We saw a thousand years of dead people...

Leonard: What the hell are bus pants?

Sheldon: They are pants one wears over one's regular pants when one sits on bus seats that other people have previously sat on. But, perhaps from your lofty heights atop the corporate ladder, you've lost touch with the struggles of the common man.

All I can say about today is OMFG. Well, not really all, prepare for incoming ramble!

Since the last post, we arrived in London, made our way to our new accommodation (last minute change means we are staying near Tower Bridge instead of in Westminster - and its a good change) and then went and visited Tower Bridge (which is very cool). Dragged ourselves to dinner and then crashed for the night.

Today was a whole different ball game. Started with a quick trip on the tube from London Bridge station to Westminster (personal space is not an option). First place of the day was Westminster Abbey. It is incredible, so much history compressed into such a small space. Nearly 1000 years of kings, queens and famous people buried there (from Edward the Confessor and a number of the Henries, all the way through to Isaac Newton and Laurence Olivier), not to mention the feel and look. No photography allowed inside unfortunately, but we got plenty outside.

From here we wandered around Westminister, looking at the Houses of Parliament (wow!), Banqueting House (ceiling wow!), the Royal Mews (men with swords and horses!) and more. We made it up to Trafalgar Square and Nelsons Column, and the National Gallery (which just feels endless and is quite amazing, but again no photos allowed). I really enjoyed this painting of some yellow flowers in a vase done by some guy :) (sorry mum!).

Jumped on a "go all round London on a tour bus" tour, which was great for getting acclimatised and working out where everything was. We've now had a drive by of most of the major sites and know where to go to see more detail. I have to say, I think one of the best things about it was seeing Cleopatras Needle on the banks of the Thames. I had completely forgotten one was in London. Only glimpsed the one in New York, so we will be going back to see this one a bit more closely (you can touch the damn thing!!). Plus, when we see the one in Paris that will be the hat-trick. 

Tomorrow, well, I'm not sure what the plan is now, since we are going to juggle a few things around based on what we have seen today. Its likely Kensington Palace (which you can enter), the Gardens, Hyde Park, Harrods and the Natural History and Science Museums.

For those wanting a more '3D-feel' (it's popular these days I hear) there are some panoramic views which you can view here - http://photosynth.net/userprofilepage.aspx?user=uktrip2011&content=Synths

Its now raining (London's weather is very like Auckland's it seems) but its been such a fantastic day we don't care :)

Later folks,

C&D.