• A Hummingbird's Sojourn
  • A Hummingbird's Sojourn

Flight Path thru England

20-päiväinen seikkaillu — A Hummingbird's Sojourn Lue lisää
  • Day 2- Borough Market

    13. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Headed for Tower Bridge and on my way ended up at one of the best open air markets in the London - Borough Market. It is said that world class chefs shop the goods at this market and I saw definitely why that was the case. Coolest thing was the truffles - note that one of them cost over £300/100 grams. Was amazing!Lue lisää

  • Dinner - day 2

    13. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Dinner tonight was Pizza Express. It came suggested to me, was very good, although their pepperoni was kinda weird. I had the American (haha) with jalapeños. For dessert I had these chilled salted caramel pastry puff balls with a cup of Earl Grey. Those were amazing, savored slowly.Lue lisää

  • Tower of London Experience- day 3

    14. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    This visit is something I have been eagerly anticipating since coming to London- The infamous Tower of London, where queens and traitors were beheaded, where the lost princes were held "safe", where the crown jewels and the tower ravens live. I was told by friends of my host to try and get the Beefeater tour guide named Billy. He was the best, the funniest, raunchiest, and who makes the whole thing a blast. Guess what? I ended up with a Beefeater named William, who eventually referred to himself as Billy. The suggestion couldn't have been more accurate. He was an amazing tour guide, who was very knowledgeable but made the group laugh so hard. I will never forget the tidbits of history he imparted through his style of storytelling. He was truly the best.

    What is a Beefeater? Well, it's a special watch assigned to the Tower of London in service of the Crown. In order to qualify for Beefeater duty, one had to serve in regular military service for 22 years then you could try out. Our Beefeater tour guide, Billy, was a medic in the army with a degree in military architectural strategy. So funny and raunchy, told horror stories to the kids, dissed on his compadres who served in other branches of military, talked crap about the French and wasn't afraid to speak his mind about the Crown. It was an incredible learning experience.

    Wish I could have gotten pics of the Crown Jewels but photos were prohibited in those areas.

    Click on the pics cuz I will put explanations for each in the comments section.

    Enjoy!
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  • Tower of London - more pics

    15. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ 🌫 11 °C

    Change of Guard at the Jewel Tower

  • Windsor Castle - day 4

    15. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    One of my most dreamed about places - Windsor Castle. I had to hop on an underground to catch an overground. Was about an hour long uneventful journey. Upon arrival, I made my way through the touristy strip mall trying to find my way to the Castle. To save time, I stopped at an info booth and the gentleman there jokingly said if I had come to scale the outer wall of Windsor, there would be none of that today due to the nasty, wet weather. Makes the walls too slick, he said, with a straight face. Oh, it made me laugh so hard! I assured him I had left my wall scaling gear back at my hotel so no worries. Then he said I was just in time, if I hurry, cuz the Castle was closing early today for an event. I knew I would cry if I missed getting in so I hurried on to the gate he pointed out to me. Luckily, I made it in time and was part of the last group of ppl they let in. Whew! That would have been just terrible if I couldn't do what I set out to do.

    The State Apartments was pretty neat, opulent, and fascinating. I wasn't allowed to take pics, unfortunately. The place I will carry in my heart forever, though, was St. George's Chapel, where King Henry VIII and other such grand royalty is buried. The place just exuded history and old-ness. I could feel it and it moved me greatly. There was a band and choir practicing for the night's event, as well as play from the great organ, so I was able to hear beautiful music and song, the acoustics of the space in full use. I was doubly lucky, and especially blessed to be there in that sacred place.
    Lue lisää

  • Soccer Continued - Day 5

    16. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Arsenal was also pretty great. A much newer and bigger stadium than Chelsea.

  • Soccer - Day 5

    16. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    I went to the Arsenal and Chelsea football stadiums today. These soccer teams play in the highest league in England, why some of the best players in the world. In the past couple of years, I have come to really enjoy watching this game - even Bella joins in watching with us every weekend. The players are true athletes and it takes true skill to play soccer well.

    It was so cool to be standing in the locker rooms and players tunnels that great players have stood.

    This set of pictures will be from the Stamford Bridge stadium at Chelsea.
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  • Day 6- Westminister Abbey

    17. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
  • National Gallery - Day 6

    17. joulukuuta 2015, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
    Matkan lopetus
    17. joulukuuta 2015