London 2006

AIR: American Airlines (DFW to LHR, LHR to DFW)

HOTEL: Regent Palace Hotel near Piccadilly Circus

MONDAY – July 10^th

·         I woke up early because I was excited to go.  It is 6 AM.  I get ready and finish packing my suitcase and carry-on. 

·         Left for Dallas around 9 AM.

·         Got to Dallas, near airport, and

·         Ate lunch at the Keg Steakhouse.

·         2 PM - Went to ParkNFly to park car in covered parking.

·         About 5 PM first flight is delayed two hours.  This means I will not make connection at JFK.  Called American Airlines 800 number and the got me setup through Chicago O’Hare.  The seats were in the rear of both legs, but I’m on my way and on time.  They said my luggage would follow the same route to JFK, but would not get to hotel until day after I arrive.

·         Flew MD-80 to O’Hare.

·         Arrived at O’Hare.  Made final US cell phone call to family.

·         Flew on 777 to London Heathrow.  Watched plane’s GPS location on touch panel.  Watched CSI with FREE headphones. 

·         Tried to fall asleep, and listened to music to help.  Back was sore.

TUESDAY – July 11^th

·         Woke up three hours later to daylight between Iceland and Ireland.

·         Flew over Ireland, near Belfast, Isle of Man, and in the UK over Liverpool, and Birmingham.

·         We were put in a hold so we circled around a few times.  Talk about getting right to London, but having to wait just a little longer.  I was ready to get into London.

·         Arrived at Heathrow ~12 noon local.

·         First purchase was a mobile phone.

·         Confirmed with AA lost luggage desk that they would have my stuff the next day.  In the meantime I received complimentary toiletries.

·         Use HotelLink from Heathrow to Regent Palace Hotel.  Waited for shuttle.  It came, the lady called names, but I didn’t hear mine, I asked and she said I was not on that one.  So I asked the desk and they said I was.  The shuttle was gone.  But another came and I got on it.  The ride was cool and a little odd, being on the left side of road.

·         Arrived at hotel.  Checked in.  On the way and when I got to room, I was not satisfied.  It looked kind of like a dorm with a musky feel.  I called Expedia to try and change hotels, but I would get a 100% cancellation penalty, so I said what the heck.  I toughed it out.  Made calls home.

·         Found a McDonald’s around corner to get lunch.

·         Found the Tube and gave it a whirl.  I rode to Oxford Circus then to Green Park and back to Piccadilly Circus.  Better than what I thought.  There is no air conditioning down there and the only air moving is when a train is arriving or departing.

·         Found the bus line and rode that a bit.  Don’t remember where.  The transport system is extremely easy.

·         Went back to hotel.  Restaurant (Harry Ramsden’s) was full, so I ate dinner somewhere else.

·         Had to close shades to go to sleep, because sun set later than Oklahoma.

WEDNESDAY – July 12^th

·         Woke up very early.  Can someone say jetlag?  Got ready with what I had and went down to restaurant and got English breakfast.  It was between nasty and not good.  I left half of it.  I’ll have to find a place nearby for breakfast.

·         Rode tube to Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

·         TOWER BRIDGE – Went here and noticed how very close the bridge and Tower of London were.  This would play a factor during the week.  Went into Tower Bridge and to the top.  Walked across observation level.  Was able to see landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral.

·         Walked to Tower of London right next to bridge.

·         TOWER OF LONDON – Went in and this place is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Walked around the outside of the White Tower.  Toured the White Tower, the inside had a lot of guns and swords and more weaponry.  Saw a Beefeater, and a guard.  The Crown Jewels were on display, so I decided to view them.

·         Walked over to Davy’s for lunch.  ½ Pint of soda had a lemon in it, and refills are not free most places in London.

·         My day’s agenda is complete and I have half a day left.  I remember seeing St. Paul’s from Tower Bridge.  It was a Saturday item, but I did not want to waste that much daytime.  So that freed that time on Saturday for shopping.

·         Arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral via Bus.

·         ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL – Walked in and was amazed.  Not only is it enormous inside, but it is also beautifully decorated.  You’re not supposed to take pictures inside, but got a good one.  Signed up for the 1:30 tour.  While waiting, the Great Western Door was opened.  I thought nothing of it.  Before our tour started, the tour guide said the doors are only opened for VIP and Royalty.  It was Dean Moses’ last day and indeed VIP and Royalty are arriving, but later.

·         The tour was amazing.  I then walked up to the dome and to observation point.  It was over 300 steps, so I was tired.  I saw Globe across river.

