Homeward Bound

(Thursday March 31, 2011)

This is it! Today I go home.

I have had such a great time and don't want to leave.

I also want to go home. I miss my kitties, the kids and my bed. And my daily routine.

Last night I stayed at Yotel Gatwick. Yotels are based on Japanese Pod or Capsule Hotels, but with a European twist. They are a bit bigger than a pod, but not much! They have all the basics and just enough room to turn around in. The best part is that I got to stay in the Terminal. Right there, in the airport. No early morning shuttles, no taxis, no rushing around to get to the airport. I woke up and I was there. Perfection.

Yotel is the best place I stayed in on my whole trip. The best. They may be small, but they sure pay attention to detail. If you ever get a chance to stay at one of these cool little places, take it. You won't be disappointed. The bed was super comfy with down pillows and a great duvet. As well, the whole area is silent. The staff all wear shirts that say 'Shhhhh...' on the back. It was the best. 

It's not often you hear an endorsement of a Hotel where you can stay by the hour... This is one!

6am is very early, especially when you don't get to bed until after 1am... 

When the alarm went off I rolled over and hit snooze. About 2 minutes later I jumped up realizing I couldn't snooze, I only had the room booked until 6:30am and I had to be checked out by then. 

Up, teeth, dressed, packed, and out the door by 6:30am. I think that was a record. 

No shuttle, no taxi, no rushing. I was already there. I walked down the hall and checked in for my flight.

Next stop, the VAT/Customs Office. They were closed until 7:15am. Darn it! they did have a phone direct to Customs there and once I talked to then, they let me know I could go and check my bags and see them after Security. 

Off to check in. My checked bags ended up being 20.5kg. Close enough, no charges. Nice! now to just get through security... 

And as I walked through the scanner, it beeped. Uh Oh. So I got the old pat down, and then had to take my shoes off and they were run through the x-ray machine. Apparently all was good, I got my shoes back and then just had to wait for my bag to come through the x-ray. And as my bag came through, the security guy grabbed it and asked if I minded if he had a look. 'Of course I don't, please feel free.' **Darn it! Darn it! For crying out loud, I don't have anything, please don't strip search me next...** He wanted to have a look because the x-ray wasn't clear. My voltage converter was sitting partially on my netbook and they couldn't clearly see what it was. As soon as he opened my bag he pulled the converter out and laughed. Whew!

Next, the executive lounge, breakfast, and collect some food for the flight.

First, the lounge and breakfast. It was nice, they have a continental breakfast as well as some hot breakfast items at no charge. I had toast, juice and tea. then I sat in a comfy chair and read for and hour and a bit. When I felt like I was going to fall asleep, it was time to go.

Next job, find some food for the flight. Pret a Manger, here I come! The selection was not as good as I expected, I think because it was breakfast time. I did manage to grab a sandwich, 2 granola bars, some Edemamme, a bag of crisps and a lemon cheesecake pudding thing, as well as water and juice.
 

After trying to serve me chicken on the way over, I am not getting stuck on the way back. It's almost a 10 hour flight and that is just too long to go without food, especially after breakfast was just toast. 

The gate was supposed to open at 9:50am, at 9:55 I went to information as there was no info on the board. Uh oh, sounds like the flight may be delayed. At right around 10am the gate number appeared! Yahoo!

Off to the gate. Like a stampede.

Finally onto the plane and into my teeny weenie seat. For 10 hours. Why did we all rush to the gate again?

Lunch was not surprising. Chicken. Great. I figured something out though, my request for a Vegetarian Meal was not provided to the airline. That's why they have tried to feed me chicken twice. 

They had enough vegetarian meals that they offered me one, but again it had nuts, and they don't know what kind of nut. So no thanks. I am allergic to Walnuts, not badly. Lately it hasn't been bothering me and I have had some items with walnuts in it and been fine. But I am not about to test that out again 11km in the air. So up here, I am allergic to them. End of story. 

The people sitting next to me also had requested vegetarian meals and had the same problem.

Now I am really, really, glad I stopped at Pret a Manger.

I munched away on my stash of food while everyone else had their meals. Crisis averted. So far I have watched the movie 'Red' and am waiting for the next round of movies to start. Maybe I will have a nap, or do some reading. Either way, I have 6 1/2 hours left and my bum is sore from sitting.

Later...

After watching 'Red' again (no other movie was working), reading, trying to nap and staring at the ceiling, we landed! Yahoo!

