Day 6

Tower Bridge.

So we woke up Saturday, 7/24, and checked out of our hotel (the Crown Plaza, paid for by Jared's work, so can't complain), left our bags with the concierge, and went on an unsuccessful quest for a traditional English breakfast. After coming to the conclusion that nothing is open on a Saturday morning in the Temple area (it is pretty much an exclusively commercial area), we decided we'd walk to the Tower Bridge and Tower of London. I had been to the Tower of London several years ago, but thought Jared might like it and that it might be worth visiting again. Well, after seeing the line of tourists waiting to get in, we decided that seeing it from the outside was going to be enough for us this time..

Outside the Tower of London.

Tower Bridge again.

So, by then we were starving and it was lunchtime, so we crossed the Tower Bridge and headed to Butler's Wharf. Butler's Whalf is a lovely area in the shadows of the Bridge on the South Bank. I had good memories of eating there with my Aunt and Uncle one of the times I visited them in London, so we decided to grab some lunch from the area.

Jared at Butler's Wharf.

We didn't want to go for a big sit-down lunch, so found a little cafe and grabbed some yummy chicken salad sandwiches for take away. We walked down the River a bit and found a little park with a great view of the Tower Bridge.

We found a nice sunny spot and enjoyed our sandwiches with this lovely view.

After we finished eating, we headed back toward the hotel, walking by St. Paul's Cathedral, and the London Fire Monument on the way. We collected our bags from the hotel, and headed to the Tube to go to Richmond. When we arrived we walked the 3 minutes to our hotel, The Richmond Inn, and checked-in. I was so excited to start showing Jared around the town, so we dropped our bags and headed out to explore. I gave him a walking tour, walking by my Aunt and Uncle's old house, The Gap I used to work at, and then took him to the Richmond Green. The Green is a big park in the middle of town where cricket is played on weekends and locals drink pints of beer while picnicking and watching the matches. We ordered pints of cider at "The Cricketer" Pub and walked over to the Green to relax in the sun. It was another beautiful day, so we soaked up the sun and relaxed while enjoying our pints. After we had our fill of cricket, we decided to walk down to the River, so I could show Jared the beautiful Richmond Riverfront. Tired from our day of walking, we decided to head back to the hotel and relax for a bit, before dinner.

A power-nap and change of shoes later (my feet were completely covered with blisters from my week of walking... I brought sandals that are completely comfortable for everyday life, but apparently are not all that comfortable when worn for 6 mile walks) and we were ready for dinner. I took Jared to another one of my favorite Richmond spots, "The White Horse" pub, which has a great outdoor garden area full of flowers and abutting a playground where my little cousin used to play while we drank (I was beginning to see a trend in my favorite pubs in Richmond, that they are all quite 'kid friendly' since I was always going with my Aunt and Uncle who had a two and a half year old at the time). We enjoyed a Pimm's Cup at The White Horse (the ultimate English summer drink), before heading back to the River for dinner. The Richmond Riverfront may be my favorite part of town, and there are lots of little pubs with great views, right on the water. We headed to the "Pitcher and Piano" and stalked a table on their mobbed patio. We had burgers for dinner while enjoying pints and a fantastic view. Jared had not been in love with London all week like I am, but upon arriving in Richmond said, "Now I know why you love it here so much. I could definitely live here." Wouldn't that be nice...

Day 7

On Sunday, 7/25, we woke up for our last day in England, and finally got our traditional English breakfast from our hotel. We decided to head back into the city and go to Harrod's again, so took the Tube to Knightsbridge. We explored the Food Halls again, and went to the Cafe for the traditional Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam and Hot Cocoa (my other favorite thing to do at Harrod's). We found the "old map" room where Jared got absorbed looking at US maps from the 1700's, before I could convince him that there was no justifiable way to spend $2000 on an antique map at this point in our lives... or probably ever.

After we left Harrod's, we walked through Kensington Park where a big triathlon was occurring, and stumbled upon the Princess Diana Fountain, where we stopped for a rest to soak our feet. I wanted to take Jared to Notting Hill, so walked along the edge of Kensington Gardens and stumbled upon a beautiful street that housed all the different country's Embassy's. Jared promptly decided that he now wants to be an Ambassador.

Portobello Road in Notting Hill.

Notting Hill.

When we finally reached Notting Hill, we meandered around Portobello Market for a bit, before Tubing it back to Richmond.

Richmond Park.

