See you later London, hello Europe!

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Last night after Harrods we had dinner with Rose and Leia in Soho. From Harrods we quickly stopped in back at our hotel then made our way to Soho Thai (on St Anne’s Court). It was only a 5 min walk.

The place was PACKED! Actually everything seemed packed in Soho. All the restaurants and bars were filled with people, some with lines down the road. Soho is a mix of asian restaurants, bars, pubs, and adult bookshops. It’s kind of like Kings Cross and Chinatown in one!

I used to work with Rose and Leia at Quoin Technology. That was 2002 I think? Both Rose and Leia moved to London a couple years ago to work.

After Thai we went across the way to a bar called Vodka Revolutions. Every flavour of vodka was on the menu. Too bad we had to get up early the next morning for the tour or we may have sampled them all! Very busy that night. Just like a Saturday night in Sydney. That’s the thing I can’t get over about London…every night is like Saturday night!

So this morning we started our Cosmos tour. We got up VERY early! About 5.30am so we could check out of the hotel at 6.45am to get to the Thistle Euston hotel for the tour start. We literally walked out the hotel door and a black taxi picked us up and took us a couple kilometers drive to Euston. The taxi driver was the nicest person we have met in London yet!

After registering with Cosmos we walked down to Euston station and grabbed some breakfast. The tour bus was going to leave at 8.30am not 7.30am as we had been told. I guess so no one is late! Euston station is just like Sydney Terminal but a lot more food choices. Lots of commuters mainly workers I think. After some brekkie and a stop at the toilets (cost 20p) we bought a few essentials and made our way back to the hotel for the tour start.

The Cosmos group is a mixed bunch. Mainly older couples in their 50s. A couple more older than that. Then there are a few couples who are about 30 something (so I’m guessing.) I think Todd and I might be one of the youngest ones. There are a couple of Canadian girls who I think might be our age. Even though the age difference is quite spread out everyone seems really friendly and I feel comfortable being in this group. The nationalities are mixed again. Of course a lot of Aussies…I’d say 10 or so. Canadians, Kiwis, Americans, South Africans. Our tour director is Dutch and speaks both Dutch and Spanish. Her name is Truus (pronounced Troohs). Our driver is called Christean.

To get to Europe we take the ferry across the channel. I got seasick. Horrible! The water was very rough! Once we arrive in Calais we drive through Belgium towards Amsterdam.

Our first dinner in Europe was in Belgium. We had authentic Belgian meals and Todd had Belgian beer. He’s starting to write reviews on the beers he’s drinking. The Belgian beer Juliper has scored 7.5 out of 10. After dinner we set on our way to Amsterdam. Tonight we stay at the Ibis Hotel near the airport. Compact and cute, I am looking forward to a nice hot shower and good night’s sleep.

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Photos

Todd, Me, Rose, Leia
Vodka Revolutions in Soho, London.

Comments

[jen]

seasickness
Sorry to hear you were sea sick.....again! Hope it didn't last as long as on trip to the reef. You may need sea sick tablets for return trip. Remember my tip...put feet up so they are not on the floor. love Jen

[Nat]

mmm-vodka!
That is the vodka bar i told you about that Ad and I went to with Michelle when we were in London! We had the tray of vodka shots!