Warner Bros Studio Tour & Madame Tussauds

September 27th, 2014

OKAY, so first of all let me give you some advice. If you're going to take a 2 hour, 30 degree bus ride, make sure you have some Gravol or you will get sick. The whole time the both of us were literally trying not to vomit all over the bus, it was one of the most horrible experiences of my life. There were two things stopping us from getting off that bus; 1. we were on the way to Watford for the Warner Bros Studio Tour (WBST), and 2. we had no idea where we were. After a brutal 2 hours, we made it (without vomiting) to our hotel.

We found the shuttle bus to the WBST, and we were off. When you walk in those doors, it is the absolute best feeling. While you're waiting in the line, you can see the cupboard under the stairs and
listen to and watch some videos on the digital tour guide (the line wasn't that long). We were then shuffled into a room, where we watched a small film on the decision of making the Harry Potter books, films. Next we go into a cinema where we watch a small introduction from Emma, Rupert and Daniel. After they've finished their bit, the screen rolls up and you're at the entrance to Hogwarts (this is when I start to cry). There is no time limit to the tour, you can basically go in and explore things at your own pace.

The doors open and you enter the great hall, through there you see so many things: Hagrids huts, the burrow, Dumbledore's office, to name a few. Once you've looked at all of that, you go outside to the backlot. This is where we tried Butterbeer, and oh my god, I
absolutely hated it. I won't be ordering another pint anytime soon.

 We were able to get on Hagrid's motorbike, get in the Weasley car, and on the Knight Bus. We also walked across Hogwart's bridge and walked down Privet Drive (so surreal). That's when you start the end of the tour with the wax figures of some of the cast, different props and sketches, as well as *drum roll* a replica of Hogwarts, and that's pretty much the end of the tour. It was one of the absolute best experiences of my life.

September 28th, 2014

We went to King's Cross Station this morning, where we got the train to Hogwarts again. Just kidding, we did get our pictures taken at Platform 9 3/4 though and I have a ticket for the Hogwarts Express!! We couldn't find it at first, so I had to ask some lady who worked at the train station where one would find Platform 9 3/4 (I'm sure she gets asked a lot because she laughed and pointed us in the right direction). Tip: If you plan on doing this if you ever go there, they have scarves and stuff there and the Platform 9 3/4 store is much nicer than the WBST store. 

                

Next we took the tube to Baker Street (we're pro at public transit now), so that we could go to Madame Tussauds. Another very cool experience, so many famous people in one building. It's actually kind of creepy because you start to wonder what's wax and what isn't. We went downstairs to the "Scream" part of Madame Tussauds. The part that tells you about all the psychopaths and murderers, just before sending you down a very dark hallway. Let me tell you something, all of the people in that hallway are not wax. I have a sore throat and Meighan probably has a broken hand or arm after that hallway. People who you think are wax, jumping in your face; terrifying. After that, there was a very cute little ride that highlighted some of the key points of history; very enjoyable. The final part of Madame Tussauds was a 4D superhero experience, which was also A+. Overall, I would highly recommend a visit to Madame Tussauds London. 

When we left there, we did some shopping (okay, a lot of shopping) and headed back to Harlow.

Windsor Castle, Bath, Stonehenge!

September 20th, 2014

     We wanted to go to Stonehenge, however it was really far away and it was going to cost quite a bit to get there. So, we were browsing online and found a tour that included Windsor Castle (the Queen's favourite home), Bath (I had no idea what this was before we went there, not going to lie), and Stonehenge! 

     Our day started VERY early, like waking up 5am early. We then walked to the train station (in thunder and lightning, whoops), where we caught our train at 6:05. To get to where the bus was going to pick us up, we had to take the TUBE (subway). So for the first time ever, I rode on a subway! So many firsts during this trip. Anyway, thats when our 12 hour bus tour started.

      First we went to Windsor castle, the whole experience was truly surreal. We weren't allowed to take pictures, but I definitely have memories that I will keep forever. We walked the halls that the Queen and so many before her have walked. The painted ceilings were the most fascinating thing that I have ever witnessed in my life. We went into St George's Chapel, where I was stood on top of King Henry the VIII's tomb (so cool).