When we got back to Richmond, we rested at the hotel for a bit, and then headed up the hill to another of my favorite pubs, "The Marlborough" which has a delightful beer garden out back. We had a drink and then decided we were hungry enough for dinner, so headed to Pizza Express, another of my favorite Richmond spots (which we also have in Dubai, coincidentally). Yummy pizza and Ben & Jerry's for dessert on the River and our last night in England was complete.

View toward the River from Richmond Park.

Another view of the terraced gardens.

Goodbye England.

Another Richmond Park view. I was obsessed.

The Richmond Riverfront.

Richmond Bridge.

The Riverfront as the sun was setting...

It was just wonderful to be back in England, and I loved every moment of it. Hopefully it won't be quite as long next time before I am back. But for now, Paris here we come!

An American in London: Days 2 & 3

Well, the weather has continued to be perfect (75-80 degrees and sunny -- who says it rains all the time in England?), and I have been loving every single relaxing minute of being back in London. I have been trying to make my trip a combination of revisiting all my favorite places, while also trying to have new experiences and go new places and explore. And I think I have been succeeding in my goal the past two days.

Yesterday (Tuesday, 7/20), sore from our long run on Monday, we did a quick gym workout and went for a 10 minute walk before Jared headed to work, and I lounged around the hotel for the morning. Since we have been doing so much walking, I didn't want to get too early of a start, as we end up walking for lots of hours anyway and I didn't want to be too tired. When I finally motivated to go out in the afternoon, I grabbed a sandwich and some chips (or crisps, if you will) for lunch at Pret A Manger (sandwich/salad shop on every street corner -- think Dunkin Donuts frequency in Boston) and then decided to head to the Somerset House and check out the Courtauld Gallery. The Somerset House is conveniently close to our hotel, and the Gallery is known for having one of the best collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art for a small museum. Impressionist art is my favorite, so I figured I should definitely check it out.

Somerset House Courtyard.

The Gallery is housed in the Somerset House, which is a beautiful palace-looking building from the 1770's, with a piazza in the middle with statues and fountains. Just lovely, and somewhere I had never been before. I enjoyed walking around the piazza before heading into the Gallery. And, after the overwhelming size of the National Gallery, I kind of enjoyed going to a smaller more intimate museum. Without so many pieces, it is easier to really appreciate the paintings and sculptures they do have. Tons of Degas', Pissaro's, Manet's, and Monet's... And Van Gogh's famous self-portrait after he cut his ear off... Love love loved it!

Another view inside the Somerset House Courtyard.

So, after spending two hours or so in the museum, I decided to head up to Covent Garden to do some window shopping (while the stores were actually open, unlike our first night), and then headed to Leicester Square for dinner. Jared had a work dinner Tuesday night, so I was on my own, which I was perfectly happy with. I decided that I would head back to the Wagamama in Leicester Square, where I used to go when I lived in London. Going to Wagamama isn't exactly a luxury, since we have them in Boston and Dubai (apparently I only enjoy living in cities that contain Wagamamas), but just for tradition's sake. For the uninformed, Wagamama is a delicious pan-Asian noodle bar that I was first introduced to and became obsessed with when I lived in London. It originated in the UK but has subsequently spread, only coming to the US four or five years ago, and is limited to only Boston and DC. YUM! Yaki Udon.

After dinner, I leisurely headed back to the hotel to relax until Jared got back and we got some more cider to drink while luxuriating in the room.

Today, 7/21, we started the day with another long run, this time running along the river toward Westminster Abby, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben. Crossed the bridge underneath Big Ben and than ran by the London Eye, heading back toward Temple on the opposite side of the River, crossed the bridge and were back. I love exploring and sight-seeing in new places by going running. It has to be one of the most fun kinds of multi-tasking possible.

Then, I decided that it was time for me to head back to the neighborhood/borough where my aunt and uncle used to live, and where I lived and worked the summer I lived in London: Richmond, Surrey, in Southwest London. I was so excited to go back and see what had changed and what was the same, and to go back to the Gap that I worked at (yes, as an American college student living in London for a summer, the only place I could get hired was the American clothing store Gap, pretty sad, although it initiated my summer jobs then for the following 3 summers, at various Gaps across Eastern Massachusetts...).

So, I took the Tube to Richmond (the last stop on the District Line) and spent the afternoon wandering around, window shopping, seeing what was new (lots of new restaurants, and some of them chains we have in Dubai as well: Carluccio's, Paul, Gourmet Burger Kitchen), seeing what was still the same (a few of my favorite restaurants, shops and pubs were still there), and walking by my aunt and uncle's old house to see how it looked (not as nice as when they lived there, of course). Just so relaxing and lovely. I am planning on taking Jared to Richmond for a day this weekend too, so he can see where I lived, and so part of my day was spent scoping out where I want to take him and what I want to show him (the beautiful riverside, the Richmond Green). I grabbed lunch at one of my old favorites, Nando's (delicious Portuguese Chicken Place, which coincidentally we also have in Dubai, but I love tradition), and then walked to Richmond Park where I sat and read ("Pride & Prejudice" -- I've never been able to get through it before and figured it would be a fitting read while I am in London), before heading back into the city to meet Jared when he finished work.

