The first two days of being a Londoner have been, well, exhausting. Because of the delayed start to our trip, we've been on a tight schedule. As soon as we got here, we power napped! Much needed too after our insane wait in customs. However, soon after we ventured to The Warner Brothers Studio to explore the making of Harry Potter! And I only cried from happiness and wonderment twice!
It was incredible; the size and detail gone into the sets, set props, and costumes left with a new appreciation for the curators of the on-screen HP universe. I felt like I was truly immersed in the films. Hence, my tears. With it being somewhat of a hassle to get to (a train to the town of Leavesden from London, and a bus to the actual Warner Brothers Studio site), I recommend carving out an entire day for this, especially if you have no intention of rushing out. Not only did it take around 4-5 hours to make our way through the maze of magical, massive sets, drink some butterbeer, and take a plethora of pictures, but I think it could have taken even longer if my brother and dad hadn't been itching to go grab dinner. I won't say much more so others can enjoy the ~magic~ for themselves. However, if you are even remotely a fan of Harry Potter, this is a tour you truly must experience.
The next day, we ventured out of London and into the quaint and charming city of Bath. On the bus there, we all slept. Naturally. Once we reached Stonehenge on the way, we felt an inherent obligation to spend some time there. It wasn't quite the majestic scene of blue faeries, lush green landscape, or bow and arrow wielding red heads, I'd imagined. Yeah, it wasn't a Disney scene from "Brave," as my overly-active mind so anticipated, but the speculative mystery of why the stones are there, and how they got there at all, carry most of the sites intrigue. Also, there happens to be a highway quite close to the stones that somehow always gets left out of pictures. Unless you have a striking fascination with ruins, or the mystery behind Stonehenge, it strikes me as a one-time visit. Everything to learn and see there can be accomplished in an hour and a half or less. Seeing the infamous rocks left me with a happiness and sense of gratitude as we lined back up to the bus to continue on to Bath.
Bath is an English countryside dream come true. No wonder Jane Austen lived there for the last 5 years of her life. Practically perfect. Rolling hills, clock towers and ivory buildings; courtyards full of shoppers and performers. Bath is a relaxed town with a luxurious, almost exclusive feel, like you've been let in on its little secret. It was the way I had pictured European towns to exist perfectly in my mind, and one day (or a little less than in my case) didn't feel like enough. With the hopes of already being able to return for longer someday, my family and I made our way to some of the major spots of town.
Touring the Roman Baths was seeing tangible history right before our eyes. 900 years old, the Baths were once a completely rock and roll gathering space for the Roman townspeople where they would soak in the massive hot spring baths. Don't bother bringing your swim trunks for a dip now though. Low and behold, the baths are actually in big ole lead tubs, giving the water a now greenish tint and poisonous makeup. Healthy! It's quite crazy to think that those thick cobblestone entryways and beautifully adorned balconies leading to the baths, were the oldest structure I had ever encountered. We ended out the day by exploring the narrow side streets and corner coffee shops, followed by dinner at a restaurant right under the afternoon shadow of The Bath Abbey, with the river to our left. With a glass of champagne in my belly, we (somewhat) reluctantly amble back onto the tour bus, knowing there was still so much left to see in London. In case you were wondering, on the ride back, I slept. Walking is much more exhausting than I expected.
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