We hopped on a flight from Hanover to London Heathrow, and the journey was a quick one hour and thirty minutes! As soon as we landed, we grabbed our luggage and headed to the underground.
We took the Piccadilly Line to Earl’s Court, but when we found out the District Line to Bayswater was out of service, the adventure really began!
We quickly caught another train to South Kensington. With our luggage and backpacks in tow, we strolled through the stunning Kensinton Gardens. It took us about 37 minutes, but the scenery made it totally worth it. When we finally arrived at our hostel, Astor Hostel Kensington, we checked out our rooms. Honestly, they were super British—tiny but cozy! After settling in, it was time for a shopping spree! We hit the shops and stocked up on all the essentials—mostly snacks and some fast food. At 6 PM, we made our way to Buckingham Palace. It was amazing to see such an iconic landmark up close! We took a bunch of group pictures and some hilarious selfies. Feeling like true explorers, we took a long, leisurely walk back, reminiscing about our favorite moments of the day. And just like that, our first day in London wrapped up—what a blast!
Now we’re happily tucked in our beds, already buzzing with excitement for tomorrow’s adventures.
(P. Richter mit Aleksa V., Phil-Leevi C., Anton R., Fabian B.)
The second day of our journey proved to be a blend of experiences, both challenging and rewarding. We began the day with a minor setback: the water in our hostel was still cold due to an electrical outage, making our morning showers a unique experience reminiscent of colder climates.
Our first destination was the iconic Tower of London. As a significant historical site, it offered a glimpse into the past, with exhibitions like the Crown Jewels leaving a lasting impression. However, as we explored the various towers, some found the experience slightly repetitive. Following our visit to the Tower, we ventured to The Garden at 120.
This rooftop oasis provided a stunning view of the city, which many of us appreciated, despite some feeling a bit fatigued by that point in the day. Later, we enjoyed a scenic boat ride on the ‘Uber Boat’ along the River Thames towards Greenwich. While the views of London’s skyline were captivating, the duration of the ride felt somewhat lengthy, with moments that lacked excitement.
In Greenwich, we took a leisurely stroll through Greenwich Park, including a visit to the Memorial Garden. The park exuded tranquility and beauty, though the extensive walk began to feel taxing after a long day. We then ascended to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, where the panoramic view from the summit was undoubtedly a highlight, making the climb worthwhile. To conclude our day, we explored Greenwich Market, featuring a variety of stalls with delicious food and unique souvenirs. While some students found great enjoyment in the offerings, others were not as captivated. Overall, the day was a tapestry of experiences, with its share of both mundane and remarkable moments. The breathtaking views and significant landmarks certainly contributed to making this day memorable.
(P. Richter mit Mia S., Georgina A., Oceana T.)
A thrilling day in London!
Our day began with a train ride. The train was very crowded, and we exited at Westminster Station. As soon as we stepped outside, we spotted the stunning Big Ben!
It was beautiful, and from a distance, we could also see the London Eye, but first, we had another stop to make …
London Dungeon!!!
It was scary! 😱
We walked through different rooms, each with its own story. Sometimes, water splashed on us, and the actors were fantastic at bringing the tales to life.
At the end, we experienced a thrilling 10-meter free fall, which was both exciting and frightening! Afterward, we grabbed some food. I tried a French-style hotdog, while others opted for fish and chips. I just had chicken, but my friends fed their fries to the seagulls. At first, there was one, then two, and soon there were so many! They were cute, but…
Next, we headed to something truly „BIG“: the London Eye! This massive Ferris wheel stands at 135 meters tall! I wasn’t scared, trust me. The view from the top was absolutely amazing!
After that, we hopped on a double-decker bus. I was lucky to get a seat in the front row, which provided a fantastic view. It would be awesome if we had something like this in Germany!
Once we got off the bus, we visited a large market. While there were a few scams, many shops were nice, offering a variety of items like t-shirts, chains, tattoos, and plenty of delicious food – almost everything you could think of!
It was a culturally rich experience. At 6 p.m., we took the train from Camden Town Station and got off at Queensway Station. We had two hours of free time for shopping, cooking, and eating starting at 7 p.m. The day was incredibly exciting!
(Patricia R. mit Georgios H., Samuel W.)
Day Four: A Day of Discovery
On Thursday, we were able to sleep in a bit longer since we didn’t have group tickets for the day, allowing us more time to relax. When we gathered in front of the hostel at 10 a.m., it started to rain, and we walked through Hyde Park to the Science Museum, experiencing a mix of sunshine and rain along the way.
Upon arriving at the museum, we had the opportunity to explore the exhibits in small groups. The exhibition spanned several floors, featuring different themes such as „Space“ and „Who Am I?“
We spent two hours exploring everything before heading to Notting Hill and the Portobello Market. The street was closed off to accommodate stalls selling jewelry and clothing.
We had about two hours to explore before making our way to the Hard Rock Café. Everyone enjoyed a meal at the Hard Rock.
Afterward, we returned to the hostel, started packing our bags, and prepared for our last night at the Astor Hostel Kensington.
(P. Richter mit Ella B. and Lea K.)
