London Day 3: I’ll Follow the Sun

Hokay. So today was another big big day. As you may have noticed, I’ve named each of my posts after Beatles songs – first Hard Day’s Night because I was jetlagging, the second Helter Skelter because I was wandering all around London in the rain, and this one is I’ll Follow the Sun because of the westerly path I took today. I realized I forgot to explain why I picked each name.

What was so special about today, you might ask? I saw a lot of the things I consider symbolic and monumental in London. I started the day bright and early getting to the Tower of London as it opened at 9. Thanks to a tip from my friend Louise, I knew to book online and save £5! So the most important thing to say about the Tower of London is this: even if you’re on a budget, and you only pay one entrance fee in London, THIS IS IT. I’m not really one to linger in museums (Krystal would know: 30 minutes in the NYC Guggenheim, 20 of them spent waiting in line) but I spent a full 5 hours in this place. It has everything and anything you want in a castle: turrets, towers, reconstructed rooms, an armory, several exhibits on medieval life, PLUS costumed actors talking about what life was like the medieval ages – not as cheesy as it sounds, I promise. Another great thing about traveling in late January when the weather is terrible: smaller tourist group. I went on the White Tower tour with a small group of school kids and one other tourist. After the tour guide finished her spiel for the kids and they were clearly antsy to run an explore, she led the other tourist and I behind the velvet ropes in the Norman Chapel and up to the alter, explaining each detail of its history as we went along, saying it’s really the best way to see the chapel, but she can’t do that with large groups! The second tour I took of the castle in general, led by one of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), was equally as entertaining, albeit with a larger group. Unfortunately, there are no photos allowed of the crown jewels, but they are magnificent! The legends associated with the Tower are almost half of the fun as well – from the ravens to the bloody tower there was something interesting at every corner.

I continued on later (5 hours later!) along the Thames River Walk on the northern bank of the river. Stopping briefly for lunch, I ended up walking a bit with two elderly ladies visiting from Liverpool (we had all come from the supermarket and were trying to find our way back onto the River Walk). They were very funny and had great suggestions on things to do in London and around England. I finished up the walk at Big Ben and Parliament and as I sat on the base of some statue, ended up striking up another conversation with an elderly man – he was an architect who was selling sketches of the city to raise money for the children’s hospital. After a long conversation about traveling, his interesting stories (he was in the British Navy and served during the Suez Crisis), and asking me quite a few questions about New York, he ended up sharing quite a few insider tips for London!

I walked over to Buckingham Palace, where I took a few photos to kill time waiting for the Evensong service at Westminster to start, and will be heading back tomorrow to see the changing of the guard, even if most do find it over-rated, I think it’s a London must! The Evensong service is a 5pm prayer unique to the Anglican church. It was very interesting and quite an experience to hear the organ play! Ironically though, the hymn sung was Amazing Grace – an American tune!

I finished up my long day by meeting up with Michelle again as we headed to find a pub for some more fish and chips and a pint!

There are a lot of photos this time:

A picture of the Tower Bridge from the Wall Walk of the Tower of London

The main entry gates to the Tower

The fore-room of King Edward’s chambers at the Tower

King Edward’s White Tower, meant as the stronghold

One of the many towers along the Wall Walk

Most of the towers held prisoners at some point, and they’ve left interesting graffiti.

This graffiti says “Maria,” as a sign of religious devotion (why many were being imprisoned), but also my little sister’s name.

There were many winding stairs all over the tower

The Wall Walk and the lower outer towers of the Tower Bridge

Some fun stuff for kids, the guard tower was outfitted with interactive displays

Guard statues all around the Tower

These are the Casemates within the walls, which is where the Yeomen Warders (Beefeaters) live with their families.

This is King Henry VIII’s armor, made for him before he was fat.

Also King Henry VIII, but made after he was fat.

The main bedchambers in the White Tower.

One of the cannons, damaged badly in the Tower fire.

Although it was displayed as a dwarf’s armor, this actually belonged to King Charles II as a child.

The building where the Crown Jewels are kept, unfortunately no photos inside!

Originally galled the Watergate, this gate floods when the Thames is at high tide, making a type of water garage for the barges, later used to safely transport prisoners to the Tower.

The Portcullis below the Bloody Tower

Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned here, this is his study.

Me with one of the Yeoman Warders at the Tower.

Again the main gates to the Tower.

A panorama of the Tower of London

Old London buildings right outside the Tower

The Scaffold site where most of the beheadings occurred.

My view during lunch!

Big Ben approaching from the River Walk

A close up of the clock detail

Big Ben and the rest of Parliament

The front of the Palace

The main entry gates of the Palace

On all of the roads leading into the City of London, there are little dragons on pedestals.

The London Eye from across the Thames

The front of Westminster Abbey

The side of Westminster Abbey at night, right after the Evensong service.

Unfortunately my camera does not do well in low light, but you get the idea: it’s gorgeously lit up at night and the London Eye is actually that bright.