London and Leeds
Travel Day One - 14 September 2017 - Arriving in London
A spontaneous four-day trip to London and Leeds was in order. The journey began with a Virgin Atlantic flight from Atlanta to Heathrow Airport, and once through customs and UK Border Control, the Heathrow Express whisked me to Paddington Station in London. From there, a walk to the hotel in Kensington Square Gardens was a nice way to stretch the legs after the flight. The hotel was comfortable and welcoming. After dropping off luggage, it was time to explore the local bookshops.
After planning out the itinerary at the hotel, it was time to venture onto the underground for the first time.
As lunchtime approached, a stop at a restaurant called Farmacy for a mid-day meal was in order. The waitress was friendly and shared some helpful tips about the UK and London. Once finished, it was on to the main stop of the day — Treadwell’s Bookshop. It is a great spot for book lovers, and some time spent browsing led to leaving with a few new reads.
Back at the hotel room, checking emails revealed messages from friends and family who had sent concerned messages after seeing the news about the fake fire-bomb incident earlier that day, which had shut down parts of the underground network. Later that evening, dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant capped off the day.
Day Two - 15 September - The Long Train Ride to Leeds
An early morning rise enabled catching the train from Kings Cross railway station. The LNER train headed to Leeds, offering scenic views of the English countryside along the way. Once there, the day was spent exploring the area.
Later that day, a double-decker bus ride back to Leeds city center was in order. Hangry — a combination of angry and hungry — from an entire day without food, a stop at Subway in the train station provided a quick bite. With plenty of time before the train back to London, a leisurely walk around Leeds offered chances for photographs at several scenic spots.
As the evening approached, the train back to London departed, arriving later that evening. Though the time in Leeds was short, it was enjoyable, filled with peaceful walks and delectable food to keep energy levels up throughout the day.
Day Three - 16 September - Kensington Gardens, Watkins Books, and Dishoom
After breakfast at the hotel, a stroll over to Kensington Gardens led to exploring its various paths. The round pond with its swans and ducks wandering and swimming about was awe-inspiring. It was a spectacular sight to behold.
The next stop was Watkins Books, conveniently located near the tube station. Some time spent browsing through various collections preceded lunch at Dishoom in Covent Garden. After lunch, it was back to the hotel.
Later that afternoon, sinus congestion set in, calling for a nap. Later, after resting and feeling a bit more restored to health, dinner at a Greek restaurant named Santorini was in order. The food at the restaurant exceeded expectations and made for a great choice.
Day Four - 17 September - British Museum and Library.
The day started with breakfast before hopping onto the tube to visit the renowned British Museum. Over the course of at least an hour or two, countless fascinating artifacts and exhibits demanded attention.
After the Museum, the British Library beckoned, where exploring all the exhibits and collections possible filled the time. However, the impact of the sinus congestion was starting to take over, signaling that it was time to head back to the hotel.
Upon returning, a sandwich and smoothie from Pret, a popular sandwich chain, made for a simple dinner before settling in for the evening. Though it was not the planned way to spend the remainder of the day, it was necessary to take the time to recharge for what was to come.
Day Five - 18 September - Flying home.
The day to conclude the London journey had finally arrived, and it was time to head back home. After breakfast, the tube to Paddington station and then the Heathrow Express to the airport made for a smooth departure. Once there, printing the boarding pass and making it through security with a burdensome book-laden bag was the final hurdle.
After successfully finishing security checks, some food from one of the restaurants within the secured side of the airport area hit the spot. A patient wait for the plane to arrive followed, before eventually proceeding to the gate for boarding.
The return trip started with an eight-hour Virgin Atlantic flight to Atlanta. After landing in Atlanta, the Delta flight for the next leg of the journey brought the trip closer to home. Arriving safely, albeit tired, later that evening marked the end of the adventure.
Although it is a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to a city filled with memories and rich history, lasting impressions were made.