London (Day 2)

This morning, we started off with the included guided tour, which actually turned out to be worth it. It was a spin through London, seeing the neighborhoods and major sites, including a stop at the Albert Memorial (gaudy beyond belief), Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, etc. etc. London is certainly worth seeing in this way, because everywhere you look, the architecture snags your eye.

We wandered St. Paul's Cathedral and saw the crypts there. Then back to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. Everyone had told us: "You can't miss this." But we thought it was a waste of time. Some uniformed people march by and are inspected before the palace. Yawn city! But we can certainly now say we've seen it, and the crowds were not that bad so I think we hit London at a good time.

We got back to the hotel, found a nearby pub, and had a fish and chips lunch (and a pint). It was good and fun (because it was London and a pub and fish and chips, you know) but, generally, as far as British cuisine goes, all I can say is I'm glad London has lots of ethnic restaurants. After lunch, we went ahead and signed up for an optional tour of the Royal Mews and then Buckingham Palace.

The Mews are a stable, a fancy stable, but a stable. It does offer you the chance to see this massive golden carriage used for coronations, which is straight out of Fairytaleland. (You can click on the pic here to see a much larger view). Very impressive. Of course, we had to laugh at some of the other displays. Anyone want to see the Queen's chauffeur's shoes? Not me! Yet, lo and behold, herds of people actually took pictures of them! Pictures of shoes! Guess the people running the Mews know their audience.

The inside of Buckingham Palace was very impressive (as a palace should be, right?). No pics allowed, but that is a blessing because you spend more time really looking rather than snapping. Lots of art, mainly Italian and Dutch Masters. Loads of massive portraits of royals. Some intriguing (Charles I), others epic (Victoria's coronation), and some sadly hilarious (some military garbed paunchy latter day kings, who didn't look as if they could even get on a horse much less go into battle).

The Palace was definitely worth the time. Though, in a way, it's strange. The furniture and decor are very ornate and impressive...in a palace. Yet I'm certain that any single piece taken out of that context would look like something you'd expect to find in your tacky Aunt Minnie's annual garage sale. It definitely works in the Palace though!

This was our only day with a tour group. From here on in we were on our own, and we went to sleep after plotting what to do once we were cast adrift on the streets of London.