We visited London the second time in the week of September 19th, 2022. Just like our first visit more than 22 years ago, Lily went there for a technical conference, and I tagged along for sightseeing.
Our plane landed at Heathrow international airport in spectacular sunrise glow. We took the "tube" (subway) to go to our hotel near Westminster Bridge. Our visit to London officially started.
morning glow
London is a city on the winding River Thames. Cathedrals, Palaces, Skyscrapers dot the river bank, and numerous bridges run over it. A city of two millennium history, its roads, streets are usually narrow , winding and congested. We did not rent a car, but relied on our legs and occasionally public transportation "tube" or "underground".
Our original plan for the first day at London was to walk around River Thames to see major landmarks, A London eye, B London Bridge, C Tower of London, D. St. Paul's Cathedral, E. Trafalgar Square, F Buckingham Palace, G Big Ben, H 10 Downing street, some of which Lily did not see last time.
planned hiking route in downtown London
As we walked toward our first stop, London Eye (the Ferris wheel) by Westminster Bridge, we were sidetracked by the activities on the other side of the river, Queen Elizabeth's funeral at Westminster. Because of the funeral and following coffin procession, several main attractions were closed as well. So we did not complete the route or visit landmarks. Eventually we did see all of them and more.
London at Day
Big Ben and Palace of Westminster: Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell for the striking clock and the clock tower. It is located at the northern end of the Palace of Westminster, and part of it. The palace of Westminster is now the House of Parliament for UK. Unlike other areas, this place and surrounding areas are well preserved and architecturally harmonic.
Since we or I alone (when Lily was in conference) walked to places everyday, we enjoyed looking at Big Ben and Palace of Westminster in different lights.
Big Ben and Palace of Westminster
Big Ben on a shinning morning
Big Ben and Palace of Westminster: view from south across Thames
For some reason, this is a very popular vista. During day there is long line for taking pictures here. I took this one in early morning, no tourists around yet
Westminster Abby is a church and royal burial site. Westminster cathedral is the mother church of Catholic Church in England and Wales, it is not Westminster Abby.
Westminster Abby
Westminster - West Façade
One day during the first time we visited London, Lily was at her conference, pushing Justin in stroller, I walked toward Horse Guards Parade. Suddenly I heard marching band playing. Looking toward the marching band, I saw the parade of horse guards and the Queen Elizabeth herself waving to crowds.
Horse Guard Parade Ground
Tower Bridge opened up for a sail boat passing
On Thames in a water taxi
London Eye
We booked a tour to visit Buckingham Palace for Friday that week. It was cancelled. We looked around from outside again, like first time. What's different was that I watched the change of guards ceremony on Wednesday and we walked the Mall in front of the Palace, from the palace to admiralty arch . I guess that the US national mall was designed after this: from the Capitol to Washington monument, to Lincoln Memorial.
The Mall: looking toward Admiralty Arch
The Mall: looking toward Buckingham Palace
Change of Guards at Buckingham Palace
London at Night
We had dinner with my niece, who works in London, on Wednesday night at Ivy Tower Bridge. We walked around River Thames between Tower Bridge and Westminster Bridge, a vastly different views and impression.
Tower Bridge
St. Paul's Cathedral view from Millennium Pedestrian Bridge
Big Ben and Westminster Palace with the Westminster Bridge over Thames
Glimpse of London away from major attractions
It is a city of culture, we saw sculptures, museums everywhere. A couple interesting observations about Londoners - Drinking beers after work at pubs is popular, no matter where a pub is, drinkers spilled over onto streets! Cycling is popular, in fact there are traffic lights specifically for bikes! At rush hour, cycling is faster than car, for shorter distance ~ 1mile or so, walking is faster as well. Part of the reason for traffic congestion is narrow roads in the city.
Public transportation is well established but the fee is by zone, 1 km subway ride costs 6.5 pound!. In fact, before we left for London, I read an article about expensive public transportation at London. The other thing is odd modern glass covered skyscrapers or high-rises among medieval buildings.
The most striking thing to me was that the city was dirty, a lot of smokers.
A sculpture on south bank
Winston Churchill is prominent everywhere - his statue is at the most prominent at parliament square garden, and last on the ground existing from west façade at Westminster Abby
Illuminated Sculpture of Birds
drinking after work at pubs
traffic lights for bikes
A two way street in a high end residential area
Glass covers are pretty popular for skyscrapers, which look odd among ancient architecture. The building on the left is The Shard
No comments:
Post a Comment