Oh my what a day! Where to start? I suppose the beginning will do. We awoke today to the gray drizzle that I have found to be the norm for Fall in London. We departed from our hotel in hopes to take in a few sights regardless of the weather. First off was checking out Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Then crossing the street to see the magnificent Westminster Abbey. Its amazing the amount of history and architecture in just those few squares.
At that point time was running a little short, we had a 12pm reservation for a flight on the Eye, so we crossed the Westminster Bridge. Taking pictures of course! And headed up to the Eye. We boarded and were whisked away. Riding this for the second time I was still amazed by the view. There simply isn’t anything like it around. Well, until I climb the Eifel Tower tomorrow!!
After we ‘landed’ we took off towards the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Then was somewhere I have wanted to go to for quite some time, Greenwich! It’s located just outside of the city. It’s a nice little section and I may revisit it again in the coming weekends. We ascended the large hill to the Royal Observatory and had a photo taken on the Prime Meridian.
After grabbing some grub at a pub we headed back to the hotel and have called it a night. We have to be up around 4am to catch a 6am EuroStar train to Paris. I’ll get pictures up of that when I can. To hold you over though, I have posted today’s pictures. Sorry there aren’t any comments for them. I’ll work on that when I get some free time.
Before I start, I revisited Buckingham Palace yesterday to see the changing of the guards. This time I wasn’t ill! There’s a new album for this and a video that I will post shortly.
The London Eye
“Since opening in March 2000 The London Eye has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of modern Britain. The London Eye is the UK’s most popular paid for visitor attraction, visited by over 3.5 million people a year. A breathtaking feat of design and engineering, passengers in the London Eye’s capsules can see up to 40 kilometres in all directions.”
Today was my first ‘flight’ on the infamous London Eye. There was a huge queue to get in but it did go quickly and before I knew it I was entering the glass capsule. At first it doesn’t seem exciting. You are still looking at the sides of the buildings, hardly above their roof tops. It’s not until you reach a quart of the way up that you get the full affect. There is no longer anything directly above you, nor directly below you. As long as you don’t look at the wheel itself you seem temporarily suspended in the air. Continuing around the wheel you reach the top. You have an excellent view of south London as well as a look to the west (home, I think I can see you!) An excellent view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s can be seen to the north east and Waterloo Station to the East. Check out the gallery for lots and lots of pictures of flight #1. In just over a week I’ll be going up again with my awesome sister!! She’ll be here in a week. I’m so excited!!
If all goes well I’ll be attending Phantom of the Opera Monday evening for a friend’s birthday. I’m really looking forward to seeing it.
