Morning
This morning we took the Thames Clipper down the river to Greenwich.
Peter explained that the Clipper is a "commuter" boat for Londoners commuting up or down the river Thames for work. It was a multi-directional boat and could dock and disembark in just a few minutes. We were one of the first passengers and chose to sit in the back in order to get the best view; most commuters sat in the inside area. From the Clipper we were able to see many of the sights we had been to already: Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (the banner photo on my London pages here is one of the pictures I took from the Clipper), Globe Theater, Tate Modern, Tower of London, and of course we passed under the Tower Bridge.
After disembarking in Greenwich, we walked to the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre. It seemed like a museum with a number of hands-on exhibits. I persuaded Jacob to try on metal armor helmet, which he assured me was rather heavy. :) Another section listed all the movies that have been filmed in Greenwich.
Our next stop was an impromptu jaunt down to the shore of the Thames River. We wanted to touch the Thames and walk along the shoreline for a bit. Along the way we began skip rocks and had a blast!
Our next stop was an impromptu jaunt down to the shore of the Thames River. We wanted to touch the Thames and walk along the shoreline for a bit. Along the way we began skip rocks and had a blast!
After Peter pried us away from the Thames, we walked around a plaza at the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC). The picture below shows the plaza and two domed buildings which were designed by Sir Christopher Wren who also designed St. Paul's Cathedral. As we strolled through, we encountered several families taking pictures with the new graduates in their gowns. Peter also informed us that this location was also used to film a scene from the second Thor film.
From here we walk to the National Maritime Museum which was very impressive! Among the many items, we viewed replicas of unique decorative mast-heads, a lighthouse light bulb, and a map of the world on the floor for visitors to walk across.
Our next excursion took us through Greenwich Royal Park where we passed adorable little British schoolchildren who could not have been older than 1st grade. So cute! Next we literally hiked up to Royal Observatory. It was quite a trek up there, but the view was worth it (and I of course made my group take a picture). Although we did not pay to go inside the Observatory, we were able to see the Prime Meridian line from outside the gate.
Afternoon
From Greenwich, we took a long Tube ride back into London that consisted of going under the Thames River. My group only had a few hours before we had to be at dinner so that we could make it to the theater on time, so we planned to hit one of the museums by the hotel. The winning choice was the Science Museum. Upon arrival we grabbed some lunch at the café.
While they scampered off after eating, I sat down to write each one of them a postcard. That morning I purchased the postcards and international postage from the hotel gift shop. When I was in Barcelona, Spain for the Training Conference, the leaders had each of us write ourselves a quick note; they mailed them a few weeks later, and I was so surprised and excited to get mine a month or so later. I had forgotten about writing it! I wanted each of my students to have that same surprised feeling followed by the sweet memories of the trip. After we returned to the hotel, I snuck off and mailed them from a mailbox around the corner. |
The Science Museum was very cool! Exhibits ranged from the history of medicine to computing and mathematics. There were also areas devoted to exploring space and flight simulators (which was overrun with British schoolchildren). The girls also found the Science of Shopping and the limited edition Rubbish Collection. The gift shop was great also. I did not buy any science related items, but I did find a few London magnets that I liked. One was a Tube map that included Gloucester Road and a few other ones that we frequented. After our exploration, we set off for the hotel so that we could change into our theater clothes and use our last meal vouchers at a restaurant near the theater.
Evening
At Peter's suggestion, we decided to eat at Porters, an authentic British restaurant. Peter and the Virginia group would be there a little after us since they had a scheduled food tasting, but since we had tickets to see Mamma Mia, we could not join them. We eventually found our way following Peter's hand-drawn map and an actual map. We took the Tube to Covent Garden where Peter had taken my kids the day before. Once at Porters we debated over the menu and asked our server several questions. Most of us were adventurous and tried some authentic food which was quite tasty.
Also by this point, we were definitely a family...and acting like it! We were a little goofy and set on enjoying our last night in London. After we had eaten, Peter joined us briefly to explain the logistics of tomorrow's departure to me. This was also the point where we had to say goodbye to him. The Virginia group was leaving first, and Peter would accompany them to the airport. We would have a van pick us up at the hotel and transport us to Heathrow. It was sad to say goodbye at this point, and the girls were teary-eyed as we all hugged this fantastically funny and witty gentleman goodbye. Until next time, Peter!
Also by this point, we were definitely a family...and acting like it! We were a little goofy and set on enjoying our last night in London. After we had eaten, Peter joined us briefly to explain the logistics of tomorrow's departure to me. This was also the point where we had to say goodbye to him. The Virginia group was leaving first, and Peter would accompany them to the airport. We would have a van pick us up at the hotel and transport us to Heathrow. It was sad to say goodbye at this point, and the girls were teary-eyed as we all hugged this fantastically funny and witty gentleman goodbye. Until next time, Peter!
Hugs and waves over, we venture off to find the Mamma Mia theater. I again have a hand-drawn map from Peter and my actual map, but that still does not help me decide if we should turn right or left at the intersections. I have decided that I should probably invest in a compass.
