SR goes UK

25-27 April 2012
After a 12 hour flight and 2 hours stuck in customs I was able to meet three of my Cali friends (Emily, Katherine, and Shelby) in London for a week long all girls trip! 

 After an hour and a half taxi ride from the airport to find our hotel, we were starving so we headed out to find some food.  We went to Leicester Square and Covent Garden and ate at a great pub followed by a stop at the Apple Store to use their free wifi.  We stopped for some hot chocolate before walking back to Trafalgar square then back to Piccadilly.  We called it a night and headed back to our hotel.

 The next morning we headed to St. Paul's Cathedral before heading over to Buckingham Palace for Changing of the Guard. 

 Katherine and me!  Bus rides never get old!

 Shelby and Emily!  Weather was hit and miss in the morning so we were hoping it would get better so they could actual have the parade.

 Well, it poured....

They didn't do the full parade, but we saw the new guards coming and the horse parade.

 

 Then the sky cleared and everyone left!

From Buckingham we walked past Green Park and Buckingham Gardens and ended up at Knightsbridge where we shopped at Harrods and had lunch.  After shopping we headed to the National Gallery and Shelby gave us a highlight tour.

We finished up the day by going to the Musical Billy Elliot. 

Last day in London and we went to the Tower of London. 

Tower Bridge

 

Shelby and me with a Yeoman Warder.

 

Outside the building that houses the crown jewels.

 

Replica of Henry VIII armor

No explanation needed!

We left the Tower of London and headed over to Westminster Abbey. 

 

We made it just in time to join a fantastic 2 hour Verger led tour. Totally worth the couple of extra $ to see St. Edward the Confessor's tomb and chapel, sit in the choir seats and learn of the history of the Abbey.  It was a highlight for all of us. 

 

That evening we took a train to Paris!