Monday, May 21, 2012

EUROPE: London, Pt. 1

Bryant and I arrived in London around 1:00 pm on Friday, April 27th. This train station was seriously CRAZY. 


 We rode "The Tube" out to where our hotel was and walked along The River Thames for about 1/2 mile


Our hotel, "Park Plaza Riverbank"



Has anyone else noticed that the second Bry and I arrive at a hotel he sprawls out on the bed or couch?

The AMAZING view from our room!


Looking towards Westminster Abbey

Entrance to the House of Parliament 

House of Parliament 







Big Ben





Bry's favorite President (Don't ask me why they have a statue of Lincoln in London...)




Westminster Abbey






Yes, I am a tourist.


After walking around Parliament Square and seeing the amazing Westminster Abbey, we decided to go across the bridge to ride The London Eye. (My sister has a friend who grew up in London and insisted we do it!) While walking though a mob of people, I noticed someone dressed as Shrek was starring me down. I proceeded to veer around him when all of the sudden he grabbed both of my shoulders and tried to stop me. (Before we left for Europe my mother in law scared me into thinking that everyone was a conartist out to get me, so naturally I assumed the worst with this guy!) Luckily I had my big, hulking husband right next to me who grabbed the guy off me and shoved him away. (I've never been so proud!!--and grateful)


Walking towards The London Eye


We honestly waited in line for over an hour for this thing, so I knew it was probably worth it

On our way up


The view

House of Parliament


One of our neighboring Pods


Downtown London


The Marriott Hotel






These were our snacks to get us by until our 10:30 pm dinner reservation. You know you're in a soccer loving country when their food takes after it. But the chocolate bars were AH-MAZING

This is to document that I was actually doing homework while on vacation. (And the view was beautiful!)

Our concierge recommended "Rules" to us when we said we wanted "tradition English food".
"Rules was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings."


I love that Charles Dickens ate here!



That lame Diet Coke was $$
Random animals EVERYWHERE



Roast Quail on Toast with chanterelles
Breast of Suffolk Duck with black cabbage, celeriac & sour cherries
Sirloin Steak with bearnaise sauce & chips
Steamed Chocolate Pudding with chocolate sauce (SOOOO GOOD!!)

Part of the entry way


Our meal at Rules was absolutely amazing and our first day in London was wonderful!
Stay tuned for Part 2!