BillyMuth.com > Travel > London > May 2005 Trip Report

London Trip Report - Day 3 - May 8, 2005

Today we got up late at around 12:30. The curtain was closed well so the sun never came in. Plus, this hotel does not supply clocks by the bed. So unless you look at your watch and turn on the light, you have no clue what time it is.

We started our day by Walking over a few blocks to #3 Saville Row. This was the former Apple Records Studios which The Beetles performed with. They performed the last time together on the roof there.

We ate lunch at an Italian restuarant just off Regent Street. I had Chicken Sorpreso (a breaded chickin breast stuffed with garlic butter). It was very good.

We then walked to Piccadilly Circus and got on the London tour bus. We rode the yellow line which took us all around London. We got to see many sights including Kensington Gardens, The Ritz Hotel, St. Pauls Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Westminister Bridge, The Monument (built by Christopher Wren to commemorate the great London fire). This was a great value for only 16 pounds. You get to ride for 24 hours (during their business hours). we plan to ride again tomorrow.

When we returned, I went to Starbucks near Old Compton Street and met a writer. It made for interesting conversation.It turns out he has family in New York and has traveled down to Virginia Beach with them before.

While I was at Starbucks, Linda walked around a bit and got a snack. After meeting back at the hotel, we both rested for awhile. Linda began organizing the pictures she had taken with her digital camera. I went for a walk down past Trafalgar Square to the river. I took some pictures of Big Ben, The London Eye, and Hungerford Bridge in the splendor of nighttime. It was a long walk but it felt very good to get out and walk. Now it is about 1:45 AM and I'm on my way to bed.

	#3 Savile Row, the former Apple Records Studios where the Beatles performed.
	#3 Savile Row, the former Apple Records Studios where the Beatles performed.
	The Royal Academy of Arts.
	La Locanda Ristorante where we ate lunch.
	Regent Street where all high fashion shopping is.
	Piccadilly Circus in the daylight.
	The double decker tour bus trip begins.
	Her Majestys Theatre where The Phantom of the Opera is playing.
	Her Majestys Theatre where The Phantom of the Opera is playing.
	The Ritz Hotel where Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) stayed in the movie "Notting Hill".
	The Hard Rock Cafe. The tour guide said this was the first one.
	Wellington Arch which was previously a ceremonial entranceway to Buckingham Palace.
	The statue on top of Wellington Arch.
	The Duke of Wellington Statue at Hyde Park Corner.
	The London Hilton which is the tallest building in the city. They cannot build taller because the ground is too soft to support taller structures.
	Marble Arch, which just as Wellington Arch was a former ceremonial entranceway to Buckingham Pallace.
	A condo along the edge of Hyde Park that appeared to be vacant. It had so many windows it was unbelievable.
	The Dorchester Hotel along the edge of Hyde Park. Many celebrities love staying here including Liz Taylor and Nicole Kidman.
	A tree blooming along the back edge of the Buckingham Palace grounds.
	Cardinal Place. An interesting new building being constructed.
	"Little Ben" which was originally a wedding present for Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
	The marquee for "Billy Elliot: The Musical" at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
	Architectural details on The Thistle Victoria Hotel.
	More architectural details on The Thistle Victoria Hotel.
	Architectural details on The Thistle Victoria Hotel. Notice the heads. There are many heads of famous people featured on this amazing building.
	A beautiful little park we passed while on the bus tour.
	A huge concrete urn ornamenting the fence along the edge of the Buckingham Palace grounds.
	Westminister Abbey.
	The front entrance of Westminister Abbey.
	The Lambeth Bridge.
	A very interesting Marriott Hotel. It looks more like a palace!
	Political propaganda near the Houses of Parliament.
	A statue of Abraham Lincoln. The bus tour guide jokingly said "...a statue of perhaps the last honest American president.
	Another shot of Big Ben.
	A beautiful tree along the roadside that was in full bloom.
	Advertisement promoting London's bid to be the 2012 Olympic host city.
	The marquee for "The Rat Pack" in the West End.
	An old clock on the side of a building. St. Paul's Cathedral can be seen in the distance.
	Looking East along the River Thames from London Bridge, you can see Tower Bridge. The HMS Belfast sits docked on the right.
	A very ornamental sign on the side of a railway bridge next to Blackfriars Bridge for the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. The tower of the Tate Modern can be seen in the upper right.
	A night shot of Her Majesty's Theatre where "The Phantom of the Opera" has played for many years.
	A night shot of Big Ben.
	A night shot of the London Aquarium.
	A night shot of The London Eye.
	A night shot looking across the Hungerford Bridge.
	A night shot of the marquee at The Playhouse for the upcoming production of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" starring Val Kilmer.
	A night shot of Admiralty Arch near Trafalger Square.
	A horse fountain on the corner of a building near Piccadilly Circus.
	A night shot of our hotel, The Regent Palace Hotel.
	Another night shot of our hotel, The Regent Palace Hotel.


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