The Daily Scoop - Travelin' Cousins

April 13, 2017 - Gianna's 13th Birthday Trip to London - Day 2 - Churchill War Museum & Afternoon Tea

4/12/2017

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: LONDON, ENGLAND

Across the Pond & Afternoon Tea

Cheers from London!
Can hardly believe I’m waking up across the pond this morning!

Well, do I have to share with you my flying experience with Virgin Atlantic - in a word - AMAZING! First of all, I went for a few hundred dollars more on each of our tickets for Premium Economy, which I would say is in “old school” terms “Business Class.” And, boy was it worth it.

The kids were stoked to see the legroom, larger seats, more personal service and overall better comfort. Remember foot rests folks?? We enjoyed them.

(VIDEO FROM FIRST THING IN THE MORNING GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR AIRPORT:)

Our Spring journey started yesterday morning as we left home at 5AM and headed to JFK International. After throwing some of those last minute items in my suitcase, we headed outside to meet our ride.

Our driver was fun and professional and even provided me with an Iphone charger to charge my phone during the ride!

I always book my taxis through Ollies Taxi Service, owned by one of Gianna’s classmates - their service is great and the drivers are always friendly, making for an enjoyable ride.

AT JFK INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES/VIRGIN ATLANTIC YESTERDAY MORNING (c) travelincousins.com

OUR PLANE (c)travelincousins.com

We were a little stressed until we got on the aircraft since the seat assignment was not to our liking.

The configuration across was:
2 (Seats A & B)
3 (Seats D F, G)
2 (Seats H & K)

Unfortunately, they had Gianna in “A” and me and Kelsey in H and K.

The agent at the gate was unable to change things. We were going to have to rely on the kindness of other passengers to allow us to sit together.

While I would have ideally preferred the three center seats together, we managed to have a very kind man who had the window seat behind me and Kelsey who volunteered to switch with Gianna for her window seat. And actually, in my opinion, he got the better end of the deal since the legroom was greater on the two-seat area where Gianna's original eat was.

SETTLING IN BEFORE TAKE OFF (c)travelincousins.com

I'M HYSTERICAL HOW EVERYONE CAPTURED IN THIS PICTURE WAS LOOKING AT THE CAMERA! (c)travelincousins.com

Gianna seemed to be ok and was just so happy with the Premium economy class of travel.

We had two meals and even managed to get a little snooze in, (along with Kelsey) which was rather refreshing.

The plane even had a really cool bar between Premium Economy and First Class!

YUMMY BREAKFAST IN FIGHT (c)travelincousins.com

COOL BAR BETWEEN FIRST & PREMIUM ECONOMY (c)travelincousins.com

I have to say, I usually book night "red eye" flights to Europe, but this time I opted for day flight and it was so much more civilized and I am hopeful that the jet lag will not be as bad.

We were, however, a bit giddy at baggage claim and walking to get a cab. Gianna wanted to wheel the cart, which she said looked like so much fun and she was in disbelief that the cart was free! lol. They both were in shock when someone told us that there is no need to tip in the U.K.

SELFIE AT BAGGAGE "RE" CLAIM (AS THEY CALL IN IN GREAT BRITAIN. (c) travelincousins.com

HEADING TO CAB STAND (c) travelincousins.com

HELLO LONDON!!

Well, today was our first full day here and we woke up nice and early to some mooring sunshine!

Our day's plan consisted of breakfast, a little stocking up of the fridge in our flat, a morning get together with a friend pre-lunch and then off into the city!!

We had two specific things on our agenda - The Churchill War Museums and Royal Afternoon Tea at the Rubens Hotel near Buckingham Palace.

Heading out to the Churchill War Museums, we (I should say, I) decided to take the 25 minute stroll rather than get on the Underground. Why? Because I wanted to take in all the sights on the way! It was a lovely day, and I wanted to enjoy being outside.

As we got closer to the War Museum, new came past Westminster Abbey! Not paying attention to where things were on the map, we just "hit it!" Of course, I wanted to take tons of pics of the exterior since going inside is scheduled for next Wednesday with Tanya and gang.

Anyhoo, I asked Gianna to take a photo of me in front and after capturing one nice shot, she proceeded to snap away - you can see from the photos that I was getting progressively annoyed with her!