There aren't all that many restaurants that I remember and love in London (which is surprising, considering my food obsession), but the only one I have really been wanting to take Jared to is my favorite Moroccan Restaurant called "Momo," where my aunt and uncle took me for my 17th birthday the first time I came to visit them in London (almost 10 years ago, gasp. I'm getting old!). Momo is located off Regent Street near Piccadilly Circus, so we headed out for dinner and what turned out to be another ridiculously long walk.

We found Momo no problem at around 7:30pm and were not sure we'd be able to get in. They had no tables at that moment, but told us we could make a booking and come back at 9:30pm. Sure, why not? So we decided to take a walk and grab a drink to kill the couple hours before dinner. I pulled out our little DK Mini-Map to see what we were near, and decided we would walk to Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner (which didn't look all that far)... Well, a 35 minute power-walk later and we were there. And Jared was, to say the least, unimpressed. His comment was, "This is just like Hyde Park in Boston! Let's Go!" Hyde Park in Boston is in the ghetto of Dorchester. Just a slight exaggeration, but we headed back down Oxford Street in search of a pub. On the way we found a cookie stand (Ben's Cookies) and split a White Chocolate Cranberry cookie to tide us over, before finding a pub down one of the little alleys called, "The Duke of York." They had cold beer and cider so that was all we needed. So we enjoyed a drink, and then headed back to Momo for dinner.

And Momo definitely did not disappoint. The atmosphere was as authentic as I remember (low tables, embroidered silk pillows, Arabic lantern lighting, and Arabesque music), the food was delicious (Chicken couscous, Lamb Tagine), and the Moroccan Mint Tea was refreshing. All in all a great night out and I was so glad to be able to have Jared experience a restaurant that I have such fond memories of... Now, let's see what's in store for the rest of the week.

An American in London: Day 1

Buckingham Palace.

Well, we arrived in London last night at about 7:15pm, and after waiting for our Emirates chauffeur service from the airport (complementary with Jared's Emirates Business Class seat. I won't even get into the resentment currently present in our relationship over him getting to sit in Emirates Business, while I 'enjoyed' my Economy seat on the same plane...) we arrived at our hotel in Central London at about 9:30pm. Miraculously, we weren't all that tired, so decided to go for a walk and explore/try to find some food. Afterall, I wasn't served a 7-course menu in Economy as Jared was in Business, but I digress.

Our hotel is right near the Blackfriars Bridge and Temple. So, we are extremely close to Fleet Street and only about a 15 minute walk from Covent Garden. We decided to walk down Fleet Street, first to find the law office Jared will be working from, and then to find some food. However, it was so late on a Sunday night that most things were closed. Eager to start showing Jared all the sights, we walked up to Covent Garden and found an Italian restaurant with a great outdoor dining area that was still serving. We enjoyed a margherita pizza and toasted pints of beer to celebrate being able to openly eat pork and drink alcohol, OUTSIDE in the summer (all things that are impossible in Dubai at the moment...).

This morning we woke up early, and since Jared didn't have to be to work until 10am, decided to explore some more by going for a long run. We ran over the Blackfriars Bridge and took a left to head along the River toward Tower Bridge (one of my favorite attractions that I thought Jared just had to see immediately). The weather was perfect for running (with a little morning crisp in the air) and we were just embracing actually being able to run outside, in a place that is actually conducive to running (like, with sidewalks and not construction everywhere). We ran down to Tower Bridge and over it, and then passed Tower of London and headed back on the North side of the river. Caught a glimpse of St. Paul's Cathedral and loved running on the path along the river. We had some breakfast at Starbuck's (Chai Latte! HAM and Emmental Croissant!) before I walked Jared to work and did some window shopping while heading back to the hotel. While at Starbuck's I started to plan out my week and how I wanted to spend my days. Probably one of my favorite parts of traveling that I used to do all the time when I studied abroad in Italy, is just to go to a place with absolutely no pre-planned agenda and then do and see what I feel like at the time.

My favorite museum in the whole world is the National Gallery in London (the best collection of Italian Renaissance Art, along with 17th Century Dutch Art (Vermeer!), and then 3 whole rooms full of Impressionist Art. I'm in heaven). So I felt that revisiting would be the perfect way to spend my first day.

