British Museum, Regent's Park, & Afternoon Tea
Miles walked: 8
I had looked up where to eat breakfast near the British Miseum, but again my food plans were thwarted by nowhere to sit. I wanted to go to Salt and Pepper Café, but got Café Italia across the street instead because there were places to sit outside. This place specializes in nothing--"pizza, breakfast, falafel, panini, and pasta" is what they advertised. I guess not every meal is picture perfect. I got two eggs, toast, sausage, and a cappuccino. It was alright. I could literally see the other café across the street and got bummed when I noticed the outdoor seating was empty. I came at the wrong time, I guess.
The British Museum was right around the corner (on purpose, I'm such a planner) and it was just about 10:00, which is when they open, so I headed over. Got right through the line/security and walked into this monstrosity.
I've been to the Natural History Museum and American History Museum in DC, which both have nothing on this. The size and layout was absurd. You'd have to go 10 times to visit every room. The amount of objects is mind-boggling. It's impossible to tell you everything I saw, but the highlights for me were the collection of 1800s cameos/jewelry and the clocks and watches exhibit. I've always loved old fashioned jewelry; I could've stood looking at this exhibit for much longer than I did. So dainty and unique and sparkly and interesting. The clocks and watches were also so cool. There were time pieces from as early as the 1500s! (Again, no photos allowed and even though tons of people were taking photos and selfies, I wanted to respect the rule. Some people were even taking selfies with the mummies. How weird is that?! They are under some sort of Egyptian curse now, for sure.) Speaking of mummies, I've never seen so many sarcophaguses in my life. Another highlight was the Rosetta Stone. You can imagine the group gathered around it. I don't even know what it is and couldn't read about it because of the crowd, but it's on my list of things to research. I also saw whole hallways of heiroglyfics. This museum was amazing and overwhelming.
Next I wanted to walk to Regent's Park, which looks nearby on the map, but is about a 35 minute walk. I made that walk and then I walked some more around the park. The park is 395 acres.
I found the rose garden. I can't imagine what it's like in the height of summer because it is lovely at the beginning of September. I smelled one hot pink rose and didn't really detect any scent. The next one I smelled, a pale pink, was the most fragrant flower I've ever smelled.
Truly, it was like I was smelling a rose scented candle; it was that strong. I went back in to sniff like five more times and exhaled loudly each time. I wanted to break off a rose to take with me but wasn't sure if that was allowed, so left the heavenly things to bloom where they were planted. I wished my mom and grandma were there to smell them with me because they both loved roses. I got a little teary thinking about that as I walked away.
Regent's Park took a long time to walk around in and I didn't even see it all. I was there for a while and finally decided to go back, about a 40 minute walk to my hotel. This was the most walking I've done in a day, I think, and was tired but really enjoyed seeing parts of London I haven't yet. I especially like walking through the smaller parks along the way and the more normal streets, which I'm sure are still super expensive to live on. I passed some monuments to Virginia Woolf and Ghandi.
I was hungry again, so was scouting somewhere to eat on the way to the hotel. I found a place called Woolf and Whistle that advertised afternoon tea and it didn't look too busy, so I went in. This place had more of an upscale feel to it and I looked like a hot mess after walking 8 miles. The woman who delivered the food to my table offered to take my photo and I declined, but regretted it right away. I should never decline to have my photo taken during this experience, even if I look like a wreck. I had a real good time by myself enjoying the finger sandwiches, scones, and tea.
I wished I had brought my Kindle so that I could read. I was there for probably an hour and a half.
I was kind of done for the day pretty early and was trying to find something to do nearby. I really considered going to a show at a theater and researched a lot. What I wanted to see very badly was Aladdin. I could have walked there, but definitely would've needed to take an Uber or taxi back to the hotel afterwards. Uber wouldn't have worked because the network isn't working on my phone except for wifi. A taxi would've been expensive. I don't know--I went back and forth about it a million times until it was too late to leave. Fear stopped me from going to see Aladdin and I kind of regret it.
Instead, I planned transportation to the airport for Monday morning. I looked into every possible way I could get to Heathrow and landed on needing to take the Underground because it's the cheapest and most reliable. I am nervous, but I know it'll be fine!
