Sunday, February 19, 2012

London Walk 2

Trafalgar Square, with the Neslon Column monument in the background. Horatio Neslon is Britain's most famous naval hero, killed in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The British Royal Navy took on the combined fleets of the French Navy and the Spanish Navy. 27 British ships against 33 French and Spanish ships. Ships lost: France & Spain - 22, Britain - 0. Unbelievable.

Coincidentally, the text on Robin's shirt reads "Fortune Favors The Bold." The shirt is by Forged Clothing, designed by her son Ryan, a Navy Seal. Forged Clothing was founded by Ryan and another Navy Seal. 

To get to The Inner Temple (famous, but made even more famous by The Da Vinci Code) go through the entrance on the right for a short distance. The Inner Temple takes its name from the Knights Templar. There are effigies (stone knights laying on the floor, burial-like) of Templar Knights inside. The Inner Temple dates back to around the 1200s and was the new location for the Knights Templar.

The George pub.

Ye Olde Cock Tavern. Just barely squeezed it in there. 

A monument in the middle of the street is much more common here than some places, such as Santa Fe for instance. This monument on Fleet Street marks the location of a previous "bar" (a stone gateway barrier) that marked the division between East and West (London and Westminster). At this point Fleet Street becomes The Strand. Even though it's now an open street, the Queen still stops here momentarily (and symbolically) when her entourage happens to come down this street. Nice wyvern on top.

Robin goes on a self-guided tour to inspect the plaque on the monument.

Always in research mode.

"I hope you will be enjoy stay from our hotel..."

So begins the letter of confirmation from the owner of the Istanbul hotel that we just booked for a three night stay, starting February 25th.

The hotel was recommended by Jay, the Turkish exchange student who lived with us in 2000, and now lives in Istanbul, his home town. And he knows the people at this hotel. It looks like a great boutique hotel, in the old part of the city, close to everything we want to see. Our room is on the terrace with views of both the Blue Mosque and the Marmara Sea.

The hotel owner concludes the confirmation letter with "We will be drink something together at the roof terrace."

No way we're missing out on an offer like that. I don't know about Robin, but I personally have never had an opportunity to be drink something together on the roof of a hotel, with the hotel owner... in freakin' Istanbul.

Robin wrote back to ask the owner if we can pay cash for the room, in British pounds. He responded with "Sure, you can pay in GBP. I love Money. Doesn't problem for me."

I love this place already.

I have a funny feeling... that three nights in Istanbul is not going to be enough.

The Blue Mosque from (I assume) the hotel.

The Marmara Sea from (I think) the roof terrace of the hotel.