I've always wanted to go on a cruise

 Well, not really. I don't mind boats, on lakes or on the river, but a large ocean liner in the middle of the ocean, just scares me....ever seen Titanic? Dramatic.....probably, but what can I say, I have a lot of irrational fears - I'll save those for another post - you're welcome.

Lucky for us, we got a free cruise on Thames River when we purchased our bus tour. And bonus, the boats automatic audio tour was broken, so we got a live tour guide! He was actually the co-captain of the river boat - which was only one flat boat with a bunch of metal seats - don't go thinking we got royal treatment as far as seating, but it was inside and warm. The guy was hilarious - this was his 2nd time ever giving a live tour in 20 years - he did great!

 a look back at Tower Bridge

 HMS Belfast - we took a tour of that later

 go ahead, sing it loud! (I did, not out loud - too myself) Thank goodness this bridge didn't fall. haha!

 Shakespeare's Globe Theater - the white building to the right with the thatched 'roofing'. We didn't take in a show there - too cold as it's an open air theater.

 a famous pedestrian bridge we didn't walk across, but cruised right underneath. :)

 and the London Eye. We were going on that kicking and screaming because I wanted to prove I could do it even if I had to stand in the center of the 'tube' to keep it balanced.......another one of those fears.

 And then there's Big Ben - totally fascinated with it - it's beautiful, especially all lit up at night. Which as you can see from the time, it's almost 6 o'clock.

 Jeff getting a good photo on his iphone - we were so impressed with the architecture of every building.

Next up....London Eye

Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey

 The engine room for Tower Bridge - we took an elevator up the one tower, across the middle - where they had pictures and notes about the most famous bridges in the world - we had walked across or driven at least 7 of the 20!

 Westminster Abbey - we toured this another day and no photography was allowed, but this place was amazing! It's where Prince William and Duchess Kate were married, where all the Royal Coronations take place - Queen Elizabeth's was the last one. Princess Diana was married here. Around the Nave of the church was a bunch of smaller chapels and mostly final resting places for past Royalty. I was a little shocked they were holding a sacrament service while all the tourist were wondering around - it was open to any of who wanted to participate. I felt like an intruder just watching such a sacred event happening in front of thousands of tourists. Maybe that's just me.

 

From the time of the coronations of King Harold and William the Conqueror, all coronations of British monarchs have been held in the Abbey. The St. Edward’s Chair, the throne on which monarchs are seated while being crowned, is contained within the Abbey and used at all coronations from 1308. The Abbey was later rebuilt in honour of Edward the Confessor, the Royal Saint, by Henry III. Edward the Confessor’s relics were enshrined in the sanctuary and today lie in a burial vault in front of the High Altar.

source - the high alter where they are standing was roped off from the public. A picture similar to this is on the front of the brochure you pick up for the tour.

Check out the detail - every inch of the building has some carving or symbol.

 

 I was a smidge obsessed with Big Ben - it's just amazing! And it night - wow.....more of that to come, but this was our first view of it. It's across the street from Westminster Abbey and part of the Parliament building - which was closed so we didn't get to view any government in action....bummer. Across the bridge is the London Eye and Aquarium.

Tower of London - spies, secrets, and torture, oh my!

Tower of London - where the Queen used to live, the Crown Jewels are held and proudly shown off (some maybe have been 'gifted' from India.....taken.), spies were tortured and kept, carvings left by said spies, words of wisdom, and tally marks counting the days. Now it's a memorial to the Royal History of the Royal family. I loved the video of Queen Elizabeth and her Royal Coronation. She was so young! There were uniforms worn by Prince Henry and Prince William and his lovely wife - Kate.

 Is it even possible to lift this??

 curse you tiny cannon....haha (ever seen Despicable Me?)

 It was hard to take clean shots without getting one or two of our friends in every photo.

 I thought this was really cool - each of these horses belonged a King of England.

 and the name of the King above on the flag

 The water closet/loo/bathroom/hole in the bench that goes straight down about 3 levels. ew.

 light reading?

 OW!

 His name is Keeper

 To the Armory

 Here's the torture dungeon:

 These 2 individuals just sat and chatted in old English about whatever she was talking about - he mostly grunted and said 'that's too bad'. haha!

 Tower Bridge and the wall right in front is Traitors Gate

 protecting the castle - that's my 'war' face.

 Jeff is ready for battle!

 We walked across this walkway from one tower to the next - there was an audio playing of battle sounds - scary to be in battle. And you couldn't be very tall.

 See that big group of people?? They're waiting to see the Crown Jewels. We left and came back another day early in the morning to avoid the line. Off to Tower Bridge!