Trafalgar Square (from the National Gallery).

So I walked down to Trafalgar Square from the hotel, and only intended to spend maybe 2 or 2 and a half hours in the National Gallery, before going to the National Portrait Gallery (next door) as well, and then stop in Covent Garden on the way back, with a plan of getting back by 6ish when we thought Jared would be done with work. Well, I got so completely carried away at the National Gallery that I spent 4 whole hours there and stayed until they closed at 6pm, and then high-tailed it back to the hotel (a 20 minute walk) where I found Jared already there for an hour. Oops. This is why I like just planning things on the day depending on what I feel like. I still have another 7 days to go back again and also the Portrait Gallery.

Buckingham Palace Gate.

Well, after making poor Jared wait for me, we left immediately to go for a very long walk to Buckingham Palace. Since it stays light so late in London in the summer (until 9:30pm), we are excited to be able to capitalize on the nights after Jared gets out of work to go do things.

After taking the adequate amount of touristy photos of the palace we decided to head back via St. James Park. Completely lovely, with tons of people lounging about, picnicking and drinking (love the lack of open-container laws in Europe!) well into the evening. While crossing a bridge in the park we caught this pretty view of the London Eye on the right and Horse Guards Parade on the left. Just beautiful! We hit Piccadilly Circus on our way back (where I could not resist buying a Lime Green polka dotted tea pot from Whittard's...) and then walked through Trafalgar Square before finding a pub on Fleet Street to grab dinner. Pimm's, English Ale, Cider, and a Steak Pie, and my first day in London was complete. I can't wait to see what the next 7 days hold!

London & Paris!

I've been a bit silent on the blog because we've been busy getting ready for our summer holiday! Tomorrow, July 18th, we'll be escaping from the horrible desert summer and heading to more temperate summer climates! Our first stop is London for 8 days. Jared has to go for work for a week, and there was absolutely no way he was going to leave me in Dubai in the summer while he headed to one of my favorite cities in the world. So, I will be enjoying all of my favorite London sights and food (I can't wait to go back! I visited often when my favorite Aunt and Uncle [who are now my Wellesley Aunt and Uncle who have my three little cousins that I adore] lived there for four years, and also lived with them during the summer of 2003) while Jared works during the first 6 days. Then, we're staying two extra days so that he can have an opportunity to see more of the city as well.

Then on July 26th, we'll be taking the train to Paris for another four days European holiday. We have been wanting to plan a little trip to celebrate our 7 Year Anniversary (which was in February...), and spending some extra time in Europe seemed like a great idea. We figured it would be a shame to not take advantage of the geographical advantages of being in London 'for work'... So we'll enjoy 4 days of sights, food, wine, and CHEESE in Paris, before heading home to Boston for the remainder of our trip.

I will be home for about 10 days, while Jared will be home for 2.5 weeks (as you may recall the fateful rental car accident debacle that was Christmas '09 has limited the amount of time I can be in the US until the next tax year begins in September...).

Sooo, lots of excitement from us, and now I must finish packing before we head to the airport tomorrow morning! Cannot wait to get out of this heat and into some culture!

Yas Island

This post is incredibly overdue, but since it is such a cool place I think it's still worth posting the photos...

A couple months ago, I tagged along with Jared to an American Chamber of Commerce: Abu Dhabi event at the Yas Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island is a (man-made) island on which the new Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit racetrack recently opened. It was completed last fall and Abu Dhabi hosted its first Formula 1 race last November. The whole island was built exclusively for that purpose, and the hotel is located, literally, on the racetrack (part of the track goes under part of the hotel). The hotel is completely crazy contemporary architecture, and I thought worth sharing...

Front of the Hotel... Racetrack is to the left and down below.

Crazy Roof-deck Bar... I enjoyed some cashews and white wine here while Jared went to his meeting.. I think I got the better end of the deal...

Another part of the crazy rooftop bar, where the post-meeting cocktail reception was held, which I did attend... As like so many aspects of the UAE, the Yas Hotel was truly unlike anything else I have ever seen. And we got to get a tour of the hotel and see the rooms after the meeting and before the cocktail hour. Probably the most hyper-modern hotel rooms I've ever seen. Everything is controlled by remote, including all the lights (because, you know, rolling over in bed and hitting the light switch on the night stand is such an inconvenience, or flipping on the light when you enter the bathroom.... oh completely unnecessary and over the top technology)... Not sure if we'd ever stay there or come back (Jared's attitude about the Grand Prix is lackluster at best), but definitely worth seeing and visiting once.