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Saturday began with a flight on the London Eye.  A 25-30 minute ride on a very large “ferris wheel”.  The flight was great and the view was magnificent.  I had been told by many that it wasn’t worth it, but I feel it is like the Space Needle in Seattle – you have to do it at least once.  The capsules have room for quite a few people but the one I was in only had about 10.  You get a spectacular view of Big Ben and Parliament and a decent view of Buckingham Palace.  The Queen wasn’t in though.

After the flight I waited for a Thames Clipper to take me to the O2 for the Tutankhamen exhibit they have there.  The boat ride was fun and I caught a little snooze since it took longer than I thought it would.  Once at the O2, I grabbed a diet coke and a muffin since I hadn’t eaten anything and didn’t want to wait till I was done with the Tut exhibit.  The exhibit itself doesn’t allow any photography, but I have to say that I love Egyptian antiquities and they had some of the best.  I remember the British Museum having a pretty good collection as well but I didn’t make it there this time.  On my way out of the O2 I stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Spur Steak & Grill.  The decor was American Indian and I was looking for a burger with fries AND Coke products.  I had a bacon cheeseburger with fries.  I had forgotten that British bacon is much wider than American bacon so they only have to put 2 pieces to cover your whole burger instead of the 4-5 it takes in the States.  The fries were pretty tasty as well and the diet coke bottomless.  It was a win all around. I left the O2 and made my way to the nearest Tube station so I could get on with my day.

Next I decided to walk across the Tower Bridge on my way to the Tower of London.  I love bridges (the kind you can’t see through or swing on) and enjoyed the walk even though I was starting to feel a bit tired.  The Tower of London was just as I remembered with the exception of the people dressed in period clothing acting out sieges using catapults and water balloons.  I love the Crown Jewels – so sparkly.  Of course you aren’t allowed to take photos of them either.  I kept thinking of Julie Anne and how she would be staring longingly at the crowns and wondering if she could slip one in her purse.

I then returned to my hotel to rest my legs and feet and to check email and just hang for a bit.  Later I decided to hit Piccadilly Circus.  I was stunned by the number of people there.  Probably one of the busiest places in the world.  I walked around for an hour or so and then got “dinner” at one of the many McDonald’s in the area.  I wanted some fries for relatively cheap.  I think the fries are better than the ones in the US – not as salty.  Then I walked around a bit more before making my way back to the tube.  I had to ask directions since I kept walking and would find myself in the same place.  I was all turned around.  The light are amazing.  Finally got back to my room where I packed up everything I wasn’t going to need overnight or for the morning and went to bed.