Wow. Just wow. 

So much to see, but also just the right amount. Was able to see it all in one day.

The neatest displays were the hoards of Roman treasures. In England, found treasure belongs to the government. People get reimbursed,  I guess. The hoards of coins and precious metals are carefully conserved and cleaned, then museums bid for the right to buy and show off the mostly Roman treasure. So neat to see what people hundreds of years ago kept as heirlooms. Wikipedia has some good entries.

The most controversial pieces are the Parthenon marbles. Since I’ve been to Greece and seen the other perspective, I can see for sure, for absolutely sure, there’s no way the BM is giving *anything* back. Lol. TBH, go to Athens instead. The Acropolis is worth it. And the new Parthenon museum in Athens is (gasp) much better than the BM in this regard.

After 4 hours of culture,  I desperately needed a long walk. 

Camden Market is a flaming tourist attraction. Having said that, I enjoyed my afternoon there. If you avoid the mass produced crap, it’s neat and full of plain old folks having fun. When you’ve had enough, walk along the canal away from the market area; the Thames lies in one direction and the zoo and Regents park in the other. Just strolling along is very pleasant and you’ve got the place basically to yourself. Mostly saw bicyclists heading home.

One last little bit of walking got me up the hill towards home and peanut butter sandwiches.

Only 20,000 steps today, I’ll do better tomorrow!

Have a great Thursday 😄

Well, I had a great flight on British Airways. Only about 1/2 the seats were full, and the gentleman sharing my row was very quiet. For the first time in a loooooong time, I slept a little. Heaven!

The Underground ride to my hostel was uneventful and cheap. Palmers Lodge is cool! Free tea and coffee all day, and a little kitchen to make food in. My room is a converted attic. We have to go through a shower room to get to the dorm lol.

The neighborhood I’m in is called Swiss Cottage. There’s actually a cottage (It’s a bar).

Up the hill (where I took my nightly walk) is a neighborhood called Hampstead. So neat! Lots of shops, bookstores, restaurants, etc. A Hungarian bakery was calling my name but closed as soon as I crossed the street. 

It looks like most of these small neighborhoods grew up around a metro station. Maybe vice-versa and the station was built in a village? Anyhoo, each 20 minute walk brings you to a new bunch of stuff to look at.

Dinner was sandwich fixings from the grocery store. Three meals for 5 pounds. 

Looking forward to the British Museum tomorrow. Lots to see there!

Hope everyone’s day was grand!

Well it’s my last night. 

I’m sure feeling ready to go home. I can’t wait to see my family and hang out in Eugene for a bit. 

I’ll be in Vegas for the weekend, then all the way home next week. 

I look forward to seeing any and all of you who want to have a meal and catch up.

Also, I’m excited to get my taxes done.

Weird, right?

Lol, anyhoo, talk to you soon!

Vietnam,  the second time around was really cool!

It was a completely different experience staying with someone, rather than at a hotel. The mornings lazier, the nights longer. Did a lot less every day, but every moment was spent close to friends. Winning so hard!

Today we slept in  late one last time. Lunch was at a great sandwich place. After that we went to an amusement park. It’s basically free to get in, rides are about 2 dollars. Problem: it’s off season. So…the park was populated by mostly employees, and….us. I only went on the ferris wheel. Still cool.

More laziness in the afternoon,  then snack city! Tried some new kind of fruit and dried lotus seeds. Both are good.

Dinner was at a place called chicken street. The food was great. Just all the parts of a chicken, grilled, and toasted sugary bread. Delicious! All the food had this sweet glaze on it, and dipped in the chili sauce…what a combination. Also some pork ribs.

Lastly,  a lovely walk home along the lake. Got our 20,000 steps in one last time too. Also saw the John McCain monument at Truc Bach lake.

What a time!! Thanks,  Franco, for letting us stay at your place!!

We’ll be heading back to Bangkok for one more night before the trip home on Wednesday.

See you!