·         Walked across Millennium Bridge to Globe.  But it was closed. 

·         Walked back to St. Paul’s and got on wrong bus.  Got off at Liverpool stop, and took tube back to hotel.  Picked up luggage.

·         Went to restaurant next to hotel named Garfunkel’s.  The Chicken Kiev and that was the best thing I have eaten yet.

·         Went back to room.  Flipped through the four channels available (BBC 1 through 4, and ITV 1).  One show I watched was Jane Hall.

THURSDAY – July 13^th

·         Woke up to racket at 3 AM.  There was a nightclub nearby.  Got up and took cab to Thistle Victoria, he did not know where the hotel was so he dropped me off at Victoria station.  He passed by Buckingham Palace.

·         The tour guide is very informative of all the places we pass through.  Scenery outside of city looks like northwestern Oklahoma.  First stop is Stonehenge.

·         STONEHENGE – We stopped here, and it was a bit nippy for me, but not too bad.  Went up and touched the stones.  Left to next stop.

·         Passed military helicopters and tanks on training.  Went through several small villages.  Saw the White Horse on mountain.

·         LACOCK – Walked around in village.  Very picturesque.  Ate English breakfast at King George Inn and it was awesome.  Took picture behind bar, and they said for me to send it in.  Left for Bath.

·         BATH – Arrived near Bath Abbey.  Toured the Roman Baths.  Walked around Bath.  It is Romanesque.  The water in the baths was green.  They said not to touch it, but if you do, wash.  Had chocolate and ice cream.

·         I’m so into everything I forget I need souvenirs.  The tour guide is good, but all that talking started making me sleepy.

·         On way back to London, we can see Windsor Castle a little bit.

·         Rested a while.

·         Walked around nearby shops.

FRIDAY – July 14^th

·         Woke up early.  Since everything is going very well, decided to free Saturday up, and went to Globe (originally Sat. morning).  Rode tube to Globe.

·         GLOBE - It was very interesting to see it.  I would love to see a play there.  The groundlings are on the floor in front of the stage.  The royalty or important people would sit near the stage only to be seen.  The holes in the side of the walls allowed for wind to come through aerating the place.  This seems to have turned into “window”.  Because the British accent would be like “wind-ole”.  Went to Westminster Abbey via tube.

·         WESTMINSTER ABBEY - Was not allowed to take pictures, and couldn’t do it, because there were so many people.  The pamphlet had a route to follow.  This place had a very high decorated ceiling.  When stones were very old looking.  All the carvings were very detailed.  The crowd was slow moving.  Got to see poet’s corner with Chaucer and the likes.  Walked to London Eye.

·         Picked up ticket for London Eye.  Ate lunch at Loco Mensa (Italian), and had spaghetti and meat sauce.  Also had a chocolate and raspberry tart.  It was ALL good.  Walked to London Eye.

·         LONDON EYE – I did the Discovery Flight Fastrack, which has a guide go along with your group and you get to the front of the line.  We got near it and I was getting a little nervous, because I’ve never been in a Ferris wheel thing before, and I will be at the highest point in London.  The ride was very smooth, even when slowing or stopping.  The view was awesome.  The guide knew a lot.  Walked to IMAX.

·         IMAX – Got ticket for Superman Returns 3D.  There were a lot of people.  I like the movie.

·         Ate at Harry Ramsden’s for dinner.  Food was good, but service was SLOW.

·         Went to room.  Watched movie: Copycat.

SATURDAY – July 15^th

·         Ate breakfast at donut shop.  Walked to Horse Guards Parade.  It was a pleasant walk, and I passed Nelson’s Column.

·         HORSE GUARDS PARADE – Watched guards patrol grounds.  Got there early so I walked through St. James Park.  The horses were beautiful when they arrived.  The guards did their thing.  It was going to take a while, so I decided to head to Buckingham Palace for their guard change.

·         BUCKINGHAM PALACE – I got ear and I heard the band.  I watched them and when they had passed everyone started running.  I was a bit scared until I saw what they were doing.  They are running back to the front to watch them again.  So I ran also.  It was packed at the palace.  I ended up going to Harrod’s.

·         HARROD’s – Walked up to door, and there were fur protesters.  I was a bit worried.  Inside it was almost packed.  I ate lunch at Georgian on top floor.  It was a pricey place and there was live piano.  The lady who sat me shook the napkin a couple of times, so I just sat back because I had no idea what she was doing.  Then she put the napkin in my lap.  I was thinking, “I’m not used to this, you’d have to help me out here”.  They poured water out of bottles similar to wine.  It seems you don’t get much ice in your drinks.  I mapped out all the stores I wanted to go to.  After eating, I started at top down.  While riding escalators, heard singing.  There was a lady singing opera off of a balcony.  Took tube to hotel.

