Prev/Next


Fun for the whole Family:
www.fojin.com

"No, It's a vicious lie!"






Archives:

2014-Today
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002

May 23, 2012 - 10:56 p.m.
"olympic walk" or "stratford"

5/23/12 - 10:56pm London
5/23/12 - 05:56pm New York

Hey Journal!

Today we slept as late as we wanted. It was actually not that late, but it was nice not having the alarm get off and having to get out of bed feeling exhausted.

We were out of the hotel by about 10:00, and we decided to go over near Radio 1 and see if Aled was around. Aled had told me to let him know when we were here to go for a drink, but now it's been hard to get in touch with him to figure out when! We didn't have any plans when we got here in London, so we could have really do any time that worked for him, but now as the weeks is going on, we're planning things out, and he's not giving us a time, so I am worried that we aren't going to see him. Sad.

We stopped at Sainsbury's on the way to get something to eat. We decided to have a small breakfast, and just got sandwiches there. We ate while sitting outside Radio 1. I figured that we could see if anyone else we knew of was coming in or out. We were only there for about 10 minutes, and didn't see anything.

Then we walked down to Oxford Street and went into some stores and stuff. Then, at about 12:30, we started heading towards our London Walks tour that was scheduled for 2:15.

We had to get to the West Ham tube station, but unfortunately that was in Zone 3, and our passes only allow us in Zone 1 & 2. We took the tube to the farthest stop in Zone 2, and then got off. We looked for a bus, but couldn't find one. There was a girl there, and she was asking a man for help locating a bus or walking to the same place. She was on the tour, too!

Dan and I decided it would be best to just pay and go. We added money to our card, and bought a single ticket.

We got there a little early so we waited in the shade! It was a beautiful day out today! The temperature was about 79 degrees, and there was a nice breeze. I tried to keep my neck covered so I wouldn't get a burn, but I did get a slight one. Nothing too bad.

The London Walk started, and I was a little annoyed because they didn't tell us that we would be taking a ride on the DLR during the walk, and so we weren't prepared. Our Oyster Card didn't cover that, but we figured we would get one at the station.

THe walk was very nice, and had lots of interesting information about the upcoming Olympics and the surrounding areas of London. We started by walking along the Greenway and we learned a little about what the area of Stratford was like before the Olympics came to town!

Next, we went on the DLR and took it to the Olympic Village. Unlike the Underground system, the DLR doesn't have gates to let you in and out of the station. Instead, you have to tap in and out at a little Oyster Card station. We tried to top up our cards in the machine, but it was saying that it couldn't read our card! What a fiasco!

Anyway, we managed to stay with our door, and we took the DLR to the Stratford International station. There, we saw the Olympic Village and all the buildings that will house the athletes and coaches for the Olympics!

The whole area is very new, and very nice looking. There is a brand new mall, and it's really big! We went to the other side, and took a look at the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatic centre.

It was pretty cool being there knowing that in just a few months we'd be watching this all on TV as people from all over the world descend on the area and we watch all the coverage! Now, when we watch, we'll be able to say we were there, and we'll know exactly what it's like.

I got the feeling that at one point the tours went INSIDE the Olympic Stadiums, but it seems that they don't let you do that anymore, so the tour doesn't go there... a little unfortunate, but not too big a deal.

The tour concluded there, and we went inside the mall, and up to the third floor, where they have a big window overlooking the Olympic Park. We checked it out and took pictures, and then we walked around the mall and did a little shopping.

I got a new pair of jeans and a shirt. I love it... they were really nice. The guy who rang us up was really nice. He saw my license was from New York, and he started talking to us a little while he rung us up.

Then we went to dinner at Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Jamie's Italian. We had a nice dinner, and we ate outside.

After that, we found a bus that would take us to a tube station in Zone 2, and then we took the tube back to the hotel! (Our Oyster Cards are good for busses anywhere in the system, but only tube stations within Zones 1 & 2!) Sheesh!

So, we got back to the hotel and I took a shower and now we're getting ready for bed!

Tomorrow, we'll try to sleep late again, and then off to do some more fun things! Our friend Dan, who came to NY last winter, is going to come to London tomorrow to hang out. Also, on Friday, we're going to try to meet up with our friend Joseph who we met on a cruise. It must have been at least 3 years ago... we met him walking around the ship one night... and, coincidentally, he's in Barcelona now, but will be in London on Friday... and so if things work out, we'll go out for some food or a drink.

Now it's time for bed!

Until tomorrow...

Goodnight. :)