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  • TravelerCornwall & London in Spring
    1
    22
    Day 16

    Big Ben: Up Close & Personal 🔔

    May 12 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Today we had the absolute thrill of climbing all 334 steps inside the iconic Elizabeth Tower—an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Standing in the bell chamber as Big Ben struck
    1 PM was nothing short of magical; the deep, resonant chime echoing through the tower was both powerful and humbling. To be so close to such a world-famous symbol of London history, feeling its vibrations in real time, filled me with awe and joy. This wasn’t just a tour—it was a moment of pure exhilaration, etched forever in memory.

    Betcha didn’t know:

    Big Ben isn’t the tower – Most people call the whole structure Big Ben, but technically, Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell, not the clock or the tower. The tower itself was originally called the Clock Tower and was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

    Big Ben cracked almost immediately – The Great Bell first chimed in 1859, but cracked just two months later. Rather than replace it, they simply rotated the bell slightly and used a lighter hammer, which is why Big Ben has its distinctive tone today.

    The clock is famously accurate – Its timekeeping is regulated by old British pennies placed on the pendulum. Adding or removing a coin can adjust the clock’s timing by 0.4 seconds per day.

    The clock faces are enormous – Each dial is 7 meters (23 feet) in diameter, and the minute hands are over 4 meters (14 feet) long—about the length of a London double-decker bus!

    I absolutely loved this experience, honestly one of the best experiences of MY LIFE! Therefore this entire blog is dedicated to The beautiful ELIZABETH TOWER & bold BIG BEN ❤️🤍💙🇬🇧

    (PS: No photos allowed on Tour so I found some representative from the web 🙃)    Read more

  • TravelerCornwall & London in Spring
    Day 13

    London Calling!

    May 9 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We have arrived!
    After circling Heathrow a few times to find the hire car return…it’s all worth it when you hear the screech of the train 🚆 arriving at the station and that so familiar & longed for smell of the diesel of the Underground.

    After a folly through the many levels of Harrods where Mark did his biggest purchases to date we headed to Westminster Station and took that obligatory Exit 4: Ah! There she was: The Elizabeth Tower. As soon as I see Big Ben it feels like ‘home’. Photos from all angles and a walk down past Parliament to Trafalgar Square and Embankment sealed the deal.

    Had a couple of drinks at Retro Bar then decided to head back to the hotel to freshen up before heading out again to get late dinner. The hotel for tonight is W14 in West Kensington: very basic & lugging heavy bags up 3 levels is definitely not something I’d recommend. It is what it is! Focus on the good 😊

    I’m back in London and that’s all that matters to me now, and, with only a week to enjoy… you can bet I’ll do the best I can! 🙏

    It was lovely to catch up with Marta tonight. We met at the front of the Empire Cinema where we worked together almost 30 years ago now… Found somewhere to eat and Marta surprised both of us with some lovely gifts: Biscotti from Burano and a very special new knitted Queen Elizabeth & Prince Phillip ❤️🤍💙

    Now Midnight 🕛 Exhausted 😴 but content 🇬🇧    Read more

  • TravelerCamino de Santiago + Rome
    Day 2

    Obrigado Deus!

    May 7 in England ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Today is Wednesday. I’m starting this post in London waiting for our flight to Lisbon. It has been 14 hours since we left to LAX. Our flight was uneventful. Got to watch a couple of good movies. I’m looking forward to landing in Lisbon. We’ve never been and are excited to start our explorations.

    Our flight out of London just got delayed. A lady sitting next to me named Kathy just told us she has been traveling for 48 hours, her husband lost his phone in security, and this has been the worse experience ever! This opened a door for me to be a friend, encourage her, and that offered an opportunity to pray for her and with her!

    The pilgrimage has begun. I’m grateful to God for people like Kathy who have been divinely placed in my path. Can’t wait to see who else comes along.

    We finally made it to Lisbon - It was about 20 hours of travel not counting my two hour drive to LA.

    After roaming the city center we happened upon a great local restaurant with fado music! Food was amazing, musicians were great! Thanking God for a great first day!    Read more

  • TravelerWorld Cruise
    Day 124

    London

    May 7 in England ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Our adventure in London began with a ride on one of the water taxis that goes up and down the Thames river. As our ship is anchored in the Thames, it was easier to travel into London on the water.

    The started our wandering at Westminster, where the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and Westminster Cathedral are located. The gothic architecture is fantastic. Due to the 80th VE Day ceremonies and celebrations, we weren't allowed inside any of them, but there was plenty to see outside. There is so much history here!

    After wandering and gawking for a few hours, we crossed the bridge to the other side of the Thames and continued our wandering. I think we could walk around London for a week and still not see all there is to see.

    We were both a bit hungry and a lot thirsty, so it was a perfect opportunity to duck into a neighborhood pub for a pint and a good old fashioned English meat pie.

