Hey, tattooed travelers! Get ready because this week we’re embarking on an epic trip to London for William’s birthday weekend. I’ve got a packed itinerary planned with some relaxing time too, because after our last whirlwind adventures, we deserve it. Let’s dive in!

Our journey begins with a quick trip to the nearby airport, just an hour away. After breezing through check-in and security, we have about an hour to kill before passport control opens. Once we clear passport control, we find a cozy spot to wait. Then, a notification pops up—our flight’s delayed by an hour. Another two hours in the airport? Oh well, more time to soak in the pre-trip excitement!

Finally, boarding time arrives. We’re shuffled into another room for unknown reasons, but by 8 PM, we’re ready to board. We hop on the plane, buckle up, and enjoy the short hour-long flight to London Stansted Airport.

London, London, London

Touchdown in London! We grab our luggage and head to find the train station to whisk us into the city center (After consulting frequent London travelers we know, we decided against renting a car.) So, I had already booked our train tickets and it was just a matter of picking them up.

We scan our QR code, grab our tickets, and board the train. It’s my first train ride, and it’s way better than expected—comfy seats and air conditioning, though we did pick the wrong-facing seats, making the ride a bit queasy for me. Otherwise, smooth sailing!

We arrive at Liverpool Station and debate whether to hop on another train to Tottenham Station or grab a Bolt (like Uber).

Since it’s around 11 PM, we opt for the Bolt. The city is alive and bustling, even at this hour. We soon arrive at our hotel, The Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street

The hotel is…interesting. I’d expected the usual high Radisson Blu standard, but it’s not quite as elegant as I imagined—not bad, just different. Check-in is quick, and we take the elevator to the first floor. Oddly, there are steps right outside the elevator and along the hallway, even up to our room door.

Strange, but no big deal. Our room is spacious and comfy, with a big, cozy bed, a smart TV we can cast our phones to, great AC, and it’s super clean. No major complaints here.

We settle in and get some rest, gearing up for the fun-filled days ahead. Here’s to an unforgettable birthday weekend in London!

Monmouth Kitchen

Good Morning Travelers! Today is going to be epic! We’ve got a jam-packed schedule, from relaxing massages to a thrilling theater performance. But first, breakfast is a must. Wanting a little extra sleep, we decide to give the hotel breakfast a shot. So, we head downstairs to the hotel’s restaurant, Monmouth Kitchen.

We’re seated and informed about the breakfast setup: a small buffet with fruits, cereals, and pastries, plus a main course menu to order from. It’s all included with the buffet price.

William and I order lattes and orange juice before exploring the buffet. It’s a bit sparse, but we grab some yogurt and fruit. Then we go for the main course: pancakes, French toast, Peruvian eggs, and an English breakfast.

The food arrives quickly and looks pretty decent. The pancakes have a delightful hint of lemon, which I loved. The Peruvian eggs are fantastic, especially with the crushed avocado and yellow anticucho sauce. The French toast is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside. The English breakfast includes a little of everything—bacon, eggs, toast, baked beans, and sausage. Though the portions are small, William thinks the food is pretty good, and we appreciate being able to order multiple dishes. With breakfast done, we’re off to our first activity: a couples massage I booked nearby.

Balance, Massage and Wellness

Before booking the massage, I made sure it was within walking distance—just a 15-minute walk. We set out, enjoying the changing weather as it shifted from clouds to sunshine to rain, making it tricky to take the raincoat on and off. The walk took us through various neighborhoods, giving us a chance to explore and appreciate the local houses and businesses.

Soon, we arrived at Balance, Massage and Wellness. The shop was small but charming and very clean. We were greeted and asked to wait a bit as the other masseuse was on her way. Once she arrived, it was time for our hour-and-a-half massage, which flew by. The masseuses were attentive to our problem areas and very professional. We both enjoyed it immensely—William even started snoring, so it must have been super relaxing!