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Blogs, Travel

Trip to London: Day 2 Walking Tours

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When my husband and I went to Prague, Czech Republic two years ago, we joined a FREE WALKING TOUR. If you are new to the concept of a free walking tour, this basically means that you do not have to pay before hand the tour that you want to join. You will pay the tour guide VOLUNTARILY any amount that you think the tour is worth.

We had fun during the tour in Prague so we decided to do the same in London. I feel like it is such an amazing experience seeing the whole city in the eyes of a local. Plus some history lessons wouldn’t hurt. I searched online for free walking tours and I was so happy when I found one company who does it.

Free Tours by Foot offers a lot of tour options but my husband and I were so interested in 2 (at first). We signed up for London All in One Tour and Jack the Ripper Tour.  Our second day began at Green Park Station because that is the assigned meet up for the London All in One Tour. We met our guide, Margaret. There were a lot of us in the tour but it wasn’t too crowded. Just enough for us to feel like we are really tourists.lol

Tour Route

The whole tour was strategically planned. It saved us a lot of time and made us really enjoy the whole tour. The tour guide was so amazing and entertaining. She clearly knows a lot about history as well as about the royals. The tour was divided into two parts, morning and afternoon.

This was the schedule for the morning tour: (From free tours by foot)

I have to be honest, it was a really long walk! That is why having a really amazing guide helps. She keeps us all entertained despite the fact that it was scorching hot that time. My husband and I learned a lot about London through the tour. So despite the long walk, we were very happy that we took that tour.
The London All in one tour ended at Tower Hill. It was the most amazing end for the tour. The view was just perfect! We can see the Tower Bridge as well as the river Thames. Both looking equally picturesque!
After the London All in One Tour, we went to our next tour which was the Jack the Ripper tour. We chose this tour because I have always been intrigued on who Jack the Ripper is! It  seem creepy and scary, good thing I was with my husband! Our tour guide was Jessica. And she was equally amazing! I couldn’t remember exactly but her Phd has something to do with killers and murders so it was pretty cool!
The tour was not like any other tour. She presented it in a very theatrical way that it seemed to me like I was watching a movie rather than in a tour. In every stop, she gots me into thinking about who Jack the Ripper really is. And with every stop, it just gets more and more exciting to the point that I did not want it to end! Unfortunately, it did come to an end but we are happy because all of our effort in walking did not go to waste! The two tours we have had were by far some of the best we have ever had. So Kudos to Free Tours by Foot for hiring the best tour guide in the whole London!
After each tour, we gave our tour guides a tip. And we do not regret paying them because they truly deserve it! They were more than amazing. So if ever you find yourself in London and looking for the best way to roam around the city and at the same time learn about it’s history, join Free Tours by Foot!
Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement. I just had an amazing experience with the company so I wrote about it. 
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Blogs, Travel

Trip to London: Day 1- After the Storm

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If you have been following my blog, you know that our first few hours in London fell nothing short of an adventure. It was like a race against time. Had we been contestants on Amazing Race, we would have won the race, no doubt about it!. If you haven’t read about it, feel free to check it out here. During those times, I can say it really pays to marry a Superman.

After the fiasco, we went to our Airbnb apartment and rest for a while trying to catch our breath and get a grip of what just happened. The moment we recovered, my husband and I realized we’re famished. Good thing his friend came to the rescue. He works for a Japanese restaurant in London as a chef and he invited us to come over.

Travel Tip: If you will stay in London for 3 or more days, it best that you get an Oyster Card. We bought an oyster card good for 7 days so we paid £37. Oh, when you are done using the oyster card you can return it and then get a refund of £5. 🙂

Since our apartment was conveniently located near the city, it was pretty easy for us to go the restaurant. My husband and his old friend said their hi’s and hellos. I wasn’t paying much attention because all that I can think of was food! They talked about our little adventure that day until our order was served.

The moment it was laid on the table, I immediately took a bite. I do not know if I was just very hungry but it tasted nothing like anything I have ever tasted before. It was so good! My husband’s friend Kuya Rey (the chef) ordered a lot for us! Even if my husband and I were hungry, we are not really big eaters so we were taken aback by the amount of food served on us.

Remember when I said the food was so good and my husband not being big eaters? Well, scrap that. The food was not just good, it was heavenly to the point that my husband and I finished EVERYTHING! I mean, we had Volcano Roll (sushi), Spicy Mango Roll (sushi), Rib Eye, Wagyu Beef and rice. All of these were served in huge portion but we were able to consume it all plus the desert!

murakami-wagyu-beef

It was the best way to start the calm after the storm and I wouldn’t really wish it any other way. We loved the food so much that before our flight, we decided to eat again in Murakami and it was yet again another gastronomic experience!

After we left the restaurant, my husband and I walked around the city to take touristy shots.Our first stop was, of course, the Big Ben. I was beyond amazed when I saw the Parliament and the Big Ben! I can still remember it explode from the James Bond movie so I was beyond thrilled that finally, I AM IN LONDON! (And we found my bag with everything still in it!)

Right across the bridge was the London Eye. Yes, you read it right. I saw the freaking London Eye! I literally have to pick up my jaw and screw it back. It felt so surreal for me. It was just beyond amazing! My husband loves taking pictures of buildings at night so we have decided to go somewhere else since it is still early. He asked me where I would like to go.

“I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her back…” That was all I can ever think of during that time. And so off we go to Notting Hill. 

When we got to Notting Hill, we immediately started looking for the blue door and the bookshop. We were so happy when we found it and took loads of pictures. Apart from the blue door and Travel/Book shop, Notting Hill is a pretty amazing street so if ever you are in London, I suggest you put it on your list.

After going all cheesy in Notting Hill, we have decided it is time to go somewhere magical. And what could be more magical than Platform 9 3/4? I am a Potter-head so seeing that platform in real life made my heart leap for joy. You can take pictures on the platform but there are also photographers there from the Harry Potter store (conveniently located next to it) that can take your picture and print it for £15. My husband is not a fan of printed pictures so we decided to take pictures of our own and it turned out pretty amazing.

After the magical encounter, we went back to the parliament so my husband can take pictures and then went home around midnight. The train closes at 01:00 so we still had plenty of time. But since we were so tired, we have decided to end the Day 1 of our London Adventure.

 

 

PS.

Day 2 will be even more exciting so don’t forget to follow so you will not miss anything. 🙂 Also I will write about our Where to Eat in London so we can talk more about the food and of course more pictures! 🙂