Next stop, Customs. Where I had to tell the Customs Officer all about my trip. He asked me a whole bunch of questions. Finally he let me go so I could collect my bags, which seemed to take forever. By the time I got my bags I decided I was way too tired to drag 50lbs of luggage on the Skytrain and bus so I found the Pacific Coach Lines desk and bought myself a bus ticket. I love that I can get on the bus at the airport and walk off the ferry, and not have to drag my bags around. I put them in the bottom of the bus and picked them up when I got off the ferry. Perfect. 

Made even more perfect because Mom and Dad met me when I got off the ferry and took my bags to the truck for me. 

Home! 

By the time I walked in the door, I was done. Then the cats came down the stairs to see who was coming in the door and it was all over but the snuggling. I managed to get a load of laundry started and then curled up with the kitties for some long overdue snuggles. And a nap. After my nap, I headed off to bed.

I have never been so happy to see my bed.

Last Day, at Last.

(Wednesday March 30, 2011.)

This is it! My last day. I was up and packed and checked out this morning and then it was off to the Metro. Back into London from Heathrow, then the best part!

A massage!

I got a Groupon before I left home and booked a massage and facial today at Rich's Wellbeing and Beauty. Funny that the Hostel I was staying at a few days ago is just a few minutes walk away. And I had to come almost an hour on the train from Heathrow today.

My massage was awesome. So was the facial. I was all Jello-y when I was done and really didn't want to have to drag my bags around. So I caught a Taxi up to St. Pancras Station, which is where I had to get the train to Gatwick Airport.

From St. Pancras I hopped on the train and got to relax in my seat until I arrived at Gatwick. Now, if you are paying attention, you will know that my flight doesn't leave until tomorrow morning. Yes, I am arriving at the airport a day early. There is a method to my madness. Sort of.

I am tired. I want to go home. I have done so much and don't need to do anything more. I have had a massage and am ready to have a nap and go home. My flight leaves early and I don't want to have to deal with a shuttle or racing for a Taxi in the wee hours tomorrow. So, I will be jiggling my post massage Jello-y self into my room for a nap and then having dinner and a relaxing night. I don't need to do any other racing around on my last day.

One of the things I wanted when I was planning this trip was an easy arrival in Paris and an easy departure from London. So, I did some looking around and found the Yotel Gatwick. They have rooms right in the South Terminal of the Airport so it will be an easy commute in the morning.

I checked in and hopped into the shower. Ahhhhh. The best shower I have had since I left home. Seriously. The best shower. Then a nap and I will head off to find dinner somewhere in the Airport. There are lots of restaurants in the terminal.

The rooms are tiny. Very tiny. But they sure feel luxurious. They have paid attention to every detail. There are awesome monsoon shower heads, high-quality-super-comfy mattresses and down duvets and pillows. If you happen to end up flying into or out of an airport with a Yotel, take advantage of it! Have an awesome sleep! They even let you book by the hour if you have a layover or a short stay. I tried to take some pictures of the room, bu it was too small. Check out the pictures through the links to see pictures at the Yotel Site.

After dinner I headed back to my room and made sure everything was packed properly and ready to go for the morning. The plan for the rest of the night was pajamas and TV in bed. Perfection.

Museums are FREE in London! Seriously! Free!

(Monday, March 28, 2011)

Museums are free in London! Yay! This is good news for a museum nerd...

I started with the Museum of Natural History. Seriously cool. Even the building was fascinating.

They have a temporary exhibit called Sexual Nature right now, you have to pay to get into the temporary exhibits, but since the museum is free, it's not a big deal. It was an interesting exhibit. Interesting and explicit. Like who knew that Snails shoot 'Love Darts' to aid in fertilization?! It certainly was interesting. After all the pornography, I spend a couple hours wandering around the rest of the museum. There is so much to see I could have spent a couple days there.

There were some parts of the Museum where I couldn't take pictures, but I did get one of this...

Giant Sequoia.

It's from the 'Pacific North West'. So I went half way around the world to see a tree that came from here.

Next up was The Victoria and Albert Museum. Here there were lots of naked stone people.

 

Is there a theme developing today?

I also saw this set of shutters...

Which I would want if I had a window they would fit on.

There is also this really cool glass sculpture hanging in the entry.

I want this too. Although I don't know where I would hang it...

And here is a bit more of the mess left at Trafalgar Square.

It still smells like pee.

And, the Olympic Clock!

There is some controversy over this clock of course. The Olympics wouldn't be the Olympics without some sort of controversy.

After my wander through Trafalgar Square I headed back to Mildred's for dinner. I figured I would give it another shot. It was awesome! Then I did a bit of window shopping and wandering around until my feet were ready to fall off. Then, back to the hotel.

