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Carol 202 | profile | all galleries >> World Travel >> London, Sep 2008 >> Day 1: London Tower, Trafalgar Square, and Walking About tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Day 1: London Tower, Trafalgar Square, and Walking About

We got to London Saturday night and got our first glimpse of the River Thames, London Eye, and the Big Ben clock tower from the bus on the ride from the airport. Our first London experience, after checking in to our hotel, was to go to St. George Tavern and have a pint. We also tried the fish and chips after hearing how good it was, and we weren't disappointed. We took a long walk up to parliment, and worked up an appetite for another pint of ale by the time we got back to our hotel. On Sunday, we bought a ticket for unlimeted travel on the busses and tubes. Our first stop was the London Tower. We left there early in the afternoon and walked across Tower Bridge to a nice neighborhood district, where we found a quaint pub to quench our thirst. We ordered meat pies and really enjoyed our lunch/dinner. Then we walked back across the bridge to catch a ferry back to Westminster. From there, we back tracked by catching the Tube to Trafalgar Square. We did some people watching and then decided to hop a red double-decker bus back to Victoria Station and our hotel. It was too early for us to head back to the hotel, so after walking around a while, we caught another bus and walked across the Westminster Bridge to see Parliment and the London Eye at night. We made a lot of interesting charachters during our stay and folks from all over the world. We aren't sure what today will hold, but it may be clear enough for us to visit some of the parks and go on the London Eye.
Our first London experience:  A couple of pints and fish and chips at St. George Tavern.
Our first London experience: A couple of pints and fish and chips at St. George Tavern.
Parliment
Parliment
Statue at Parliment
Statue at Parliment
Bobby at Parlement
Bobby at Parlement
Back of Westminster Abbey
Back of Westminster Abbey
Bob on Westminster Bridge
Bob on Westminster Bridge
The London Tube
The London Tube
Guard at London Tower
Guard at London Tower
The cannons were once highly decorated like this one.
The cannons were once highly decorated like this one.
The armory in the White Tower was a work of art--even the sun design was done with weapons.
The armory in the White Tower was a work of art--even the sun design was done with weapons.
Armor of King Henry VIII - He was very protective of the crown jewels
Armor of King Henry VIII - He was very protective of the "crown jewels"
These carvings are named Gin and Beer
These carvings are named "Gin" and "Beer"
What is this Yeoman Warder thinking?
What is this Yeoman Warder thinking?
Soldiers from a very old regiment were visiting the London Tower.
Soldiers from a very old regiment were visiting the London Tower.
The castle on the left holds the crown jewels.  We visited before the crowds arrived.  No photos allowed of the jewels.
The castle on the left holds the crown jewels. We visited before the crowds arrived. No photos allowed of the jewels.
Governer's house w/guard.  Legend says if the crows leave the tower, the kingdom will fall.
Governer's house w/guard. Legend says if the crows leave the tower, the kingdom will fall.
White Tower where the arms and armor are displayed
White Tower where the arms and armor are displayed
The Rack in the tower dungeon
The "Rack" in the tower dungeon
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Old aNd new architecture
Old aNd new architecture
South Bank, across the tower bridge.
South Bank, across the tower bridge.
South Bank flower shop
South Bank flower shop
The only time I can catch Bob smiling is when we are in a pub
The only time I can catch Bob smiling is when we are in a pub
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
The fish market, notice the weather vane on the right
The fish market, notice the weather vane on the right
London Bridge is very plain and not much to look at now.
London Bridge is very plain and not much to look at now.
Parliment from the ferry
Parliment from the ferry
London Eye--hotels, restaurants, and an aquarium on the right
London Eye--hotels, restaurants, and an aquarium on the right
London's famous red phone both
London's famous red phone both
One of the beautiful parks in Lodon
One of the beautiful parks in Lodon
Some of the more interesting people watching was near Trafalgar Square
Some of the more interesting people watching was near Trafalgar Square
She was more than happy to pose for a photo
"She" was more than happy to pose for a photo
Fountain at Trafalgar Square
Fountain at Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square with National Gallery in the background
Trafalgar Square with National Gallery in the background
Large lion at Trafalgar Square
Large lion at Trafalgar Square
London street
London street
Another pub, we looked in but didn't stop
Another pub, we looked in but didn't stop
Big Ben at night
Big Ben at night
London Eye at night
London Eye at night
Parliment at night
Parliment at night
Big Ben at night
Big Ben at night