London, England

London Tower & Bridge

London England was by far one of my favorite locations.  I traveled to London alone because I was meeting my dad and brother on their way home from Ireland. One of the things I like about London was its rich history.  After I arrived to our hotel, the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel  I relaxed before my  dad and brother arrived. We walked around town and took it easy. We went to get a beer at a nearby pub then ate dinner at the steakhouse attached to our hotel which was really nice.

Royal Family. Queen in Yellow,
Kate Middleton in Light Blue

The second day by far was my favourite. We first went to brunch in an additional restaurant attached to out hotel and it was delicious. After- we figured we should head to the main part of the city around Buckingham Palace. I hit a really great weekend because right as we arrived there was a formal ceremony honouring the Queen and her birthday. These events are only held a few times a year like  her birthday, the jubilee of the monarchy- so it was really lucky and exciting to catch this celebration. There was the royal guard, band, horse and carriage company, cannon salute, over head fly over and the Queen and the Royal Family made an appearance on the balcony. I was extremely excited because Kate Middleton is one of my favourite celebrities- So her, Prince Harry, Will & Charles were on the Balcony with the Queen. That was enough to make my trip because it was such an elaborate ceremony and I got to see  in person the whole royal family. After the celebration at  Buckingham Palace we went towards the London Eye, which is a famous ferracewheel that looks over London. The line was long, so we didn’t end up getting on the actual Eye, but since we were in the general area we walked past the London Tower, The London Bridge, and  then we took a tour of Westminster Abby. Westminster Abby was absolutely mind blowing. So many people I have read about in History is buried in that Abby, for example Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VII, in addition to famous poets.  It is also the place where all of the English Monarchs have been crowned and they have the original crowning chair preserved inside the chapel. Westminster is also the place where  many famous funerals and Weddings have taken place. For example Will and Kate’s Wedding last April,  in addition to Princess Diana’s funeral and Wedding. Westminster Abby also has many medieval  history so it was really cool that they have been able to preserve that from  hundreds of years ago.

Royal Parade

Royal Parade

Westminster Abby

After Westminster we went to Harrods which is a famous luxury store. Its six stories high- they have everything from designer women's clothes to its private wine cellar and everything in between.  At night we meet up with my dad’s old college friend Leo and his family,  who currently live in London. We ate at a fancy Italian restaurant that makes fresh pasta and it was phenomenal. It was a great place to people watch as well since this food attracts a very aristocratic crowd. We then went to a music concert where Leo’s wife sang in a choir that played old English folk and royal triumph songs.

Me at afternoon Tea!

The next morning we all went to try breakfast at the nearby four seasons hotel which was two thumbs up. After we walked around the city a little more. I got packed and then one of my FAVOURITE  parts was getting tea at 2pm at my hotel. The hotel is infamous for its daily tea time. I was served this orange tea and a variety of scones, pastries, sandwiches and fruit all on a huge tea tower like you’d see in the movies. Overall London was definitely one, if not the top of my favourite cities. I would love to move there and work one day! It was also a plus being able to speak English to everyone!