This was our last day in London. I had prebooked tickets for Westminster Abby for 9:30 entrance. After coffee, love the Nespresso Coffee machine, we even found decaf capsules for Dave at Whole Foods, who knew there would be a whole foods in London, and breakfast in our room, thanks to Dave's morning breakfast run, we headed off to Westminster by bus. We have kept Dave's phone on for the trip, it has been well worth the 10 dollars a day. We just put in where we want to go on maps and it gives us all the options, walking, subway or bus. If it is only 5 -10 or so more minutes by walking we walk. The bus was the fastest option for Westminster and the stop is right outside our door.
Westminister Abby is very impressive both inside and out. Many of the Royals have been married here with the exception of Charles and Diana. They were married at St Pauls Cathedral, it is said because it holds more guests and provided them with a longer procession through town. We got right in and picked up the audio guides. The cathedral was PACKED! Way to many people to make in enjoyable. They let way too many people in at a time. So much different than our tour of Buckingham Palace, which was done right!
We tried to follow the audio guide, which can be hard for me, I do much better with visual/reading than listening, I was way to distracted by the sheer amount of people to maneuver around and listen at the same time. The Abby is beautiful and filled with many, many tombs. I had no idea that there so many tombs in there. We actually skipped a room because it was so packed with people.
At the end near the exit was the Coronation Chair. It has a long history and was originally built in 1300 to hold the Stone of Scone, which had been removed and now is housed at Edinburg Castle but was returned temporarily for the Coronation of King Charles in 2023.
I had also purchased tickets for the Queens Diamond Jubilee exhibit which is up stairs in the Abby. It hold supposedly 300 historic relics and has amazing views looking down into the Abby. No pictures were allowed. Highlights for me were was the oldest surviving alter piece and the funeral effigies of Monarchs as well as the clothing worn. Because this was an extra ticket and cost it obviously kept the crowds down, and was very pleasant.
We then walked around and found our way back to our place stopping for lunch at a very old pub, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese. We split an order of fish and chips and split an English Toffee Pudding which was not as yummy as the one we had the day before in Greenwich.
We then walked to China Town, passing through the SoHo neighborhood, and wandered around there. I was surprised at how large it was.
Then headed back to our place to get ready for a Westside show. I had prebooked tickets the Micheal Jackson The Musical. We had a fast dinner at our go to place, Franco Manco, it was packed and service was so slow that we asked for the check and paid when our food arrived. We got to the Theater with about 10 minutes to spare. I showed my tickets at the door and they told me there was a problem and directed me inside to a costumer service booth. I then notice I had the date wrong, we were suppose to be at the show the night before!! The very nice man at the counter told us no problem, he found some open seats that were in a prime spot, only 30 pounds more per person, sold! I was in disbelief that I made that mistake!
They were excellent seats. We throughly enjoyed the show, great singing and dancing. Of course no pictures during the show. An interesting thing we notice in London, at both shows we attended, they allow eating and drinking inside the theater! Ice cream cups seem to be big, there was even a man walking around at intermission like you would see at a ball game! At intermission it seemed most everyone went out and brought back ice cream, popcorn, beverages to consume in the theater, weirdest thing I have ever seen! You don't see that on Broadway or even here in Spokane.
We got back to our room and packed up, tomorrow morning we are catching a flight to Prague. We have loved London and would like to return again! So much more to see and do here!
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