Historic Washington

Our accommodation is getting fancier. This one is on the same street as the White House, just 9 blocks along.

First stop today (after G had bought some jewellery) was the Natural History Museum. One of the exhibits was the Hope Diamond which, luckily, did not appear to be for sale or G might have tried to continue spending. I say luckily not just because being 45 carats and one of the largest blue diamonds in the world might have put it outside our holiday budget but also it has a reputation for bringing bad luck to its owner. Better not bother then.

The museum’s cafe’s lunch offering was not so impressive and didn’t justify a photo. Best forgotten.

Next stop was the Museum of American History. By luck we managed to get on a 75 minute whirlwind tour of the highlights. These things can be good or bad. This chap was very good. For at least a few days I now know more about the War of Independence, the War of 1812 (between the US and UK) - which I had never heard of at all - and the Civil War. Will probably return tomorrow if we have time.

Lovely walk back afterwards past some sights, the US Capitol, Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Dinner was a takeaway from a local Chinese in our apartment accompanied by very reasonable New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Another train tomorrow.Read more