Summary of the Trip ^_^
You're probably all tired of hearing about this by now but too bad XD
It alll started Thursday the 11th after work, run home and grab my things so I can catch the train I needed to take to Newark. Got to the airport no problem at all though, word of advice for anyone going through Newark Terminal B, eat before security. There was absolutely nothing after security XD
Took Virgin Atlantic for my journey this time which was a nice airline. My flight was the day after all flights had been canceled so of course people were rebooked onto ours, the plane was fully packed. I wound up sitting next to the stereotypical Jewish guy with the black and white outfit, beard, curly sidedburns, kinda fat too. Going to England I was on one of their big Boeing crafts, nothing special about that, kinda cramped really. But coming back I was on one of their new Airbus craft... that plane was amazing for economy class, very airy and roomy, beautiful craft. The drink service on Virgin Atlantic includes full bar service at no extra cost, within reason of course. Had some wine with the food and a rum and coke mixer, coffee at other times XD Overall I would recommend them if anyone is traveling overseas, they also have Virgin America for continental flights but I can't verify how they are. Oh yeah, the entertainment system is top notch too. During the flights I watched District 9, the third Ice Age, and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince XD
Anyways, land in England about half hour ahead of schedule. Go through all the routine questioning and crap. I took the Heathrow Express into Paddington station which was a very comfortable ride, 15 minutes. I was gonna take the Underground but that would've taken 75 minutes! Once in Paddington I found the way easilly enough to the underground service that took me to King's Cross St Pancras which was where our hotel was.
So get to King's Cross, no idea where I am, I chose the wrong way to walk of course and I wound up backtracking till I found the hotel. Course I was too early to check in either so I left my bags there, grabbed a coffee from Costa, and wandered the streets for an hour. Came back and checked in, got all freshened up in the shower so Ria wouldn't run when she saw me, and then headed on over to pick her up at the Liverpool Street station.
I finally get there and see her and I'm all like <3 But the first thing on her mind is omfg I have to pee XD But after that was taken care of all was good and we keep grinning sheepishly at each other till finally you get over those initial nerves of seeing your mate again after so long :p Got back to the hotel and I'm well dead by this point so we relaxed and exchanged vday gifts, I think she was more excited about the pacakges of tuna I brought her than the vibrator XD Cuddled for a bit then we went shopping for some essentials (alcohol) and stopped at a McDonald's to grab food to eat. We ate, drank some pear cider we bought, and then the rest of the night I don't think I have to get into ^_^
Saturday was our first day of wandering around London. We decided to hit up the Covent Gardens area. Browsed their markets and casually glanced at some of the performers, was pretty interesting in that section, reminded me more of San Francisco than NYC. We grabbed a bite at some cafe called Fiora I think it was, we both got Chicken Tikka but I got it in a jacket potato and she got it on a bagel, tasty :B We then ventured further outside the Covent Gardens area, I think hitting up Leicester square and some other areas, shopping here and there. Eventually we decided to go hit up Oxford street which is like their primary shopping area (think 5th ave in NYC). Went in some store, Selfridges I think, and they had this model working there just wandering around in underwear to advertise. When I finally saw her I was like O_O Never would that be allowed in the states, that's too bad :p
After shopping we reached the end of Oxford street where we found Hyde Park. It was a sprawling field and we walked towards a little lake that was there, recovered some energy while sitting on a bench and watching the ducks and geese. Till the coffee I drank earlier decided it needed to come out, so we run to where the bathrooms are, they're locked of course. So I found a somewhat secluded area of bushes and had Ria stand on guard for me, it was difficult cause I swear there was another guy who had the same idea so he kept looking towards me but then walked off to another part. Once relieved, finished walking through the park and somehow ended up in the area around Buckingham Palace. Took some photos and continued walking, looking for food but not much in that area so we decided to just take the underground back towards our hotel and grab some takeout from a noodle bar we knew was there. And then more relaxing for the night *giggles*
