Hampton Court Palace

Day 11

SO FAR TODAY WAS THE BEST DAY EVER! I AM SO EXCITED I WISH THIS ENTIRE POST WAS IN CAPS AS TO RELAY TO YOU HOW FREAKING HAPPY THIS DAY MADE ME. 

...unfortunately that would probably be annoying to read so I'll attempt to be normal. (Just know that this day was the bomb dot com and made the entire trip for me!!!)

Hampton Court Palace is exquisit, enormous, and so astonishingly beautiful. It took four hours to just tour a fraction of the chambers, but I was like a kid in a candy shop.

In the castle I was able to step back in time and relive some of the extraordinary moments in the life of Henry VIII. I was able to walk through an exhibit dedicated to Young Henry, marvel at the grandeur of the rooms such as the Great Hall and the Great Watching Chamber, explore the fascinating and practical side of royal life in Henry's enormous kitchens (even SMELL the boiling beef from centuries ago), and relax in the 60 acres of beautiful gardens that rivaled those of Versailles. 

If you don't already know, the classes I am taking at Cambridge are entirely on the Tudor dynasty and I have been reading about and watching shows on King Henry VIII since I was in middle school. He is by far my favorite monarch ever, his life was SO interesting (and scandalous) and after reading books and books and studying about him, bringing the past back to life and walking in his own home made this palace better than Disney World. Somebody pinch me!

Oh my goodness... I was giddy when I saw a live actor playing King Henry VIII that I chased him down the hall and asked to take a picture with him. I am unsure who his council is (I honestly didn't ask I was so awestruck)

I think the actor did a pretty good job looking the part. Here is a salvaged picture of the real King Henry. 

Some photos of the EXTRAORDINARY GARDENS!

look how old this tree is!! just look!!!

Happy Happy Happy

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I was without wifi for the last 48 hours but now I will definitely have it back during the nights at least. I miss everyone so much!!!

MEOW (That is for you Danielle)