Thank you for following my travel blogs so far as this is where my adventure in Europe, truly begins. After collecting my bag at the baggage collection, I made my way towards the Tube station to hop on a train to Russel Square station, which looking like a clueless tourist, was at the wrong station as the ticket machine wouldnt allow me to purchase a ticket to Russel Square station. Starting to be a little confused and nervous, I was told by an assistant that I was at the wrong station and needed to go to the Underground Station to catch the Underground Tube Line to Russel Square.
Hopping on the Tube, the first thing I noticed is how clean it was, no graffiti insight (take note Sydney). While the Tube took around 1 hour to get to Russel Square, I was taking in the views of London as we went past many buildings, houses, and shopping centres and was amazed on how historical the architecture looked, with all brown stoned houses and buildings as if I was travelling back in time. Once arrived at Russel Square stop, I was eager to get to
my hotel and drop my bags off to go explore London. Just a walk from the station, I arrived at the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury where I was tended by butlers in fancy suits in the lobby to which made me feel like I was rich and famous. They told me that check in for my room is only at 2pm as I only arrived at 7 in the morning.
Once I dropped my bags off in the bag room, I was ready to explore London. I booked myself a ticket on Londons Big Bus tours and a river cruise from Westminster to Tower Hill. Following this, I began my way to the bus stop on Oxford Street, on the corner of Great Castle Street. It was a nice sunny day, still cold though so I still wore my jacket. While walking, I noticed that the streets were still empty and a lot of shops such as cafes were still closed. Where is everyone? I asked myself as Id assumed that London is a hustling city unlike the more laidback nature of Sydney until I realised that London opens later in the
day because it closes so early in the morning. As I approached the unusually quiet Oxford Street, I was surprised by the amount of British Union Jack Flags waved across the street as it was the Queenss Jubilee celebrating her 70th anniversary since 1952.
As I was walking down the road, admiring the flags and the historical looking buildings, I saw the red bus driving past me towards the bus stop, I quickly sprinted down the road fearing I would miss the bus and must wait another 30 mins for the next one. Unfortunately, I wasnt fast enough and just missed the bus by a few seconds. Out of breath me slowly limped to the bus stopped and had to wait 30 mins for the next bus, however I didnt mind as I was taking my surroundings in. As the bus arrived, I went up onto the top deck, put on a pair of earphones to listen to an audio tour guide and let the bus We passed through Piccadilly Circus where I saw the famous build board. I got to say, it was a bit underwhelming as it was basically a commercial
shopping district which im not really into. The next place was much more interesting, the London Theatre District with famous theatres such as the West End Theatre.
Nearby the London Theatre district, I saw a giant cupcake with a cherry on top with a couple of giant flies on it. While it made no sense, I was all for it, whatever its supposed to be.
Moving from that bit of randomness, we drove passed the iconic Trafalgar Square which I was tempted to take a swim in the giant fountain.
Right around the corner of Trafalgar Square was the gigantic Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Parliament house. It was majestic as it is in pictures online, even more so.
I hopped off the bus near the London Eye and walked across the bridge to get onto the river cruise that I booked tickets for.
