Day 5 Complete!

The last day in London dawned overcast. Our intrepid travelers sat out for the British Museum, which contains artifacts thousands of years old plundered by the British Empire. The Rosetta Stone, the gates of Sargon's Palace, mummies galore, to name a few.

A quick trip a across the city found our travelers at the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theater, where we toured the theater, and undertook a one hour Shakespearean workshop. After a brief spot of lunch we continued our theatrical theme with a workshop based on the musical Wicked in the West End of London.

Dinner was at the historic Albert Pub, built in 1854, with a traditional fish and chips dinner. We closed out our final night with a performance of the award winning West End musical, Wicked. We traveled to our hotel "flying high defying gravity". Tomorrow back to Houston. Fear not London the warriors will return....

Wicked Workshop in the East End theater district

Touring the Globe Theater

Day 4 complete!

The day began as our intrepid travelers set out for Westminster Abbey which has witnessed the coronation of every King and Queen since 1066, and will host the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April. We also visited the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum, the underground facilities from Churchill directed the British efforts in WWII.

A short tube ride away and students stood in the shadow of London's oldest castle, the Tower of London. After beefeaters and crown jewels, we headed to the West End theater land for a wonderful performance of ABBA's musical Mamma Mia. After which the subways echoed with student renditions of several of ABBA's classics. Last day tomorrow...London still intact.

Day 3 Complete

Under brilliant blue skies our intrepid travelers boarded a bus bound for the ancient site of Stone Henge.(See photo) After stepping back thousands of years in time we again boarded the bus for the georgian city of Bath, made famous by Jane Austen.

Stepping back this time only 1700 years, we toured the still functioning Roman baths of the city. After shopping and a snack we headed back to London for a guided tour of the east end of London and the crime scenes of the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, whose brutal crimes remain unsolved to this day.

Tired but happy, we returned to the hotel at eleven o'clock.

Group shot at Stone Henge

On guided tour at Windsor Castle

At Windsor Castle

Day 2 complete

Dodging rain showers we boarded the coach at 9:00 to take us to Windsor Castle. On the way we passed Runnymeade, where the Magna Carta. After an enjoyable trip through the state apartments at Windsor Castle. (the queen was in but unavailable for tea)

Back in London we took a boat ride down the Thames River, from Big Ben to the Tower of London. Many feasted on traditional fish and chips...a few less brave souls, have KFC. Then it was off to the London Dungeon to experience centuries of mayhem and torture. (see pics below)

Our day concluded with a guided walking tour that explored the ghost stories of Old London Town. Tomorrow Bath and Stone Henge, so stay tuned. We promise to leave most of Stone Henge still standing.

group photo at London Dungeons Group 1

Day 1 Complete!

On the morning of our second day in wonderful London. We arrived safe and sound, checked in at our hotel, and hurried off for a lunch at Covent Garden We had sunny skies on our open top bus tour of the city.

After experiencing the excitement of the London tube(mind the gap) we had dinner the original Hard Rock Cafe, where we celebrated Mr. Bill Wheeler's 52nd birthday in style.(the entire restaurant...Brits and Americans alike joined in to sing happy birthday!)

Photos to come this afternoon of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Windsor Castle....and the terrors of the London Dungeons!

London 2011 is here!

Welcome everyone to the London blog for the 2011 London trip. Please follow along with us as we see the sites and sounds of the city. Check daily for trip updates and groups photos.