London: Day 5

This morning we got a late start. We didn't leave the bed and breakfast until 9:45. After stopping at the ATM, we took the subway to The Tower of London. This was super exciting for me because I've wanted to visit The Tower of London for a long, long time.

Laura and I explored as much as we were allowed to and we ended up seeing almost everything. We saw the towers where they kept prisoners, the tower where the royals stayed, the dungeon, the torture chamber, and traitors gate where both Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn entered The Tower of London before being imprisoned. 

Suit of armor

This marks the area where private beheadings took place inside the tower

Due to superstition, there always ravens kept at the tower. This raven was the size of a cat

Traitors Gate

White Tower

In the tower where prisoners were kept there was graffiti all over the walls that dates back hundreds of years. Most of the graffiti was written in Latin or Old English. The translations of the graffiti was posted in the tower. It was interesting to read what all those prisoners had left as one of their final marks on the world. I also found it to be slightly eerie. 

Translation of some graffiti

Ancient graffiti

While we were at the tower, we also checked out the crown jewels, of course. But we weren't allowed to take pictures so just trust me when I say that they are exquisite. 

After leaving The Tower of London, we took a short boat ride down the Thames river from Tower Bridge (commonly mistaken as London Bridge) to Parliament. We also saw the fake London Bridge that is actually in London. I still haven't seen the real London Bridge which happens to be located in Arizona now. 

Tower Bridge

London Bridge-- the fake one

After getting off the boat, we walked to Westminster Abbey. Because it was Sunday, it was closed to sight-seeing. But I'm hoping we'll get a chance to go back before we leave London. 

Michaela