Flotilla

 I visited London during my first EuroTrip in 2008, so I've got the "main attractions" under my belt, in my camera, and out of my wallet.  I decided that this visit I would find the lesser known attractions throughout the summer, and the freer-the better!

Freebie #1-   Flotilla
This summer is the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. (60th year on the throne)  In her honor, there was a 4-day weekend (or bank holiday as it's called here) packed full of Jubilee madness! (and more importantly: no school or work...or banking)

Among the celebrations there was a huge flotilla on the River Thames.  There were over 1,000 vessels running the Thames that day for the Thames Jubilee Pageant.  In the middle of all of these various vessels (kayaks, canoes, boats, barges, etc) was The Royal Family waving and blowing kisses to the masses lining the river.

The Royal Family was supposed to be passing under the London bridge around 2:45, so I thought being there around noon would be plenty of time to wander around and find a spot.  I definitely didn't factor in the utter obsession people have with the Royal Family, and the ridiculous amount of people that infiltrated London to catch a glimpse.

Trains were full, many lines on the Tube were off schedule, and I forgot to start lifting weights a month before this occasion- it was Mortal Kombat to get on the train!  And I don't even want to talk about trying to turn off the main road! We were walking down the road like a can of sardines...I was just going wherever the crowd was going!  The Riverway was so packed that the roads were being closed off, and there were no spots left along the Thames! Definitely the most amount of people I've ever been surrounded by in my life!

As I was being herded along with the other sheep, I caught a glimpse of the water between two buildings!  I stopped, a boat pulled up, I snapped a picture, and did what any Alaskan Girl would do...
Swam upstream and found a quiet street with a quiet pub.  I bellied up, ordered a lager and watched the flotilla on the big screen!

Post- Flotilla- Met up with a fellow AK Girl! (She was sporting an Alaska Love hat, no less!)