Christmas in London

in All Posts, Trip to London

On Christmas morning at 6:45 AM, we arrived in London!

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We haven’t done much yet except go through customs, travel from the airport, and SLEEP!  The jet lag killed me this morning, but now I think I’m well-adjusted (London is 5 hours ahead of Orlando).

 

The flight over was really fun! We flew Virgin Atlantic, and I must say the experience was superb.  We had an awesome flight attendant named Danni who “reserved” two rows of four empty seats for us to move up to after we took off!

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The row of seats allowed me to actually SLEEP on the overnight flight.  Normally, I cannot sleep on planes because the upright position drives me crazy. 

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And guess what?  There was, in fact, free booze as the Husband claimed.   Danni brought us free champagne and wine.

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I passed out and only woke up for dinner and breakfast.  I had stated on my ticket that I was a vegetarian so I had a “special meal.”  However, I wasn’t impressed.

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The vegetarian meal consisted of lasagna (which was yummy), a side of pasta (which was repetitive), a chocolate cake, and a roll.  I ate the lasagna and roll.

 

For breakfast, I got a Jimmy Dean egg and cheese bagel, which tasted as fake and processed as you’d expect it to.  Plus, OJ.

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Although the food was a little blah, I was so satisfied with the service and jolly atmosphere of the flight (all the attendants were wearing Santa hats and fun socks) that it was a great flight!

 

I woke up in ENGLAND, went through customs, and we hopped on a bus.  Normally, you take a lightening-fast train from the airport to one of the main Underground stations, and then take the Underground (the subway) to your hotel, but the trains and the Underground are down for Christmas.   The bus took longer, but it allowed us to see some of the suburbs.

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And a shot of the River Thames!

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Doesn’t it look sunny and cheerful in England today?  🙂  But it’s not raining or snowing currently, which is EXCELLENT.

 

It was a Christmas Miracle – our hotel let us check in at 9 AM, we fell into bed, and crashed for four hours!  I also ate a Clif Bar in bed. 

 

We have no plans for today because all the attractions and museums are shut down.  It’s kind of nice to have nothing to do! 🙂 We’re going to have a Christmas Lunch buffet in the hotel, and then we’re going to explore Hyde Park.

 

Cheerio! (And Happy Christmas to all!)

{ 33 comments }

 

  • Dori December 25, 2009, 9:12 am

    Everything sounds amazing! Now I want to fly Virgin Atlantic, they seem awesome and your seats look so comfy. How did they know it was your anniversary, did you tell them ahead of time? I am so jealous, London is my favorite place.

    • caitlin December 25, 2009, 9:14 am

      on vacations, tell EVERYONE it’s your anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, whatever the event is. it’s amazing the nice things people will do for you when they hear why you are traveling. i would do it if i heard it was someone’s anniversary, too! 🙂

  • MegaNerd December 25, 2009, 9:13 am

    Merry Christmas!! I’m glad you got there safely!! I’ve been waiting for your post all morning, LOL. 😀

    Love you, have a great time!

  • Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar December 25, 2009, 9:14 am

    How gorgeous! I don’t care if it’s dreary – I LOVE London. I can’t wait to go back.

  • Kristine December 25, 2009, 9:23 am

    Yay! Glad you had a safe flight! London looks beautiful!

  • kilax December 25, 2009, 9:39 am

    I am happy you made it there safely Caitlin! Merry Christmas! I hope you get to see some sun there 🙂

  • Melissa December 25, 2009, 9:41 am

    Have a great time Caitlin! Happy anniversary and Merry Christmas! Can’t wait to hear/see more!!!

  • christie @ honoring health December 25, 2009, 9:43 am

    Glad you arrived safely! Merry Christmas!

  • Evan Thomas December 25, 2009, 9:58 am

    That looks awesome; I’ve always wanted to go to England and it looks like I would expect.
    I love long flights. I feel like if I get in the plane I want to just settle in and watch 3 movies

  • rebecca lustig December 25, 2009, 10:02 am

    Thinking about you! Merry Christmas, darling!

    xo Rebecca

  • The Hot and Fit December 25, 2009, 10:02 am

    So lovely!!! i am glad you had a good flight!!! Merry Christmas!

  • Nicole - Geek Turned Athlete December 25, 2009, 10:04 am

    Welcome to Europe!! Enjoy your Christmas here!! 😉

  • Emily Eats and Exercises December 25, 2009, 10:08 am

    Congrats on making it through the flight – I hate flying too! Good thing you got to sleep. This sounds like it will be a fabulous anniversary trip. Merry Christmas.

  • Meg December 25, 2009, 10:23 am

    Merry Christmas Caitlin! Enjoy your day!

  • Julie December 25, 2009, 10:36 am

    Merry Christmas!! Have an awesome first day!

  • Jo December 25, 2009, 10:49 am

    Welcome to London!!!!! Hope you guys enjoy yourself here! 🙂 xx

  • Erin December 25, 2009, 11:00 am

    London is beautiful at Christmastime — I hope to go back for the holidays next year. Happy Christmas! 🙂

  • Carolyn December 25, 2009, 11:26 am

    Merry Christmas! Glad you got there safe and sound.

  • Molly December 25, 2009, 12:03 pm

    I am SO jealous! Looks amazing! have a great time!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) December 25, 2009, 12:24 pm

    Merry Christmas to you both. Enjoy London.

  • MelissaNibbles December 25, 2009, 12:33 pm

    Merry Christmas!! Enjoy your vacation 🙂

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen December 25, 2009, 12:56 pm

    Wow, your trip looks amazing and gorgeous so far! Can’t wait to see more, and Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • Janessa (epicuriousvegan.blogspot.com) December 25, 2009, 12:58 pm

    Beautiful! So glad you had a nice trip over. Merry Christmas! If you request a dairy-free meal on your way back, you’ll probably get some healthier options–maybe a little more boring, but usually there’s more fruit and veggies!

  • Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) December 25, 2009, 1:28 pm

    Hurrah for free booze and so cute about the “happy anniversary” message!

    I think England is magical at Christmas time, even without snow! 🙂

    Enjoy!

  • Caitlin@TheTwentyFifthYEar December 25, 2009, 1:33 pm

    Merry Christmas!! Love the in-flight treatment – now I know to always mention special occasions – never would have guessed. Glad your trip was a success, can’t wait to see more!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie@.ca) December 25, 2009, 1:41 pm

    Glad you landed safe and sound – Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary to you both!!

  • Katie December 25, 2009, 1:48 pm

    Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!

    Katie

    http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/

  • Katie O. @ Fit to Wed December 25, 2009, 1:54 pm

    Merry Christmas! I LOVE Virgin Atlantic- I flew with them when I went to England and the flight went by so quickly. The free booze and personal entertainment at your seat definitely helped!

  • emily December 25, 2009, 1:54 pm

    Merry Christmas!

  • eve December 25, 2009, 2:10 pm

    i love london! it’s beautiful! looking at the picture of the river thames makes me want to go back 🙂 happy holidays!!

  • Jenna December 25, 2009, 2:22 pm

    Glad ya made it

  • Susan December 25, 2009, 8:57 pm

    Awww, I love that you even said “Happy Christmas” like a Brit! Sounds like a wonderful flight and glad to hear you landed safely 🙂 It’s kinda nice crashing after travel, although you are missing all that beautiful England weather 😉

  • Jenny December 25, 2009, 9:53 pm

    So glad y’all had a nice flight and an easy arrival in London! Airplane meals are never the best, but I’m sure it helped to have “jolly” service 😉

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