London Trip 2022
Embedded Files
Phase II
"Day 1"
Date: November 23, 2022 - November 24, 2022
Participants: Ms. Christine, Ms. Fani, Ms. Francis, Ms. Helen, Mr. Leo, Ms. Natalia, Apostolos Sig, XBGamerX, +32 others
Period I - The Beginning
Everyone got up on November 23, at around 7:30 am UTC+0. It was raining outside and it was cold. They later had breakfast in the restaurant by the reception, at about 8:00 am. Some of them woke up later than intended, for instance, XBGamerX and Apostolos Sig, stumbled upon a surprise when they got there and realized it was overcrowded. XBGamerX as he failed to have proper breakfast, went upstairs and got his cookies.
Picture taken on November 23, at 9:32 am UTC+0 showing Euston Church.
Picture taken at 9:34 am UTC+0 in Torrington Pl.
Period II – The First Walk
Everyone was advised to meet in the 1st floor of the second building at 9:15 am. Ms. Francis gave everyone the entrance tickets for the places they would visit. It was 9:25 am when they decided to begin their way to Madame Tussauds. They first got into Woburn Pl, then took a left turn to Gordon Sq at 9:28 am. They all were fascinated by the scenery outside. At 9:32 am, they turned right to Gordon Sq and shortly after at 9:36 am to Gower Pl. There, they got into a busier road, Euston Rd, at 9:42 am, where they saw more people and buildings. It was only a straight road to cross in order to arrive. The class finally arrived at 10:08 am, having made a distance of 1.52 miles.
Period III – Madame Tussauds
Upon arrival, everyone had to pass through security check in order to enter. It took some time, but everyone got inside the building at 10:13 am. Ms. Francis took a photo when they got up the stairs, at 10:16 am. They then split and used the lift to go up. It was 10:22 am once they started going into the gallery. Everyone saw and took photos with the statues of popular celebrities, others posed, others played with them and others just passed by and saw them from a distance. They even got through a scary corridor with creepy effects and sounds.
The class then got to the lower floor at 10:42 am. They took photos with the Royal Family statues. It was fairly short however because they went even well below, in the more interesting compartments. Called the “Blind Beggar”, they all arrived there at 10:57 am. They were warned that this time, real actors would play around and the scenery would be creepier. They gave warnings to not use phones. It was creepy, interesting and the effects were really realistic. After seeing the actors play, at 11:12 am, everyone boarded some slow rides that were nothing more other than British cabs, in order to go to the last compartment. During the ride, they saw some of the highlights mostly featuring British related events. The ride shortly ended at 11:16 am where the last compartment mainly featured fictional heroes. The class reached the end at 11:21 am and Ms. Francis advised them to skip the shop as everything was expensive.
Picture taken at 11:36 am UTC+0 in Marylebone.
Period IV – The Dead End
Despite all this, they got out at 11:25 am. The rain had stopped by that time but everything was wet. Everyone waited there until 11:30 am, where they were ordered to start walking, so they took a turn back. They picked Osnaburgh St at 11:36 am but it turned out it was a dead end. Ms. Francis then said they would use the Underground train to go quicker. So, everyone got back at 11:58 am and entered Great Portland Street station. They walked a total of 4,888 ft of distance only, but it could have been way more if they continued walking.
Period V – The Train
This time it was different however. The teacher realized she had to issue tickets for everyone one by one which caused a big frustration. A single ticket costed just £2.50. It took a long time to issue all of them until 12:25 pm.
Picture taken at 1:34 pm UTC+0 in Waterloo.
Some issued tickets for 2 people and some got their own ticket. After that, they all used the elevator to go down. The train came shortly after at 12:30 pm. This time, they used 2 cabs as not everyone fitted inside. It was a good ride and at 12:43 pm, they arrived in Waterloo station. Mr. Leo, who was with XBGamerX, exited the station first.
Period VI – The Lunch Break
They all ended up in the station. It was big, every line and train met there. Everyone then went to McDonald’s at 12:57 pm. It was not the best as there were no seats to sit and everyone had to stand right in the exit of the station. Consequently, there was a Greek woman working in the restaurant who helped everyone order quicker.
