London: Day Two

Day two was a whirlwind in London!  We began by sleeping in.  But then, the laziness was set aside and we were off to find breakfast foods.  We found a great little neighborhood cafe near the hotel with excellent prices and food.  Planning to return tomorrow.  Then, it was back to the hotel to write and send postcards (John, Dan, Kathy, check your mailboxes!).  While I think we picked postcards with pretty good pictures, the stamps were the best part.  Unlike the stamps I got at the Dublin post office, these had great pictures of London attractions like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the London Tower.

After sending off our postcards, we hopped on a hop on, hop off tour bus to begin our big adventure.  Along the tour, we saw countless attractions including: Buckingham Palace (where we arrived just in time to see the changing of the guards), the Marble Arch, Baker Street, Regents Street, Picadilly Circus, Harrod's, Kensington Park, Hyde Park, St. James Park, Speaker's Corner, Langham Hotel, Her Majesty's Theatre, Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square, St. Clemens Church, the Royal Courts of Justice, St. Pauls Cathedral, the Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and London Tower.  Phew! 

Picadilly Circus

At Harrod's, my folks purchased some teas and coffees (and a tea trivet that says Harrod's) and I bought Burberry's Brit eau de parfume.  My one and only London souvenir. :)  I also picked up a few gifts at a more touristy shop.

The tour was great, but towards the end we had hopped on and off so much that we were riding around at night.  It made for beautiful sights, but very cold sight seers.  Once we got back to the hotel, a hot meal at the lounge and a cocktail (or two!) sounded (and tasted) fantastic.  All in all, it was a very busy but fantastic day filled with more than I think I could soak in.

St. Paul's Cathedral by moonlight ;)

 Tomorrow, we are going to wander around Westminster Abbey, check out the aquarium, take a spin in the London Eye, and possibly catch a boat ride.  A little less on our plates, but great fun nonetheless.