Big Ben greeted us with chimes to start our day. Our hotel sits on the river Thames and is directly across from Elizabeth Tower, which holds the famous icon. Breakfast was served against panoramic windows which gave us a full view of Parliament, Big Ben, the Ministry of Defense, the river, and the London Eye.
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| Enjoying a wonderful breakfast to kick start our busy day in London. |
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| Getting our instruction in the Gilray's lounge area which was often our meeting spot |
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| Our wonderful hotel overlooking the river |
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| Our hotel entrance |
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| Another beautiful view of our hotel |
We wrapped up for a brisk walk to Westminster Abby and visited kings and queens, poets and artists, scientists and even missionaries – all those who have made their mark on this incredible country.
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| Such a beautiful sight each day as we walked across Westminster Bridge |
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| Big Ben |
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| Patiently waiting for our turn to cross |
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| Westminster Abby |
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| The front entrance to the Abby |
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| Had to take a panorama shot to get the whole building in the picture |
As we left Westminster Abby, we headed down for our first of several tube rides for the day. Shakespeare's Globe was our next event. Imagine our surprise when, for the first time in our trip's history, we were able to observe the Royal Shakespearean actors practicing for Romeo and Juliet! It was such a treat! Off to a theater workshop ourselves, where our students were instructed in the art of dramatics with professional actors.
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| One of the less crowded trains where we actually got some seats |
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| Trying not to hold on through the stops and starts of the ride |
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| Thank goodness for the escalators that take us up and down |
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| Walking along the river to the Globe |
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| Roses places at the entrance of the Globe in honor of Shakespeare's birthday |
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| Inside the Globe Theatre |
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| A picture of what the Globe looks like during a performance |
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| Heading into our workshop |
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| Loved watching all the kids really getting into in |
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| and even some of the adults |
Under overcast clouds with slight drizzle we made our way across the famous Millennial Bridge to London's finest shops in Covent Garden. Last minute souvenir shopping and we hopped the tube back to the hotel. It is a Herculean feat to safely navigate 50 people through the crowded underground and onto the same train. Our ambitious travelers took on the challenge and perfected the art of "tubing"! We lost no one!
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| Walking over Millennial Bridge |
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| St Paul's Cathedral was a beauty to behold, famous for the wedding of Princess Diana to Prince Charles |
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| St. Paul's Cathedral |
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| Navigating our way through the massive London Underground |
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| The charming Covent Gardens |
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| Patiently waiting whilst some shopped in a Cath Kidston store |
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| A little daddy daughter time |
Back at the hotel we cleaned up and met for a final family dinner in the very library in our hotel where Margaret Thatcher met with heads of State regularly. Dinner was delicious but far sweeter were the testimonies spoken of the joys, discoveries, and precious moments each traveler had experienced. It was the perfect benediction to this trip.
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| A table fit for a king ... or... 50 hungry travelers |
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| Getting ready to break bread together and share sweet testimonies from the trip |
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| Enjoying a delicious steak dinner together |
But alas, the night was not quite over! We braved the Tube again into the West End theater district for Aladdin. It was a magnificent performance! A full day it was, and we are ready for one more sweet sleep before we return home. Beginning to feel like we belong here- it's going to be a difficult good-bye.
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| The Prince Edward Theatre to see Aladdin |
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| A beautiful sight walking across he bridge back to our hotel |
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| Back home for the night |
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