What can we say about London? The city is awesome. The history, the museums, the people speaking English.....it was heaven. We packed a lot into our three days, and because we had great timing, there were no crowds and we did in three days what would normally take six (and the weather was still very mild).
First stop, Trafalgar Square. We were so impressed with this square. The column with Lord Nelson was larger than life, and the lions, well, what more could a kid want than to climb on these??
Admiral Lord Nelson.
We loved that every street had "look left" or "look right".
The horse guard coming up the mall just before the changing of the guard.
The gates of Buckingham Palace at 11:30 for the changing of the guard.
Westminster Abbey was really incredible. We spent quite a while in here to see everything and for the kids to do the "treasure hunt". This Abbey is one you can NOT miss if you go to London.
At the end of the treasure hunt in the Abbey, the kids got a large chocolate coin from the gift shop for completing the hunt.
Of course.
These horse guards are right in front of the Prime Ministers house on Downing street, we loved the sign.
Our first pub lunch, Bill serves us our drinks!!
On to the British Library where we saw *the* Magna Carta and old manuscripts, pages of writings, music, and drawings from the Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Beatles, Mozart, Lewis Carroll, etc etc etc. No pictures allowed.
Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station took a little bit of time to find. They keep moving it around as they update the underground. It was worth it and again, no lines for our pictures.
A great view of Parliament from the other side of the river Thames.
Inside the london eye as we took our 30 minute ride.....very cool.
The tower bridge. We also saw the London Bridge but really, it's just a bridge. This bridge was part of the old castle and where many people in history stayed imprisoned including Ann Boleyn, William Wallace, King Henry VI, Catherine Howard, and William Penn!!
Our "Beefeater" who gave a great tour of the castle.
At the Rainforest Cafe, our dessert had a sparkler which Nolan loved, but Katie did not.
Our last day, we checked out of our hotel and went to the British Museum as our last stop.
They allow pictures of just about everything in the museum. We could have spent the entire day here looking at the relics from Egypt and Greece, not to mention everything else. Two days here would do it justice, our time here was great but too short. We saw things that are thousands of years old. It was extraordinary.
Nolan loved the mechanical clock exhibit.
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After a six hour drive, we were starving. We got to the Blue Beetroot and practically ordered food before we checked in!!!(Lisa and Jennifer H.)
Lisa wastes no time and orders wine and beer......love that girl!!
We brought supplies, but we needed a place to chill them. Since it was ridicuously cold outside, the window worked.
This place was the absolute best. So cosy, great food, and the manager Jarek was adorable.
Paula and Jennifer M. were first timers. It was fun to watch them check everything out. They loved it.
Paula, me, Jennifer M., Lisa & Jennifer H. at Andy's.....our favorite!
"What do you girls think of these jugs??"
Thank goodness Lisa brought her adorable coach tape measure so I could make sure these were the size I needed.
After a long day of shopping, it was nice to come home to this!!
I had to get a picture of our "loot" on the way home. We kept commenting on the scenery outside the window....Jennifer would just say, "I can't see a dang thing".
Our hotel. This hotel was amazing and at 49 euro a night, can NOT be beat. We walked everywhere from here, the location could not have been better.
In front of the Grand Bazaar, the oldest indoor shopping mall in the world.
Inside the Bazaar.
The architecture inside the Bazaar is amazing, the ceilings and walls are covered in mosaics.
On our way home from the Bazaar, we were lucky enough to catch a little outdoor traditional Turkish concert. It was interesting, but too chilly to stay outside for too long.
The backdrop of the concert was the beautiful Blue Mosque, I could not resist taking this picture.
Hagia Sophia. Originally constructed as a church in 532 AD. Later in 1453, when Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, is was converted into a mosque. At 182' tall, the Statue of Liberty could do jumping jacks inside this dome.
When Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque, they plastered over the Byzantine mosaics. Later when it was turned into a museum, many of the mosaics were uncovered and mostly intact....this was one of the most beautiful and intact mosaics.
These huge marble urns (there are four total) date back to Hellenistic times when they were used to hold oil or water.
St. George's column. Local legend states that if you put your thumb in the opening and turn it around in a complete circle, you will be healed of your ailments.
Checking our faithful guide near a fountain in Hagia Sophia.
The Blue Mosque at night......spectacular.
Inside the blue mosque.
The dome in the Blue Mosque.
This ancient Egyptian obelisk decorates the middle of the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome was built in 200 AD by the Romans for chariot racing and public events. This obelisk was built in Egypt in 1500 BC, and once stood in Luxor before Constantine brought it to his city.
A close up of the bottom of the obelisk.
At least 2,487 years old, the Serpentine Colum is also in the Hippodrome. The heads of the serpents are in the Archaeology Museum in Istanbul.
This was by far one of the coolest things we did. This is the underground cistern which used to be the main source of water for the people of Constantinople. Bill had a blast taking these pictures. This one was the best!
At the far end of the cistern are two large columns which are held up by two giant stone carvings of Medusa. The origin of the heads is unknown. Tradition has it that the blocks are oriented sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgons' gaze.
Topkapi Palace was very cool. This picture was taken in the sitting room of the Harem. Cameras are not allowed in many of the rooms, but we did see some cool treasures including the Topkapi emerald daggar, an 86 carat diamond, Moses’ rod, Abraham’s saucepan, John the Baptist’s hand and Mohammed’s footprint!
Inside the Harem.
The Spice Market!
Our rug guy, where we bought two hallway runners!!!!!