and the insides) were used as a location for the second Bridgett Jones' diary movie. We had been wanting to go here since we moved here but were always on the wrong part of Hyde Park, so we finally made it. And wouldn't you know it, the fountains are gone so they can build new fountains...uggghhh.
Next we jumped back on the bus to Oxford Circus. We were hot and exhausted so we jumped into Starbucks for a cold drink. Just so you know, we don't ever go to Starbucks, there are too many good coffee places around London, but this is the only one we could find at the time (it was in the book store we were shopping at). We did a bit more shopping before throwing in the towel and heading home.
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