London and Leeds

Travel Day One - 14 September 2017 - Arriving in London

Convincing a friend to go on a spontaneous four-day trip to London and Leeds was easier than expected. The flight via Virgin Atlantic from Atlanta to Heathrow Airport went smoothly, and once through customs and UK Border Control, the Heathrow Express whisked us to Paddington Station in London. From there, the walk to our hotel in Kensington Square Gardens was pleasant; the hotel itself was comfortable and welcoming. After dropping off luggage, exploring the local bookshops was first on the agenda.

While planning out the itinerary at the hotel, my friend noticed he could not connect to the data network on his phone. A call to his carrier resolved the issue quickly. Having cleared the hurdle, the underground awaited for the first time.

As lunchtime approached, a restaurant called Farmacy provided a mid-day meal. The waitress was friendly and shared some helpful tips about the UK and London. Once finished, the main stop of the day beckoned: Treadwell’s Bookshop. It is a great spot for book lovers, and time spent browsing resulted in a few new reads.

Back at the hotel room, checking emails and sending messages to friends and family was necessary. They 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, a nearby Thai restaurant provided dinner.

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 traveled to Leeds, and onwards to the village where my friend lives. Once there, the day was spent visiting my friend.

Later that day, a double-decker bus provided travel back to Leeds. Hangry, a combination of angry and hungry, from an entire day without food, a Subway located in the train station offered a quick bite. With plenty of time before the train back to London, a leisurely walk around Leeds included taking photographs at several scenic spots.

As the evening approached, the train back to our hotel in London arrived later that evening. Though our time in Leeds was short, it was enjoyable, filled with hearty conversations, peaceful walks, and delectable food to keep us energized 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 walking around its various paths. The round pond with the 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 browsing through various collections preceded making the way to Covent Garden for lunch at Dishoom. After lunch, it was back to the hotel.

Later that afternoon, sinus congestion set in, and a nap was necessary. Later, after resting and feeling a bit more restored to health, a Greek restaurant named Santorini was the dinner choice. The food at the restaurant exceeded expectations, and the choice to go proved to be a good one.

Day Four - 17 September - British Museum and Library.

The day started with breakfast and then the tube to visit the renowned British Museum. Over the course of at least an hour or two, countless fascinating artifacts and exhibits were perused.

After the Museum, the British Library beckoned, and exploring the exhibits and collections filled the time. However, the impact of the sinus congestion was starting to take over, signaling that it was time to head back to our hotel.

Upon returning, a sandwich and smoothie from Pret, a popular sandwich chain, preceded settling in for the evening. Though it was not how the remainder of the day was planned, taking time to recharge for what was to come was necessary.

Day Five - 18 September - Flying home.

The day to conclude our London journey had finally arrived, and home was calling. After breakfast, the tube to Paddington station led to the Heathrow Express to the airport. Once there, printing boarding passes and making the way through security, maneuvering burdensome book-laden bags, was the task at hand.

After successfully finishing security checks, grabbing some food from one of the restaurants within the secured side of the airport area seemed like a good idea. Then came patiently waiting for the plane to arrive, and 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, the flight home, was boarded. Arriving home safely, albeit tired, later that evening marked the end of the trip.

Although it is a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to a city filled with memories and rich history, lasting impressions had been created.