    The Tower of London was the next place on our list of "must see". We hopped back on a water taxi to get there. The Tower of London has served as a royal palace, fortress, prison, and a place of execution throughout history. It is also home to the Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warders, known as the "Beefeaters". We had a tour of the Tower property, led by one of the Beefeaters, who was full of information and also a great storyteller.

    As the Tower of London closed for the day, we headed back to our ship to get some much needed rest after a fabulous day of exploration.

    Cheers!    Read more

  • France/England 2025
    1
    Day 7–8

    London (Leg 1)

    April 30 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Our first leg of the trip in England was in London. London was so warm! We went to Kensington gardens and Kensington Palace. There were so many cute swans and birds, and Diana's gardens were especially pretty. We then rented a bike and biked to Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. We made our way through St James Park and got ice cream! Then we walked back to Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, where we went to visit the M&M store (home of the Maggie-Mae) the night before. There was a protest for May Day happening in Trafalgar Square where we saw a marching band playing which was very fun! On our way to the train station, we crossed the water and saw Big Ben and the London Eye.Read more

  • France/England 2025
    1
    Day 7

    The Phantom of the Opera

    April 30 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The Phantom of the Opera was spectacular, and a great way to spend our first night in England. The music, the set pieces, the venue, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It's Maggie's favorite show, and I can see why. We also got some British Fish and Chips beforehand, and went around Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square, and the Canada Hosue after the show.Read more

  • 3 Friends Totally London
    22
    Day 1

    Les incontournables de Londres

    April 28 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Après une arrivée tardive dans la capitale anglaise (merci Eurostar pour les retards répétés), nous voici partis pour nos premières visites.
    Nous avons rejoint Buckingham Palace via Hyde Park avant de traverser St James Park jusqu'à Big Ben, Westminster Abbey et House of Parliament.
    Le temps est de notre côté. Un grand soleil, le ciel bleu et une température idéale nous accompagnent tout du long.
    Une récupération de bagages et un court repos dans notre logement s'impose avant de ressortir ce soir.    Read more

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  • UK 2025
    3
    Day 3

    London Day 2

    April 20 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Heute wollten wir eigentlich zur Oster Prozession in die Westminster Abby gehen. Leider gab es eine Warteschlange um den ganzen Block. Also haben wir kurzer Hand die Pläne umgeschmissen und sind auf ein Uber Boot gehopst und zum London Tower geschippert. Von dort ging es dann in den Hyde Park auf einen ganz wunderbaren Spielplatz und beendet haben wir den Tag mit einer Ostereiersuche organisiert von der wunderbaren Christine🥰Read more

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  • CAN_USA_MEX_TRIP
    Day 19–20

    London 6

    April 15 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Beim Aufstehen Regen. Das erste mal seit unserer Abreise. Wir hatten bis jetzt grosses Wetterglück. Als wir heute nur zu einem Spaziergang aufbrachen, war es schon wieder trocken. Völlig nicht Touri mässig gesellten wir uns optisch unter die Londoner, da wir ohne Handy und Busplan unterwegs waren🤣.
    Wir schauten uns die Underground Station Victoria mal genauer an. Da ich gestern bei einem Souveniershop Converse Schlüssel Anhänger gesehen habe, der aber auf dem Heimweg schon geschlossen war, hatten wir unser Ziel. Mit 2 Bonsai-Converse ging es über viele Umwege nach "Hause". Bei einem Kafi im B&B Office überredeten wir den Boss, die Check out Time auf 12.00 Uhr zu schieben. Um 13.00 uhr ist der Uber-Taxi bestellt. Das Nachtessen wartete in unserem Foodcorner. Tagsüber hatten wir schon wieder alles gepackt und in die 4 Taschen verstaut.    Read more

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  • TravelerLondon- Wir kommen
    1
    1111211111111
    Day 3

    Laufen, Regen, Laufen, Sonne, Laufen- ko

    April 15 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Beim Buckingham Palast warteten wir umsonst auf die Wachablösung. Weil es regnete🙄
    Dann fuhren wir zur Tower Bridge.Hatten eine Besichtigung gebucht. Da hieß es warten. Wir waren nicht die Einzigen. Die Führung war sehr interessant. Die Menschen früher mussten anders und viel gefährlicher arbeiten. Über einen Glasboden konnten wir das Treiben auf der Straße und dem Wasser beobachten. Hui- bissl "mulmig" wars mir schon, aber alles gut. Einfach genial. Dann" rannten" wir zum Harry Potter" Rundgang.☝️2,5h über Kopfsteinpflaster durch die Stadt. Wahnsinn. Dann gab es was Süßes und heute Abend einen Burger und Cola. Alles gesund. Habe ich mir verdient. Bin froh, dass ich sitze und dann liege.👋Read more

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