Getting to know London

The changing of the guards
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Well unfortunately I still wasn't feeling 100% after the kebab incident, but was determined to do some sightseeing of London.

Ursula, Elysia and I (Monica was working but Elysia has pretty much the whole week off) decided to see the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. We got the tube (by this stage I have definitely got my money's worth out of the Oyster pass) to Green Park and walked through the park to the Palace. I couldn't believe I was actually seeing it in person after seeing so many photos of it.

I finally made it into Topshop!

Buckingham Palace
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Unfortunately, because it is school holidays the crowds were massive and we couldn't get too close. But it was definitely a spectacle! There was a marching band, horses, and lots of guards. I didn't realise it would be so much of a performance.

Afterwards, I had to make my way back to the hotel room because I wasn't feeling great, but Ursh and Elysia continued on to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Later on though, I was feeling a bit better so decided to go for a walk. I walked past Marble Arch to Oxford St, and did a bit of wondow shopping.

Ursh and Elena on the bus sightseeing tour
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I finally made it into Top Shop and it is SO COOL. 4 levels of fashion - awesome! There is a store called Primark which has opened a megastore here recently, and apparently you can get really cool items for only a few pounds. The crowds were out of control though, so I might go back later.

That night, we all went out to dinner near Monica's work (also on Oxford St) and then walked to Leicester Square and Covent Garden for a walk around. I loved Covent Garden, there are lots of little alleys and laneways and cool shops and restaurants. I want to go back there soon!

Elena, Ursh and Monica at dinner
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The next day, Ursula and I did a hop on, hop off bus sightseeing tour around London. Even though it cost £22, its a great way to get to know the area. We must have seen every single sight - including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Kensington Palace, Harrods, London Tower, London Bridge, and more churches/monuments than I can remember. We also saw the London Eye (the big ferris wheel shaped lookout) and even though we had bought tickets earlier, decided to go back another day as the queues were massive.

The 'Wicked' show poster
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That night, we all went to the theatre at Victoria. We saw a musical called 'Wicked' about the story behind the Wizard of Oz witches. It was a lot of fun!