mala_14 | Trip Recap: London and Oxford

We arrived in London around the middle of the day, so there wasn't time to do tons, but enough time to visit the Tower of London. The lions are some of the mesh animal sculptures that happened to be hanging around the Tower. There were also baboons and bears.

We saw the Traitors Gate, the Crown Jewels, the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, the Armouries inside of the White Tower, Beauchamp Tower, and Tower Green.

After getting beheaded on Tower Green, one could then get buried in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula. (Just like Anne Boleyn and Jane Grey.) The Tudor geek part of me was having a heyday here.

A trick to seeing the Crown Jewels and not having to wait in the ridiculously long line (which is pictured here): wait until about half an hour before closing. By that time the line is completely gone. And the actual viewing of the Crown Jewels exhibit is timed to be about 25 min. anyways, so you won't be rushed or miss anything.

The horses used in the Armouries to display the armour reminded me of Gloria (

quincy134) and her model horses.

The next day we went to Oxford to visit my cousin who has been spending a term going to school there. Oxford is gorgeous! The architecture is amazing, as were the gardens. (Especially in comparison to the snowy landscapes I had just left at home.)

I had a really good time taking pictures of colourful gardens. My camera did a good job of picking up the gorgeous colours and the interesting textural details.

My cousin was a great tour guide, taking us all over Oxford and showing us the major sights. Many of the buildings are medieval in style or in reality.

Lunch was delightful. We went to a place called the Turf Tavern where many famous people have frequented, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Bill Clinton. It was hidden away and you have to make your way to it through a little alley. It seems to be made up of a couple buildings and courtyards strung together. There was a lunch special on roast pig with fixings in the courtyard we were in, which was also fenced in by part of what remains of Oxford's original wall. Delicious! (Debated on putting in a picture of the whole pig here, but decided it might be a bit too graphic for some people. Instead, here's a picture of me and my cousin at lunch.) We also stopped by a place where they make homemade ice cream. Even more delicious! I had a scoop of hazelnut and a scoop of honey and black current. Mmm...