We flew from Dar Es Salaam to London on British Airways. The plane was half empty so it was an easier flight. Lots of headwinds going to London.
We had four bags that we checked. 2 were large Dry Packs that we had for all of our gear on the Kilimanjaro climb. The other two were small suitcases on wheels. In addition we each carried on our small backpack that we carried throughout the trip.
Once we were in London, as in all of the airports we were able to find luggage carts to get the bags through customs and immigration. The wait in London took over 90 minutes in line just to clear immigration. We took our bags via the baggage carts down below Heathrow and got the bags off the carts and onto the empty subway train. So far so good.
After an hour ride into downtown London, we needed to make a change of subways, go two more stops, and then a 5 minute walk to our hotel. Florence decided that she could carry one of the big dry packs. So imagine this little gal that has a pack on that is at least as big as she is volume wise on her back weighing around 35-40 lbs pulling a small suitcase on wheels behind her that has her normal small knapsack hooked to it.
Now we arrive to switch subways. I get her all loaded up and read to go in the crowded subway car, the station comes into view, the door opens and off we go. Of course lots of stairs going up. And then back down. Long 200 ft runs of escalators (the only time I have ever seen Florence stand still on one by the way) and we make it to the next subway train. 2 stops later we get off and again lots of stairs and escalators and we are on the street.
It takes us more like ten minutes to orient ourselves and get to our hotel. Oh, and we are both wearing our big -20 degree down jackets because we had nowhere to put them. So we were hot even though a light mist was going on in London. We were rung out by the time we made it to our hotel. But 30 minutes later we were out on the streets looking for dinner. We walked about 5 minutes and were in the "Indian" section of London. All of the food/restaurants were Indian. So we had a great dinner of Indian food. We walked for another hour or so just stretching our legs after a long flight and getting to know the area.
The LDS London England Temple
The next morning we got up early and caught a subway train for 2 stops, switched to another subway for 2 more stops, and then at the Victoria Station caught the train out to Lingfield (about 45 minutes), then a cab from the train station to the London England Temple. It is built on a beautiful 32 acre site. We enjoyed attending a session there and then traveling back to London. Again Train, Subway, subway.
Florence on the canal in Camden Town
We had gotten some suggestions from Baba, one of our hikers on the Mt. Kilimanjaro hike on some non-tourist things to do,. So we walked to Camden Town, and then after enjoying all of the shops and booths there, followed the canal up through London. Beautiful. There were narrow boats roped to the shore all along the way that people either live in or use as motor home type traveling vehicles. Looked like fun.
After that we went to the north of the city and did some more hiking in some great urban parks. Then to the West end. Tickets to Le Miserables were still available for that night, so we were able to purchase two seats on the eighth row center. It was as good as ever. The next morning we did some more exploring and walking all over London starting at Big Ben. We rented bikes twice at the urban bike stations and rode through multiple parks including circling Hyde Park. Fun.
We had a plane to catch and so we loaded up the backpacks and walked to the subway, did the transfer to the next subway, then made it to Heathrow where we had luggage carts. We had found a way to store the coats in the packs so we were not so overheated.
After checking in and getting our seats assigned we went up and got a shower at the business/1st class club and we were on our plane back home. 11 hours later we landed in Phoenix after having headwinds most of the flight.
It was a great trip. We were excited to go. But we were also excited to be back home.
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