Thames River Cruise and Greenwich

Next up, a fast lunch and off to catch the boat for the Thames River Tour.  We sat on the left side of the boat.  Maybe we should have sat in the middle.  'Cause it was, "On your right, on your right, etc.".We boarded at the Westminster Pier and were able to see the clock tower (Big Ben is the bell--not the clock), the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge.

We passed an Ancient Egyptian obelisk which was brought to London in 1877.  It was originally erected in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis on the orders of Thutmose III around 1450 BC.  Even though it is nicknamed "Cleopatra's Needle", it was erected over a thousand years before her reign.

Close to another stop, was London Bridge, the Tate Modern (the new museum of modern art) and the back of the Globe Theater.

Our next stop was at Tower Pier where we saw the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Traitor's gate--that's one place you don't want to go!  "Off with his head!

"The last stop was Greenwich where we got off.  After checking in at the information center, we learned that The Royal Observatory was closing in 15 minutes and it was about a 20 minute walk.  Talk about power walking!!  We made our way through the town of Greenwich, across the park (big park) and up a very long and steep incline.  They were closing the doors when we arrived, but Tom convinced the man to let us be the last ones in for the day.  He said, " See there's my wife, she's here!".  Gasping for breath, I threw myself though the door just before he closed it behind me.  But we're in!  And it was fascinating, I must say.
We got to stand astride the Prime Meridian-- Tom in the West and me in the East.

We set our watches to the correct Greenwich Mean Time and started our leisurely walk back.
Docked at Greenwich is the three masted British Clipper ship, Cutty Sark.  It was used to bring tea back to Britian from China, and was the fastest ship of it's kind for many years.

Back on the boat, back in the tube and back to the apartment.