Day 15: Thursday, October 13, 2016: London
After breakfast at our hotel, our bus will take us to Westminster Abbey for a self-guided tour, followed by free time for the rest of the day, using travel cards. We will attnnd a performance of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theater. Our bus will drive us back to our hotel at the end of the day. (B)
Updates from the travelers:
It was a wonderful last day, and we had beautiful weather. We managed to see more than I even would have thought possible--Abbey Road crossing, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, walk through St James and Green parks (picnic lunch on the grass), Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross, walked by The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, dinner at the George Inn (oldest remaining coaching inn in London), quick stop at the Globe, some shopping in Picadilly Circus, and ended with Les Mis! The musical was a perfect end to our trip.
Updates from the travelers (Danielle):
Today we began with a more restful morning and good breakfast. After receiving our day passes for the tube, we boarded our bus and drove to Abbey Road for that classic street crossing picture from the Beatles album. Once we had snapped that picture, we walked to our first tube adventure that brought us to Westminster Abbey. While there we walked around the church and saw graves of famous captains, queens (like Mary queen of scots and Elizabeth I) and lastly the iconic poet's corner where famous poets like Edmund Spenser and Alfred Lord Tennyson are. We even saw Shakespeare's memorial and Charles Dickens' grave. Upon exiting the church we then tubed over to Buckingham Palace to get lunch in a park and walk past a multitude of species of birds.
After all of this we finally were standing in front of the palace gates. In the circle drive outside of the place is a beautiful gold statue and inside the gates, the classic red coated guards stand to protect the palace.
Another tube ride brought us to Platform 9 3/4 where some of us waited in line for an iconic picture with the platform 9 3/4 train station sign and then spent some time perusing the official gift store. Those who stood in line were able to make friends with the workers from the store who got very into the idea of us being from Hawaii and gave a little hula attempt.
On our next tube ride we had a bit of unfortunate luck by getting separated on the train. The first group only had to wait a few minutes before the second group's train arrived and we were reunited.
Post reunitement we strolled through a famous farmers market smelling delicious aromas and admiring dainty desserts. After the farmers market we made our way to London Bridge and walked beside the river Thames.
Staying with the trend of bridges we next walked down to Tower Bridge which is commonly mistaken for London bridge. Across the bridge is the Tower of London which we didn't have time to see on this trip but inside it houses the Crown Jewels.
For dinner we ventured back up the Thames to The George Inn which was frequented by Charles Dickens.
Once we finished our meals we quickly hurried to the gift shop of the Globe since we didn't have time to see the theatre itself. Personally I really enjoyed being able to get some souvenirs from the gift shop. Then we quickly hurried to a bus stop where we got a taste of riding a double decker bus. Upon exiting the bus we ran down back into the tube for one more ride to Piccadilly Circus where we explored around until our West End show.
While exploring we did a bit of shopping and then went to the theatre. Oh the West End, from all the people piling in to different shows to sparkling marquee signs it truly is an interesting place.
Even thought it was on the smaller side, the theatre was beautiful with decorative wall paper and ornate gold designs around the door. The chairs were a beautiful red color that were very plush and comfortable. The set was very appropriate for the time period of the show.
Writing from intermission the show has been amazing. The actors are having an amazing night with their emotions in all their songs. Everyone is giving this show all the energy that they have. The stage has a rotating platform adding to the dramatic affect causing the audience to be on the edges of their seats. Every time the audience claps it feels like the theatre is shaking.
Post show I believe the entire audience was purely and utterly dazzled. Whether roused by the fighting spirit at the barricades or tearing up during characters' songs of true and raw feelings, there couldn't have been an unsatisfied soul in that theatre. The casting was perfect, the sounds and lights hooked the audience, the costumes completed the characters (as they should), and the music left lasting impacts on us all. After the cast had taken their bows the audience rewarded their spectacular show with a standing ovation. This was the absolute perfect way to end our grand tour of Europe though I have to say I wish it wasn't over because we have made such amazing memories and seen incredible things.