Following on from our friends Joan and Mayira visiting us in Rotterdam, this weekend we again met up with them. This time in bustling London.
Bron and I arrived in London on Friday evening and Joan and Mayira on the Saturday morning. We all stayed with Bron's sister Michelle and her husband Graham, who also know Joan and Mayira from their South America travels last year.
As it was Joan and Mayira's first time in London we were determined to make sure they saw as many of the sights as possible.
The Saturday morning started with meeting them at the train station, dropping their bags off, and taking a walk around the city centre. First up was a walk from Waterloo station to Buckingham palace via the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St James' park.
Mayira and Bronwen and the London Eye
London Eye again
Big Ben dodging air traffic
We arrived at Westminster to find a group of men dressed in white, bells strapped to their legs, dancing around and waving their handkerchiefs in the air. According to Google these guys are part of a Morris group.
Taking a break in St James' park
Buckingham Palace
From Buckingham palace we then walked via Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square for a quick visit to the National Gallery.
A Countdown clock for the London Olympics at Trafalgar Square
And then Back to Leicester Square to visit M&M World. Michelle then introduced us to the world of Snog and their frozen yogurt before heading home for a braai. All in all a very successful first day.
Bron, Shell and a wall of M&M's
And all Bronwen wanted to know was if he was all chocolate inside or was he hiding some nuts in there.
Sunday started with a traditional English breakfast at a traditional English pub. Then it was off to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
The Tower of London on the left and the building used to store the Crown Jewels at the back.
One of the buildings inside the Tower of London complex.
Some of the local inhabitants. Apparently the Tower of London used to be home to lions, monkeys, snakes, an elephant and even a polar bear! True Story!
Follow the signs to the Crown Jewels!
A group photo in front of the London Tower Bridge. Our passer-by who took this photo was very enthusiastic and even asked some people to move from where they were standing so that we could stand in the optimum position.
London Tower Bridge, in swing-sway-dance mode.
Sunday evening was spent catching up with some of our other friends from London. Thanks to Martin, Kirsten and Ian for coming round. It was great seeing you guys again! Now waiting for you to confirm your trip to Rotterdam =)
Monday started with a trip to the British National Museum, although very little of what is in the Museum can actually be classified as British. Something which is a bit of a sore point with some countries.
Appreciating some of the artwork inside the British National Museum. This Moai from Easter Island was a little bit of something from close to home for our Chilean friends.
One of the pieces of Aztec art in the museum.
And the museum also had a temporary display of Olympic medals that will be used for the 2012 Olympics. Although you can't tell from the photo, these medals are huge with a diameter of 85mm.
After a walk around the museum it was time for lunch. Jamie's Italian was the venue of choice and we were not disappointed. Jamie Oliver's restaurant serves up some amazing meals and we all left the restaurant with full tummies and smiling faces.
It was then off to Harrods to show our Chilean friends where the rich and famous shop.
At the Harrods store with one of the Harrods bears.
And then to end the day we went to watch the show Stomp.
The Ambassadors Theatre where we watched STOMP. It was brilliant! No videos or photos allowed inside, but this clip gives a sense of what the show was all about.
Tuesday, yes this is turning into a long weekend, saw us all heading out to Greenwich. We saw the Greenwich meridian line, visited the Maritime museum and saw the outside of the Cutty Sark.
View of Canary Wharf, and the approaching rain, from Greenwich.
A real English breakfast in a real English pub. Another first for Joan and Mayira.
As usual, the weekend was over far too quickly and soon it was time to say goodbye. Joan and Mayira have continued on to Barcelona for the final stop in their European holiday and we headed home. Luckily for us though it is now a long weekend in the Netherlands and so we can enjoy a few more days off from work. Next Stop: Venice =)
Hope you are all well & having a good week!
x
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