Feb. 1: Greenwich

Today Katie and I went to Greenwich, home of the Old Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and, the Prime Meridian (Longitude 0). I didn't expect a lot going into it, but it ended up being one of my favorite days so far. Here it is in pictures and captions:

Riding on the top of a double-decker bus (the front is where the bar is).

Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Chapel on my left, Painted Hall on my right.

The Painted Hall is a big dining room. Looks like Hogwarts to me.

A little much, don't you think? It's just dinner...

I can't remember exactly who is in this, but its a mish-mash of religious/historical/mythological figures. So I guess everyone is happy.

Pretty cool ceiling. Also a jumble of religious/historical/mythological figures. Hopefully they can get along.

Hey King, should we go with the gold? - "Yea just put it up high so nobody can steal it"

Donations welcome, but don't donate your phone.

A very nice chapel.

Why do so many churches put there organs right above the door? Seems dangerous, doesn't it?

Old Royal Naval College, in case you can't read.

Painted Hall from the outside.

Chapel from the outside

Dockin' Out.

Show-boating.

Down by the river.

O2 Millenium Complex. London holds some sporting events and I believe some Olympic events here.

The Cutty Sark. (It's a ship)

National Maritime Museum

A picture from the slavery section of the National Maritime Museum. On the right, you can see some British commodores just hanging out while all the people they are about to enslave are partying with them. Yea, OK England..... I'm sure that's how that all went down.

Boat Engine

I needed some new East India company threads, but unfortunately, these weren't for sale.

The Cutty Sark up close, in case you thought I was lying.

Old Royal Naval College. I guess that Henry VIII was born on that square right there, at least that's how I interpreted it. Given the history, it wouldn't suprise me.

The National Maritime Museum - it was a really great place!

Seems like a waste. I can't use my bottle OR my ship now.

Just to remind you that the British like to be creepy and strange, here are some mast heads.

Fire in the hole!

Can I interest you in this East India Company telescope and compass?

Busy, isn't it?

The Royal Conservatory/PRIME MERIDIAN/YES LONGITUDE 0!

The Royal Observatory. Here they, you know, observe things.

Drink it in - LONGITUDE 0!

From this spot, I am in the western and eastern hemisphere AT THE SAME TIME!

The view from the Royal Observatory. Looking good, Greenwich (and London in the background)!

Observatory

Greenwich Market. Not quite like the Camden Markets, but still good times.

Katie and I ate dinner at The Old Brewery. Their brand of beer, Meantime, was quite interesting. We were able to have small samples of a few of them for a decent rate, which was nice. And I got some ribs, so I would say it was a pretty good evening.

The Old Brewery from the outside.

So to recap, my day went something like this: Woke up, met Katie, took bus down to Greenwich, explored the Old Royal Naval College, the Painted Hall, the Chapel, The National Maritime Museum, The Royal Observatory, LONGITUDE 0!!!, Greenwich itself, Greenwich Market, and the Old Brewery. It was a great day!

Tomorrow, Katie and I have tickets to Windsor Castle, where we will be getting a tour of the castle and royal kitchen. I vaguely remember Windsor from when I was 9, and I thought it was cool then. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!

Til then - Cheers!