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Published: July 30th 2011
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Madame Tussauds
Celebrating another ton with smashin Sashin FOOTBALL V THE ROYALS
Today it was a game of two halves Stanford Bridge v Buckingham Palace (El Classico), but before that our day kicked off with a fun filled visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
MADAM TUSSAUDS WAX MUSEUM
During our research for the trip to our surprise Madam Tussauds had had quite mixed reviews. Not that you would have known when we turned up at 9am and already they were bringing out the Queue time 1 hour sign. Fortunately we had paid a little extra for priority entry – our advice would be always do this - why would you want to stand in a queue for an hour or more if you can be in enjoying the attraction in 15 minutes.
We loved Madam Tussauds, the wax models were awesome, in most cases really true to life, and there’s a huge selection. Sport was my favourite area (surprisingly) although the big movie stars were pretty impressive to. For Jeanette the movie stars and Royals took top billing. Plus there was a House of Horrors and a ride through good old London Town in a Black Cab to finish. From our point of view well worth the
Madame Tussauds
This girl is Great Britains big track hope for the Olympics - if she runs half as good as she looks she must be a chance! (she's the one on the left!) money and a great way to start the day!
STAMFORD BRIDGE – HOME OF CHELSEA AFC
Part of the most direct tube route to Stanford Bridge was out so it took us a bit longer to get there, not too bad though, the Underground is amazing! There’s no doubt the 42,000 seat Stamford Bridge stadium cuts an imposing figure (really looking forward to seeing Old Trafford which hold 76,000-but that’s a story for another day).
We started by having a good look around the Chelsea Museum – complete with trophy cabinet boasting 3 Barclays Premier League trophies! We then took the guided stadium tour, it was pretty comprehensive: Press Box, post match interview room - we got to sit in the managers 'Hot Seat', home and away changing rooms etc. We also walked out the players tunnel and had a good look around the stands. The pitch which had been relaid for about a month looked immaculate. The Tour Guide made the show – as you would expect he was Chelsea through and through and there was some excellent banter. FACT There are 17 corporate boxes at Stamford Bridge, the cost to hire 1 box for 1 season is
Stanford Bridge
The home of Chelsea FC - a very impressive 42,000 seat stadium. 1,200,000 Pounds – but wait there’s more - you have to make a 10 year commitment AND pay up front –that’s a cool 12 Mil! All the boxes are sold!
After the tour we stopped had lunch at a Union Market store near the Stadium, that was really interesting. The store was a deli, fresh fruit n vege, meats and wine shop. In the butchery area the display cabinets were split in half by a giant chopping block. Basically as you were eating your sandwich the butchers were breaking down carcasses in front of you. In New Zealand someone wielding a meat clever in the middle of a store would be a very bad sign!
BUCKINGAM PALACE STATE ROOM TOUR
This was something else, couple from good ole Upper Hutt strolling through the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace –surrounded by unbelievable opulence, having champagne on the balcony, viewing Kate’s wedding dress (the real one!) wedding cake (part real - top 3 tiers a reconstruction for obvious reasons! The tour covered all the state rooms from the more public receptions rooms through to the much more private music room - again the Guide made the Tour (although he was quite
Buckingham Palace
Jeanette and Grant having champers at Buckingham Palace - a true story!! different from the 130kg plus beer swilling, buttie eating, shirt - and stomach - hanging out good bloke from Chelsea). Our Palace man was very dapper, refined, immaculately dressed and as you would expect spoke very precise and very correct english - lots of big words! He was an absolute fountain of knowledge and was no less passionate about his subject than Chelsea guy. It is almost impossible to describe the State Rooms and do them justice. Walls adorned with paintings from the great masters, priceless porcelain, personal and private collections of the Royals, the history, it was an incredible and unique experience.
We were also privileged to view the Faberge Royal Collection again with an explanation about which Royal bought the piece and the history behind it. The Eggs were simply amazing but my favourite was a Royal Seal for Prince Charles which was a green frog sitting on a pink column. The icing on the cake was walking out the front gates with all the ‘tourists’ looking at us, no doubt wondering who we were.
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Melissa
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Favourite photo so far...
You guys outside Buckingham Palace - that is such a good snap! Sounds like you're having a blast :)