ME AND MY KELSEY IN FRONT OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY (c) travelincousins.com

THANKS GIANNA FOR GETTING THE ABBEY IN THE PICTURE - NOT! (c) travelincousins.com

I'M GETTING ANNOYED WITH GIANNA FOOLING AROUND AND NOT TAKING GOOD PICS (c) travelincousins.com

TRYING NOT TO GET HIT BY A CAR BUT MORE ANNOYED WITH GIANNA'S CONSTANT PICTURE TAKING (c) travelincousins.com

THREATENING GIANAA WITH TAKING HER PHONE AWAY (c) travelincousins.com

REALLY ANNOYED (c) travelincousins.com

We arrived at the Churchill War Rooms Museum to find a long queue. Ordinarily that would not be a big deal, but since we didn't anticipate a line (stupidly), we did not have enough time to wait and also make our Afternoon Tea booking.

We snapped a few pics, planned to come back and headed over towards The Rubens at the Palace for our lovely tea experience.

Along the way, we walked part of the way through Hyde Park (across the street from the War Museum) and along the way, I could not resist the gorgeous floral photo ops!

HYDE PARK (c) travelincousins.com

Next stop - the Rubens - and a delightful Afternoon tea filled with finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and of course tea. Actually three kids - Apple Tea, Passionfruit Tea and Super Fruity Tea.

We rolled out of the hotel and took a one mile stroll back to our apartment to work off all the sweet goodness!

I'll let the pictures and video speak for themselves.

ON THE WAY TO THE RUBENS (c) travelincousins.com

THE RUBENS AT THE PALACE (c) travelincousins.com

AT THE RUBENS AT THE PALACE FOR OUR AFTERNOON TEA (c)travelincousins.com

WITH OUR DELIGHTFUL AND ATTENTIVE SERVER, JULIA (c) travelincousins.com

GORGEOUS SWEETS!! (c) travelincousins.com

RED VELVET CUPCAKE - YUM! (c) travelincousins.com

CHECK OUT TANYA'S SCOOP TO READ ALL ABOUT HER THROWBACK PICS IN LONDON AND OTHER TRAVELS!!

See ya back tomorrow
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 4 DAYS

Throwbacks and plans for the future!

Hiya guys and gals!

A beautiful shot of Anaheim Hills, CA - credit: Nonato Ramirez

Only four more busy days until we hop a jet and meet up with Elisa and the girls!

After seeing her pictures - what a gorgeous day!
I wish we were there with her right now!!!!

But so far as of now I have Dominic's clothing packed & Cosette's clothing packed. Today I plan to hopefully tackle my own!

I was planning on us each carrying our own bag, but then changed my mind and plan to all share one big bag and make it easier - plus it'll give us more free hands.

Which is obviously not something that I could ever do on our longer trips (as there is just waaaaaaaay to much to pack), but for these 8 days it should work out just fine.

As I've been getting ready for our London departure, I have also been working on securing a few tours for Hawaii and for Cozumel! So exciting!!

LAVA TOURS

Credit: tripadvisor.com

MOUNTAIN BIKING TOURS

Credit: bikehawaii.com

TOURS OF ANCIENT MAYAN RUINS

Credit: chicenitzatours.net

And plenty more to do today!!

Also on today's schedule is taking Cosette to see Dream - her last visit before we head to the UK.

So much to do today that I even had to cancel an appointment at the DMV and postpone it to once we return.

One thing that I really want to mention before I head out is that my good friend Jeff..

Who I use to travel with quite frequently and who use to be quite an active backpacker, hiker, outdoorsman, on the junior olympic ski team, compete in triathlons and always up to something.

Well he had been injured back in 2012 - after his last trip which so happens to have been to Peru and to hike the Inca Trail with Dave and I.

The start of the Inca Trail (c) travelincousins.com

Well folks - after all these years I am so beyond thrilled and excited to say that he has rehabilitated wonderfully and that he got his permit to hike the PCT!!!

What is the PCT?

According to wiki: The Pacific Crest Trail (commonly abbreviated as the PCT, and officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail) is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges, which lie 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 km) east of the U.S. Pacific coast.

The trail's southern terminus is on the U.S. border with Mexico, just south of Campo, California, and its northern terminus on the Canada–US border on the edge of Manning Park in British Columbia; its corridor through the U.S. is in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,659 mi (4,279 km) long and ranges in elevation from just above sea level at the Oregon–Washington border to 13,153 feet (4,009 m) at Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada. The route passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks.

Its midpoint is near Chester, California (near Mt. Lassen), where the Sierra and Cascade mountain ranges meet.

It was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968, although it was not officially completed until 1993. The PCT was conceived by Clinton Churchill Clarke in 1932.[10] It received official status under the National Trails System Act of 1968.

It is the westernmost and second longest component of the Triple Crown of Hiking and is part of the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop.

Wow right?! WOW!!! Go get 'em Jeff!

Now lastely before I head out, in honor of Elisa being in London being that it is TBT I figure what t better way than to ring it in with some Throwback pics from my past couple of trips to London - the most recent being last August (2016).

Hope that you enjoy: