In front of our hotel... See you all very soon!
Saturday, March 13
Beatles Tour...
We went on The Beatles walking tour around London on our last night here. Yes... The Beatles! I know what you are thinking... aren't they from Liverpool? Well, yes they are, but they spent a lot of time in London once they hit it big! Richard, our guide, took us all around the city showing us historic places and telling us interesting stories about The Beatles. We jumped on the tube for the last time and headed back to the hotel to finish packing and get some sleep before we head out to the airport at 6:30am. See you soon!
Fish and Chips...
For our last meal in London, we all decided to go to a restaurant near the hotel and get the traditional Fish and Chips (Fish and French Fries). Even though it was very good, I still think that Louisiana seafood is the best! (But of course, I am bias...)
National Gallery
We saw some pretty impressive art today at the National Gallery. Jillian, our guide, led us through the museum and told us the cool facts about some of the most priceless works of art. We saw painting from Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrant, Vespucci, Vermere, etc...
Mrs. Roane would be proud!
Sonia working on her brass rubbing picture in the crypt of St. Martin in the Fields (Trafalgar Square).
Last Day in London...
Today was our last day in London. There are mixed feelings about this... we are sad for it all to come to end, but we are so excited to get back home. This morning, we started our day with a tour through Westminster Abby, watched the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace (picture), and then went on an adventure through Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square. And that was all before lunch! We haven't been keeping track, but I would guess that we are walking an average of 10-15 miles per day.
The end of each day...
Each evening we are just exhausted - dead tired - ready for bed - spent - we ain't got no more!(The Globe acting classes helped out in these pictures, huh...)
Friday, March 12
Dinner and a Show...
We ended the evening with dinner at the Spaghetti House and the longest running musical ever, Les Miserables. The restaurant was good, but the musical was outstanding! We got back to the hotel about 11:15pm and all of our exhausted children are now snoring in their warm hotel beds. It is now 12:30am here (6:30pm in Texas) and I am signing off for the night to catch some zzzzz's myself. Good night Veritas! We are coming home soon!British Museum
We left Tower of London and headed to the British Museum. After the tour around the museum with Jillian, the kids broke into groups and competed to find certain artifacts in the museum. They could use any resources at hand. They quickly grabbed maps and were not shy to ask the gal at the information desk where certain things could be found. One that they searched for was the Easter Island statue from the movie "Night at the Museum". (If you can't remember which statue it was, how about a hint... his famous line was "Dum Dum I want Gum Gum.") The first ones to get a picture of the artifact and bring it back to me won. Just one way to make a museum super fun!!Wagamama...
We found a Wagamama near the Tower of London. The food there was absolutely amazing! Thanks to the Orozco's for suggesting this place!
Tower of London...
In front of the Bloody Tower at the Tower of London. Notice Tower Bridge in the background.Friday morning...
Friday morning started off with a delicious breakfast and a "learning experience" on the tube. We got to the Tower of London and met our tour guide, Jillian.
She took us around some of the main attractions at the Tower, such as the Bloody Tower, the White Tower, and the Crown Jewels. Then, we were free to explore the rest of the Tower on our own.
She took us around some of the main attractions at the Tower, such as the Bloody Tower, the White Tower, and the Crown Jewels. Then, we were free to explore the rest of the Tower on our own.
Thursday, March 11
Thursday evening...
Shortly after boarding the bus in Bath and beginning our trek back to London, Liz (our tour guide), pointed out the hills of Wales. Mr. Zeal... you were definitely not forgotten on our trip!
After a long bus ride, we made it back to London and met with Adam, our tour guide for the Ghosts of London Walking Tour. As we went from spot to spot in London, Adam kept everyone captivated as he told tall tales and ghost folklore... we even learned some really cool history!
We ended the night by grabbing a bite to eat then heading back to the hotel on the tube. These 8th graders can almost navigate the tube by themselves... but, I promise parents... we will definitely not be testing this!
Bath Abbey
What a team! In front of the Bath Abbey, a beautiful Church right across from the Roman Baths.We love the Pasty!
They were introduced to the Cornish Pasty (a meat pie) while in Bath. They wern't too sure about them at first, but after the first bite, they were in line for another!!No Johnny, you can't take a bath here...
The ruins at Bath are just beautiful! We were able to walk around town after touring the Roman Baths... Another at Stonehenge...
Thursday morning, after a quick breakfast, we boarded a coach bus that was waiting for us outside our hotel at 8:00am. Our tour guide, Liz, knew everything there was to know about anywhere we went! We travelled to Stonehenge first, spent an hour or so debating theories about how and why these big rock are here, took a few pictures, and got back on the bus and headed towards Bath.
Wednesday evening...
Wednesday afternoon we headed to Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum... They got pictures with Michael Jackson, Shrek, Audrey Hepburn, George Bush, Alfred Hitchcock, Tiger Woods, King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth II, Albert Einstein, Jimmy Hendrix, The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Hitler, and many, many, many more!
