I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures from our London/Paris trip. We were so blessed to have the opportunity to go. It was truly the trip of a lifetime; we had such a fantastic time--saw so much, learned so much...
Here are a few pictures from our first day in London.
St. Paul's Cathedral...I'll have more of these in the day 3 posting! This place was just amazing...makes our "pretty" churches look ridiculous!
Queen's Theatre...we went to see Les Miserables...one of my very favorite shows! We had never gotten to see it live before, so this was very exciting! The show was fantastic...the best I've ever seen!
Big Ben and the Parliamentary Houses...more of these later! (We were on a guide bus, so these aren't the greatest, but it gives you an idea...)
Inside the Tower of London...this small grassy area is where the beheadings took place back in the "good" (bad!) ole' gory London days, under King Henry VIII, "Bloody" Mary, etc. Seeing these places brought back so much information we learned in school about English history; it was so cool to see these famous places in real life!
The Tower of London is where the Crowned Jewels are kept. They are carefully guarded 24/7 by military, just like the one in the picture...I'm sure glad I don't have to wear one of those hats on a hot summer day! Can you imagine? The Crowned Jewels were spectacular. We obviously couldn't take pictures, but we saw crowns worn by Kings and Queens dating clear back to the 1600's! The largest diamond in the world is on display, part of a sceptre (can't remember which King it belonged to!). The current Queen Elizabeth's coronation garments were on display, along with her crown. It was truly amazing to see.
At first sight, this may seem like a goofy tour guide, which he was, but these military men actually live at the Tower of London. Their jobs include caretaker, guardsmen, and serving as tour guides. In order to have this honor (a high honor in England), they have to have a perfect "record", served in the Queen's military for many years (I think they said 25?), and be "chosen" to get this job. It's a pretty big deal! These are their official military uniforms that they wear every day..JPG)
Outside the Tower of London...it is so huge!.JPG)
Ruins of the ancient drawbridge that led to the Tower of London. There is obviously not a mote around it anymore, but when the Royal Family lived there, under the earliest monarchies, it was a place to be feared!.JPG)
Outside the Tower of London...lots of tourists!
Tower of London...the tower you see here looks just like an interior tower where prisoners were held until their trials...which often led to beheadings...such a gruesome history! Yet, very interesting for weirdos like us!.JPG)
This is looking up at the Tower Bridge...thought it was a cool picture by Robb!
The Tower Bridge
3 comments:
I'm so excited that you posted pictures! They are so beautiful, and it looks like you had so much fun.
I LOVE your hats...they are so adorable!
Love,
Jamie
Don't think you know me. I went to HSBC when Randy and Jane were there. But, I see your blog through HS blog reader. I've been living in southern England for 6 1/2 years and you've now seen more of London then I have. I've been to the Royal Albert Hall to see Yo Yo Ma and to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace and the Natural History Museum. But, that's all. I'm going to London this weekend for a birthday treat and I don't know what all that involves. I'm glad you had a good time in London and that it didn't rain.
Anita,
Nice to "meet" you! That's so great that you are going for your birthday. I don't know if you'll see this or not, but if so, our favorite thing in London was the Churchill Museum and War Rooms. I haven't got those pictures posted yet! It was absolutely fascinating...if you like WWII history (which we love). Have fun! Also, a great little restaurant (also not posted yet) is "The Anchor". It is near the London Bridge, and was a favorite hangout of Charles Dickens! Pretty cool old place!
Post a Comment