Sunday we did more exploration, hitting up the parliament, big ben, westminster abbey area. This was also the day we explored St James park and took all those photos of the waterfowl, that was a lot of fun XD Went to some little cafe simply called EAT for lunch and I was quite surprised when the cashier recognized my devils jersey! After food, went to Trafalgar Square and then took the underground all the way up to Regent's Park. We wound up back on Oxford street to look for a nice place to eat dinner, decided on a place called Nando's which served Portugeuse type food I think? Basically like a chicken place but all the meats are marinated in some special sauce and was really good. Back to the hotel after that <3
Monday was our day to say goodbye to London. Caught the train to Norwich and her brother was kind enough to drive us back to her house so we wouldn't have to take the bus. I don't even remember what happened that day, I think we were both still worn out from the London bit XD Oh, at night we watched some video about raptors that she had found on the night, followed a female called Whitetip I think? Interesting piece, I love stories like that ^_^
The rest of the week doesn't have to get into much detail :) We relaxed together and went on walks around the country area and to the lake where she took me in the summer. Her mom got a new crockpot while I was there and tasked us with prepping the first meal she wanted to try in it :p Thankfully it came out good, but then again, anything with bacon, potatoes, and sausage will probably end up good XD Speaking of potatoes, good lord do they eat a ton of them, I thought I would turn into a potato by the end XD One morning I also fried up a traditional English breakfast for us both but I tried to add my own personal twist with the way I like to cook things, said it was good so I'm happy ^_^
Other main event was our day trip to Norwich which was on the Thursday I was there :) Did some more shopping where she helped me pick out 4 new work shirts which, I must say, are quite snazzy :B For lunch we ate at Bella Italia as she had a coupon for one free entree ^_^ Also convinced her to buy a used copy of Worms Open Warfare 2 on the DS which we had some fun playing together later in the evening :)
I think that about covers everything. Going back home was challenging because there were so many 'planned engineering works' (closures) on the underground. Was a bit difficult getting back to Paddington but I found my way eventually.
So in conclusion, it was a great time had by both. I love you Ria, I look forward to our next visit <3
It alll started Thursday the 11th after work, run home and grab my things so I can catch the train I needed to take to Newark. Got to the airport no problem at all though, word of advice for anyone going through Newark Terminal B, eat before security. There was absolutely nothing after security XD
Took Virgin Atlantic for my journey this time which was a nice airline. My flight was the day after all flights had been canceled so of course people were rebooked onto ours, the plane was fully packed. I wound up sitting next to the stereotypical Jewish guy with the black and white outfit, beard, curly sidedburns, kinda fat too. Going to England I was on one of their big Boeing crafts, nothing special about that, kinda cramped really. But coming back I was on one of their new Airbus craft... that plane was amazing for economy class, very airy and roomy, beautiful craft. The drink service on Virgin Atlantic includes full bar service at no extra cost, within reason of course. Had some wine with the food and a rum and coke mixer, coffee at other times XD Overall I would recommend them if anyone is traveling overseas, they also have Virgin America for continental flights but I can't verify how they are. Oh yeah, the entertainment system is top notch too. During the flights I watched District 9, the third Ice Age, and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince XD
Anyways, land in England about half hour ahead of schedule. Go through all the routine questioning and crap. I took the Heathrow Express into Paddington station which was a very comfortable ride, 15 minutes. I was gonna take the Underground but that would've taken 75 minutes! Once in Paddington I found the way easilly enough to the underground service that took me to King's Cross St Pancras which was where our hotel was.
So get to King's Cross, no idea where I am, I chose the wrong way to walk of course and I wound up backtracking till I found the hotel. Course I was too early to check in either so I left my bags there, grabbed a coffee from Costa, and wandered the streets for an hour. Came back and checked in, got all freshened up in the shower so Ria wouldn't run when she saw me, and then headed on over to pick her up at the Liverpool Street station.
