KRATZMC

We’re off to London, or are we?  Sept 1st and 2nd, 2008

Well the trip got off to a slow start as Air Force One was readying for take off.  G.W. was in town so we sat on the ground for an hour while they prepped for take off.  Our flight was delayed by over an hours and some of the folks missed their connection in Atlanta.  Fortunately for me, it made my layover only 1/2 hour.  Above is a picture of the First Class cabin as we partied with Champagne and Mimosa’s during our wait.

In flight ditty bag with sleep mask, slippers, ear plugs, bottle water, Mimosa and personal comfort items.

If you ever get a chance and get a good deal like I did, try to fly first class especially on over seas flights.  The leather chairs fully recline and have lumbar support, foot rests and turn into beds along with the other amenities, which allow you to arrive fresh after your long flight.  The food is definitely better and you get real silverware and glasses.

Each seat is equipped with its own media screen and power ports for your devices.  Movies and cocktails are included in your price.  I played In-flight Trivia against the other passengers and had the highest score after ten rounds.  The questions were pretty hard and I sucked at the questions pertaining to Music and Sports.  Fortunately, they had an equal amount of questions on History, Aviation and Science which kept me in the lead.

Trivia game.  I also watched the movie “Iron Man”.

In flight menu.  I had the Moroccan Crab Salad as an appetizer with a fresh garden salad w/balsamic dressing, the Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Shrimp Scampi with Grilled Vegetable Medley, Lemon Risotto and Cabernet wine.  The scrumptious meal was followed by a cup of coffee and double scoop Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae.  I tried to sleep but was still on Texas time, so I remained wide awake the whole flight.  For breakfast I had an Omelet with Croissant, Fruit, Coffee and Juice.

After an 8 hour flight from Atlanta, Ga, I arrived in London at 0700 hrs their time and got some British Pounds.  With the exchange rate, it was like getting 48 cents for every U.S. dollar.  After clearing customs which took only 5 minutes, I took a quick 28 minute train ride to downtown London and a short cab ride to the Hotel.  Weather was stereotypical British with clouds and light rain.

I got enough cash for some immediate needs and plan to use credit cards as much as I can, which give you a better exchange rate.  I took an express train which is more expensive but the regular train can take up to an hour and Taxis can take up to 2 hrs with traffic.  Note:  London Taxis are some of the most expensive in the world.

Victoria Station.  Everything thing you need is here, shopping food, banks, bars, train station and Underground (Subway).

The Underground…also used during the Blitz (1940) in for bomb shelters.

Inside the subway car.  At commute time they can be packed solid, requiring some flexibility and plenty of deodorant.   Dan checks the train route map to make sure we are on the right line.  It takes about two days to get acclimated to money and public transportation.

85-89 Belgrave St (Best Western Hotel), about a 5 block walk to Victoria Train Station and Underground.  London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so plan on paying twice the normal rate for a hotel compared to the U.S.  Standard rooms start at $200 a night.  I pre-paid mine in advance, so got my room for about half price.  The downside is if you cancel, there is no refund.  There are Best Western chains Worldwide and are at least clean with Free Wi-fi and breakfast.

View north from the Hotel towards Victoria station.  Just about every doorway is a hotel in whats considered an upper class neighborhood.  London must have had only one Architect with a one track mind.  Homes here cost around 3 millions pounds or 6 million U.S.  I thought California was expensive.  I later learned that Pimlico Underground station was just 300 yards the other way, saving us 5 minutes of walking.

European rooms are about 1/3 the size of what you are use to in the U.S., as is the bathroom.  If you are over 6ft, good luck on the smaller beds.

If you reserve a single room, you get a room with two single beds.  Double rooms have double beds.

Bathrooms are about the size of two phone booths, which includes the shower.  For scale, the little trash can is about 10 inches tall.  Just throw in an empty water bottle and its ready to be emptied.

Within the hour of my check-in, Tony and Dan arrived and we secured their luggage in my room until theirs was ready and headed out for our first adventure, the Royal Air Force Museum.  Go to my page title, Royal Air Force Museum to see more.

After we finished the RAF museum, I had my first pint of beer and English meal.  Most travelers recommend eating at Pubs, which offer full menus and items are often cheaper than sit down restaurants.  Tony and Dan ordered the Fish N Chips and I ordered the Meat Pie filled with lamb, gravy and mushrooms.  Each dish was about 7 pounds or $14 U.S.  The food was really great.  Beer is around 3 pounds of $3 X 2.

Meat Pie and Fish N Chips.

Travel Advisory.  Vehicular traffic in England is opposite of the States.  So when you step off the curb, you need to look right and not left.  It can be more confusing at intersections, especially where up to five different roads can intersect.  I almost got hit twice the first day and soon learned my lesson.  Best bet is to obey the Ped crossing signals to avoid any conflict.  Besides, I finally realized I was here on vacation and had no need to hurry.

Londoner’s thought us Yanks needed help from getting ourselves killed.

After Supper, we went back to Victoria station to walk off our meal.  Tony stopped to talk to a Tour Bus driver.  We were told we could take a double decker open top bus on a 2 hr ride for 14 pounds.  We decided it would be a good way to get oriented and see what we may want to check out in earnest, later on.

View from the bus.  It dropped down to the mid 50’s at night.  Bring a jacket!

Trafalgar Square

St Paul Cathedral.  During the London Blitz this church was surrounded by a tremendous firestorm.  Churchill ordered the symbol to be defended at all costs and it was.  Known as the Alamo of London.

Thames river, Big Ben, the London Eye (900 ft tall Ferris Wheel) and London bridge.

Big Ben with the London Eye in the background.

By the time we got back to the Hotel, we had been non-stop since we left our homes over 24 hrs prior.  We retired to the hotel and fell quickly asleep, so I thought.  I woke up wide awake at 0130 hrs, or 7 p.m. Texas time.  I was able to get back to sleep but awoke again four hours later, ready to go.  Stay tuned for more and I am working on the pages with photos from the Royal Air Museum and my main motivation for coming to London, the Imperial War Museum.

Cheers!

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