Paris to London Day Trip

The Big Smoke: London

After the traumatic experience the night before, London was a welcoming surprise!

I expected the “doom and gloom” usually attributed to The Big Smoke but it was a clear and balmy day.

The two hour train ride on the Eurostar was uneventful.

We’d have to catch a black cab from St. Pancras International to Victoria Station.

This is where we would be meeting up with the excursion..

If you missed my previous blogs in this series, I was not traveling solo on this trip.

I booked a vintage bus tour of London through Viator.com for $51.66. The best part was it not being hop on/hop off.

The cost included a cruise on the Thames River and the option to add upgrades like fish and chips at a pub.

I was on a time crunch and had the day planned to the “T.” So there would be no add-ons.

London’s Mini Limousine

I was so excited for my first black cab ride. You would think it was a small limo.

TIP: Keep in mind of the conversion rate to pounds.

The train station offered money exchange and new bills with the king would not be printed until mid 2024.

London was still transitioning from the monarch to patriarchy as the queen had died a little over a month before.

I probably was the only one paying attention to the guide on the bus. He gave a valiant effort at giving us geographical and historical facts/tidbits of the area.

I don’t like the concept of “hop on/hop off” but I see why people book open top buses.

In a bustling metropolis,  you have a view that can’t compare to any on foot/land.

I’m surprised that I did not have a crook in my neck from looking up!

The tour may not go exactly as planned since weather can affect the time you take the cruise. Unfortunately,  we didn’t get off at Buckingham Palace.

London is a beautiful city that does put me in the mind of New York with the skyscrapers looming over.

I learned the difference between The Tower of London and London Bridge. Our boat narrator said many confuse the two in pictures.

If you’re intentional,  you can take  lots of pictures even while the bus is moving. If goes around more than once.

A Spot of Tea

The tour ends at The Tower of London/Big Ben.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a long walk to Corinthia London. By this time it was dusk.

Finding a quality late tea reservation was hard but this was one of the hotels offering it. I booked the luxury experience a month in advance.

Cost was 65 euros (pp). I paid an additional 25 euros (pp) for for Rose Champagne.

Since I had high tea in Turks and Caicos, I wanted to change up my look this time around.

I was going for funky English (spice girl) glam. Since the weather was cooler, I improvised with penny loafers but patent leather boots would’ve went best aesthetically if not for comfort.

I loved my fascinator especially because I don’t see it often. Purchase was made on Amazon.com.

My favorite sandwich was a curry flavored one (can’t remember the name).

I took the desserts to go in a cute little box that ended up getting destroyed. I discarded them without tasting but they were really pretty.

Pleather skirt was from SHEIN, accessories (Victoria’s Secret). Everything else came from Nasty Gal.

We changed into our “tea wear” and let the “boujiness” begin.

My only regret was that everything felt rushed. I didn’t get to enjoy the gorgeous 5 star hotel as much as I’d like.

The public bathroom alone was the fanciest I’d ever been in.

Even with booking the last high speed train of the day, we had about two hours in total. That was not enough to try the hundreds of teas they had.

I only tried one with milk….can’t remember the type.

The experience “gave what it supposed to have given” and left me wanting more.

I can’t wait to spend more time in London.

~Poof…Bee Gone

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