London - The exploration begins!

Well, what was technically our second day in London was a very exciting one!

We started off the day by heading over to Covent Gardens via the underground. We were suprised to find that the underground railroad system in London was actually rather easy to figure out! I even found it easier to navigate ourselves around than I do on the public transport system at home. Below is a map of the undergound. Click on it to enlarge it.

Finding your way to your train and knowing which one goes where is really easy with the underground map and all the signs around the station. I want an underground back in Brissy! It's all so easy! We bought 3 day tickets, as Sam got in for free (yay!) and took the Picadilly Line (the dark blue one) from King's Cross Station to Covent Gardens, just a few stops away. We navigated our way from the station exit, to Pineapple Dance Studios, which was just a short walk around the corner. It's a very famous dance school that is involved heavily in the performance industry in the UK, we've seen a reality show based on the studio on Fox 8 back at home and therefore wanted to pay it a visit.

As we walked down the cobble stoned road to the studio we saw a man standing directly accross from the entrance of Pineapple. He looked a bit odd just standing there staring (with no coat on by the way! ...crazy person), but oh well. We took a few photos in front of the entrance, but then Dad and Sam insisted that they go inside. Not wanting to be extremely embarrassed, Mum and I headed down the street to have a look at the Pineapple clothes shop just on the end corner of the same road, while the boys ventured inside. The clothes store was closed as it was a Sunday, which was expected, but we had a good peek in the window.

When we returned to the studio entrance, Dad and Sam were outside again talking to the guy who was previously standing opposite the studio. He was explaining to them that he was a stage manager for one of the Christmas pantomimes that were being produced by Pineapple and talked to us about some of the people we had seen on the reality TV show about the studio. It was really cool being able to speak to him :) But just as he was telling us about his family or something, he suddenly interrupted his story by saying "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to get you to move to the right a bit, I have a VIP coming through.".....a VIP. Awesome! We were all in awe as to who it could be, as many celebrities are involved with the studio. The guy opened the door of the car, only to reveal....drum roll........

........

David Hasselhoff. That's right, the Hoff. Of all people... the Hoff. I have to be honest, I was a tad dissapointed. I was secretly hoping that Emma Watson or Keira Knightley (my favourite actress) would be said VIP, but no. It was David Hasselhoff.
Dad politely asked him for a photo, to which he obliged and quickly shook Dad's hand and said "Hello kids!". Yes, that's right, sadly at almost 18 I'm still being reffered to as a kid(strangely enough when I'm with my hairy-faced boyfriend, we get offered alcoholic drink menus...hmmm). Oh well, I was still content with my greeting :)

Well after that exciting celebrity encounter, we started to explore Covent Gardens. We headed over to the very croweded markets, which was really nice. Although the markets are now mainly fashion, art and craft places, years ago this used to be where all the local groceries were sold. Back in the day little carts used to deliver all the foods to the market place, but when things started to become more industrialised the trucks became too big to fit through the area. They considered knocking the whole thing down and putting some modern building there instead, but the locals prostested, so although losing its original purpose, the markets of Covent Gardens are still present :) And they are lovely. It was very crowded and cold, but it was very nice and the decorations were amazing. There were massive christmas tree decorations above our heads! It was also good to seesome different things to the usual market products that we're used to seeing in Australia.

We then just casually walked around the area, looking through the windows of various stores and checking out the various topiary figures (e.g. ballet dancer, reindeer). It was a lovely area :)

We then went for a walk to the British Museum. On the way there we got to have a look around and check out the buildings and the general atmosphere of London, we also went past the theatre on Drury Lane that is showing the official production of Oliver. We took a few photos outside the theatre and had a bit of a look around the street, but unfortunately, despite my investigative efforts, no muffin man was found. Very disappointing.

The walk to the museum was rather long and by this point my back, ridden with scoliosis, was yelling at me and Mum and Dad had a few aches and pains as well, but we pushed on. The museum was huge! Mum very efficiently suggested that we decide what we want to see and stick to the plan, as we would be in the museum for days if we went around and saw everything. We chose to focus on the greeks and the egyptians. The exibits were very extravagent and very grand. It made the Brisbane Museum look an extremely pitiful wannabe. Here a few pictures.... just so you catch my drift.

Pretty self explanitory. We then ventured back over the road to a little cafe, where we each had crepes for lunch and hot chocolates. £25. It's pretty expensive in London, but what can you do, we've got to eat. And the crepes were very nice! Crepes are very popular here, especially with nutella. I don't know why but they're almost everywhere you go. I'm not complaining haha.


We then went for a walk along Fleet St., I requested this especially, as Dave is a big fan of Sweeney Todd and I just couldn't pass up the novelty. The street was very interesting, so many different styles of buildings, a mix of traditional and modern. We also came across an old church that was bombed in the war and inspired the first tiered wedding cake. We thought that was a pretty special find :)

We then found our way to St. Pauls Church. It was extremely beautiful, but as it was a Sunday it wasn't open to tourists, however, we were allowed to walk inside briefly and have a look around, as long as we weren't talking. Mum and Sam went inside first and had a peek. Meanwhile Dad and I waited on the steps. While waiting we were approached by two men who asked both Dad and I to send a Christmas message to the troups overseas. We told them that we were Australian, but our messages were still much appreciated. So we each filmed about a 10 secound message and in return recieved a little badge. I was very honoured :) Dad and I then went inside the church. It was honestly so beautiful. We couldn't go too far in, but we still very much appreciated what we did see :)

After a long day of mostly walking we walked to the Holbourn Station and took the tube to King's Cross. Full from the crepes Mum and I didn't want any dinner, but Dad and Sam got something from the Burger King below the hotel. An overall lovely day, but a cold one! It was nice to just casually take in the atmosphere of London :)

More blogs coming soon! Hoping to have internet at our next few stops!

xx