London - My Kind of Town

Even though I have been there many times, I love to take the Round London bus tour when I first arrive. It is my way of saying "Hello" to the city before going off in some new direction. The first time I visited, my sister and I met a man from Louisiana on the bus who we hung out with most of the day. After closing down The Sherlock Holmes Pub, the three of us walked down The Mall to Buckinham Palace and made absolute drunken American fools of ourselves. I must say that the glint off of the HUGE guns the guards next to the palace had was a somewhat sobering moment. Impressive to say the least.

Quick Tips:

Experience it all. Walk. Walk as much as you can and don't forget your umbrella. Showers pop up out of nowhere and are gone as quick as they come. It is part of what I love about England. Pick up a Time Out when you arrive and go to a play. If you are unsure, see "The Mousetrap" at St. Martin's Theatre. There is a reason it is the longest running play in the world (fifty years!).

Best Way To Get Around:

I absolutely love the Tube. It is the easiest and best way to get around London and very economical, too. I recommend a One-Day travel pass. This covers the Underground and buses. I usually buy mine at Vicoria Station as soon as I arrive. (I fly into Gatwick Airport.) Pay attention to what Zones you need. If you are sightseeing Central London mostly, a Zone 1-3 pass would suffice. I simply love the freedom of hopping on the Tube or a bus when I want without having to mess with coins at a machine. Remember that the Underground shuts down at midnight, so if you are partying out late, you may have to take a taxi back to your hotel.

Todd and I arrived in London on a drippy March morning with no idea where we were going to spend the night. Dragging Todd's overlarge bag (I told him to pack light!), we got on the tube to Paddington station. I had stayed in this area the last time I had visited and knew that there were a lot of budget places around the station. We were sure to find something suitable.

As we walked the two blocks from the station, we randomly picked one of the hotels on Sussex Gardens. We decided that if it looked creepy, we would just go to the next one. The door to 137 was locked, but it had a bell. A smiling woman came to the door and we asked if there were any vacancies and how much a room would be for two nights. At that time it was 70 pounds for the two nights. The hall was very clean and bright and I just loved her smiling face. We decided to stay.

Our room was decorated in cheery orange and yellow and with a sink and an open window looking down on the street. The bathroom with bathtub was just down a half flight of stairs and was a sparkling white. I loved it! Not as much as the breakfast, however. The charming breakfast room in the lower level was very inviting and the breakfast huge! Everything an English breakfast should be.

Since that stay I have stayed at the Hyde Park Rooms Hotel everytime I'm in London. They were even good enough to receive my ferry tickets for me the week before I arrive and held them until I got there. It's not often you can find an affordable accommodation in London that is clean and friendly as well. Someone was smiling down on us as Todd and I randomly picked a hotel that day.

The Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful English Pub located very near Trafalgar Square. I love the dark wood and "Victorian" feel of the Pub. This is a must visit for anyone interested in Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle. There are many authentic Holmes and Conan Doyle memorabilia covering the walls and in a special display, including some original manuscripts. Apparently Conan Doyle wrote many of his stories here when it was still a hotel.

Even if you aren't a Sherlock Holmes fan, you should visit this pub just to experience the traditional Englishness of it. The wait staff and bartenders are friendly and the beer is great.

www.sherlockholmespub.homestead.com

This is just one of the river tours you can get on the Thames in London. For a reasonable price you can move up and down the Thames, getting on and off where you want, for the entire day. You can purchase snacks and drinks on board as well. I even like just the ride up and down the river. The views of London a spectacular. You can pick up the boat at Westminster Pier and take it all the way down to Greenwich. At this point you can get off and tour the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory and the Maritime Museum. On the return voyage, you can then get off at Tower Bridge and tour the Tower of London and check out the Crown Jewels. As a last stop of the day you can get out at Waterloo Pier and enjoy the London Eye and the views of London from above. What a super day!!

If you don't like crowds, do not go to the market on a weekend. This is when the antiques market sets up and people flood it looking for great deals and fascinating works of "art". If, however, you love people watching, antiquing and loads of tat, this is the place to go. I had an enjoyable day and all I bought were some plums and apples! Just before the first antique stall, there was a Peruvian band playing, selling CD's and making teenage girls swoon. I joined the young people on the curb and enjoyed the funky sound. Other street entertainers occasionally perform down the market, but the crowds can make it difficult. I must say that if I ever really need an old cricket ball, I know where to go.

The further north you go, the market changes. It switches from antiques to cheap souvenirs to a fruit and vegetable market to, at the very end, a flea market full of even more crap. Its fun and funky, however, and it fascinated me the variety that presented itself. It is possible to get a deal, but don't expect one. The adage "Buyer Beware" is very true here.

Eating cheap in London is easy. You may have to be adventurous, but it can be one of the most memorable parts of you trip. The best, and usually cheapest, food in London is Indian. I simply check out the area and see who's got the most business. If it's busy, its good. Almost every neighborhood has a good Indian takeaway, so give it a go, even if you've never tried Indian before. There is no place better in the world, not even in India!

Another option for good, cheap food is the corner chippie. Fish and chips is a cheap, greasy and to die for meal. Make sure you add salt and malt vinegar for the complete experience. If you aren't fond of fish, try the chicken. One of my favorite meals is to get chicken and chips at the corner shop near Paddington Station where I stay. Yum! One of my favorite meals is to go to a market and pick up fruit and bread and have a picnic. I have been know to pick up some cheese at a shop as well and take it all back to my room for a quick evening meal before going out for the evening. I can eat well for less than 2 pounds and even have some fruit left over to suppliment my continental breakfast.