Day 6: British Library Galleries, British Museum & London Eye
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Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?
- J.K Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
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St. Pancras StationOne of the tour's few unannounced stops was St. Pancras Station, a 19th century train station directly adjacent to the British Library and home to the film incarnation of Platform 9-3/4. Our tour guide, Roy, was thrilled to talk about the nearly demolished building's architecture from the gothic exterior to the sweeping glass and steel ceiling. He even noted that one of his recommended splurges is staying in the station's hotel - we are booking our reservation as we speak. And as Big Bang Theory's Sheldon would say, if you only have one day in London, make it a train day.
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British Library Galleries
British Museum
Friezes from the Parthenon in Greece acquired by the Earl of Elgin, Thomas Bruce, and shipped to England
Overwhelming and enthralling, the British Museum is a stunning reminder of an era when the sun never set on the British Empire and the pound Sterling could buy pretty much anything. One giant room houses 2/3 of the friezes from the outside of the Parthenon, which were purchased in Greece and shipped back to England on three boats, one of which sunk.
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Twelve-foot-tall doors from a Mesopotamian fortress stand near dozens of statues of ultra-vain Pharaoh Ramses II. We loved seeing Cleopatra's mummy (complete with portrait) and the legendary Rosetta Stone. We even visited a few British exhibits, including a burial ship from ancient British tribes.
Cleopatra's mummy didn't attract much attention. The real crowd-pleasers were the cat mummies - go figure!
London Eye
Most people would think it crazy to spend 30 pounds to be cantilevered 44 stories over the Thames, but it was the pinnacle of our tour of London and a wonderful way to spend our last evening with our tour buddies. The view from the London Eye is amazing. Gazing up and down the river, towering over Tower Bridge, and looking down on the Houses of Parliament was the best way to finish our wonderful London vacation.
Flying high on the Fourth of July.
A fabulous way to spend Independence Day (and in the words of Roy our tour guide "Long Live the Revolution")! Saying goodbye to new friends who shared this chapter of our lives was bittersweet.
A fabulous way to spend Independence Day (and in the words of Roy our tour guide "Long Live the Revolution")! Saying goodbye to new friends who shared this chapter of our lives was bittersweet.
Read: Beowulf, a classic heroic British poem that brings to mind the era celebrated in the British Museum's collection
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Watch: Skyfall, the newest James Bond movie, to see the fictional destruction of MI-6 before seeing the building in real life
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Listen: Music of The Beatles to refresh your memory before seeing dozens of handwritten lyrics on display at the British Library Galleries
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Taste: Steak and ale pie, one of our favorite UK delicacies and the perfect pub food for a final night with your tour buddies
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