London
I haven’t been keeping up with Travel Tuesdays over the last several months because I have only been using my own pictures and frankly, I just haven’t been to enough places around the world to keep a weekly update.
I guess I could just keep posting pictures of the Eiffel Tower every week though, how about that?
I don’t think I would ever get tired of looking at that but you guys might.
Well, the last place we had a chance to visit during our time overseas together was just a short ride from Paris on the high speed rail…
London!
Quick trivia question: what is the name of this clock tower?
It’s okay if you don’t know.
I mean, it’s only the quintessential icon of London, no big deal.
How about the building that is adjacent to it…anyone know what that is?
I’ll give you a hint: it has something to do with the government.
Speaking of the government, we saw an interesting bumper sticker on the side of a bus stop as we were walking through the city.
After seeing that and the painting in Paris, I couldn’t help but think that Europeans prefer a democratic president.
Anyway, the decision for us (Brandon, my uncle and I) to go to London was made on a whim and unfortunately, I didn’t have a great deal of time to plan things which resulted in us doing a lot of “typical touristy” things.
We stopped by Buckingham Palace to observe the changing of the guards.
There also happened to be a parade outside of the palace while we were there.
Brandon got my uncle to do a Gig ‘Em for a picture even though he is a die-hard Florida Gator.
And we got a picture together too.
After that, we went on a hunt for The London Bridge and no, it wasn’t falling down.
I guess I expected something more but that was it!
The Tower Bridge, however, was much more impressive.
Then, to get an aerial view of the city, we decided to take a ride on the London Eye.
Unlike Paris which has historic architecture everywhere you look, London has more modern buildings dispersed within the old.
Right below the London Eye is a small plaza that is home to a Salvador Dali museum.
We didn’t go inside though.
We also took a tour of the Tower of London and got to see the Crown Jewels.
No, those aren’t the jewels, but we got a kick out of the size and shape of the armor surrounding the genitalia area and took a picture. Whoever designed that suit was trying to attract the ladies, don’t ya think?
And lastly, Brandon got excited when we saw a Texas flag and had to take a picture.
Whoop!
Well, that’s pretty much all I have of London. We were only there for two days so I’m sure there was a lot that we missed (shopping at Harrods!) but we had a good time while we were there and made sure to “mind the gap”!
Have a great day and I’ll see you soon with something edible!
Ohh London looks gorgeous! It’s been on my list of places that I have to visit for quite a while now and I’m hoping to make it out there within the next couple of years :) And I couldn’t help but laugh at your comment about London Bridge… :lol It does look pretty plain now that you mention it…
Hopefully you get to go one day soon! I really wish I could have gone to Harrods, I could totally see you loving that place! And the London Bridge, I was like “Really? All those songs we sang as kids and that’s it? Puhh.”
Beautiful! I was in London a number of years ago and went to a lot of the same places you did. It was a great place!
Answer to the trivia question…Big Ben!
Yay, you got it right! :) Although, Brandon told me after I wrote the post that they changed the name of Big Ben to something else! Apparently, it’s Elizabeth Tower now…IDK
I’d love pictures of the Eiffel Tower every week. :P I’m so jealous that you’ve been to Paris and England–my mom always gets to go to some pretty cool places for business, but the last time I was out of North America was when I was 5…and let’s be honest, that doesn’t really count because you don’t really remember anything from when you were 5.
Yeah, 5 doesn’t really count. You need to plan a trip for when you graduate! :)
And now I want to go to London!! Great pictures! It looks like you guys had a blast :) The London bridge does look like a let down, how hilarious!
Isn’t that sad? They could have put a little more thought into the design don’t you think? Oh well!
London is definitely high up on my list of places to visit – it makes me sad that I’ve never been to Europe! The London Bridge does look a tad disappointing, doesn’t it?
i never get sick if the eiffel tower- that photo is amazing, i love the lighting in it! and your london experience looks a lot like mine did! when i went it was because i was in paris and a last minute decision too. thats good though, despite popular opinion on doing it the “way locals do” i feel like some touristy things are sometimes a really fun way to see a city :)
Yeah, it was nice to check off some of the important things to see. Overall, I thought Paris was much better though.
To answer the trivia questions: Big Ben and the Parliament. :) London looks beautiful. Nice pictures.
London is one of the top places that I REALLY want to visit!…hopefully someday!
Omg I completely agree about the Bachelorette. They are so spoiled! I’m pretty sure my first date with my fiancee was to the school cafeteria.. haha! Love your travel pics, I would love to go to London one day!
Haha, that’s so funny! Brandon and I were joking about the same thing. Our first date was after work at an Applebee’s because that was all that was open late. :)
I love this! My husband and I are traveling to Paris and London next February. This made me all the more excited about the trip!
That’s so exciting! You’re going to love it! :)
The Tower Bridge is so pretty! I dont think I’ve ever seen pictures of it? And thats a great picture of you and Brandon!
Thanks Ashlee! :)
Ooooo London (and Paris!). What beautiful pictures you took. Trivia: Big Ben and it’s attached to the Parliament Houses. What do I win ;)?
There is a story that the real London Bridge is somewhere in the US (Texas or Arizona maybe?) and the one there now is new. We were totally underwhelmed as well but the Tower Bridge is gorgeous.
If I never set foot on the London Eye again it’ll be too soon. It was almost barf city up there for this gal.
Thanks for sharing your awesome pictures and letting me re-live my vacation!
You won a million dollars, it’ll be in the mail first thing tomorrow morning! ;)
I hadn’t heard that about the London bridge, interesting. I did hear that the one there was rebuilt but still, it’s so plain.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience on the London Eye, I can see how it would make you sick. Good thing you didn’t let it out though! I would hate to be in one of those things with someone throwing up!
Cool idea- these pictures are gorgeous! Love the one from the top of the ferris wheel- although it seems a bit scary to me!
I don’t think it was scary (it’s closed by glass) but I’m not afraid of heights. Made for a nice view of the city though!
I’ve never been to London but have been to Europe. We ahve a similar thing to the London eye here in Melbourne but due to the Australian Summer after being open for 39 days it shut down as it buckled in the heat and they have been fixing it for the past 4 years ever since. I was one of the only ppl to ever have gone on it when it was actually open. :)