London Day 3

We started the day by walking through parts of Kensington Park and Hyde Park (they are separated by Serpentine Bridge). We saw Kensington Palace, the Peter Pan Statue and the Princess Diana memorial fountain. From there we walked past the Prince Albert Monument, Royal Albert Hall and a few museums. Then it was on to Harrods where we admired all of the expensive goods. We walked to Wellington's Monument (arch), down Constitution Hill and ended up at Buckingham Palace. It was sunny and warm. After lunch and a rest we went to see City Hall and Tower Bridge. The whole area is full of shops and restaurants and it would be nice to spend more time exploring that area. We watched a sailboat sail under the drawbridge then we walked across the bridge to the Tower of London. Then a walk back along busy streets where we saw a skyscraper nicknamed "The Gherkin" and the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. This evening we went for another walk along the Thames, it is beautiful at night but unfortunately my mini tripod is not that great so I don't have any good night shots to share.

London Day 2

We were up early this morning for lots of sightseeing. It was sunny for most of the day. The Parliament Buildings are across the Thames from our hotel. After admiring the view of it and Whitehall, we walked across Jubilee Bridge to Trafalgar Square. Lots of traffic and lots of people. From there we walked to the British Museum. We didn't have time to look at the exhibits (except for some mummies), we were more interested in the beautiful building, especially the ceiling in the common area. Then we walked back to Piccadilly Circus, passing lots of shops, restaurants, old buildings and theatres along the way. Red buses and black cabs everywhere. By now the crowds were getting thicker and I had a hard time taking photos without either people or traffic getting in the way. Piccadilly Circus is interesting with huge advertising screens on one side and historic buildings all around it. From Piccadilly we walked back to Trafalgar Square and past the horse guards, 10 Downing Street (which is behind gates with armed policemen guarding it) and then to Westminster Abbey and the back (or front) of the Parliament Buildings where we saw Bobbies guarding the place. After a short rest in our hotel we went back out. We walked through St. James park, saw lots of interesting birds we don't have home, and walked as far as Buckingham Palace. We are going back to Buckingham Palace before we leave, the sun was no good for photos, plus it is on the way to Hyde Park and Kensington Park which we also want to visit. After supper we went on the London Eye. It was dark by then and no good for photos but great all the same. We are going on it again in the daytime, the views are amazing.

London Day 1

We arrived in London at 8:35am after an overnight flight where neither Joe nor I slept. By the time we got out luggage, cleared customs, got the train to central London and a cab to our hotel, it was almost 11:30am. Thankfully our room was ready for an early check-in. But we did not crash, we wanted to go out and see some of the sights. After eating a tasty, hot lunch in a cafe with a view of the London Eye (just down the street from our hotel which is right next to the London Eye), we walked around a bit and took some photos. We walked by the London Eye (we will go on it on a sunny day when I can get good photos, today it was cloudy and hazy) and down the south bank of the River Thames. We saw performance artists in costumes and body paint entertain the crowds of people walking by. We walked over the Golden Jubilee Bridge (a pedestrian bridge) and along the Thames until we came to the Parliament Buildings and Big Ben. Along the way we saw a wonderful memorial to members of the WWII Air Force. I bought a few souvenirs at a sidewalk stall and then we came back to the hotel. It's time for an early turn in now, we plan on doing a lot more sightseeing tomorrow.

And We're Off

We're flying to London, England today for a weeks vacation. We've got maps, money and we're very excited about the trip. I'll try to update my blog while I am away although since I will be using a laptop photos won't be the best quality.

Last Night

A view of St. John's harbour and downtown.

Bowring Park Waterfalls

City of Lights

A few photos taken tonight on Signal Hill.

Sunny Day

Just a few photos from downtown today.