Dickens Ate Here
This was our last day on the Viking Sea. The ship was moored in the Thames River next to the Cutty Sark near the Greenwich pier late last night. Today a tender was provided taking us from our ship to London via the Thames Clipper.
After arriving Westminster Pier around 10:30 am, it was a short, crowded walk to Churchill's War Rooms.
We were glad we bought tickets in advance allowing us to skip the line. Churchill's underground bunker is where he stayed and operated from in WWII during the Blitz. An audio tour included a re-creation of the war-rooms and a look at life underground. Below are a few pictures of what it looked like in 1945.
At the end of the war, Winston Churchill along with all who served and worked in this underground bunker left leaving everything as it was; maps on the walls, notes on tables, bedding, dishes, etc.
Although the Kelly's had been there before, it was a treat to tour once again with the Green's. After the tour Bill asked a local where we could get lunch. He said the best place was 'The Red Lion Pub', a block from the war rooms. To our surprise, this place was quite historical. Read the sign - even Dickens ate here.
Of all days to be in London, this was not it. First of all it is Saturday with lots of tourists. Secondly, there was a LGBT parade and the crowds were worse than Disneyland on a holiday! Barriers everywhere. Not only that, we couldn't get a taxi or transportation anywhere in the area and it was 76 degrees, the warmest we've had in 3-weeks. We had tickets for the Royal Mews but no way could we get there. We decided it was time we head back to the cruise ship.
Our scheduled Clipper on the Thames back to our luxurious ship was 3:30 pm, but with the crowded conditions, we opted to head back even though we'd have to go standby. Once we reached the Westminster pier and waited 15-minutes, we got the go-ahead and boarded the 2 pm Clipper. Best decision of this trip.
Our last dinner aboard was in one of the specialty restaurants, 'The Chef's Table', a unique multicourse tasting venue based on culinary creations by guest chef's paired with wines hand-selected by master sommeliers. Tonight's theme was inspired by China's Cantonese and Huaiyang cusine.
The chef always took good care of us (especially Karen with her Vegan diet) so a picture was needed.
When desert was served, they surprised Bill with a birthday cake and sang happy birthday.
Time to put our bags out in the hallway for tomorrows departure. Soon it's back to bread and water!
Sunday morning we disembark at 8:30 am from Greenwich and head to LHR where we'll get a rental car. We look forward to our adventures in the countryside for the next few days but will miss our beautiful ship.
Other Viking Sea Cruise Ship facts:
1) Heated bathroom floor
2) Large closets
3) Large screen TV
4) In room fridge
5) Free self-serve laundry
After arriving Westminster Pier around 10:30 am, it was a short, crowded walk to Churchill's War Rooms.
We were glad we bought tickets in advance allowing us to skip the line. Churchill's underground bunker is where he stayed and operated from in WWII during the Blitz. An audio tour included a re-creation of the war-rooms and a look at life underground. Below are a few pictures of what it looked like in 1945.
Churchill's bedroom
At the end of the war, Winston Churchill along with all who served and worked in this underground bunker left leaving everything as it was; maps on the walls, notes on tables, bedding, dishes, etc.
Although the Kelly's had been there before, it was a treat to tour once again with the Green's. After the tour Bill asked a local where we could get lunch. He said the best place was 'The Red Lion Pub', a block from the war rooms. To our surprise, this place was quite historical. Read the sign - even Dickens ate here.
Of all days to be in London, this was not it. First of all it is Saturday with lots of tourists. Secondly, there was a LGBT parade and the crowds were worse than Disneyland on a holiday! Barriers everywhere. Not only that, we couldn't get a taxi or transportation anywhere in the area and it was 76 degrees, the warmest we've had in 3-weeks. We had tickets for the Royal Mews but no way could we get there. We decided it was time we head back to the cruise ship.
Our scheduled Clipper on the Thames back to our luxurious ship was 3:30 pm, but with the crowded conditions, we opted to head back even though we'd have to go standby. Once we reached the Westminster pier and waited 15-minutes, we got the go-ahead and boarded the 2 pm Clipper. Best decision of this trip.
Our last dinner aboard was in one of the specialty restaurants, 'The Chef's Table', a unique multicourse tasting venue based on culinary creations by guest chef's paired with wines hand-selected by master sommeliers. Tonight's theme was inspired by China's Cantonese and Huaiyang cusine.
The chef always took good care of us (especially Karen with her Vegan diet) so a picture was needed.
When desert was served, they surprised Bill with a birthday cake and sang happy birthday.
Time to put our bags out in the hallway for tomorrows departure. Soon it's back to bread and water!
Sunday morning we disembark at 8:30 am from Greenwich and head to LHR where we'll get a rental car. We look forward to our adventures in the countryside for the next few days but will miss our beautiful ship.
Other Viking Sea Cruise Ship facts:
1) Heated bathroom floor
2) Large closets
3) Large screen TV
4) In room fridge
5) Free self-serve laundry
Happy birthday, Bill...what a great way to celebrate! That's a yummy looking cake; Carla's Pastry Tour would definitely approve!
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