London/Paris Cruise Oct 2013 - Part 1: London

Our journey began with the flight to London.  We flew from Kansas City to Atlanta, and then from Atlanta to London.  The flight to Atlanta was nice and short.  We got to go to Atlanta's new international terminal.  It was very nice.  Modern, but with classic airport style and features.  We had lunch in the food court, which was pretty good.  Next stop - London.  We upgraded our Delta tickets from coach (economy) to comfort economy.  This was supposed to include more leg room, seats that lay back further, free drinks, and a power outlet.  The plane we boarded seemed to be an older plane.  It was showing its years.  The overhead PA did not work, so we couldn't hear the announcements.  It seemed a little dirty and worn.  When we got in our seats, I looked for out power outlet, being the gadget guy that I am. and couldn't find one.  Lisa and I were in two seats together next to the window with the aisle next to us.  My parents were in front of us in the bulkhead.  None of us had power.  We did have a little more legroom compared to the flight to Atlanta, but not much.  The seats reclined, but not 30% more. We did get free drinks so we had a couple to start the flight.  We were a little disappointed in our "upgrade".  For the most part the flight was ok.  There was a TV screen in the headrest in front of your seat which had movies, music, TV shows and information.  Since we brought our own entertainment, we didn't use it very much other than showing the map of our progress.  That was nice to see.  Lisa and I watched a movie and then tried to go to sleep since it was an 8.5 hour flight and we arrived at 7:30am with a full day ahead of us.  Neither of us could sleep.  I think each of us (Lisa and I) got about 1 1/2 hours of sleep is all.  My dad said he only got about 30 minutes of sleep.  This made for a rough next day.  About half way through the flight, there was some commotion at the other end of our aisle.  A lady at the opposite window was having health issues.  The flight attendant was asking for a doctor, which one of the passengers was and ended up helping.  It was an interesting experience.  Everything ended up ok, we never heard exactly what happened.  After our 8.5 hours, we landed safely in London.  The sun started to rise about 30 minutes before we landed, which was really pretty to see from the plane.

We landed at Heathrow International Airport and first had to go through customs.  There was a pretty long line already at 7:30 in the morning.  We had 12 of us on the plane from Atlanta together so we tried to be together in line.  We got to a point where a man was directing the line and had our group go to a specific line.  Somehow we had an extra person with us who followed us to the customs desk.  The customs person check us by couples and when she got the extra lady in our group, she asked why she was there, and she didn't have a good answer.  Lisa and I were behind this lady in line so we got to see the interaction.  I thought it was kind of funny because she was trying to beat the system, but it came back to bite her.  The customs lady gave her a hard time, but in the end let her go ahead.  We made it through customs and got our passports stamped (Lisa was happy since she didn't get a stamp in Vancouver).  My dad had organized 2 vans to take us from the airport to the hotel.  This worked out really well.  The only problem was traffic was crazy.  It was during the morning rush hour and took over an hour.  

We stayed at the Grosvner House, a JW Marriott hotel, just off of Hyde Park.  It was a very nice hotel.  Lisa and I decided it was probably the nicest hotel we have stayed in.  It was in a great location, very clean, well decorated, and the service was spectacular.  Everyone was very helpful and friendly.  Some of our rooms were ready, but a couple were not so we cleaned up a little and waited for 4 more of our group to get in from the airport (it was only about half an hour to wait).  Once everyone was together, we headed out to see London.  Keep in mind we have not slept very much and only had lunch in Atlanta and two very small meals on the airplane.  

Our first stop was taking the Underground (London's subway) to the Tower of London.  I mentioned in my planning for London post that we got the London Pass.  This was a great find.  It had 2 day passes for the Underground and a London Pass card that got us in to all of our activities.  When we arrived at the Tower, we just showed them our pass and walked right in.  We got a tour guided by a Beefeater, which is in my opinion the best way to see the Tower.  We saw the inner and outer walls, walked through the moat and then toured the inside.  We saw where Isaac Newton worked in the coin shop.  We saw the spot where private executions were held, including the famous Anne Bolyen beheading.  The history of the Tower was incredible.  The original tower, also called the White Tower, was built in 1100.  There is nothing in the United States that compares to that.  After our tour, we saw the Crown Jewels at the Tower.  I didn't realize they were lost and replaced/recreated after Charles I.  We then went through the White Tower, which is the inner and original tower and the original palace of England.  Many of the Kings and Queens lived and ruled from the White Tower.  Now it is a display of armor and weapons.  They have all types of medieval armor on display including Henry VIII's armor.  It was really hard to take in everything at the Tower.  I really enjoyed it.  Walking through the White Tower was very powerful thinking about all the history that had happened within that building.  Very impressive.  

The Tower of London

Not far from 1000 years old!

Our tour guide - He was very informative and entertaining.

Henry VIII's Armor

After the Tower of London, we boarded a river cruise that started at the port next to the Tower and stopped at the Westminster port.  This boat went down the Thames river and we got to see quite a few landmarks from the river.  We saw the London Tower Bridge, the Globe Theater, the London Eye, St. Paul's cathedral, Parliament and Big Ben and went under several bridges including the London Bridge.  It was a nice relaxing ride, which several of us took a short cat nap through it.  

When we got to the Westminster port, we walked passed the Parliament building and Big Ben and headed to the Churchill War Rooms.  The War Rooms actually under a government building that was fairly close to 10 Downing Street, which is where the Prime Minister lives.  This was not at the top of Lisa and my list, but it was interesting to see where they planned and strategized during World War II.  Others in our group loved it.  Our friend Justin met us here because he had a later flight from Kansas City and he really enjoyed it.  After the War Rooms we walked passed the Horse Guard Parade and toward Trafalgar Square to find a pub for dinner.  We did find one that wasn't full and had a couple of beers and fish and chips.  They were pretty good.  At that point, we were about to start eating anything because it had been about 12 hours without food.  The women of the group were starting to get vocal about their hunger so it was time to eat.  This was an ongoing joke the rest of our time in London.  I was actually really impressed we went that long without issues.  I think everyone really enjoyed the sites and didn't really think about it.

Piccadilly Circus

Liberty of London

You would think this would end the day, but wait there's more.  After dinner we split up and some of us went toward Piccadilly Circus to find a store called Liberty of London.  Lisa had heard they have great fabric and wanted to check it out.  So seven of us headed there and the rest went back to the hotel.  It was a little tough to find, but it was in a very busy modernized shopping area.  Once we found it, Lisa, my mom and Pam (Justin's mom) went to the store.  Justin, my dad, his dad and I went to the pub next door for a beer.  The pubs were interesting because we found it was almost all guys.  Very few girls.  I was not overly impressed with English beer.  It was ok, and it all kind of tasted the same.  When the girls were done in the store, we headed toward Piccadilly Circus through Soho.  Soho was a really cool area.  A lot of young people with street cafes/restaurants and trendy shops.  There was even a Whole Foods, so it was our kind of place.  Piccadilly Circus was really busy, but most of the stores were closed.  We did get to see the big billboard screens.  Lisa related it to a small Times Square.  I think that is pretty accurate.

After Piccadilly, we finally went back to the hotel and crashed.  It was only 10:00, but we had basically been up since the 8:30 Wednesday in KC and went to bed at 10:00pm in London Thursday night.  It felt like the longest day of my life, but a great one at that.  

Up next:  Day 2 and the conclusion of London....