March 18th - Tower Bridge, Parliament Building, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and... Buckingham Palace!

Today was fun overall, I got up at 8:30 AM and got ready for a day of fun and walking around London with a group of about eight other people. We met at 10 AM and head out towards the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. We didn’t go in the Tower of London for now, since not all of the crown jewels are on display right now (I’ll go there another day). We did walk around the outside though on our way to the Bridge. It was absolutely beautiful and HUGE and I can’t wait to actually go inside. We made our way to the Bridge and began crossing it!

Tower of London with Tower Bridge in the background

Tower of London

The Bridge was really pretty and we began taking a ton of pictures off the bridge. You are able to pay to go to the top level and see some history and everything.  The views were absolutely incredible and definitely worth the price we paid. We spent awhile on the top level (one facing North and one South) taking pictures and admiring the views. After Tower Bridge we had lunch at a little café where I had chicken curry and rice, which was pretty good.

Tower Bridge

View of City from Tower Bridge

After lunch we walked a bit to an underground station so we could get to the Westminster area. As soon as we got off the tube and were trying to decide where to go I saw Big Ben’s tower so suggested we head up that way, so we saw the tower there, and Parliament! It was so big and beautiful; the architecture is absolutely incredible and unique. We walked around there a bit and then moved over a bit to Westminster Abbey, which was also incredible. The Abbey was soo big and I can’t wait to go inside sometime eventually!

Panorama of Westminster Abbey

After Westminster Abbey we walked to St. James Park and walked the longest way possible to Buckingham Palace. The park was absolutely beautiful and there were so many animals that were really friendly. A squirrel would jump up on a railing for food, pigeons would fly right into your hand, it was incredible how friendly they were. In addition to them the park had a black swan and a couple white swans that I saw, and a few other birds.

Squirrel being very friendly

A very friendly and curious duck

Once making our way around the park we walked through an entry way and saw Buckingham Palace! It was so pretty and grand and just amazing. There was a little garden out front of it and a monument area also, and then the amazing front gates. Luckily it wasn't too busy so we were able to go right up to the gates and take pictures from there. It was so pretty!!!

Me in front of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Once we all had enough pictures and were happy, we walked to the Victoria Station and head back to Nido to drop stuff off before we head to the Spitalfields Market to browse a bit. There were so many cute dresses there that I may end up buying a couple before I leave London. There were also some other things I may get for other people if they are there in later weeks when I go. After browsing I head back to Nido to eat and relax after another long day.