Period VII – The Afternoon Walk
It was time to get moving however. At 1:31 pm, the teacher led everyone to the heart of London, to see the Big Ben. Taking Waterloo Rd, they turned over to York Rd at 1:35 pm. After some time of walking, they had a very close view of the London Eye, at 1:39 pm. Originally wanting to go to London Dungeon, they stopped by Westminster Bridge. Makis Lip then asked someone in a shop nearby to find the London Dungeon and so he did.
Picture taken at 1:50 pm UTC+0 in Westminster Bridge with Big Ben in the distance.
Period VIII – Westminster Bridge
After that, everyone took Westminster Bridge at 1:50 pm. The sun was about to set, despite being so early. The view was stunning. Everyone stayed for some time there, taking photos, considering the entrance to London Dungeon was planned at 2:20 pm. Nevertheless, it was a lifetime experience standing there.
Then, they went down to County Hall and entered the London Dungeon at 2:12 pm, earlier than planned. By that time, the class had already walked 1.01 miles.
Period IX – London Dungeon
Entering at 2:12 pm, the ticket manager scrapped all the entrance tickets and only confirmed that Ms. Francis indeed had a group ticket. They all passed through a check again at 2:20 pm all the way until 2:39 pm.
Picture taken at 1:54 pm UTC+0 showing the County Hall.
The journey had started. It looked similar to the last compartment of Madame Tussauds, except it was even more scary. The acting was good, as well as the effects, which amazed everyone as it felt realistic. They learned about events mostly in the medieval period of the UK and popular events such as the Guy Fawkes Night. In the end, there even was a set where it went up and down at such high velocity. The purpose of it was to rush the adrenaline and make everyone look like they were scared once it passed in front of a camera. In the next room, some of the staff offered to pay to get the photos but the class went on to exit.
Picture taken at 4:16 pm UTC+0 showing Westminster Bridge and Big Ben. The sun had set by that time.
Period X – The Dusk
At 3:43 pm however, everyone finally got out. The sun had almost set, making a unique and pleasant atmosphere. After that, some of the students went to the restroom downstairs. Ms. Francis along with some other students went to a restaurant inside the County Hall to eat while some others went to Starbucks. As the sun set at 4:01 pm, it started getting cold outside. Everyone settled there to take photos, eat, talk or simply sit, because it started getting tiring, mostly sitting on the wall sidings.
Period XI – The Ferry and the Tower Bridge
Once everyone was ready however, the teacher issued the tickets to use the ferry. They all got in London Eye Waterloo pier at 4:53 pm. It was almost night and the lights were a wonder, especially the Christmas decorations. Then, they got inside the platform at 4:56 pm, where they shortly after boarded the ferry at 5:05 pm.
It was a fun ride, as the interior was warm enough to relief everyone from the freezing cold outside. Despite this, most students were on the deck, wanting to enjoy the feel of the river Thames. Of course, there were some of them that stayed inside.
Picture taken at 5:03 pm UTC+0 in pier.
They arrived in Tower Millennium pier after a few minutes, at 5:20 pm and there was a great view of the Tower Bridge. The class was guided out of the pier at 5:26 pm and saw the Tower of London, at 5:30 pm. Everyone took the chance to take pictures there. Moreover, the class found a group of Greeks going around as well and talked to them.
Afterwards, the class got by the pier, where Ms. Francis took some photos. As they got in the pier at approximately 5:40 pm however, they had to wait for the ferry to come and it took a long time. It arrived minutes later at 6:05 pm, where everyone could not do more other than sit down while waiting. When they were about to board the ferry, Ms. Francis took 4 photos.
Picture taken at 5:22 pm UTC+0 showing the Tower Bridge.
Period XII - The Buckingham Palace
They had a full view of the County Hall. They walked right below Big Ben, having the closest view ever. They took their way to Great George St and later Birdcage Walk, a long straight road. They saw the entrance which was outside of Buckingham Palace, arriving there at 7:10 pm, walking 1.03 miles. In the distance, everyone saw the so-called “walking trees”, people who basically wore Christmas tree costumes. At 7:11 pm, most of the class stayed with them to sing the Christmas carols. It went well and the teacher recorded a video while they sang with them.