I finally get there and see her and I'm all like <3 But the first thing on her mind is omfg I have to pee XD But after that was taken care of all was good and we keep grinning sheepishly at each other till finally you get over those initial nerves of seeing your mate again after so long :p Got back to the hotel and I'm well dead by this point so we relaxed and exchanged vday gifts, I think she was more excited about the pacakges of tuna I brought her than the vibrator XD Cuddled for a bit then we went shopping for some essentials (alcohol) and stopped at a McDonald's to grab food to eat. We ate, drank some pear cider we bought, and then the rest of the night I don't think I have to get into ^_^
Saturday was our first day of wandering around London. We decided to hit up the Covent Gardens area. Browsed their markets and casually glanced at some of the performers, was pretty interesting in that section, reminded me more of San Francisco than NYC. We grabbed a bite at some cafe called Fiora I think it was, we both got Chicken Tikka but I got it in a jacket potato and she got it on a bagel, tasty :B We then ventured further outside the Covent Gardens area, I think hitting up Leicester square and some other areas, shopping here and there. Eventually we decided to go hit up Oxford street which is like their primary shopping area (think 5th ave in NYC). Went in some store, Selfridges I think, and they had this model working there just wandering around in underwear to advertise. When I finally saw her I was like O_O Never would that be allowed in the states, that's too bad :p
After shopping we reached the end of Oxford street where we found Hyde Park. It was a sprawling field and we walked towards a little lake that was there, recovered some energy while sitting on a bench and watching the ducks and geese. Till the coffee I drank earlier decided it needed to come out, so we run to where the bathrooms are, they're locked of course. So I found a somewhat secluded area of bushes and had Ria stand on guard for me, it was difficult cause I swear there was another guy who had the same idea so he kept looking towards me but then walked off to another part. Once relieved, finished walking through the park and somehow ended up in the area around Buckingham Palace. Took some photos and continued walking, looking for food but not much in that area so we decided to just take the underground back towards our hotel and grab some takeout from a noodle bar we knew was there. And then more relaxing for the night *giggles*
Sunday we did more exploration, hitting up the parliament, big ben, westminster abbey area. This was also the day we explored St James park and took all those photos of the waterfowl, that was a lot of fun XD Went to some little cafe simply called EAT for lunch and I was quite surprised when the cashier recognized my devils jersey! After food, went to Trafalgar Square and then took the underground all the way up to Regent's Park. We wound up back on Oxford street to look for a nice place to eat dinner, decided on a place called Nando's which served Portugeuse type food I think? Basically like a chicken place but all the meats are marinated in some special sauce and was really good. Back to the hotel after that <3
Monday was our day to say goodbye to London. Caught the train to Norwich and her brother was kind enough to drive us back to her house so we wouldn't have to take the bus. I don't even remember what happened that day, I think we were both still worn out from the London bit XD Oh, at night we watched some video about raptors that she had found on the night, followed a female called Whitetip I think? Interesting piece, I love stories like that ^_^
The rest of the week doesn't have to get into much detail :) We relaxed together and went on walks around the country area and to the lake where she took me in the summer. Her mom got a new crockpot while I was there and tasked us with prepping the first meal she wanted to try in it :p Thankfully it came out good, but then again, anything with bacon, potatoes, and sausage will probably end up good XD Speaking of potatoes, good lord do they eat a ton of them, I thought I would turn into a potato by the end XD One morning I also fried up a traditional English breakfast for us both but I tried to add my own personal twist with the way I like to cook things, said it was good so I'm happy ^_^
Other main event was our day trip to Norwich which was on the Thursday I was there :) Did some more shopping where she helped me pick out 4 new work shirts which, I must say, are quite snazzy :B For lunch we ate at Bella Italia as she had a coupon for one free entree ^_^ Also convinced her to buy a used copy of Worms Open Warfare 2 on the DS which we had some fun playing together later in the evening :)
I think that about covers everything. Going back home was challenging because there were so many 'planned engineering works' (closures) on the underground. Was a bit difficult getting back to Paddington but I found my way eventually.
So in conclusion, it was a great time had by both. I love you Ria, I look forward to our next visit <3