London
Charlie’s “Christmas Present” weekend in London turned out to be a blast! He took charge of planning, deciding that a day at the British Museum followed by a visit to Kew Gardens was the perfect itinerary. And of course, we couldn't miss out on indulging in some classic fish and chips while we were there.
Our adventure began with a Lebanese dinner on our first night. The next morning, we walked two-miles (yes, we're back to miles!) to the British Museum. Exploring the Egyptian sculptures was like stepping into a history book brought to life. From the Rosetta Stone to the figure of Ramesses II, Charlie's knowledge from Rick Riordan’s Kane Chronicles added an extra layer to our tour. Luke stopped to share tidbits of information he remembered from his lessons with Ms. Keaton. Their passion for learning and sharing never fails to impress me.
Saturday morning started with a buffet breakfast at the hotel’s winter garden before hopping into a taxi bound for Kew Gardens. Stepping into this sanctuary of biodiversity dating back to 1840 was truly incredibile. Highlights included the Palm House with its lush greenery, the Lily House with blooming lilies, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory housing cacti from all over the world. Charlie even spotted cacti species he recognized from Baja or Joshua Tree. The giant Victoria boliviana lilypads left us all in awe. And let's not forget the treetop walkway, offering a bird's-eye view of the trees below. Wow. Wow. Wow.
No trip to London would be complete without high tea, and The Landmark provided the perfect setting for this quintessential British experience. Afterward, we made a quick stop in Kensington to see the Brock Family before enjoying a delicious Sichuan dinner and heading to a Stansted airport hotel for the night, ready for our super early morning flight.
Adjusting to the switch in traffic direction was a trip. With only 76 out of 195 countries driving on the left side, those "look right, look left, look both ways" markings on the ground became really helpful. I'll never forget the moment a bicycle whizzed by me on my right side, going the opposite direction I expected. Talk about a heart-stopping moment! Needless to say, we opted for a slow and cautious approach. Several times this happened. An ambulance/car would zoom past with the driver on his cell phone. My inner monologue went into overdrive: "How does he drive without looking at the road? Oh, wait, he’s not the driver."
The sight of people in workout gear sipping on to-go coffees was a stark contrast to what we're accustomed to in France and Spain. We embraced every moment of our London escapade, even the ever-changing weather. Overall, it was a fantastic trip, but next time, I think having a local/friend to show us around would be a game-changer.
