London : Part 1

This is the place that I had always wanted to visit since I was a kid. And even though I've been there once, I wish I can visit London every year. Too much for a wish I guess, haha :p

So the story went like this, the visit to London was actually a study trip. I was assigned to observe a science festival in London and I spent about 14 days in London, Cambridge and Bristol. And I absolutely love it there. Since there is so much to talk (and also to write about) about London, so I decided to divide London into 2 parts, Part 1 and Part 2. Most of these places I go are after the office hours and on our way back to the hotel, and most of the time we couldn't get it, because it was already closed, so we just took pictures.

London. What about London?

Well, London is one of the oldest city in Europe, largest metropolitan are in United Kingdom and the largest urban zone in the European Union. We left KLIA at about 11.55 pm (Kuala Lumpur Time ; GMT :+8) and reached Heathrow Airport at about 5.00 am the next day (London Time :GMT). The flight took about 13 hours straight. When we touched down, the temperature is -4 degree Celsius, very cold indeed. But when the sun is up the temperature is on an average of 12-15 degree Celsius. It was spring when we went there, but it was still very cold compared to Kuala Lumpur, most of the people there still wear their winter jackets when they are outdoors, same goes to us. Can't survive without it.

We stayed somewhere in South Kensington, near the Gloucester Tube Station, very central London and near to all places. All we need was to take the tube to get to anywhere.

I think in London, the first thing that you need to get use to is walking. Everybody walks here, and they sure walk fast. One of my Malaysia friend who had lived in London for the past 4 years, said,"Ahh, the place is just a 15 minute walk from the tube station". And we Malaysians had to walk for at least 30 minutes, Malaysian speed of walking. So don't trust their time when it comes to walking. But, being a city where the climate is temperate oceanic climate, the temperature is cool and you don't sweat much, so walking is a good option.

There are so many things to do in London. And I admit, I do not have enough time, especially when I'm on a study trip. Therefore the list below is merely according to me, and the places that I had visited. Exciting things to do in London :

1. Oxford Street

The word for this street; Shopping!!!

You name it, most of the famous shops are here, you have Marks & Spencer, Accessorize, Primark, Dorothy Perkins, Mothercare, Monsoon, Boots, La Senza, Clarks, Selfridges, Gap, H & M and Forever 21, just to name a few. And from Oxford Street, you can turn into Regent Street at the intersection where the Oxford Circus Tube station is, to go Hamleys, the best toy store I ever went.

To get to Oxford Street, just ride the Centrel Line (Red) to Marble Arch and start to explore Oxford Street from there. Bear in mind that Oxford Street in a long street and you may come across other Tube stations such as Bond Street and Oxford Circus. For more information on the shops in Oxford Street, you may want to click here.

One of the shops in Oxford Street

2. Tower of London & Tower Bridge

Tower of London is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. We didn't get to visit Tower of London :( as it closes at about 6 pm, but we did get to take pictures with the Tower bridge and Tower of London from outside. I think Tower of London is a must to visit, as it is one of the famous monuments in London. It is basically a castle that is housing the Crown Jewels and the Tower's history dates back to 1066 A.D. It is located at the Thames River, and the view is breathtaking.

To get to Tower of London, just ride the Tube on the Circle Line (Yellow) and descend at Tower Hill station.

Tower of London

Tower Bridge

3. London Science Museum

This is one of the places that I need to visit during this business trip. If you like science, history on science and technology and the latest technology, this is the place. There are 7 floors altogether, including Basement and Ground. There is no entry fee, but there will be a certain fee for the IMAX theater, simulators and some exhibitions. There is at least 20 galleries and one day is not enough to cover all of the galleries, but better still, you can choose which gallery that you want to visit. If you want to know what are the activities going on (science shows, story telling etc), just drop by the information counter before you start exploring, they will be happy to help you. There are galleries that are filled with object collections such as Flight (aeroplanes), Making the Modern World (cars and mainly objects that humans created), and there are galleries that made up of multimedia interactions such as Antenna and Atmosphere and there are also Galleries that are more hands on such as the Launchpad.

To get to the London Science Museum, take the Tube via the Circle (Yellow), District (Green) or Picadilly (Blue) to tube station South Kensington. All the the three lines will pass through South Kensington.

one the the galleries - Making the modern World

the entrance of the London Science Museum

4. Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum is just next to London Science Museum. The main entrance of the building is like a huge Romanesque inspired building. The building is also known as the Waterhouse building, reminds me of the Addams family's house. I don't know why. Like the London Science Museum, the Natural History Museum is also huge, divided by 4 zones (blue, red,green,orange) and houses at least 20 galleries. Most of the exhibition are museum based (specimen/models and some information for reading) exhibits, but sometimes there are a few interactive multimedia exhibits. Entry is free, however, there will be some fee for temporary exhibitions.

A must visit is to the Darwin Centre, whereby you can take the Cocoon tour (the tour is inside a building shaped like a huge Cocoon) to find out how life specimens (insects and plants) are collected and recorded. You can also see some scientist at work at the building across the Cocoon. The Darwin Centre houses millions of plants and insects specimens.

the entrance of Natural History Museum -central hall

Scientist at Work (from the Cocoon)

5. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. The uniqueness of Buckingham palace is that there will be a ceremony called the changing of guards (officially known as Guard Mounting) that will be held at about 11.30am. The ceremony is basically the process of changing shifts or guards. And yes, Buckingham Palace balcony is where Prince William and Kate Middleton kissed on their wedding day.

To get to Buckingham Palace, just board the tube to any of these stations Green Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner or St. James Park and walk across the park to get to Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is located between The Green Park, Hyde Park and St. James Park.

The Buckingham Palace

Victoria Memorial (with the bronze structure on top)

6. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is mainly a public area where people can hang out and smell the breeze, and of course take pictures. There are a few statues and here and a lot of people. And occasionally you can find someone talking in Malay and you would like turn your head around to see who, haha.

To get to Trafalgar Square, just board the tube to Charing Cross station which is either on the Bakerloo (brown) or Northern (black) line.

Trafalgar Square with lots of people

7. Piccadilly Circus

One of my favourite places in London. Why? Because there is a huge sports shop name Lillywhites there. Name it, i think most of the jerseys are here. And this is where London is alive. (meaning lots of people). If you go here, remember to take a picture at the Eros. I did. :)

To get to Picadilly Circus, just take the Tube to Piccadilly Circus via the Picadilly line (blue) or Bakerloo line (Brown)

Lillywhites, the sports shop

Eros

It's not finish yet, this post I mean, I'll continue in Part 2.