London - War, Tower Bridge and Blue Men

Friday, May 26th. Another INCREDIBLE day!! We started things off by trying out the Costa Cafe and relaxing with the paper and the usual morning yummies. It was nice to have a bit of downtime before our continued whirlwind tour would begin again. After an hour or so, we walked to Leicester Square and bought two half price tickets to tonights Blue Man Group show at 8pm. From there, we got the Northern Line tube south to Waterloo and changed to the Jubiliee line east to London Bridge where we visited the Britain At War Experience for an intense timewarp back into WWII Britain...bombing raid sirens, bomb shelters, gas masks and cigarette cards included. After we had our fill of the war experience, we walked across to Hays Galleria for a little snack and nice views of an odd sculpture, the HMS Belfast ship, and the city skyline. We then walked the riverfront to Tower Bridge and partook in the official Tower Bridge Experience which was very interesting and informative. We climbed to the top and walked the parallel footbridges and then took the lift under the towers to investigate the engine rooms. From there we hopped the London Bridge tube back to Waterloo and into the Royal Festival Hall for a free jazz show where we got to see a talented 3 piece band (piano, drums, bass) run through a number of songs before we headed out for a quick pint before the Blue Man show. Since there are pubs EVERYWHERE, there was no trouble finding one near the theater, and we had just the right amount of time to enjoy our drinks and have a really nice conversation. Then, up a few levels, and through door number 5, it was Blue Man time. This show was FANTASTIC! We had so much fun. Our faces were plastered with perma-grins. Afterwards, Vee got back inside the theater and got pics with the musicians, and one of the Blue Men! Then, a stop at a quick mart for some snacks and beers, and to the Madison House for the night.