Touring of London (Day 4)

Today was pretty relaxing compared to the last two days. I went on the Thames River Cruise, to the National Maritime Museum, and the British Music Experience at the O2 Arena.

Today was the latest I had to leave which was nice. Meant I got to sleep in (yay!). Simple ride on the tube to the pier. Same ride I went on yesterday (yestermorning?). I just missed the first one so I had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one. So I busted out Northanger Abbey and did some reading. It's actually very interesting. Wonder if they ever made a movie for it. While I was reading, the weather went from dark and cloudy, to pouring rain, to incredibly hot sunshine just when the boat pulled in. So it was perfect weather to sit on the top level of the ferry. One of the crew members acted as our commentator. He did a great job for some one who hasn't had any guided tour stuff before and knew lots of little cool facts for most of the buildings we pasted. It was cool to see the sights from the river. Plus it was very relaxing and I needed that. When we went under bridges, some people would wave at us. At one of the bridges, a kid spit at us. Missed it by that much. Luckily no one was sitting next to me. I think the kid was dared to since afterwards, a group of kids crowded around him and were all giddy with laughter and mischief.

After we landed at Greenwich pier, I wandered around the old Royal Navy Academy before heading into the museum. I passed by the Cutty Shark ship on the way. It was pretty cool. Speaking of ships, while on the river cruise, I passed by Sir Francis Drake's ship and a little model of the Mayflower (it was on top of a building that our commentator pointed out).
There were lots of families and little elementary students around the museum. So it was a bit crowded. Made it difficult to take pictures but luckily I got a guidebook for free to help make up for that. I got to see exhibits about the Titanic, migrations to the Americas, slave trade, and other adventures from the sea. At one point I was having difficulty locating a restroom so I asked a staff member where one was. He said the nearest one was down stairs, but there was an exhibit down there you had to pay for in order to go down the stairs. I asked how much it was. He told me the price. I the asked, "So, if I don't wish to buy a ticket, do I need to go somewhere else for a toilet (when I first said restroom, the guy apologized for there not being places to take naps at. I'm pretty sure he was just teasing me)?" He then gave me a look (almost like Zach's people smile just dead serious), then quickly smiled a big grin and said it was OK for me to go downstairs anyway. Funny guy. He he.

I then took the bus over to the O2 arena to go to the British music Experience. HOLY COW. It was my version of a video game paradise. It was a mash-up of Just Dance, Rockband, with all American and British music since the beginning of music! It was an interactive museum and they had so much to do! Most of the exhibits had displays of things that were donated like Elton John's many glasses, costumes from David Bowie, The Madness, Duran Duran, KISS, etc. and lots of instruments (guitars especially) with lyrics from various singers and bands. There was an interactive studio where you got to learn how to play some songs. I learned how to play a bit of "Fascination" on piano, "Suddenly I See" on electric guitar, and a rock song on the drums. It was awesome. There was a dance booth, but it was super popular and I didn't get a chance to do it. But that's why I have my Just Dance games :P

So it was a pretty chill day. I'm mainly exhausted from the heat. It was 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Yeah, that's not hot compared to Utah or Tri-Cities, but when you're used to it being 60 degrees at the highest, it was pretty hot. And it made the tube ride back home very stuffy and stink. On one coach, I was crammed between two guys who I'm guessing had just finished working out and they each and one arm reaching for the bar on the roof. Leaving their lovely armpits in my face on both sides. Whoop de doo. When I transferred to another train, I was crammed between two ladies. It smelled a lot nicer. Guess rush hour is a bit later over here then in the states.

Guess that's all.

Ta ta  for now.