BIG statues

Statues near Liljeholmen/Årstadal, showing that big is beautiful...

London - Final

On Monday and Tuesday, LM and EM had to go to work so SJ and I were left to our own devices.  I do have to admit that it was really nice to have two personal tour guides and we were a bit lost on our own.  We had no one to tell us the history of the city, or what a certain building was called.  We still had fun, but a different kind of fun.

The architecture of the city is just beautiful.  I love old cities!

We walked around Covent Garden and SJ bought me a beautiful necklace from Satya Jewelry for my birthday.  Then we continued on through SoHo, Picadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, and the famous Oxford Street/Regent Street for some shopping.  Nothing was purchased, but it was nice to go into some stores that we don't have in Stockholm/Winnipeg.

(although, side bar: there is an Aldo that I just saw in Hötorget...when did that appear?!)

After some shopping we decided to walk to Buckingham Palace.  It was quite a long walk, you see, and we made it sooo close when we had to stop on a park bench for a break.  We both proceeded to fall asleep in a park.  For like 30 minutes.  Oops!  Although it was really restful, and gave us the energy to continue on to the palace.

We had already missed the changing of the guards (oops) so I wasn't really sure why we were going there for any reason other than to just see it.  I have seen it before, but not SJ.  And really, it was quite boring.  Not much to see or do, so we didn't spend that much time there.

SJ enthralled by the guard

We took a few required snaps and then proceeded on back to LM and EM's place.  We had to rest up for the evening!

We went to their local pub with two other of their friends for a pub quiz night!  I had never been to one before, and although I didn't know lots of the answers I was quite proud to know a few.  And we ended up winning the whole thing!  That was quite a shock.... 100 pounds to split between 6 people ain't bad!

The next day SJ and I just had a relaxing day - we didn't end up leaving the house until early afternoon.  We headed to Camden to Whole Foods and beside the store was a little vietnamese restaurant.  I couldn't resist getting a vegetarian bowl of pho...

We walked around the city, just sightseeing with no real destination in mind.  Sometimes the best way to travel. We met up with our gracious hosts for one final meal of fish & chips, and a pint at a chain pub.  They had an amazing organic wheat beer that, if i wasn't so full on fish & chips, could have enjoyed more than just one pint.  But with a stomach full of fried food it there was just no room for liquid goodness.

The next morning we were off back to Stockholm!  Our plane didn't leave until 1.30pm (and it was late leaving) so we luckily didn't have to rush or leave super early in the morning.  My kind of traveling!

Our trip was great - short and sweet, but we got to see most of the things we set out to see (except a musical in the West End - next time!).  We had GREAT hosts who hopefully we get to repay the favor for one day soon!  As soon as we get an apartment with a guest room, that is.

Now, the official count down to Winnipeg starts!  34 more days!!!  whoot whoooot!

London Bridge Part Deux

On day 2, one of our main goals was to hit up London's Science Museum.  This isn't much of a shock, since I am married to a nerd.

It was actually really fun!  Sort of like Touch the Universe in Winnipeg, but much much bigger.

The space section was kinda boring - just looking at pictures and explanations of things.  I really wanted to touch and be interactive, and this section of the museum just wasn't it.

There was this exhibit that was one looooong song that was written to be 100 years long, without running on loops.  Crazy. 

Finally we got into the interactive part of the museum, and that's where the fun started.

There was this one station where you put a (clean) straw over a metal rod and bite down on the straw.  Then you plug your ears and you will hear rap music playing.  Super cool!

I got SJ on video at this station.  Notice at one point, the little girl reaches into the garbage to get a used straw.  I didn't see it, but thankfully SJ, LM, and EM did.  Just as I (stupidly) turned off the camera all three of them started shouting to the girl to not use the straw.  It was super funny, because I don't know why she was trying to use the high rod when there was a kid level one.  She couldn't reach, so SJ kinda looked around for the parents, then just lifted her up so she could reach.  Then we booted it away from that station in case we were seen as the weird adults that come to the kids play area.

SJ showing EM how to build, engineer style!

Honestly, I had to drag him out of the museum.  He was in his glory.  When we have kids and go to museums like this, I just know that it will be painful getting our kids + SJ outta there.  Sigh...

It was a really great place, and I definitely recommend that people visiting London go and check it out!  And as a bonus, all museums are free.  Gratis.  NO CHARGE.  Gotta love that!

After all our fun at the museum, it was time for a bit of walking around and to grab some lunch.  We went to Whole Foods (my first visit ever!) and got some grub.  I am in loooove. (and actually ended up going to three stores during our trip....can you say obsessed?? why don't they have anything like that here in Stockholm?!)

After a late lunch we decided to walk down the richest street in London, but there was a big sign saying "No pictures" and two police officers holding machine guns.  Who am I to disagree??

Then an impromptu pubcrawl happened. We ended up going to three different pubs, and I didn't have the same beer twice.  The best part of this trip was trying many many different beers.  I am a total beer girl, and England is the place to be for that.

Deer in headlights

It was another great day in London.  And although it rained a bit, it was kind of welcome that the weather was a bit cool.  I love the heat, but it makes for some sweaty and uncomfortable traveling sometimes. 

Happy to be on our way home on a red double decker bus!

End of part 2!