London: Day 1

Compared to everywhere else I've visited so far (and all my upcoming destinations except Berlin), I'm in London for the longest time - one week.

It might not sound like a lot, and really it's not, but to me it's LOADS of time. I'm having trouble planning it actually!

But that's pretty much sorted now, and as internet access is both sparse and expensive, I'm going to give a run down now to save daily diary entries.

Today: Monday

• Visited the tkts half price booth in Leicester Square, only to find the ticket I wanted (Les Mis) wasn't on sale as Monday is a busy day at the Theatres (!). Apparently this has to do with people doing long weekends in London and staying on Mon night. Ah well.
  
• Visited the tourist info office which was huge and busy, but had loads of great maps and brochures. It's near Piccadilly Circus tube station - towards St James Park.
  
• Did the London Dungeons! Something I've been wanting to do for AGES and finally did. Totally shameless and tounge-in-cheek and so much better for it - had some laughs and learned a lot about the dark underbelly of 16-19th century London. Great sets and actors too!
  
• Tower Bridge & Exhibition - my first (of many) 'views' of London. Saw how the Bridge was built and (luckilly enough) saw it being raised to let a boat through. Amazing considering it was built in 1894.
  
• Got my camera fixed for the extortionist price of £10! But it's done and it's all good now! It was only the screws that were missing, but the generic ones didn't work - so I had to search out a specific Pentax repair place, hence the cost for 3 screws.
  
• Climbed the 300-something stairs to the top of the Monument for my 2nd view of London. Impressive, but the Bridge was just as good. Only cost me 25p though!
  
• Dinner at Subway. I really need to learn how to eat alone! I can do it in my own city fine, but not when travelling ('cept in Singapore, but that's always different).
  

Rest of Week

• Tuesday: Greenwich/Docks during the day. Proms with Weikai, Simon & Bronwyn at night.
  
• Wednesday: London Eye and others during the day. Dinner with Camilla and Les Mis.
  
• Thursday: Cambridge w/Claudia.
  
• Friday: Comedy of Errors & tour at the Globe Theatre during the day. Clubbing with ex-NUS exchange students at night.
  
• Saturday: Unplanned, although I leave around 4pm for Amsterdam!
  

Now I'm off to do some night-time photography of Westminster!

Cheers,

Tris.

PS: It's been great to hear what's been happening in Syd - keep me posted!