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  • Wolseley breakfast, Big Ben and Arsenal Emirates Stadium

    Wolseley breakfast, Big Ben and Arsenal Emirates Stadium

    We started the next day with a nice breakfast at The Wolseley. The slick café-restaurant operates in a magnificently restored building which started out as a car showroom for Wolseley Motors Limited. With its impressive interior, the grand cafe is one of the most popular breakfast places in London. The menu here offers options from home-made pastries to full English breakfast. Great food aside, the well-dressed staffs here are attentive and professional. Their superb service is worthy of a deserving praise.

    160-the-wolseley

    inside-the-wolseley

    breakfast-at-the-wolseley

    pancakes-at-the-wolseley

    From Wolseley, we took a nice stroll along St. James’s Street towards Buckingham Palace. St. James’s Palace is just right at the end of the street.

    st-james-street

    st-james-palace

    nice-statue-near-Buckingham-palace

    Buckingham Palace

    The crowd was massive and hard to get a good spot by the time we reached Buckingham Palace. And the Change of Guard is only happening an hour later, my gosh. After a long wait, the show is finally about to begin as the policemen on horseback stationed in front of the gates. The military band music starts to get louder as the contingent approaches. Being at a spot that is less than ideal for photo or video, I kept my camera to watch the infamous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony schedule is available here.

    buckingham-palace

    victoria-memorial-london

    crowds-at-buckingham-palace

    It is also possible to have a glimpse of the interior of Buckingham Palace during the summer months. This is, after all, one of the few remaining working Royal Palaces in the world and has been the official home of British monarchs since 1837.

    Westminster Abbey and Big Ben

    Thereafter taking a walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey through St. James’s Park which offers plenty of green spaces in between.

    st-james-park-london

    The beautiful gothic Westminster Abbey has seen important events of British monarchs taking place within its walls. From Royal coronation, Royal burial to Royal weddings where the most recent one of Prince William and Kate walking down the aisle here. Ticket price is on the higher side which may induce certain exclamations not welcome inside the place of worship…opps…thank goodness for our London Pass.

    westminster-abbey-london

    The grandeur interior is amazing with its vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows, and important artefacts.

    interior-of-westminster-abbey

    walkway-inside-westminster-abbey

    painting-inside-westminster-abbey

    Then it’s time to say hi to Ben. I am of course talking about the world-famous clock tower from Palace of Westminster or the Houses of Parliament, which is indeed striking and beautiful. Big Ben is perhaps the country’s most iconic landmark which is rather evidently seen in all London related advertisement. Although technically speaking, the name Big Ben is actually referring to the giant bell inside and not the clock tower.

    palace-of-westminster

    big-ben-london

    There is also the tourist-popular red phone booth nearby which attracts plenty of photo-taking crowds too.

    red-phone-booth-london

    Arsenal Emirates Stadium

    So this will disclose the London side which I support in the Premier League. But sadly, I did not manage to get in for the Arsenal Emirates Stadium tour as it was a match day – no ticket for that either. Oh man. Hopefully, I will be able to do both when I come back to Arsenal home ground in future.

    arsenal-emirates-stadium

    emirates-stadium-of-arsenal

    arsenal-team-picture-wall

    I am drawn to Premier League ever since ‘The Iceman’ Dennis Bergkamp’s transfer from Inter Milan to Arsenal.

    bergkamp-at-emirates

    That was one of the greatest and proudest moments for all Arsenal supporters.

    arsenal-the-invincibles

    And there’s of course, the superb goal machine Thierry Henry.

    henry-at-emirates

    henry-statue-at-emirates

    London Eye and Big Ben at night

    London’s giant Ferris wheel or London Eye offers a panoramic view of the city and we took a ride after night falls. It’s not crowded in the evening hence we did not have to wait long for our turn to board the capsule. The London Eye is located just across River Thames from the Palace of Westminster, offering a fantastic view from the top. The London Eye Experience lasted for around 30 minutes and we head straight to Westminster Bridge.

    london-eye

    london-eye-capsule

    palace-of-westminster-from-london-eye

    lodnon-eye-with-river-thames

    Meeting Big Ben at night brings on a different mood. The goldish lights which illuminate the whole Palace of Westminster really enhance its attractiveness to beyond stunning. Looking great Ben!

    westminster-bridge

    side-view-palace-of-westminster

    big-ben-at-night

    big-ben-and-lights-at-night

    big-ben-and-lights-during-night

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    What are your thoughts about Wolseley, Big Ben and Arsenal Emirates Stadium? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Tower Bridge and Tower of London

