UK Trip - Day 15
Today we were in a rush because we had a lot to see in two days.
First stop was the Tower of London. It took us from 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. to go through all the displays.
We started with the crown jewels since that's the most exciting collection on the Tower. They don't let anyone to take picture inside. But let me tell you, they are spectacular and obviously shows British Empire's immense loots from their colonies.
After we left the Tower, we headed off to the armour collection. The funniest thing was the armours for Henry VIII before obesity and after obesity which is an advertisement for Fitness to Fat (Amir Khan's Dangal journey in reverse)...
After the Armoury, we went looking for the Royal Chamber which was regal.
In the meanwhile, we got distracted and grossed out by torture chambers and history of crime in the name of religious intolerance (Catholic vs. Protestants), political power (Your crown or mine) and patriotic propaganda (If I don't like ya or what you have to say, you are a traitor and will hang the next day)...
Oh wait!!! May be we don't live in such a different time after all... Funny, how everything done in mediaval times are still so valid in today's world and even today the people in power are still using the same damn excuses to justify their criminal acts.
Anyhoo, moving on... After we completed our tour, it was already 2 p.m. We grabbed a quick lunch in the cafe at the tower (which is nothing to write home about) and got out.
We took some pictures of the Tower Bridge and a selfie and then hopped into a hop on, hop off bus for a city tour.
When we crossed Kensington Palace, we thought that this is what we can still do since it closes at 6. It was only four o'clock then. So we got down and went to Kensington Palace which is now the official residence of Prince William and his family.
At Kensington Palace, they were displaying Diana's dress collection (and I am such a fashionista), how could I miss it? (I posted a few of my personal favourites and iconic ones below)...
Other than Diana's Dress collection which is worth drooling over, we checked out Queen Victoria's outfits and also the Christening gown every royal baby has worn including recently little Prince George and Princess Charlotte and soon the new prince or princess will wear on his christening.
We also took a walk to the White Garden at the palace. By the time we were done, it was closing time. So we decided to go back to the hotel.
When we got to the hotel, our feet were crying for mercy. So we took a break and gave it a rest.
Then we went out for dinner and after dinner, we took the subway to Bond Street.
It was too late to do much, so we just bought a few gifts including a magnet for our fridge which is somewhat one of my quirks. I buy magnets for our fridge everywhere we go and it has to be something that reminds me off that place. It makes me happy when I see all those places' names on my fridge.
Then we walked back to our hotel.
Tomorrow, we will start out early because we are going to St. Paul's Cathedral, West Minster Abbey and Windsor Castle if time permits. Since the Cathedral opens at 8:30 and we have a busy day ahead, we will have to get up really early to start our day.
First stop was the Tower of London. It took us from 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. to go through all the displays.
We started with the crown jewels since that's the most exciting collection on the Tower. They don't let anyone to take picture inside. But let me tell you, they are spectacular and obviously shows British Empire's immense loots from their colonies.
This is the oldest spoon in probably the world. It's from 12th century and is used to baptize Royal babies since then. Both baby Prince George and Princess Charlotte was baptized with this and so will the new baby. The original is in the Crown Jewel building. This is a replica in the Armour building.
Selfie in front of the biggest loot of the century...
My husband's expression when the exposure is not right (left) vs. when the exposure is right (right)... #PhotographyNutcase
#PainInTheYouKnowWhere
#It'sAEffingSelfieForGod'sSakes
After the Armoury, we went looking for the Royal Chamber which was regal.
The gate through which Anne Boleyn entered the Tower of London as a Queen and a bride and less than three years later entered as prisoner and got her head severed from her head on the charges no one bothered to prove since the King wanted to get rid of her...
Anyhoo, moving on... After we completed our tour, it was already 2 p.m. We grabbed a quick lunch in the cafe at the tower (which is nothing to write home about) and got out.
We took some pictures of the Tower Bridge and a selfie and then hopped into a hop on, hop off bus for a city tour.
When we crossed Kensington Palace, we thought that this is what we can still do since it closes at 6. It was only four o'clock then. So we got down and went to Kensington Palace which is now the official residence of Prince William and his family.
At Kensington Palace, they were displaying Diana's dress collection (and I am such a fashionista), how could I miss it? (I posted a few of my personal favourites and iconic ones below)...
Other than Diana's Dress collection which is worth drooling over, we checked out Queen Victoria's outfits and also the Christening gown every royal baby has worn including recently little Prince George and Princess Charlotte and soon the new prince or princess will wear on his christening.
Queen Victoria's Office
When we got to the hotel, our feet were crying for mercy. So we took a break and gave it a rest.
Then we went out for dinner and after dinner, we took the subway to Bond Street.
It was too late to do much, so we just bought a few gifts including a magnet for our fridge which is somewhat one of my quirks. I buy magnets for our fridge everywhere we go and it has to be something that reminds me off that place. It makes me happy when I see all those places' names on my fridge.
Then we walked back to our hotel.
Tomorrow, we will start out early because we are going to St. Paul's Cathedral, West Minster Abbey and Windsor Castle if time permits. Since the Cathedral opens at 8:30 and we have a busy day ahead, we will have to get up really early to start our day.
Even I had visited London tower.. did u see kohinoor diamond. I liked some of crown. Even I liked that sword with full diamonds, ruby n emerald.
ReplyDeleteBut sad thing that fort is how prisons were tortured n methods used to kill them. I forgot the name of Prince who was conspired to be killed in that fort.
Also tia..i have same pic with that military who has long black cap. They don't even smile or give any kind of expression. I felt hilarious.
Windser castle also something interesting to see. You will get to see those military guys parade on alternative days basis. That is something interesting to see. But u r not allowed to take pics inside. All royal/imp people burial.
Enjoy your trip :)
Oh the history of British empire filled with murders and mayhem and conspiracy. Yes, I saw Koh-i-noor diamond which they claim is a gift to the queen. Sure it was. Just like whole India was gift wrapped for them.
DeleteAnyhoo, the torture stories and murders aside, I enjoyed the Tower of London.
Speaking of Windsor Castle, wait for my next blog to find out what happened there. ;)
I am sorry...i did not meant bring negativity in your post. It was just my thought when I visited. In fact I did not collect information before going. I thought it was fort where royal family must have lived. But no regrets..got to see some history.
DeleteHey Tia, Soumya here
ReplyDeleteHow have you been? Reading your blog after a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every picture and your descriptions. I dont know if I ever get to visit these places, but you and your pictures make me want to do it...Have fun :)
Thanks hun. I was hoping to share my travel experiences with you guys. From next week, our show resumes for six weeks. So I will continue with it. :)
Deleteoh really? I didnt know about it...hope it will be better than what we saw post leap...
Delete