Speaking of the Tube: my hotel room is on ground floor and I can hear the trains passing below. It's kind of strange because you can hear it and even feel it, it's like thunder almost. It's so strange to think about all of that going on under our feet.
I had looked up where to eat breakfast near the British Miseum, but again my food plans were thwarted by nowhere to sit. I wanted to go to Salt and Pepper Café, but got Café Italia across the street instead because there were places to sit outside. This place specializes in nothing--"pizza, breakfast, falafel, panini, and pasta" is what they advertised. I guess not every meal is picture perfect. I got two eggs, toast, sausage, and a cappuccino. It was alright. I could literally see the other café across the street and got bummed when I noticed the outdoor seating was empty. I came at the wrong time, I guess.
The British Museum was right around the corner (on purpose, I'm such a planner) and it was just about 10:00, which is when they open, so I headed over. Got right through the line/security and walked into this monstrosity.
I've been to the Natural History Museum and American History Museum in DC, which both have nothing on this. The size and layout was absurd. You'd have to go 10 times to visit every room. The amount of objects is mind-boggling. It's impossible to tell you everything I saw, but the highlights for me were the collection of 1800s cameos/jewelry and the clocks and watches exhibit. I've always loved old fashioned jewelry; I could've stood looking at this exhibit for much longer than I did. So dainty and unique and sparkly and interesting. The clocks and watches were also so cool. There were time pieces from as early as the 1500s! (Again, no photos allowed and even though tons of people were taking photos and selfies, I wanted to respect the rule. Some people were even taking selfies with the mummies. How weird is that?! They are under some sort of Egyptian curse now, for sure.) Speaking of mummies, I've never seen so many sarcophaguses in my life. Another highlight was the Rosetta Stone. You can imagine the group gathered around it. I don't even know what it is and couldn't read about it because of the crowd, but it's on my list of things to research. I also saw whole hallways of heiroglyfics. This museum was amazing and overwhelming.
Next I wanted to walk to Regent's Park, which looks nearby on the map, but is about a 35 minute walk. I made that walk and then I walked some more around the park. The park is 395 acres.
I found the rose garden. I can't imagine what it's like in the height of summer because it is lovely at the beginning of September. I smelled one hot pink rose and didn't really detect any scent. The next one I smelled, a pale pink, was the most fragrant flower I've ever smelled.
Truly, it was like I was smelling a rose scented candle; it was that strong. I went back in to sniff like five more times and exhaled loudly each time. I wanted to break off a rose to take with me but wasn't sure if that was allowed, so left the heavenly things to bloom where they were planted. I wished my mom and grandma were there to smell them with me because they both loved roses. I got a little teary thinking about that as I walked away.
I was hungry again, so was scouting somewhere to eat on the way to the hotel. I found a place called Woolf and Whistle that advertised afternoon tea and it didn't look too busy, so I went in. This place had more of an upscale feel to it and I looked like a hot mess after walking 8 miles. The woman who delivered the food to my table offered to take my photo and I declined, but regretted it right away. I should never decline to have my photo taken during this experience, even if I look like a wreck. I had a real good time by myself enjoying the finger sandwiches, scones, and tea.
I wished I had brought my Kindle so that I could read. I was there for probably an hour and a half.
I was kind of done for the day pretty early and was trying to find something to do nearby. I really considered going to a show at a theater and researched a lot. What I wanted to see very badly was Aladdin. I could have walked there, but definitely would've needed to take an Uber or taxi back to the hotel afterwards. Uber wouldn't have worked because the network isn't working on my phone except for wifi. A taxi would've been expensive. I don't know--I went back and forth about it a million times until it was too late to leave. Fear stopped me from going to see Aladdin and I kind of regret it.
Instead, I planned transportation to the airport for Monday morning. I looked into every possible way I could get to Heathrow and landed on needing to take the Underground because it's the cheapest and most reliable. I am nervous, but I know it'll be fine!
Speaking of the Tube: my hotel room is on ground floor and I can hear the trains passing below. It's kind of strange because you can hear it and even feel it, it's like thunder almost. It's so strange to think about all of that going on under our feet.