I'm in love with this country!!!

Ahhhh... Where to begin? It has been a packed fun-filled adventure thus far!! I almost don't even know where to start!! I love this place!!! London is an amazing city and I absolutely love it!!! England is such a beautiful country and I am already not wanting to leave but one must carry on I suppose :)

I have spent a few days in London trying to take in all the sights!! There is so much to see and so much to do it's a bit overwhelming and I have already decided that I am going to have to spend some more time in London on my way back through before I fly home. I love London because it is a very cultured city with modern accents but historic roots. It's got it all!!

I met up with my cousin (whom I traveling to Italy with in August) for my first day in London. We went to the Tower of London which was very cool to see!! It basically has been around since the Romans and has been rebuilt, restructured and reinforced over the centuries. This is where Anne Boleyn (sp?) was be-headed. It is a major tourist attraction and is basically a walk down history lane. There were many exhibits on the armor, weaponry and torture devices that were used through the ages. We also got to see the "crown jewels" which was several different crowns that the kings and queens wore. The jewels on these things were unreal!! There was also a tower that prisoners were kept in waiting for execution that had inscriptures carved into the stone walls. Let me tell you people write some pretty profound things when waiting to die. Most of the prisoners were sentenced to death because of religious beliefs that were not the same as the King's. Crazy!!

Lee and I did another day in London. I got to see Buckingham Palace (from the outside) and eat lunch in Trafalgar Square. Pics coming soon. Then we went to Covent Gardens which is a very buzzing part of London with many shops and a big market. Lee and I watched a fun street performance from Punch and Judy Pub's balcony. I guess it's a very touristy pub and I think Lee was the only Brit to be enjoying a pint.

Then the next day Lee, Steve (a friend of Lee's), Gemma and I went to Windsor Castle. This is a castle for the Royal family and another amazing sight!! We saw the doll house of Windsor Castle which is the largest doll house in the world. Honestly not that cool but since it was the largest we had to see it. :) Then we were able to walk through the state rooms of the castle. I can't even begin to describe how amazing this castle was inside!! Definitely fit for a king!! The extravagance of art and tapestries on the walls, the chandeliers, the furniture, it was all so incredible!! Unfortunately we couldn't take pictures and words really cannot describe (plus I'm too tired at the moment to have a go at giving it any justice) the richness of the Royal culture. I mean you look at the robes a king had worn or his bedroom and all I could think was my ego would be enormous!!! The castle was set up on a hill and overlooked the city of Windsor which with the Thames river running through. A beautiful view. We then went to Eton University. This is a very "posh" university that all the who's who in the royal family and rich go to school. We sort of "tagged" along with a group that was getting a tour because it was closed to the public and they must have booked it in advance. But we only got to enjoy about 15 mins of the tour before being politely escorted out. It was worth it though to take a quick peek at the inside.

Yesterday we were back in London again. Once our train arrived at the Waterloo Station we went to the Tate Modern Museum. I had read from one of the guide books that it's a nice way to see the city scape of London from the 7th floor and it's free (London Eye costs about 20 quid). So got to see some cool views of London from up above to take some pics and then we did a quick look at the art. Saw some cool stuff and also some pretty random modern art but my favorites were the Picasso paintings, Monet and Salvador Dali. We then took the Tube to Notting Hill and walked through the Portabello Market. Then we went to Harrods which is an absolutely amazingly insane shop. They say that you can buy anything one can think of there and I believe it. The "food court" was really cool and like an old school market with a butcher shop and all. The woman's apparel floor was filled with all the top designer's clothes. I felt like Carry Bradshaw walking though there. It was crazy!! On the "Sports and Leisure" floor they had a polo section that included Pikuer breeches, bridles and saddles. Very cool!! Next stop was a photo opp in front of the Ritz and then on to Picaddilly Circus. Then we stopped and got a few too many pints in China Town. It was a long day and very fun to see everything. The architecture of the old buildings and monuments sprinkled through out with a beautiful park around every corner surrounded by the city vibe have all made London pull at my heart strings!! :)

Tomorrow we head to Devonshire which is Southwest England to see some more of the countryside and take in the sights of the coast. Lee has a cottage there and we will probably be there for 4 nights or so. He is going to teach me how to surf (Lee is really into surfing). Should be interesting. Kind of funny to think that I will give my first go at surfing in England, quite random but can't pass it up. We stop by Stonehenge on the way. Super exited to see that as well!!

That's all for now...