I am ready to go home. Ready for that 10 hour flight. And Ferry ride. And sleep in my own bed. And see the kids And see my cats. And sleep in my own bed. Three more days and I will be home. Don't get me wrong, I am having so much fun I don't want to go back home and to work, but I do want to go home too.

Crowds, Crowds, Crowds.

(Sunday, March 27, 2011)

No sooner did I get on the Underground than I remembered there was some big game with Scotland today.

Football I think. By Fooball, I mean Soccer.

How was I reminded of this?

The Underground was full of drunk, kilt wearing, singing Scotsmen. Drunk. 10:30am.

It was interesting.

Today was a 'finish the stuff I haven't done yet' day.

First up, Harrison House.

Harrison House.

This is the B&B that my Mom stayed in when she was in Europe in 1972. I stopped by to see if it still had the same owners. There are new owners now who are very nice, but do not know the people that used to own it. The new owner does make a good cup of tea though.

Check out the crowd!

Once I was finished at Harrison House I decided that I needed something to eat in the near future. So back over to Soho... I like Soho, it's where I bought my purse, bracelet and pink bag.When I got there and went for a wander I was shocked by the crowds! Every street was packed. So I took this one picture, there were so many people that I didn't take the camera out much, there was just no room to take pictures.

I did take these though...

That paint running down the window is not part of the display.

How ridiculous.

This is just a wee bit of the damage done yesterday.

A bit later in the afternoon I found this place. They make these...

Mmmm...

I had the Strawberry one in the middle.

The crowds had worn me out, so back to the hotel.

Rest Day... Ahhhh!...

(Saturday, March 26, 2011)  

After all the walking of the last few days and not taking a rest day since I got to the Hostel I have decided that today would be my rest day.

As I was checking out of the Hostel, they let me know that there was a rally going on through Central London and they were expecting 500,000 people to march. I checked the map and found that the protest would not interrupt my route to the Underground. I just hoped that the Underground would not be insanely busy, and off I went.

We all know what happened at that rally. Unfortunately a minority decided it would be a good place to riot and cause all sorts of trouble.

Fortunately I made it to my Hotel and was safely watching it on TV as it happened. I think the most exciting part of the day was my long hot shower and my nap. It was just what I needed.

Off to bed and then I will be all ready to go tomorrow.

They change what?!

(Friday, March 25, 2011)

Today was a 'git er done' day. I am down to the last items on the list that I want to do, so I started at the top, and off I went.

First thing, Changing of the Guards. Since this is only done every other day right now, I had to plan out when I was doing this. Today was the day. When I went on my Bus Tour the other day I learned that they offered a free walking tour for the Changing of the Guard. So this morning I was at the meeting point at 10:30 and off we went. We went to The Horse Guards Parade first, then St. James Palace.

Beginning of the Changing of the Guard at St. James Palace.

Next up was Wellington Barracks then Buckingham Palace.

The crowds at Buckingham Palace, there was no way to get close...

Finally back to St. James Palace. We actually saw the change at St. James Palace, there was no one there, but there were thousands of people at Buckingham Palace so there was no way to get close, we were there for a chance to take pictures of the Palace before the change, and then saw the change around the corner. It was neat to see, and it was nice that our guide knew that we could see the change at St. James Palace. Our group were the only ones there!

He is waiting for the change. Soon buddy, soon...

We also had a chance to meet the Police officers that accompanied the Soldiers on Parade and stopped traffic for them. They were mounted Police. I stayed far enough back that the horses couldn't get me.

Look how close I am to that horse! I didn't even use the zoom on the camera!

Next item on the list, lunch. Since the Hard Rock Cafe was around the corner, I figured I would give it another shot. The first time I went I was underwhelmed. It was nothing bad, but also nothing great. A second chance is always a good idea in these situations, and I was really, really, hungry. I had the same impression again today. It seems like the White Spot to me. When it started it was great, now it's just a corporation. So, I can now say I have been to the Very First, Original, Hard Rock Cafe. And I can cross it off the list. Permanently.

After lunch I hopped on the Underground and off I went to Shakespear's Globe Theatre.

The stage at the Globe.

 Cool. Really cool. They are in rehersal right now and shows don't stary until April. I wish I could have seen a show. It's something that will go on the 'When in London' list. It's a round building that is open air, so the centre of the roof is 'missing'. Plays are performed in the day as there is no artificial light in the building. They do things as 'authentically' as they can, so no microphones, lights, very few props and sets. Very cool. It has the first thatched roof in London since the Great Fire of 1666.

By the time I was done at the Globe it was time to head back to the Hostel. It has been a long week and I need to do some laundry and get ready to move to the Hotel tomorrow.

On the way to the Hostel I saw this sign...

I like this.

