Travel Journal: London

So I have just recently turned 19 and I couldn't believe it when my fantastic boyfriend told me that he would be taking me to London for a night as my present!

For the past few months since finishing university I have been envious of all my friends having the chance to travel and explore the world, even just going on a summer holiday. I had already spent my money on a Spring holiday to Lanzarote so I couldn't afford another holiday or even get the time off work for a week away which was really frustrating making me feel very isolated at home. So I was obviously over the moon when my Jack told me we were going, he had obviously listened to my moaning! But to make it better, we would be staying in a studio apartment in Hyde Park and traveling there and back on the train first class!

TUESDAY 26th AUGUST 
12:49

The journey had begun! Well we had to get a small local train to the main train station before we traveled to London. The commuters probably hated us for getting on the train with luggage! After 25 minutes on the loud, rattly train we were looking forward to getting on the first class coach after we made a stop in the first class lounge at our interchange station!

1:30

After finding the first class lounge and treating ourselves to complimentary soft drinks, feeling warm and comfortable watching TV on the sofas, we felt very important!

2:15

We were told that our train had arrived at our platform and made way to find our seats in first class. Well this was fancy!

2:30

We departed from the train station and within minutes we had a waiter offering us tea and coffee, soft drinks and afternoon tea, I felt guilty that I had eaten before I left! I felt glad that I bought a magazine to read to make the 3hr journey go faster.

6:30

We made it to Kings Cross London! The train journey didn't drag as much as I had expected it to,  but we both had to stick together making our way out of the station as it was so busy full of commuters in the rush hour traffic! 

6:40

We had already decided to get the tube to our studio apartment in Hyde Park, I put myself incharge of the tube as I had already mastered it when I was doing some charity work in London earlier this year. And within 30 minutes including an interchange we made it to our required location

7:05

We checked into Hyde Park Excexutive Apartments, threw our stuff into the very clean but basic room and explored the local area for something to eat, afternoon tea couldn't last us!

7:30ish

In this very multi cultural area of London, we were struggling to find a resturaunt to cater for my vegetarianism. Eventually we came across a small Mexican resturaunt which was a result for both of us as we love Mexican food! After sharing a messy plate of nachos and tucking into our enchiladas and tacos we discussed our plan of action for the next day, I almost chocked on my guacamole when he suggested we woke up at 6:30am!

9:10

Still trying to persuade me to wake up at 6:30, we had an early night in the apartment watching TV in bed before dozing off.

WEDNESDAY 27th AUGUST 

Some time at dawn before 6:30 

My god this room is so loud! I never would have thought that I would have been woken up by how squeaky the bed is with every time one of us rolled over. I so desperately wanted to go back to sleep considering my day was going to be busy but surrounding rooms were noisy, lorries were speeding by outside our room and my pillow was as flat as a pancake.

6:30am

I woke up with a faint alarm bell ringing. After being told to get up and responding by a lot of swearing, I finally made it out of the bed and started getting ready for my long day  while watching Good Morning Britain; after the past few months it has been on air this was the first time I had ever been awake in the morning to watch it, how bad is that...

8:00

We checked out of the apartments and took our luggage with us on the tube once again to Kings Cross Station to get a locker so we wouldn't be carrying them around with us all day.

8:45

After buying some hash browns for breakfast I just had to visit Platform 9 and 3/4, i wasn't intending on getting a photograph but I saw how short the queue was and I couldn't resist! 

9:00

We decided to do the open top bus tour to see the sights of London and to take some awesome photos, we got discounted ticket price because I mentioned that we were here for my birthday which was really nice. 

10:40

We were still on the open top bus and after taking some awesome photos we decided to get off and walk to the houses of parliament and Westminster abbey. 

11:10

We did abit of walking around and after failing to find 10 Downing Street, we walked down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace where we were just a small number of the massive crowd that were there!

11:35

After battling the crowds we finally made it out and started walking towards Park Lane where I really wanted to visit the Hard Rock Cafe as I always collect a souvenir shot glass from every one I visit. 

12:05

One of the things my parents advised me to do was to go to Harrods department store. After taking a walk by Knightsbridge and popping into H&M for abit of high street retail therapy (it was my birthday after all) we made it to Harrods. Once I was dragged away from the make up, perfume and jewellery stands we somehow made it through to the food court and the chocolate concession stand. I was in heaven! They we're so expensive but I was never going to come back here in a long time so I had to get myself some chocolates. After exploring Harrods and buying a souvenir rubber duck (Harold from Harrods) we were feeling ready for our dinner, we wanted somewhere cheap so what better place than to find a Wetherspoons! We found one near Marble Arch and decided to get the tube over.

1:30

After discovering there was a problem with the tube service we just decided to get off at Oxford Circus and find somewhere to eat there and after walking around avoiding McDonald's we ended up at a sit in chip shop, so very typical of us to find somewhere descent and end up there,  we just had to remember that we are legible for first class service!

2:45

I had told Jack this ever since he told me we were going to London, I had to pay a visit to Victorias Secret. Fair does they don't do my bra size but what men don't understand is that some lush underwear can give a girl so much confidence! When we got there there was a sea of men just waiting outside the shop, I ventured in alone while he waited with all the other husbands/boyfriends that were in the same boat. After numerous texts and phone calls telling me to hurry up I finally made it out 20 minutes later with my new expensive purchases.

3:15

Jack really wanted to see Trafalgar Square so once again we hopped on the tube to charring cross, exit the station and made it straight out to the landmark. We sat by the fountains for a while trying to get him to look photogenic,  watched some of the street performers and started to make our way towards Leicester Square to show him M&Ms world!

4:30

I was feeling gutted that our journey was coming to an end but I had such an awesome time and it wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for my very special boyfriend. We wanted around the Leicester Square/Covent Garden area for a while before we had to get the tube back to kings cross, collect our luggage and head back home. 

5:30

We made it back to kings cross and collected our luggage, I was so glad I got my photo taken at platform 9 and 3/4 earlier as the queue now was massive! We found the first class lounge,  once again feeling important, and enjoyed my first proper sit down in a comfy chair that day away from all the hussle and bustle.

6:30

Time to go back home. I had such an amazing time with my boy, I couldn't have asked for it to be better (except a less squeaky bed). The train ride home seemed longer and I couldn't bring myself to go to sleep, I started to go abit crazy cause I was so tired! But once again we had our complimentary tea, and this time we had a cooked evening meal and cheese and crackers for dessert!

9:40

Home sweet home. I had 2 action packed days and all I wanted was my bed! I needed it!

All I want to do now is thank my fantastic boyfriend for giving me such a memorable, fun experience! I wouldn't have wanted to share it with anyone else, he is the most special person in my life and I love him so much.

Have you been to London? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, or Tweet me @Elisa_A__

Elisa x