Similar to the previous theater visit, we planned to hit up a Tesco or Boots (a pharmacy with a wide selection of products) before the theater for any candy or water. Gunnar was insistent that he needed Mentos in order to enjoy the performance. We had stopped at the Tesco by Gloucester Road as Wendy was almost certain they had Mentos; however, none were found. We stopped in a Boots in Covent Garden and found some, but apparently Gunnar ate a few rolls along our way to dinner. So now our mission included searching for more Mentos. Boots came to the rescue again, and Gunnar purchased five rolls. Yes, I said five rolls! After finding the theater (rather early I might add - I always factor in "getting lost" time when I travel), we were ready for a show!
Similar to the previous theater visit, we planned to hit up a Tesco or Boots (a pharmacy with a wide selection of products) before the theater for any candy or water. Gunnar was insistent that he needed Mentos in order to enjoy the performance. We had stopped at the Tesco by Gloucester Road as Wendy was almost certain they had Mentos; however, none were found. We stopped in a Boots in Covent Garden and found some, but apparently Gunnar ate a few rolls along our way to dinner. So now our mission included searching for more Mentos. Boots came to the rescue again, and Gunnar purchased five rolls. Yes, I said five rolls! After finding the theater (rather early I might add - I always factor in "getting lost" time when I travel), we were ready for a show!
This theater show was an experience in many different ways:
1) The theater was stunning!
2). The performance was very risqué and suggestive. I was rather uncomfortable during a few scenes. I was sitting between the girls and the boys, and I know that a few times they turned to me in shock, but I was so shocked that I just could not look at them. In one scene, many shirtless males come on stage dancing and rip the clothes off of the character Sky. He is left with basically green Speedos on!! I was not prepared for this kind of a show! There were several suggestive dancing scenes and whatnot. I think all of us were very surprised by this. Mercedes, the only one who had seen the movie version, assured me that NONE of this occurs in the movie.
3) A school group of female British teens encircled us in the theater. They were in front of us and behind us. They were supremely OBNOXIOUS!! They talked and laughed through the first half of the performance. They whistled, yelled out, and made disgusting comments and noises when the young men ripped the clothes off the other man. It was very distracting and quite annoying. I had shushed them and given my "teacher look" twice, but they were not bothered. During intermission, I ran into their teacher/chaperone and explained the appalling behavior. He assured me that he would deal with it. I returned to my seat after using the ladies room, and the girls were more obnoxious - because they had been scolded. They made comments about the person who told on them and such. Comments like that do not bother me, but I know that it was bothering my girls. Apparently these British girls were also mocking all of us for being American and such. Finally I asked my kids if they wanted to leave, but before we came to a consensus, the teenaged ringleader was removed by her chaperone. After she was gone, the rest quieted down.
4) We were a little lost finding our way back to a Tube stop. Peter told me that the closest to the theater was Temple, which is not the one we used to get to Porters. He had explained how to get to it, but I was having trouble. It was after 10 pm, and I did not want to doddle around, so I asked an elderly couple on the street for directions. Luckily they were headed to Temple as well, and they had just come from Mamma Mia. When in doubt about directions, just ask someone. I have found that most people will be helpful...especially if you have a group of teenagers with you.
Our last day in London was eventful and very fun. We were sad for the night to end because we knew that meant that we had to pack up and go home...and not to our London home on Gloucester Road.
1) The theater was stunning!
2). The performance was very risqué and suggestive. I was rather uncomfortable during a few scenes. I was sitting between the girls and the boys, and I know that a few times they turned to me in shock, but I was so shocked that I just could not look at them. In one scene, many shirtless males come on stage dancing and rip the clothes off of the character Sky. He is left with basically green Speedos on!! I was not prepared for this kind of a show! There were several suggestive dancing scenes and whatnot. I think all of us were very surprised by this. Mercedes, the only one who had seen the movie version, assured me that NONE of this occurs in the movie.
3) A school group of female British teens encircled us in the theater. They were in front of us and behind us. They were supremely OBNOXIOUS!! They talked and laughed through the first half of the performance. They whistled, yelled out, and made disgusting comments and noises when the young men ripped the clothes off the other man. It was very distracting and quite annoying. I had shushed them and given my "teacher look" twice, but they were not bothered. During intermission, I ran into their teacher/chaperone and explained the appalling behavior. He assured me that he would deal with it. I returned to my seat after using the ladies room, and the girls were more obnoxious - because they had been scolded. They made comments about the person who told on them and such. Comments like that do not bother me, but I know that it was bothering my girls. Apparently these British girls were also mocking all of us for being American and such. Finally I asked my kids if they wanted to leave, but before we came to a consensus, the teenaged ringleader was removed by her chaperone. After she was gone, the rest quieted down.
4) We were a little lost finding our way back to a Tube stop. Peter told me that the closest to the theater was Temple, which is not the one we used to get to Porters. He had explained how to get to it, but I was having trouble. It was after 10 pm, and I did not want to doddle around, so I asked an elderly couple on the street for directions. Luckily they were headed to Temple as well, and they had just come from Mamma Mia. When in doubt about directions, just ask someone. I have found that most people will be helpful...especially if you have a group of teenagers with you.
Our last day in London was eventful and very fun. We were sad for the night to end because we knew that meant that we had to pack up and go home...and not to our London home on Gloucester Road.