Day 3 London

Today the plan was to walk lots and see the main touristy places. I started on the Thames river & saw the London Eye. I played with a squirrel too which was very cute! Then I went back to Trafalgar Square for day time viewing. Next up was Big Ben however white walking down Whitehall I came across the Horse Guard. I watched some of those soldiers in the fluffy hats march back & forth. I wonder who volunteers for a job like that & what they actually do, other than march back & forth & never smile.

Big Ben was amazing, even though it was half covered in scaffolding. Then I passed Westminster Abbey & it was open. Inside photography is not permitted so you have to go inside yourselves to see how beautiful it is. So intricate & ornate.

Next was Buckingham Palace. To get there involved walking alongside a gorgeous park filled with huge ducks. Biggest ducks I've ever seen! Finally Buckingham Palace came into view. It is quite impressive, not ornate like Westminster Abbey, but more solid. The fencing is stunning though, in black & gold!

 Waking back towards the city I see the Horse Guard coming. They had a changing of the guard and were parading down the street towards the palace. They look very elegant, crisp red jackets, shiny metal accessories etc.

Next I found Admirality Arch and continued along the Strand, looking for the Twinings tea shop. Mmm chocolate coconut green tea! I got a selection of tea bags to bring home then headed to the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels. Well, I think I need to find myself a real prince because I want some crown jewels in my life! They were stunning, especially the current Queen's crown. No photos permitted again but I have the souvenir guide book.

Off to climb the Tower bridge now. 33m above the road so not very igh. You walk along the walkways connecting the 2 towers, each with a glass floor. It was cool to see the road from above.

Next it was time for Greenwich Observatory. Yup there is more! I had a busy day! Takes 30mins on the bus then you have to walk up the steep hill. I walked around and saw the Prime Meridian and time zero. I stood in both sides of the time zones at the same time :) I also got to see the Great Equatorial Telescope which is a huge one built in the 1800's.

Then it was time to go. My flight to Iceland was waiting. Now it's almost 4am, I'm in bed in Reykjavik and I have time be up at 7am to get ready for my 2 day tour to the volcano & glacier. Bring on the hotel tomorrow night when I can actually sleep! I'll update this post with photos later. For now it's sleep time.