     Next, we went to Bath. Bath has the only place in the UK with natural hot springs and original style roman baths. This place is thousands of years old and has so much beauty and history. The water of the hot springs is disgustingly green, full of algae and bacteria. When you enter the museum, they tell you numerous time to not touch the water (though it's tempting because the water is supposed to have some kind of healing power). At the end of the museum, they have a fountain of filtered water from the hot springs that you can drink; so I have drank from the hot springs from the roman Bath. It was warm and repulsive, but I am now immortal so I think it was worth it. 

     Finally, we made our way to Stonehenge. I think it's absolutely crazy that Stonehenge is 5000 years old and they still have no idea what it was meant for. These people dug a circular ditch using nothing but deer antlers, then dragged 60,000 pound stones 250 miles to make a circle of rock that is still standing today. History is positively amazing. 

After a 17 hour day, we were more than exhausted by the time we arrived back in Harlow.

First Trip to London!

September 13, 2014

     We made our very first venture to London! We took the train (I'm getting used to this now) and arrived at the London Liverpool Street station around 10:30. WHAT A DISASTER. We had absolutely no idea where we were, how to get where we wanted, we had no map, AND couldn't use our phones to look for one because there was no wifi. What did we do? We went back into the train station and spoke to a VERY rude man, who was absolutely no help to us. We basically had to force him to give us a map of London. 

     Once we figured out where we were, we walked (because you need a travelcard to get on a bus in London, who knew?!) to the monument; the nearest pick-up point for the tour bus. Once we were on the tour bus, we were able to see a lot of things. We saw (and drove over) London Bridge and the Tower Bridge, which I thought was pretty neat because who would have thought 15 years ago that I would have the opportunity to be on the bridge from the nursery rhyme we were singing? I didn't, that's for sure. We then went on to see mostly all of the main attractions of London, I even took a selfie with Big Ben! The day that started out rough was turning into an amazing day. 

     We got off the bus by the London Eye. There was a McDonalds next to the London Eye, so we decided to have some lunch because we were starving. I HAVE NEVER witnessed so many people in such a confined space before, however it was the fastest time I have ever been served at McDonalds. Once we ate, we got in a long queue (looka me using brit language) to buy tickets for the London Eye. We ended up buying a package for the London Eye and Madame Tussauds (we're going there September 28th)!! Anyway, we then went up on the London Eye and IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!! We could see so much of London and it's where I took my selfie with Big Ben. After that, we headed back to Harlow because we had the most exhausting, scary (because people and the morning disaster), but incredible day.

Cambridge

September 6th, 2014

      We went on our first adventure out of Harlow! We decided to go to Cambridge our first weekend here. To get to Cambridge, we had to take a TRAIN. It was my first time ever on a train, and I was excited and nervous all at the same time. While we were waiting for our train, the other trains were just zooming by; honestly I was expecting to die on the train ride. Thankfully, I survived and after just under an hour, we were in Cambridge.

Selfie on my first train ride!

At the train station.

      Once we left the train station, we took a bus to the town center and began to walk around trying to find something to do. We went inside an old church and walked around the grounds of some colleges. Next we found the mall, which is huge and apparently where a lot of people go to do their Christmas shopping. After we left the mall, we had our lunch on a park bench in a lovely park, which we later discovered was called Christ's Pieces. We walked around the park for a while after lunch and accidentally stumbled upon the Princess Diana Memorial Garden, which was pretty cool.

                                     

Princess Diana Memorial Garden

     We noticed there were a few double decker tour busses, so we hopped on one and were able to see most of Cambridge and learn a lot of it's history. Some of the most memorable things we saw during the tour were some people punting, we didn't do it that day, however we may go back later; it looked kind of fun. We also saw the round church, which is one of four round churches still in use in England. After our tour, we decided to head back to Harlow!

Punting

The Round Church