My last day in London, and tomorrow I am off to Belgium! I got an early start, but nothing is really open till 9am. A morning stroll in London is pretty amazing anyways.
Stop #1 - The Shakespeare's Globe
It wasn't open when I arrived, so I had a breakfast at their restaurant called the Swan. I have been meaning to try an authentic full English Breakfast, and it was delicious! There are eggs, mushrooms, blood sausage, tomato, bacon, toast and beans. A very substantial meal! All the ingredients just tasted so fresh and good (fruits and vegetables in the US lack flavor).
After breakfast, I walked into the the museum/theater, and I decided not to go in because I don't really know too much about Shakespeare and didn't want to pay for the tour and not understand most of the things that I would be seeing.
Stop #2 - Tate Modern
It is a modern art museum close by the Shakespeare's globe. It's mostly free unless you want to see the special exhibition.
Stop #3 St. Paul's Cathedral
I have not been to too many cathedrals in Europe, but this is the biggest I have ever seen. Photography is not allowed inside (technically). You can go up to different levels in the cathedral, from the whispering gallery (a higher view of the cathedral inside) to the top of the church outside. There are more than 1000 stairs, so be prepared!
Stop #4 - Tower of London
This is an excellent place to discover the history of London. The Tower has served as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Crown Jewels, etc at different times in history. During the first and second world wars, the Tower was used as a prison, and 12 men were executed there.
Stop #5 Borough Market
Time for some food! I went to the Borough Market, and there was so much food there! I saw a lot of pastries, bread, cheeses, honey, as well as cooked foods. I walked past an Indian place, and the food smelled so good, so I ordered a box, and it was very cheap with a good amount of food, and most importantly, it was DELICIOUS! This is probably the best food I have had in London so far. I also got some pastries for tomorrow's breakfast (early train ride) and a jar of honey for my honey (lol).
Stop #6 - The Natural History Museum and the Albert and Victoria museum
These two museums are right next to each other, perfect for a museum afternoon. It is free admission for both of them. The Natural History Museum was fascinating, they have so many dinosaur fossils! Although dinosaurs might be the most interesting thing to me, this museum is home to 80 million life/earth specimens in botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. The museum itself was absolutely stunning as well.
The Albert and Victoria museum is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. Its collection spans 5000 years from all over the world, including Europe, North America, Asia and North Africa. It's definitely worth a visit.
Stop #7 - The Hyde Park
There were still a couple spots I wanted to go, but it's getting dark already! I decided maybe I can go to the park for an evening walk before I called it a day. The park was so quiet and beautiful, and the huge lake inside the park is called the Serpentine Lake. Too bad it's cloudy, I bet the sunset would be so pretty. There are two Serpentine Galleries in the park, a rose garden, a memorial fountain you can go to while wandering around the park.
Stop #8 - Chinatown London
Guai lo is always interested in different Chinatowns around US and around the world, so he wouldn't forgive me if I didn't pay a visit to the London Chinatown. The London Chinatown is a little bigger than I thought! It seems like there are a lot of good restaurants to try if I ever get the chance to live here. I was wondering the quality of boba in London, so I went to the boba store there, and it was pretty decent! Awesome history and architecture, check. Beautiful countryside, check. Chinese food, check. Good boba, check. I think I could live here!
Super duper early train ride to Brussels tomorrow! I was gonna take the overnight bus, but my friend (who was supposed to be here BTW) felt like it's unsafe to take the bus by myself, so she bought me a Eurostar ticket. Europe train ride experience, check!