    Tower Bridge and Tower of London

    After our fishy lunch at Borough Market, it is time to move on to the Tower Bridge, which is my favorite photography spot in London. This iconic landmark of London spanned the River Thames between Tower Hamlets and Southwark. The construction of Tower Bridge was built to ease the traffic congestion on London Bridge. I should also highlight that Tower Bridge is not London Bridge, totally different bridge altogether. But it is common for people to make the mistake since Tower Bridge is so famous in London.

    tower-bridge-and-the-lady

    tower bridge of london

    walking on tower bridge

    walkway on tower bridge

    symbol-at-tower-bridge

    We opt for the self-guided Tower Bridge exhibition tour which gives us access to high-level walkways. The high-level walkways provided a great viewpoint around central London and lots of information about Tower Bridge on display. Rather sad that I am unable to see the drawbridge in operation that day.

    tower-bridge-exhibition-tour

    London City Hall

    The unique sphere shaped London City Hall is just nearby. Here’s the office of London’s Government and where Assembly meetings take place. While parts of the City Hall are open to the public, visitors will be subjected to security screening at the entrance.

    tower-bridge-and-city-council-london

    the-scoop-london

    There are a café and one huge map of London on the lower ground floor.

    inside london city hall

    london map inside city hall

    The second floor will be the Chamber area for Assembly meetings.

    assembly meetings place in city hall

    Other than that, there isn’t much to see or do in the City Hall. Maybe just to marvel at the unique architectural structures?

    london-city-hall-structures

    Tower of London

    Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress or simply Tower of London on the north bank of the River Thames was originally built by William the Conqueror. The historic castle was further defensively enhanced by successive monarchs and has since become one of the most recognizable buildings. Besides the Royalty, Tower of London was also once a lockup for the prisoners.

    the-tower-of-london

    tower-of-london

    buildings-in-tower-of-london

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    fiery-monkey-tower-of-london

    One main highlight of the Tower of London is to see and admire at the Crown Jewels, a royal collection of the Queen and significant symbols of the British Monarchy. The priceless regalia possession includes some of the nicest crowns, sceptres, swords, and jewellery, which are passed on to each reigning King or Queen. Even the super huge bank-vault-kind metal door is impressive on its own.

    jewel-house-in-tower-of-london

    crown-on-display-in-jewel-house

    display-in-jewel-house

    These enduring symbols of the British Monarchy are guarded by the Army, the live-in Beefeaters and the Ravens (which was nowhere in sight during the rain).

    queen-guard-at-tower-of-london

    beefeater-at-tower-of-london

    If you are puzzled by the name of Beefeater like I was, their proper name would be Yeoman Warder. The nickname was probably because they were permitted to eat as much beef as they want from the king’s table. These Yeoman Warders also conduct free guided tours around Tower of London.

    beefeater-tour

    There is a Ceremony of the Keys taking place every night precisely at 09:53 pm. While the ticket is free of charge, it must be booked way in advance at the official website as a result of its popularity.

    Dinner at Harrods Food Hall

    I would have waited for the sunset to take more photographs of the Tower Bridge but the rain changed my plan. Hence, it is dinner time at Harrods Food Hall instead. The famous Harrods department store is known for carrying high-quality luxury stuff and occupies a huge site at Borough High Street.

    Harrods Food Hall is on the ground floor together with the other sections selling perfume, cosmetics, Harrods biscuits and most of all touristy stuff. The lovely painted ceilings, chandeliers, and décor make it a great place for dining.

    harrods-ground-floor

    seafood at harrods food hall

    First of all, we started with fresh tasty oysters at the Seafood Bar of Caviar House & Prunier.

    seafood-bar-of-caviar-house-prunier

    oysters-at-caviar-house-prunier

    Next, we move on to The Steakhouse for some amazing prime beef steak and beef fillet. I must say that eating at Harrods Food Hall can be costly but in this case, totally worth it.

    the steakhouse at harrods food hall

    usa prime steak at harrods food hall

    beef fillet at harrods food hall

    Tower Bridge at night

    It’s time to head back to the Tower Bridge after the nice dinner. And I am thankful that the rain has since stopped. The rainy day is probably the reason for the surrounding around City Hall to be empty and quiet while I am there.

    london city hall at night

    london city hall and the moon

    And my, the Tower Bridge at night wows me big time, even more than daytime. My Tower Bridge pictures and words will not do justice to the most noteworthy landmark in London. You have gotta be there to see it!

    beautiful tower bridge at night

    tower bridge at night

    An attempt with my fisheye lens.

    tower-bridge-at-night-with-fisheye-lens

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    What are your thoughts about Tower Bridge and Tower of London? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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