The New Normal - Out of Africa to Christmastime in London, part 1, Center City

It's Christmastime in the city! 

We left sunny Casa on Wednesday and arrived at London's Gatwick Airport to fog and falling temperatures after a short 3 and 1/2 hour direct plane ride.  But, that's not to say the entire trip north was short and hassle-free. Here's the run down:  We left our apartment by hired taxi at 8:30AM (our driver, Hamada, is reliable and well-worth 300 dirhams!) and arrived at Mohammed V Airport about 45 minutes later. We had left ourselves 2+ hours for check in, but in reality it turned out we needed a good 5. First, we waited in a long line to get into the terminal, our suitcases being observed with a cursory glance by scanners. Next, a worker helped us get ticketed by machine and then he sent us to get our bags checked. Lastly, an impossibly long line was ahead for passport check (we wondered if the line was that long because of the holidays, or if this was the norm.)  At any rate, we clearly had not left ourselves nearly enough time to make our plane.  So, with the help of a female airport employee, we cut the last line by about 200+ people, or we might still be in Morocco!  

Casablanca shoreline from our plane

Out of Africa . . .


 . . .  to London Gatwick!

Upon arrival at Gatwick Airport, we got some British pounds from an ATM, took a shuttle to the train station, rode the train to the center of the city, and then hailed an English red taxi. Our friendly driver chatted with Richard a mile a minute, driving on the left side of the road, eventually over the Westminster Bridge, and finally arriving at the hotel around 5PM. Whew! 

But, oh what a difference a day makes; we can communicate because everyone is speaking English!

Richard on the train heading to London City Center

Our hotel, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, is located on the South Bank of London's Thames River.  This 1021- room-hotel was built in 2010 on the site of the County Hall Island Block, an annex of London County Hall.  The building had been in disuse since 1976 and had become a derelict eyesore, so it was demolished in 2006. The new building that replaced it has a lot of glass outside, with a modern interior.  We are enjoying the indoor pool, the breakfast spreads, central heat and air, and a comfortable bed.

Judy in front of our hotel

Just around the corner from the hotel is the Westminster Kitchen Grill House, where we had our first dinner of fish and chips on Wednesday evening.  Yum!

Richard enjoying Westminster Kitchen Grill

The Park Plaza's location is convenient to many of the famous sites of London.  Here are some pictures and commentary from our first few walks about town on a beautiful, sunny Thursday afternoon and clear evening.  No rain today!  

Judy leaning on an iconic red telephone booth

The Houses of Parliament, AKA the Palace of Westminster, is a London landmark.  The perpendicular Gothic building contains 1,100 rooms and has 2 courtyards. It was built between 1840 and 1870, and replaced the medieval Old Palace.  The awesome Old Palace was built by William II between 1097 and 1099, and was the largest hall in England at that time. In 1834, a fire destroyed most of the old structure; the Westminster Hall (the Great Hall) is all that remains of the Old Palace. The architect who won the competition to rebuild was Sir Charles Barry, who worked with Augustus Pugin to create the current building. This structure covers 8 acres with 266 meters of river frontage. Unfortunately, acts of violence including bombings have plagued Westminster's history.    

Judy in front of Houses of Parliament (houses "Big Ben")

Houses of Parliament housing "Big Ben"

Big Ben is the original nickname for the Great Bell of the clock situated on the north end of the Palace of Westminster. Now the name Big Ben is often used to refer to the clock, the tower and the bell collectively.  Big Ben was completed by clockmaker Ian Westworth in 1859, who said it is "the prince of timekeepers; the biggest, most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world."  Big Ben is scheduled for renovation in early 2017 and is a true London icon.  

Big Ben

View of Big Ben and the Thames River

There's not much chance that either of us will take a ride on the London Eye, AKA the Millennium Wheel.  This ferris wheel is Europe's tallest, standing 443 feet high, with a diameter of 394 feet.  While other wheels in the world surpass it in height, they Eye is considered "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel", supported by an A-frame on only one side.  It is located on the south bank of the Thames, and I have heard the ride provides awesome views of the city.  But, alas, we are too chicken and just enjoy seeing it with our feet on solid ground!

No way!

Just over the Westminster bridge is the peaceful, green, St. James Park. A stark contrast to the brown of Casa, we simply enjoyed drinking in it's beauty.  This park is the most easterly of a chain of parks and has a lake with two small islands. Waterfowl can be seen everywhere, including a resident colony of pelicans, originally donated by a Russian ambassador in 1964.  The Tiffany Fountain on Pelican Rock, adds to the peacefulness of the park.

Cherry blossoms in December?  St. James Park

The Tiffany Fountain and Pelican Rock, St. James Park

Judy on the "Blue Bridge" that crosses the lake in St. James Park

Immediately to the west of the park is famous Buckingham Palace.  On the way there, we got to witness some of the ceremony of The Changing of the Guard, which began at the Wellington Barracks, as we walked toward the palace. We saw the inspection of guards, and were treated to precision marching drills and stirring music.  From there, the entourage moved through the streets to Buckingham Palace.

The Palace Band and Guards

The grounds outside of Buckingham Palace, symbol of the British Monarchy, were crowded with eager tourists.  This being the residence of the reigning monarch, we hoped for a citing of Queen Elizabeth II.  It turns out she is sick, and won't even be doing her regular Christmas trip to Sandringham House in Norfolk.  So, we had to settle for admiring the building, gates and the "wedding cake" statue.

Below are pictures of the outside of the Household Cavalry Museum, celebrating the horse guards.  

The Household Calvary Museum

The Household Calvary Museum beautiful horse

Later in the day we happened upon #10 Downing Street, Offices of the Prime Minister.

#10 Downing Street, Prime Minister's Offices

And, in the evening Richard and I walked up close to the Eye.  We marvelled at what a mechanical masterpiece it is and envied those who enjoy heights!

We ended our first full day in London wandering around a Christmas Market and eating a delicious Italian meal at a restaurant near our hotel called Locale.  We enjoyed our time outdoors and hope to get into some buildings on Friday.

Ode To London - Poem by Christian Lacdael

London where parliament convenes, 

Home of the pearly kings and queens,       

Crowds of people on shopping sprees,          

Remember to mind the gap please, 

Cockneys bound by ringing Bow bells, 

The streets where the Spring Heeled Jack dwells, 

Set to the clockwork of Big Ben, 

Soon the royal guards change again, 

Great treasures such as the crown jewels, 

Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's, 

Road traffic crammed with red buses, 

Every other local cusses, 

Around the snaking River Thames, 

History of the big smoke stems, 

Grim streets that have charm regardless, 

To the plush Buckingham Palace.