We hit the tube and made our reservation at Maxwell's Restaurant (they had some very yummy bergers, wings, and ribs) before going to the theater to see Lion King. What a show! The costumes were absolutely amazing and the singing was even better! The kids were singing "Hakuna Mata" all the way back to the hotel! This is a show that we all would recommend!!
We hit the tube and made our reservation at Maxwell's Restaurant (they had some very yummy bergers, wings, and ribs) before going to the theater to see Lion King. What a show! The costumes were absolutely amazing and the singing was even better! The kids were singing "Hakuna Mata" all the way back to the hotel! This is a show that we all would recommend!!
Acting like Shakespeare...
Along with touring the Globe Theater and going through the museum there, the students participated in an acting workshop that ended with them performing a short scene from Romeo and Juliet. This video is just one of the ice breakers or acting games that they played to prepare them for the scene... they had a blast ...and were pretty good actors too!!
Wednesday, March 10
More posts to come...
I do have more to post from today, but it is really late (or actually early now - its like 1:00am) and I am just exhausted... I will take my laptop and camera to Stonehenge and Bath tomorrow, try to find a small cafe with free wi-fi and upload a ton more. Everything is running smooth, the kids are becoming pros at maneuvering the tube, and we are having a blast! See you on the blog tomorrow!!
Millenium Bridge
After visiting St. Paul's, we crossed the Thames River on the Milenium Bridge, a pedistrian-only bridge that was nicknamed "The Wobbly Bridge" because of its apparent swaying when it first opened in 2000. Thankfully, they fixed that problem and it no longer sways. In the background is the top of St. Paul's Cathedral (remember... we climbed to the top of that church!). Once across, we headed to the Shakespeare's Globe Theater!
St. Paul's Cathedral
After a good night's sleep, we started the morning of Day 2 at 7:30am with a hearty traditional English breakfast - eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, beans/tomatoes. It really hit the spot and the kids absolutely loved it! At 8:00, we started our day by taking the tube to see St. Paul's Cathedral. Did you know that this massive Cathedral is the highest point in the city of London? And guess what... we climbed the 530 steps of the small spiral staircase to get to this most awesome view! Also, notice the weather... it has not rained since we have arrived!! It has been cold, but has stayed clear! What an great view on such a beautiful day!!!
Horses in the middle of London?
Our kiddos with a London Mounted Guard at the Horse Guard Parade Grounds.Tuesday, March 9
End of Day 1...
Good night all! We have a full day planned for tomorrow and will definitely keep you posted!
Say Cheese...
After we left the original Hard Rock cafe (store), we got on the Open Top Double Decker Bus. It was freezing, but we were determined to endure the entire tour. We all made it! We got off of the bus right past Big Ben by the Eye of London. Then headed to our cruise down the Thames River toward the Tower of London. We exited the cruise, got dinner, and took the infamous tube back to the hotel. Most of us have been awake for almost 24 hours now... We are exhausted - but what an awesome first day!!!
Churchill...
After a long flight, a bus ride to the hotel, and unpacking... we were off! We stopped near the hotel for a quick bite, then we headed to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms. We were not originally scheduled to visit Mr. Churchill, but because we got to London early, we had an extra few hours! It was such a great way to get the day going!
Adios Houston...
The kiddos waved good bye to their parents in the airport. Kids are all smiles...but you should have seen their parents....Flight drama...
We would like to say thanks to Mrs. Raad! Continental cancelled our flight the morning we were supposed to leave. Leaving on the next day would have thrown a big ole' monkey wrench in our plans. So, Mrs. Raad got on the phone and got all 16 of us on an earlier flight to London. We got to London earlier, rather than later! Thanks Mrs. Raad - YOU ROCK!!!
Friday, March 5
The Friday before we leave...
Press Play... This was the last day of classes before we take off! They are just a little bit excited about going to London!!
Wednesday, March 3
History Fair
What perfect timing! The History Fair was last night... just days before we depart for London. The 8th graders each did a project about something specific that they will see or learn about in London. These are the topics that they chose:- Trafalgar Square
- Sir Christopher Wren
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Buckingham Palace
- Tower Bridge
- Winston Churchill
- Big Ben
- Globe Theater
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
Now, that they did all of their research... they can't wait to get to London to experience these places first hand!
Monday, March 1
Just a few reminders...
- Do not come to school on Monday - Please be at IAH Airport - Terminal E - no later than 3:00
- Your backpack will be your carry-on. Liquids are not allowed. Zip-locks are your friend (easy viewing during security)
- We will check in one suitcase - weigh your suitcase if you are not sure it is under 50 pounds (remember to save room to bring souvenirs home)
- Passports! Passports! Passports!
- Pounds not Euros
- Medication goes to Ms. Jones
- Don't forget your Watch!
- Bring a clipboard, pen, paper, and your Bible
- Be ready to go on a trip of a lifetime!
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