Something happened last night to the hot water here, so there was no hot water last night or this morning for showers. Tonight the water was just tepid. The problem is apparently fixed and the 'Olympic sized' hot water tank has to heat up. Not in time for a shower before laundry, but I will be at the hotel tomorrow, so I can handle it.

I think that once I am settled in the Hotel, tomorrow will be a rest day.

Now I am off to fold my laundry and go for some Thai food. I found a place called Thai Metro a couple blocks away and this will be my third time there. It's really, really, good.

After dinner it will be bedtime.

Oh, and that was wishful thinking...

Once I was back from dinner and in my jammies folding laundry the fire alarm went off in the Hostel. So I slipped my flip flops on, grabbed my jacket and purse and got out of there. The three of us in my room were the only ones who left the building. Brutal. A few minutes later we were told it was safe to go back in.

So, finally, off to bed we went.

A Day of Famous Faces

(Thursday, March 24, 2011)

My feet are really sore, so I decided that there would be no rushing to do anything today.

Surprisingly, I got a lot done!

I got up, had a good breakfast, and then headed out.

First up, Madame Tussaud's. It was neat to walk through and see all the famous faces.

Some good guys...

Some bad guys...

This is a much younger, but no less crazy, Gadaffi.

And this guy, who is BAD, but in his own way...

They also had a Marvel Superheroes 4D Movie, which was pretty good! I was underwhelmed by the one I saw at The Beatles Experience, but this one sort of restored my opinion of 4D. What little opinion I had...

Next up, something to eat. I was surprisingly starving by the time I left. Fortunately there was a cart selling veggie burgers right outside. Once I was done, I headed off to the Tower Bridge.

I was very thankful that they had elevators.

I got to walk across the upper spans and go through the original engine room. The view from the upper spans was pretty cool!

The bridge was originally powered with steam engines. It was really neat to see.

Then I needed a drink. I wandered around and found an old friend...

I sat on the patio for a little while enjoying the view.

Next, the Loo. I wouldn't normally share bathroom stories... in one of the places lived in, I had the smallest bathroom, or so I thought... this is the smallest sink I have ever seen!

My hand is there to give you an idea of the size of this sink...

We headed off toward the Underground, today was sunny and warm, so the walk through the park was great.

This guy was out for a walk in the park too!

I decided to walk down Oxford Street, and stop at Mildred's on my way back to the Hostel. I ended up wandering down about half of Oxford Street, and then went to Carnaby Street, which is a pedestrian shopping area about a block away.

I like Carnaby Street.

I stopped in at Ollie & Nic for this cute purse.

It's grey with black trim.

I fell in love with the diagonal zipper once I opened the snap.

And check out the adorable liner.

I also went to Joy Everley Fine Jewellery and Eastpak for these...

Yes, it's another bracelet. Silver, hand woven.

This cute little duffle will be my carry on.

Then I was done. Back to the Hostel to take my shoes off and put my feet up.

London Pass, Day Two.

(Wednesday March 23, 2011)

Today is the last day of my London Pass.

First up, the ZSL London Zoo. I like the zoo. They have all sorts of creatures, here's a few...

Diana Monkey.

Asiatic Lion.

Ruppell's Griffon Vultures - Vultures fly the highest of any bird.

Pygmy Hippopotamus - This one is a cutie patootie!

Galapagos Giant Tortoise - Enjoying a leisurly lunch.

Australian Hunting Dogs, or, Australian Painted Dogs - Not lap dogs.

Warthog - It's Pumba!!

Zebras - Chilling after lunch.

Giraffe - I am jealous.

Bactrian Camel - Do you think this one might be named Alice?

Sumatran Tigers - Sleeping. What all cats do best.

Okapi - Adorable!

Check out these noisy guys...

I spent a few hours wandering, I could have spent all day.

Next it was time for something that didn't involve walking. The Original Tour. I like these tours, they give you the lay of the land and a really good idea of how to get from A to B, and what attractions are close to each other, or not. They also provide an entertaining commentary during the ride. Since it was sunny and warm I decided to sit up top on the bus, for the fresh air and some good pictures. And a sunburn.

Westminster Abbey

Trafalgar Square - pre riot...

The pock marks on this church are shrapnel marks left from WWII.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London 1666.

Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast.

This is the new City Hall in the City of London, it has been nicknamed 'The Onion'.

They also have this building, nicknamed 'The Cucumber', or 'The Gerkin'.

Wellington Arch in Hyde Park, at night.

Big Ben!

On the Tour they pointed out the original Hard Rock Cafe. So I stopped in for dinner. It was neat to get to see the memoribelia that started the restaraunt chain.

By the time I was done dinner, I was done. Bedtime.