Day 7: Hampton Court and Hakuna Matata

I love discovering the differences between home and here.  Once such lovely difference I have noticed are the gardens.  

This is a Utah garden.

Not much to look at right?  It is seasonal and will produce some fruit and veggies during the right season.

THIS, my friends, is a British garden.

I think they know how to do it right.  

Why aren't there more places like this in America?  I can't think of any type of environment like this back home where I can go to just wander and ponder.  I'm in awe of the years and years of landscaping, the tasteful design and care that goes into these environments.  I think I could spend hours in these gardens and never get bored.

William Wordsworth said in his poem Influence of Natural Objects:

The passions that build up our human soul, Not with the mean and vulgar works of man, But with high objects, with enduring things, With life and nature; purifying thus The elements of feeling and of thought, And sanctifying by such disciplineBoth pain and fear, -until we recognize A grandeur in the beatings of the heart.

I feel that way when I spend time in these beautiful European gardens.  My mind is turned towards more eternal things as I view the natural works of God's hands around me.

I saw these beautiful gardens at Hampton Court, where we started our day.  Hampton Court is just outside of London and sits upon the Thames River.  It is unique because it is like two different time periods in one palace.  There is a red brick side which was used during the time of Henry VIII.  It was his favorite palace out of the 55+ residences that he has.  There are so many different elements to it including three huge kitchens, a gorgeous church, a large dining room, bedchambers, etc.  I saw tapestries that were still hanging in the dining hall since the time Henry VIII lived there!  It was absolutely beautiful.  

(Entrance to Hampton Court)

(Myself and Lauren Fine in our Tudor attire)

(Kayley, Kayley, myself, Katherine, McKenzie, Jaden, & Amanda)

(The Great Hall)

(Jaden, myself, Henry VIII, Amanda, and Henry's assistant)

The other side of the palace is the white brick side and was expanded by William of Orange and Mary.  This side is also very elegant and had many beautiful murals.  I wasn't as impressed with the inside as I was with the red brick Tudor side.  But when I went outside my mind changed....  

I could have spent all day listening to the audio guide and learning all the interesting facts about the palace, although, what I really wanted to see were the gardens.  Like I said, I have never seen anything more beautiful.  There were several statues that looked like muses or Grecian gods and goddesses, brightly colored flower beds, fountains, manicured walking paths, a maze, and the worlds largest vine.  I saw several grounds workers out who were meticulously caring for the grass and plants to make sure everything looked perfect.  And it did!  I almost couldn't believe everything was real.  I felt like Alice in Wonderland since I was in a garden that looks like it could've been painted and I had the "off with her head" motto on my mind from Henry's tour.  The beauty I saw is truly indescribable.  I took so many pictures that my camera battery died!  Here are like .01% of the pictures I took:

We took a train to get to the tube to get home.  While riding the train, I got to see where the Centre Court is at Wimbledon!  I'm definitely hoping to go back there for a  tour before the trip is over.  

That night we went to see our second play for the week, Lion King!  Mom- you would have LOVED it!  It truly was amazing.  The colorful costumes, the creative set, the people who stay in character of the animals, and the heart-touching songs... I loved it all!  The execution of each scene was so creative!  In the very beginning there was a large elephant in the aisle right next to us.  There were also giant giraffes, a rhino, zebras, birds, and gazelle that looked amazingly lifelike.   My favorite execution was of the stampede scene.  They had the bison on a run down this ravine it truly looked like they were going to run right out into the audience.  They actors did an amazing job (except Simba's voice was a little too high for my preference).  There was a song that is not in the movie called "He Lives in You" that made me tear up.  It's when Simba decides to remember the pain in the past but let it propel him into the present.  He decides to step up to be who he was meant to be- a king.  I was so inspired!  When they sang "The Circle of Life," at the end I was reminded that we all have a part to play no matter where we are.

We went to the play with quite a large group (about 25 of us) and we all really enjoyed it.  Everyone else stayed at the Centre to do homework or went to Avengers.  That's right- it's already been out here for like a week.  I think I'll wait to see it when I get home though.  At the play I bought these yummy chocolates to share with everyone.  They're made by Cadbury and they're called Carmel Nibbles.  I love them!  I think I might need to bring some chocolate home for my friends and family to sample because it is so delicious.

So I had a jam packed day full of beautiful gardens and no worries! :)