London Day 2: Tourists to the Max

After oversleeping way too late as a result of the evening detailed below, we set out for a closer look at Big Ben and Parliament.  It turns out, contrary to Clark Griswald, there isn't a traffic circle near it.  Nevertheless it is still impressive as the world's largest four-faced chiming clock and we've enjoyed hearing it throughout our time here.

Next we headed to Westminster Abbey, which was thus far been the highlight of the trip.  The abbey in one form or another has occupied the site since 600 AD, and is the burial place of over 3300 monarchs, poets, scientists, and others.  It has also been the site of all 38 coronation ceremonies, the last being Queen Elizabeth II.  As we wandered around the cold halls, we especially enjoyed the 13th century mosiac tile floor, the tombs of Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Edward Long-shanks, Darwin, and Charles Dickens, the coronation chair used for all 38 ceremonies, the altar where all state funerals (including Diana's) are held, and lastly the impressive architecture and stained-glass.  It was especially meaningful for Lindsey who was able to light a candle for her grandmother, Vida Broussard, who was buried the same day in Baton Rouge.  The history and beauty of the abbey is daunting.

From the abbey, we walked to Buckingham Palace (the queen was home!) and had a look at the guards.  Unfortunately, they were more green beret looking than you might think and there were no red coats or funny tall hats to be seen.  Apparently, the scary guards are there when the Queen is home, and the tourist-looking guards are there when she is away.

A couple pictures and we strolled past the Spencer House (childhood home to Diana) and the St. James Palace (home to Prince Charles).  Continuing through St. James Park, we reached Bond Street, site of high-end labels for Lindsey to window shop.  Steve was shocked at multiple Cartiers on a single block.

Next we headed down Regent St to the Times Square of London, Piccadilly Circus.  Pretty awful and we continued onwards at top-speed, stumbling upon a two-block Chinatown covered in lanterns.

For dinner we met up with Matt again in East London, having a quick drink at The George (a fantastic barebones bar by the way), stopping for another at the Old Royal Stock Exchange, and then heading to a Indian/Pakistani/Bangladesh restaurant (there was some severe confusion on this).  Matt shared some great history on the stock exchange, which originally lacked a ceiling or windows, and now shops and restaurants have replaced the dirt floors where farmers and locals once traded everything under the sun.

Finally, we headed home and began to plan out day 3 before some much needed sleep.