Back to London

Ever since June, London has held a unique spot in my being. It reminds me of a couple cities in the United States, but better. It offers so much history, fantactic scones, lovely accents; superb tea and lively markets. I love the fast pace and even the tube. London is a place where I could see myself calling it home. 

I was greeted with this welcome sign by my lovely hosts in Beckenham, Jacci and Karl. Jacci and I went to college together and every time we see each other or talk, its like we never skipped a beat. We have the same views on the world and life, so its wonderful getting to talk to someone who just "gets it" and me. 

We stopped at Jacci's gorgeous place of employment in Paddington, We Work. She works for a premier tutoring and educational services company in the building. The space has modern and contemporary design and character throughout. I would kill to work in an environment like that.

We then ventured to Greenwich for afternoon tea. I'm ALL about afternoon tea and at just eight pounds, inexpensive too. 

What a beautiful place and a great way to start off London.

I loved having an actual, proper scone. They just don't make them in the states like they do in the UK.  Believe me, I smothered that thing in clotted (Devonshire) cream and jam. THE LIFE.

 Then we took a stroll in the park and hiked up to the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian line of the world. Every place in the earth is measured in terms of its angle east or west from the line.

Me at the meridian line.

View of the National Maritime Museum, including the Queen's House.

Awesome views of London. Shard to the left.

I really wanted to see the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, but unfortunately it was closed for renovations. I guess I'll just have to go back... ;)

Breakfast one day before our flight to Paris. Pancakes with berries and greek yogurt, which I never thought to use before.

Views from the Shard. London Bridge and the river.

We had some super tasty bellinis, minus the one they accidentally gave us with thyme. 

We took the tube to Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market.

That sky though!

Walking downtown London at night is gorgeous. London will always have a special place in my heart and passport.

My experience at Duck & Waffle (London) coming soon...

London, England

When I started planning this trip, I really wanted to see a little bit of everything and experience things I never had before. The only other foreign country I had been to was Mexico in catered-to-Americans resorts, so my knowledge on what Europe felt like was only what I made up in my head and through pictures I'd seen. And at the same time, I had zero expectations on how things would go. I was up for anything and wanted to try everything. And I did.
My last stop on the trail was London, England and I must say it now holds a special place in my passport and heart. I absolutely loved it. I adore style and my do the Brits have it. Leather jackets, chelsea boots, oxfords, tailored suits, etc. I was in love. That's not to mention the architecture and vibe the entire city gave me. Modern and chic restaurants with old style charm. My next visit to London will be to explore all the markets I can fit in. We went to one and it was so much fun, between scoping out the food and leather goods to picking up unique London-esque souvenirs. 

So beautiful. St. Pancras.

King's Cross.

I arrived at Heathrow and took the tube to the city where my friend, Jacci and I had a proper afternoon tea planned. It was soooo me. I loved every second of it and learned my love for clotted cream and jam on scones. 

Glitter in our bellinis.

After tea we went back through King's Cross and I got to fulfill my childhood fantasy of "running" through Harry Potter's Platform 9 & 3/4. 

Apparently where Gringotts was filmed.

This building looks straight out of Harry Potter.

St. Paul's Cathedral

For dinner we went to the Holborn Dining Room where they have the largest gin bar in all of Europe.

The atmosphere was amazing and the drinks were too. I'm kicking myself for not buying a bottle of the Pinkster gin made with raspberries and only in the UK.

Prawns and scallops.

Harrods. A shopping and fashion dream.

Hyde Park.

The market we went to was so much fun. Look at these sushi socks at a shop near by.

Clotted cream and jam, I love you.

The Odeon where all of the movie premieres happen.

Riding on the opposite site of the road was so weird!

For dinner we went to The Actress. 

London has some awesome ciders.

LOL.

My last day Jacci surprised me with brunch and a view at the Sky Garden. Wow!

The Shard.

View of London Bridge.

We were all the way up there...

The building to the left is where we ate brunch.

Buckingham Palace.

The London Eye.

Big Ben. However, the clock isn't actually Ben. Its the bell inside.

Our last meal at the Arch Duke.

Bye London. :(

My journey has come to a bittersweet finish, but my adventures have really just begun. Stay tuned...