London

We left Cincinnati on Saturday, December 15, and arrived at London Gatwick airport on Sunday morning at 10am. We took the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station in the heart of the city. Here we bought 'one-week' tube (subway) passes. The London Underground is ideal way to get around the city.

We then checked into the Park International Hotel in South Kensington, a suburb west of the city. After taking a short nap to overcome the jet lag, we strolled the streets of South Kensington, and had dinner at the Star of India,an Indian restaurant with an English twist.

After having breakfast at the hotel, we took the tube to Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, they had postponed the 'Changing of the Guard' to another day, and we didn't get to see it. Then we set out to the see the House of Commons (the British Parliment). Across from there is the magnificient cathedral Westminster Abbey. Inside are buried several of England's favorite sons and daughters, including Royalty.

We then headed to the Theater District (London West End) and got tickets for a show. It would've been a shame to have visited England and not try their 'Fish and Chips' - so we had lunch at an English Pub called Chandos (Theater District) and had Fish and Chips! (They don't serve it with Tartar sauce).

After a hearty meal, we went to Trafalgar Square (you have to really watch out for the tons of pigeons here so they don't poop on you). Directly across from the square is the National Gallery (free admission for a limited number of months). Among the collections displayed here are works of art by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Seurat, et. al. After spending about 3 hours here, we were ready for a siesta, so we headed back to the hotel.

We then got ready to go back to the Theater District to see Les Miserables. We have never seen Les Mis before and this production was amazing. The main chorus still echoes in my ears. After the show we went to China Town, which is virtually in the same area. We had dinner at Mr. Kong. The only menu item worth talking about here was the Crispy Duck.

We toured the Tower of London, which has been the seat of British government and the living quarters of monarchs for nearly a millennium. It is the repository of the Crown Jewels. In addition it also housed many political prisoners. The famous Beefeater guards can still been seen walking around (and protecting) the Tower. From the vicinity of the Tower there is a breath taking view of the Tower Bridge, especially at dusk, when the bridge is illuminated.

We then saw the London Bridge (not much to this structure), and then stopped at a local Starbucks for some relaxation. We then headed back to Knightsbridge to the department store that the Queen shops at - Harrods. After shopping at Harrods, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant directly across from there.

In the morning, we took a train from Victoria station to Windsor (about a half hour ride), to see Windsor Castle. Here we saw the Queen's State Apartments and Chapel. Like Westminster Abbey, several famous English are buried in the chapel here, including Charles Dickens to name one.

We then headed back to London, and met with Mani and Anne-Gaelle for dinner at an Italian restaurant in the West End. It was good to see Mani again after a year or so.

We took the tube to Picadilly Circus, walked around Oxford Street. The entire area was too crowded and the shops were cheesy. We then headed back to to Knightsbridge and shopped at Harrods and Harvey Nicols. It was them time for lunch at Sale e Pepe, an excellent Italian restaurant. You'll need reservations at this place - we didn't have one, but we did get seated within the hour. The atmosphere is comfy andthe food is great.

After heading back to the hotel for a much needed rest, we got ready to see yet another show, a play actually called Art. this was at an older theater - Whitehall Theater - we had second row center seats. We enjoyed this three cast member play very much. If you are into lay and shows, London has it all.

We spent the late morning having breakfast and walking around Hyde Park, admiring the numerous statues. Yet again, we went back to Harrods. This time we spent over four hours there. We had luch at the Tapas Bar there (one of several restaurants in this mammouth department store.

That evening, we met up with Mani and Anne-Gaelle, and their friends for dinner at a French restaurant on the West End. After dinner we went to one of Mani's favorite watering hole and had a few relaxing drinks.

We went to Portobello Market in Notting Hill. This is a market that is so active on Saturdays with vendors of all sorts selling their products, including antiques and artwork. The market literally streches to about a mile!

We then had lunch at another very good Indian restaurant, Noor Jahan, around the corner from the Star of India. We then rested up, and had dinner at La Buchee, a small French restaurant that serves up great food within a charming atmosphere.

Finally, on Sunday morning we got some breakfast and headed back to Gatwick to catch our flight to the States. Upon ariving in Detroit all passengers were asked to take their shoes off, little did we know the 'shoe bomber' tried to pull is stunt only the day before.