Christina visits London

25-27 August

Well, just when I thought my time of being based in such a central location in the world and having the pleasure of friends from back home and around the world come and visit me was over - I was wrong! Christina (an awesome mate from who I studied with in Japan a couple of years back) came over for the weekend as part of her speedy but awesome Europe trip. It was amazing to catch up especially as she was back in Japan when I was in Vancouver last year.

Seeing as I was leaving in a week, Sunday was the perfect chance to catch up while checking out some of Londons amazing touristy sights in the first dose of beautiful weather we've had in weeks. We did the Tower Hill Exhibition (cool to be able to go up to the top walkway and the lower bridge even raised while we were up there!) and saw City Hall etc before enjoying a Sunday Roast at an English pub near Southwark Cathedral.

Wandered through weird and wonderful Southbank (one of my favourite places to spend a Sunday in London along with one of the many markets), played in the fountain and then checked out The Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey before heading into town and doing some shopping along Oxford St (gotta love the new huge Primark!) We finished our night off back in Kensington catching up with an old flatmate Cameron for a pint.

Monday was just about as crazy, if not more so, because it was August bank holiday we went to check out the Notting Hill Carnival and it was an amazing experience (so glad I was in London for this!) We checked out the parade in the morning, picked up Christina's friend Michelle from the hostel and headed back to dance through the streets and check out the amazing floats and dancers crowding the streets and ate jerk chicken for lunch - awesome!

Once we eventually made our way though the crowds to a tube station that was actually open we went back into town and wandered down Carnaby St, took photos at Piccadily Circus, and grabbed a well deserved pint at Waxy's before heading down through Leicester Square, Covent Garden, The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Admirality Arch and along Downing Street to check out Big Ben and the Eye at night. One final night view of Tower Bridge to squeeze in before walking back across it and heading home. At least noone can say Im not making the most of my last days in London

Despite the fact that we did so many amazing things in the two days that Christina and Michelle were here the best things were the conversations. Its hard when you meet amazing people and you're not sure when you'll ever see them again but now I know that with the real friends you can pick up the conversations just where you left off even if its years between meetings - thanks for visiting babe!