I went to England.

Just for a few days, but I took so so so many photos…

wanna see some?

I’ll try to break this down as best I can … but there ARE a lot of photos in this post. You’ve been warned.

I arrived in England – at Heathrow airport – about 11a on Friday … running on only a couple hours of sleep and a headache …

My dear friend Miranda met me there and took me back to her dorm where I was able to take a shower and a short nap. hurrah!

After my lovely nap, we walked down – from her school to the town of Egham – for some dinner. She walks through this residential neighborhood pretty much anytime she needs to go to town for food, shopping, or the train station.

after dinner, walking back up the hill to school. That is the Founders Building of Royal Holloway through the trees (Miranda’s dorm). … the daffodils were EVERYWHERE when I was there …

We did some touring around campus … visited the school’s chapel (Royal Holloway was founded late 1800s, so even though the chapel was empty this night, I’m sure it had been used extensively in the past)

Saturday was our first day in London!! London, seriously. My first-ever visit to Europe and I was in love …

I made a rough itinerary before arriving, but it got all changed around once I got there. The original plan was to do the Tower of London first thing Saturday, but because of Tube closures, we switched it up and did St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Gorgeous. Just beautiful, especially in the morning air with the remnants of night-time fog….

No photos allowed inside, but check out some interior images here…

Once you get inside, you can walk up some 300+ stairs into the dome … and exit to the outside at the Stone gallery.

A couple photos taken from up there:

Note: there were cranes/scaffolding EVERYWHERE. We assumed London is getting ready for the 2012 Olympics.

After St. Paul’s, we walked through The City toward the Tower of London … passing by The Monument to the fire of 1666

The Tower of London was so fun … we walked around on our own, saw the Crown Jewels, and then took a guided tour from one of the yeoman warders.

Look at these gorgeous blue doors … I believe one of these is the residence of the Tower’s doctor, and one for the chaplain ..

Our tour guide Simon. He was great! He reminded me of a cross between Ricky Gervais and the Cowardly Lion.

After the Tower, we did lunch and then headed up to the British Museum.

The British Museum is sooo amazing. There is so much to see and learn there. I could have spent several days there. … plus it was free!

The Rosetta Stone!

Being in England, where there is history everywhere is just so …. overwhelming. And moving.

Maybe I should go back to school and study history …

After the museum, it was time for dinner … a little relaxing, downtime and food …

We found a pub called ‘Ye Olde London’ by St. Paul’s … and I had the BEST bangers and mash … I usually don’t eat an entire portion when I go out to eat, but after walking all day I had no problem finishing this whole thing.

Don’t believe it when people tell you British food is bad. .. . I had ONLY good food when I was there.

Our final plan for Saturday night was a walking tour with a local company …

“Ghosts of the Olde City” ….

It was so entertaining. Well worth the time/$ … Our guide (Shaughn) was a great actor, with the most expressive voice. Told us all about the ghost stories in this old part of the city….

London is the best. I can’t wait to go back …

Thus ends day one.