Travel Blog

First thing this morning, we went to the Fulham Post Office to send some of our shopping home. The Post Office, according to 3 internet sites, was due to be open at 9am with our shuttle to the airport arriving to pick us up between 9:30am and 10:00am. So, we knew it was going to be touch and go; unfortunately, the Post Office didn't open til 9:15am and then we got a slow teller.

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was 10am. The concierge told us that we'd missed our shuttle, so we got him to arrange a mini-cab, whilst we waited outside. To our surprise, our shuttle then arrived, with the driver apologizing for being stuck in traffic ... thankfully.

We then arrived at Heathrow with plenty of time to spare and proceeded through all their security points. We ended up going through 3 scanners, getting padded down twice. :( The flight was then delayed for 2 hours, due to a problem with the plane and then by 3pm, we were underway on our 11.5 hour flight. Joy.

Today was the last day of our European Focus tour. After having a light breakfast, we headed off to Calais, to get the ferry across the channel, landing at Dover. It was a long travel day and whilst the majority of people on our tour are heading home, we can't think of home just yet, as we're off to Japan tomorrow on a 1pm flight. Though, I'm hanging out for a meat pie. :)

We're now in the Fulham Internet cafe, updating this blog, along with uploading some more photos. We survived Europe, spent probably too much money, but still enjoyed it alot. I could definitely come back and spent a week at Lucerne in Switzerland, that place is just amazingly beautiful. I don't know if it was just the contrast having come from Italy, but the place is just clean and peaceful. It's only down side is that goods, other than watches and chocolate, are expensive.

Tonight, we're going to have a pub meal and repack our bags. We're hoping to go to the local post office tomorrow and sent some stuff home, as our suitcases are bulging. We're also looking forward to watching some TV in English for a change. The only channel that we've been able to see in Europe in English, was CNN and when they show the same news headlines every 10 minutes, it gets really boring very quick.

Today, we embarked on our full day tour of London. We thought this was probably the best way to see London in one day, and it certainly was. First, we started out at the Tower of London and was escourted by a Beef Eater through to see the Crown Jewels.

Next, we went past Trafalgar Square and onto St Pauls' Cathedral and then on a boat cruise on the Thames, taking in the sights. We then got off at the Globe Theatre stop and headed onto a traditional English pub for lunch. :D

Next, we went to Westminster Abbey and then topped off the afternoon by going for a "flight" on the London Eye. Very nice !

Today, we got up early and headed off to Harrods. First, we navigated London's Underground system with ease - it certainly puts QR Rail to shame, but in saying that, QR Rail eats LA's train system for breakfast.

We walked around Harrods for about 4 hours and got lots of photos. The food hall there is just amazing. I've heard people speak about it before, but you just can't fathom how great it is until you're there taking it all in.

We had bagels for lunch from Harrods 102, which is a separate store across the road, kind of a mini-food hall. Next was Oxford Street / Soho for some more shopping - mainly to go to Blackmarket Records, a specialty Drum 'n Bass shop and then Lisa did some more shopping at Gap.

Today, we headed to the Vue cinema in Fulham to see Spider-man 3. What a let down. It was rather an average movie, I'll be posting my full review on my site soon.

We then had lunch at Yo Sushi .... mmm, the salmon was good. Unfortunately, Lisa didn't understand what the waiter said and so, he thought we were first time sushi go-ers and he was quite shocked when he came to get our bill, seeing how many dishes we'd tried. :)

On our walk back to the hotel, we went past Chelsea FC's home ground and got some snaps.