Picture taken at 7:01 pm UTC+0 showing the Buckingham Palace.
The first picture taken at 6:34 pm UTC+0 shows the County Hall from the other side. The other picture was taken at 6:52 pm UTC+0 showing St. James park.
Period XIII – The Long Return Back
However, as time was passing, everyone had to make their way back to the hotel. Ms. Francis then put GPS and led them to Constitution Hill. Making a mistake, they had to turn back at 7:16 pm. That was when XBGamerX decided to take control of the class when he put his own GPS.
Picture taken at 8:04 pm UTC+0 in Piccadilly.
Pictures taken at 8:17 pm and 8:25 pm UTC+0 in Fitzrovia.
They got through Green Park, diagonally in a straight path. While walking there, everything was dark as there was no lights and muddy as well as a result of the rain. At last, they reached the end of Green Park at 7:30 pm. Instead, they ended up in street Piccadilly. Ms. Francis then asked a bus operator to have a tour ride around the area and then return everyone back to their hotel. However, they rejected this and the class had to continue walking. Ms. Helen then gave up and called a taxi, who left with 2 other girls, leaving the rest behind. Moreover, everyone stopped to use the restroom in a restaurant just next to it.
They decided to start walking at 7:35 pm. Several minutes later, at 7:50 pm, they arrived in Piccadilly, the center of London. As magnificent as it was, the time was insufficient to explore all the place. There happened to be a confusion there, but XBGamerX eventually figured out. Everyone turned to Shaftesbury Ave and continued walking all the way to Bloomsbury.
That was the point where XBGamerX’s phone almost gave up, reaching 2% of battery. He was only using it with limit, trying and hopping to not completely drain the battery. Meanwhile, everyone kept asking for the time remaining to arrive. Some even thought they would collapse and that they were unable to walk. That day was indeed long and there was still way to go.
After they reached Keppel St in where they also turned, which was around 8:23 pm by that time, Vasilis Sta took the lead instead and put his own GPS. However, this did not last long as XBGamerX decided to continue guiding. Worrying about his phone would soon turn off, he said with honesty that he would still be able to guide without the phone. So, they took Malet St by 8:25 pm and shortly after Byng Pl at 8:27 pm. After a long way, they reached the hotel, at exactly 8:30 pm. It was an entire 2.36 miles of distance.
This was the occasion where XBGamerX became popular to hold such responsibility and earned respect for his smart moves, his honesty and his good behavior.
Period XIV – The Night
Everyone got into their rooms at about 9:02 pm, tired and exhausted. At 9:09 pm however, they were called to order something to eat down the pizzeria next to the hotel. They all went there at 9:16 pm. At first, the teacher asked them what to order, which did not take too long to begin a chaotic mess as the orders got confused. In the final run, everyone went to order one by one. Most of them ordered pizza but others ordered other foods as well, such as spaghetti. It was about 9:30 pm. In the meantime, some of them also went to the store by the hotel to purchase some more of the basics. Ms. Francis then said she would notify everyone through Viber, however, it was different, as XBGamerX was not in the group chat and wanted to get added. There was a bit of confusion as he did not ever have a Viber account so she failed to add him.
It was time and it had come as the class had to get into their rooms for the final time. At this point, everyone was waiting to finally have dinner. XBGamerX additionally made a Viber account shortly after at 9:50 pm and was finally added to the group chat.
At 9:57 pm, Ms. Francis announced that everything was ready. This time, they had their orders ready in the reception so they came to pick them up. Everyone sat to eat and as tired and hungry as they were, they ate immediately.
Period XV – The Exhausting End
After some minutes until 11:00 pm approximately, everyone finished eating. Some of them had a shower while some others had the energy to do other things, such as play or simply chat. It was said that some stayed overnight running around the halls and hiding while being chased by the hotel staff.
Despite this, mostly everyone went to sleep on November 24, at around 12:30 am. It was estimated that day everyone walked at least 10 miles. It was an insane survival.
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