My Travel Blog - London

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London

One of the most visited in the world thanks to its numerous famous attractions.  It’s also a tremendous year for the London with Olympic Games rolls into town.

Honestly I really don't have such overwhelming desire and feeling of this vibrant city during my first visit in 2004. Despite my reservations, I start loving this city as soon my subsequent second visit on 2010 particular their scenery and living culture.

Good news for budget travel as all of London's major museums and art galleries are free such as British Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Modern. However, you need to spend for a few admission fares such as Tower of London, St Paul Cathedral, and Madame Tussauds.

Memorable places in London

Tower Bridge: Symbol of London and most magnificent landscape along the Thames. It looks like army who looking over every one of the transportation in the Thames. Most vital it won’t close and you can go anytime. They have just celebrated with 500,000th visitor during March 2012. I don’t think a visit to London is complete without visiting Tower Bridge!

Paddington Station: My first gateway into London central

Tower of London: Feel bit scary when dark, as the building appears old and gray from the outside, which known as “Bloody Tower”. Unfortunately I can’t treasure of history and jewels within.

London Bridge: If you like “London Bridge is falling down” song, then is a must visit place even it cannot match as grand as Tower Bridge.

Stamford Bridge: As a Chelsea fan, you cannot miss here.

Houses of Parliament: Another unsurpassed building in London, glimmer goldenly at night time. Unfortunately, the chill windy weather which around three degrees really puts me off to cross over the South Bank to snap total building photo

Big Ben: Famous clock in the world and must Listen to Big Ben Chime, every 15 minutes.

St. Paul's Cathedral: Though the exterior was elegant to look at, the entrance fee really prevents me from venturing inside, however definitely the awesome dome can be seen from many vantage points in London. Another best angle for viewing is from the Millennium Bridge.

London eye: Giant observation wheel located south bank of the Thames. Great scenery at night which display in red colours before Chinese New Year.

Piccadilly Circus: Busy square in the heart of London. Famous for neon advertising lights and the famous statue of Eros.

Marble Arch – The second triumphal arch in London

Trafalgar Square: Full of people and pigeons during day time and tourists like to climbing up on the status of the bronze lions to get a photo taken. Malaysia Tourist Board just opposite of the square.

China Town: Settle most of my meal here. Vibrant area with a lot of red lantern been hanging outside of the restaurants as Chinese New Year is approaching. Good place to experience and see how the local Chinese community’s lifestyle and atmosphere in London is.

Oxford Street: Famous shopping street

Millennium Bridge: I like the modern design giving a unique tubular effect of the bridge structure. I am just stopping and gazing out at the beauty of the Thames slicing path through the London, able to view the Tower Bridge from far by standing center of this pedestrian bridge. Getting known this lovely landmark thanks to the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie.

Leicester Square- “Theatreland" of London with crowded with people especially on weekend evenings

Gherkin: One of the most eye-catching buildings in London with the modern design.

Thames Cruise: Not really enjoy it as the boat which I ride does not have an upper deck for me to snap a good photo.

Next visit places in London

Royal Observatory Greenwich

British Museum

Climb up the 200+ stairs to the top of the St. Paul's Cathedral Dome to get a fantastic view of London.

Perhaps another stadium either Wembley or Emirates Stadium.

Relax at St James Park which in front of Buckingham Palace

Climbing to the top of Primrose Hill in North London to view of the England capital

Friend Recommend

Coming soon…

Ways into London

London Stansted Airport always is my first gate landing in London. Located 64km to the northeast of London. I took Terravision which cost around 10 pounds. This coach runs a non-stop service to Victoria Coach Station with almost one and half hours journey.

Heathrow is one of the airports that I had departed. The tube is the cheapest costs approximately £5 (single fare) which Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital. Journey time is under an hour. However, if you have limited time visiting London like me then you need to pay more ( £18 )to get Heathrow Express which journey between London Paddington and Heathrow Central takes 15 minutes.

Transport in the London

I had been experiencing in a tube, DLR and bus. Tube always the right choice if you have a shortage of time visit in London. Try to ride the good old red buses to get around central London with at least catch a glimpse of some tourist attractions en route. Advice to use Oyster card as it’s the easiest way to access London's public transport network so that enable you to enjoy the freedom of the city. Try to buy it online if not then you may end-up like me spending almost half an hour queue up at Victoria Station to purchase it.

London Food

Cheap meal eventually easy find in London. Grab a bite with kebab, fast food and fish &chips which can relatively meet your budget. Alternatively, you can try “teh tarik” and “Nasi Lemak” at Malaysia Hall. If you bore with Western food then try to go China Town. You can do a price comparison as most of the manual are displayed outside restaurant. I almost spend most of my meal at this busting with life area.  One of meal is chicken rice which the cook is from Malaysia another is fried Kuay Teoy which is Malaysian restaurant. Both of them look good for me.

Places to stay

I stayed at Didcot (16km from Oxford) during my first time visit to London. Actually, it is my colleague’s aunty house and appreciates a lot to her and her husband specially picks us up from and to Stansted Airport

The Royal Norfolk Hotel London: Stayed here two nights, inexpensive and good location with less than 5 minutes walking distance to Paddington Station. Free continental or full English breakfast.

Shopping

I personally do not spend much time on shopping but did manage to buy few T-shirt at the flagship Top Shop store at Oxford Circuit. Chelsea soccer fans can get some special offer or promotional items at the Stamford Bridge Megastore.

My personal advice

Try not to go during winter, the chilling wind from Thames will make you frozen to the bones, then you can’t really enjoy walking across the bridge and along the river bank.

For your next vacation, imagine yourself here......