Greenwich

Hello February! I can't believe I've been in London for almost a month now; in some ways, it feels like I just got here yesterday. 

Things have been pretty low key since my last post. On Sunday, Eric and I went to see Zero Dark Thirty, which was a really great movie (in my opinion). This week I went to class, started thinking about my essays, and planned some day trips, one of which Eric and I made today: Greenwich!

I didn't know much about Greenwich before digging through my Rick Steves Great Britain Guide Book (yes, I'm a nerd) for things to do just outside of London. I love the hustle and bustle of the city, but I really wanted to start exploring some new places. Greenwich is technically within London's city limits, but is the maritime capital of England. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed our visit. Eric and I decided to take a double-decker bus from Russell Square, which took us directly to Greenwich in about 45 minutes. Plus, we got to see some more of London along the way, which was great! 

Front seat on the top level: best seat in the house!

Our first stop of the day was the Old Royal Naval College, one of London's most famous landmarks. The four main buildings (King Charles Court, Queen Anne Court, King William Court, and Queen Mary Court) are located on what used to be the land of Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII's favorite royal residence. 

Queen Anne Court

Along the River Thames

Center courtyard of the Old Royal Naval College

With the city in the distance!

Looks royal, I like it 

King Charles Court

The O2 Arena in the distance!

Two of the main attractions for visitors are the Painted Hall and the Chapel, both of which were stunningly gorgeous. The Painted Hall, as I've learned, is sometimes referred to as "the finest dining hall in Europe." Sir James Thornhill spent 19 years painting both the walls and ceilings with images celebrating the royal family. The Chapel is still used today, and was was redecorated by James Stuart after a fire in 1779. Both of these places are absolutely beautiful: 

Painted Hall

Wall of the Painted Hall

"The Finest Dining Room in Europe"

Incredible ceiling of the Painted Hall

The Chapel

We then walked around Greenwich a little more, stopping at the Cutty Sark, a famous British clipper ship. Keeping the maritime theme going (not like we really had a choice), our next stop was the National Maritime Museum. I have to admit, I was not exactly dying to go, but I actually really enjoyed it! All of the museums here are absolutely fantastic. I even got to do a simulation lab where I drove a boat into a New York City pier! My boating license from Minnesota all those years ago really came in handy here. 

In front of the Cutty Sark

The National Maritime Museum

Figureheads galore!

But this little cutie is by far my favorite...

Really interesting exhibit about waste in the Atlantic Ocean

After this, we walked up a small hill to the Royal Observatory, which is located on the 0 degrees longitude line! Hence, Greenwich Mean Time. There is also a great view of the Old Royal Naval College, the Queen's House (basically an art gallery, now), and the city in the distance!

Great view

The Queens House and the Old Royal Naval College

I love the juxtaposition of historical (Old Royal Naval College) and modern (city skyline)!

The Royal Observatory 

This strange figure marks the spot of zero degrees longitude!
So when I took this picture, I was technically in the Eastern
and Western hemispheres at the same time! I'm so cool.

Eric and I then walked to Greenwich Market, which is a small marketplace of individual tents for clothes, souvenirs, food, and the like. We ate dinner at a place called The Old Brewery, which is home to the Meantime Brewery. I got fish and chips, and it was delicious! 

Greenwich Market

Today was great. It was fun to get outside of center city London, and do something different! Tomorrow I am making another day trip, this time to: Windsor Castle. Stay tuned!