Day 1; London, England

I arrived in London pretty comfortably on a 8 hour flight that connected in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I actually got a few hours sleep because I was able to book myself at the front of the row. I knew that I would really need those precious few hours of sleep as it would be awhile before I would sleep again. I arrived in London around 9:30 am and first impression was It seemed alot like Canada! The only difference was that people spoke with funny accents but that changed as I went into Central London. Now I have all day in London before I fly out the next day to Italy and Ill admit I didnt do much planning for this part of my trip. My knowledge of London consists of the Queen, Buckingham Palace, Fish and Chips and Mr. Bean. So i decided to wing it, I dropped my bag off at some baggage storage place and I was off!

Piccadily Circus

I went down to the subway which is called the Underground Tube. Its a pretty massive subway system and it would be pretty daunting for a first time traveller but I have experience using the Tokyo subway so this was no problem for me. My first stop was Piccadily Circus. Now before I explain further, budget was pretty much limited to just buying food. So everything I did was free or "free". I didnt even budget for a hostel room, Anyways, I started at Piccadilly circus and just started walking in a random direction. The first spot I ended up was at Trafalger Square. It was probably one the more impressive 'squares' that I have seen. I really wanted to ride the huge lions for a cool photo, but it was just too big and I couldnt trust my DSLR to some stranger. Having seen everything at the Trafalger square, I then walked around to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Hyde Park and the London Eye. Not much special from those places other than looking nice and the billions of tourists. My last stop was Buckingham Palace. As I was making my way closer to Buckingham Palace, there were just a flood of people all dressed up, like in an old english movie, making there way out of the palace. Seemed like some huge Tea Party or something with the Queen.

Trafalgar Square

Big Ben

Its a party and im not invited

Buckingham Palace

I wanted to watch the World Cup soccer game, so I hightailed it outta Buckingham Palace and went in search of a place that would show it. It was a lucky day as I found a place, a Korean Restaurant that was playing it. I struck up a conversation with a Nigerian with a hearing aid, who was also at the restaurant to watch the game. I had to rub it in his face a little when korea won but I doubt he heard me..

The Corean Chili

Day 2.

Day 2 was spent going to the Abbey Road, which is a Famous Beatles Album Cover. I wasnt the only one who had the same photo op idea! Its pretty funny as people try to dodge traffic in order to take the perfect picture. Its pretty hard and after a dozen attempts I was happy with one of the shots I got and called it a day

The Beatles Coffee Shop

Prologue;

So the day has finally arrived. It is a day that I have waited for anxiously but at the same time I wish it was still months away. The plans for this trip have evolved, morphed, mutated into many different forms. Countries have been added or removed, the scope increasingly became larger.

This will be my second solo trip. It was not originally planned as a solo trip but due to some circumstances, I will go at it alone. I dont have a problem going alone, it at times can be lonely but there is a freedom and liberating feeling to it. Sometime I wish I could have someone to take my picture or watch my bag while i go to the washroom but its nothing major.As Im about to leave I realize I would not be travelling alone! I will be taking along overweight friend, my backpack! Im really gonna have to do something about his weight problem..

About 25Kg worth of stuff minus the dog

I guess the goal for this trip is to discover the world in a slightly different way this time. Trying to get to know the locals when possible, do things that are less touristy, meeting other travellers while travelling (not just at the hostel) and probably some others things that I will realize during my travels.

Thanks to all who will read/follow this blog. This is my first attempt at doing this type of thing so thanks for your support. I will try not to be lazy and update my blog regularly as well as trying to keep it as interesting as possible.