·         The key card did not work.  So I went and told the front desk.  They told me they would get someone on it, but they had someone let me in my room in the meantime.

·         Ate at Cheers.  Did some shopping on Carnaby Street.

SUNDAY – July 16^th

·         Since I did the Guards changes yesterday, I was able to get to Windsor Castle earlier.  I took the tube to Paddington Station.  That is a big station.  Walked right to gates for trains.  Showed them my London Pass and Travel Card and hopped right on.  I have never ridden on a train, so this should be fun.  We made a few stops so we never got to go fast.  I arrived at Slough.  There I changed trains to go to Windsor station.  It was a short smooth ride.  I can see the castle.

·         I got off and walked around the town around Windsor Castle.  It was impressive.  There was hardly anyone walking around, maybe five at most.  I sat outside Starbucks for coffee.  After I got out and finished, I went looking for souvenirs.  I then went to the castle entrance to wait for the gate to open for visitors.

·         WINDSOR CASTLE - There were a lot of people by the time the gates opened.  Since it was Sunday, the church and staterooms were closed.  I got an audio tour headset and walked about.  I saw old painting, the doll collection, and the guard change there.  From what I heard, it wasn’t anything like the other days, but I’ve never seen them do it before, so this was new to me.  It was cool.  After the guards, I left the castle.

·         The day before I left for London, I saw an episode of Paula Deen (on the Food Network) where her and her husband went to London and Paris.  They went a couple of places I went.  One place was the Carpenter’s Arms near Windsor Castle.  I walked in and you order at the bar, number of table, and pay.  Then they will bring it out.  I ordered Fish and Chips.  The chips were as expected, but the fish was huge.  It was around twelve inches long and five inches wide and about an inch thick with batter.  It was delicious.

·         I went and did some more souvenir shopping.  Feet started feeling a bit of pain, probably due to cobblestone streets.

·         I took train from Windsor to Slough.  I waited for the connecting train.  Meanwhile an announcement stated a train was passing through and to stand back.  That train came so fast and loud, I was scared.  Nothing like seeing an object that big speeding towards you.  NYAA!  My train came and I boarded.  The train was nonstop and we were going fast, but it was a smooth ride.  Then took tube to hotel.

·         Rested at hotel a while because I had a couple more gifts to get.  I went down and headed towards Lilywhites (a sports clothing store).  Halfway, I noticed there are a lot of people.  Especially crowded by the street.  I was thinking the Queen.  What it was was a British international autoshow, and they were parading the cars down the street.  It was neat seeing Lotus, Vauxhall, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls, Bentleys, and lots more.  Finished souvenirs.

·         Ate at TGI Friday’s near hotel.  I was surprised there was one there too.  This was the only place that had free refills.  Had a Woo Woo.  After a while, I started burning up.  Not sure why :).  Went back to hotel.

·         Started packing and putting stuff away for travel in the morning.

MONDAY – July 17^th

·         Woke up 6 AM sharp.  Called Hotelink to confirm my pickup.  Went down and had a smoothie and OJ.  Bus driver took an hour and forty minutes to get to my hotel.  I was the first so we had to get others.  He sometimes did tourbuses.  So he told us some things on the way to airport.  We passed Tony Blair’s new flat.  And we passed Richard Branson’s (Virgin Atlantic) flat.  Made it to airport with 1:30 left till boarding.  Was able to jump ahead of line, because it was long.  Checked in fine.

·         Talked with Yasim from LA.  He was backpacking through Europe.

·         Arrived at JFK.  Went to customs, got bag, went to departures, checked in, checked bag, through gates, and waited at my gate.  Called family that I was in US.  Decided to get a bite to eat.  Got a Brooklyn Burger.  It had cheese on it, and the picture did not.  Decided to take cheese off instead of going back, because I was in NYC.  Boarded next flight.  I was in middle seat of three.  Thought I’d converse with my neighbors, but they didn’t want to talk.  Talk about cramped spaces.  He mentioned the row in front of us was empty (almost).  I really wanted my bag next to me, but I gave in and moved up.  Now I am on the front row near the movie screen.  We watched “Shadows of the Sun”.

·         Arrived at DFW, and I’m very happy to be almost home.

·         Arrive home at midnight.

·         Work in seven hours.  UGH!  Something I didn’t consider in my travel plans.