Arriving in Paris

Day 4

On Tuesday we left London and headed to Paris via the Eurostar train. The Eurostar is a very high speed train that zips under the English Channel to Paris in 2 hours. When we left the train station in London we snapped a pic of the Olympic rings hanging in the station and picked up a few Olympic souvenirs for Father’s Day gifts. 

I have decided to recap Paris by theme rather than a day-by-day account. I’m not quite sure we were prepared for how much walking we would entail on this trip, but everyday we came to a point where we didn’t think another step was possible. 

This is the spot in front of Notre Dame where all disances from Paris to all parts of France are measured. I wouldn't be suprised if we measured all our steps if it added up to 100 miles. At least we had gorgeous weather everyday and it never rained! 

At our hotel, it had this nice little balcony. So Parisian!

One of the reasons we chose to go to Pairs at this time of year was because Stephen was finishing up his MBA at Bellarmine University and was taking a course abroad in Paris.  Visiting with Stephen proved to be a challenge at first.  To stay in touch without modern technology, specifically a cell phone, is so hard.  Our hotels were only a block away from each other so after a day and a half of stopping by the other’s place we finally met up. 

We were able to have dinner and site see at night with Stephen three of the nights we were there. Sleeping in the next day followed most of those nights :).

Whenever we are on trips Brian and I always come up with goofy little sayings and a couple of our favorite this trip were:

“More French Kisses Please”

“It’s a Sin to throw your wife in the Sine” (Yes, that is the Sine behind us)

Last Day in London

Day 3

Monday was our last day in London and we stayed true to form and filled the day with as many sites to see as possible. We started out the day by touring Shakespeare’s Globe.  Brian tried to hop on stage but was quickly reprimanded by our tour guide before we could snap a pic.  The Globe premiered Shakespeare’s greatest works including Hamlet, Othello and Macbeth. We would have loved to see a Shakespeare play there but because of the upcoming Olympic games a global festival was being held and the only shows available were in Japanese. Something about Japanese and Shakespeare just doesn’t go. 

Next we headed over to the London tower, and enjoyed an entertaining tour with a Beefeater tour guide.  The tower was initially built by William I and over the years his successors added more walls, towers and even a moat.  This place served as the royal residence but is more famous as a prison and execution site.  This was the site where Henry the VIII axed his ex wives including Anne Boleyn.  The tower is now where the Crown Jewels are kept under constant watch of the Queen’s Guard. With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee approaching the Crown Jewels seemed extra interesting. 

 The famous black Raven's and one of the Queen's Guard

 Westminster abbey was our next stop. This is the church where William and Kate married and also the site of the Queen’s coronation 60 years ago. This church was probably the most beautiful cathedral I have been in after St. Peter’s at the Vatican.

 We ended our day by taking a stroll through the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill. We did not run into Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts but still enjoyed shopping in the unique stores that line the unique street.

At the end of the day we took one last trip on the double decker big bus tour back to our hotel and went to bed early because our train to Paris left at the crack of dawn. Brian loved taking the tour bus around London to all the sites and said he would really like to take a tour on the New York Tour Bus.

Royal London

Day 2

Sunday was jammed packed and we barely scheduled time into eat, which wasn't the best idea, but we also didn't want to miss anything.

The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace was a highlight of the London trip. Once a day they do a formal ceremony to change the Queen’s guard and it’s an awesome ceremony to attend.

videos of the bands playing Elton Johns Lion King and Legends of the Fall

The Palace Gate

Mid afternoon we toured the Churchill war rooms. This was where Winston Churchill spent his time during WW11. If England had fallen during WW11 we would probably all be leading very different lives. Churchill was frequently sighted outside on the roof watching the bombing despite being warned by many high-ranking officials. He was such a great leader that he even wanted to be on the beaches at Normandy during D-day, but was persuaded to stay in London by the King of England! (No Pics Here)

For lunch we attended High Tea at Harrods.  High Tea consists of tea J, scones, little sandwiches, and amazing sweets called fancies. Harrod’s was an attraction all of it’s own.  I’ve never been in a department store quite so exquisite.  It covers 4 acres and seven floors of retail space.  In the Egyptian Escalators they even had live opera singers and a full fresh food market. Retail Heaven! 

 Egyptian Escalators

Kensington Palace was next on the list, once the residence of Princess Diana and soon to be home to William and Kate. Part of the palace is open to commoners to showcase the historic state apartments of Queen Victoria, Queen Anne, Queen Mary 11, King George, and a special exhibit of Princess Diana’s dresses. The palace was impressive but the gardens we extraordinary. Kensington Gardens extend into Hyde Park divided by the Princess Diana memorial fountain. 

 Finally inside the palace doors where I belong!

 Memorial to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert

Sunday night one of London’s soccer teams, Chelsea, was in the Champion’s League finals. We watched Chelsea win in dramatic fashion in a shoot out bringing London’s first ever Champion’s League title at a pub near our hotel.

I can see why the world is so fascinated with the royal family; after being in London for 3 days I too wanted to buy a tabloid with William and Kate on the cover.