On our way to the airport from Kiev, we managed to get a Taxi driver that was the safest driver we’d seen there. He drove slower than the speed limit, his car had suspensions and seatbelts. Safest I’ve ever felt in a car while in Kiev. The flight was good too, with no crying babies on board. After arriving in London and dropping off our stuff, the first destination was the British Museum.
British Museum
I had been here before, but I thought this would be a good place for Edward to visit, since I was showing him around a little bit.
Here’s some pictures of some ancient stuff.
Later that night, we walked around the Tower Bridge and along the river and got some good night time photos.
Night Time along the Thames
I recall doing a similar walk along the Thames when I came to London two years before. At night, the Tower Bridge is all lit up.
There is also St. Paul’s Cathedral from afar.
Everything is definitely much prettier when actually being there and with my point and shoot camera, it’s definitely hard to capture it all in photos.
English Breakfast
Definitely one of the most delicious breakfasts I’ve ever had. Back bacon is now one of my favourite foods. I also now have a greater appreciation for pan fried tomatoes.
If I recall correctly, the place is called Kiko’s Cafe and I highly recommend this place for anybody going to London.
Old Books
Our tourist map recommended an old second hand book store called Skoob Books. There, we found all sorts of old school books dating back to the early 20th century. I was able to pick up a 1928 edition of the Wealth of Nations for nine pounds. Edward managed to pick up an old anthology of George Orwell’s works for cheap too. Upon looking at my photo albums, it seems I got too carried away to take pictures of any of the old books.
In a different used book store, the books were so old that the owner put a lock on the door and would let customers in only when they rang the bell. The books there were hundreds of years old and each book sold for at least hundreds of pounds if not thousands.
Princess Diana Loves Italian Food
For dinner, we ate at apparently one of Princess Diana’s favourite restaurants. And of course, this recommendation was very good.
I also highly recommend this place and it is called Da Mario.
Walking Tour
I did the walking tour last time I came to London, but I thought it’d be a good idea to do it again since Edward had never been to London before. I didn’t really take much pictures here as I had taken so many the first time around.
Pub Grub
For lunch, we ate at a pub called The Lord Moon of the Mall with another person from Vancouver whom we met on the walking tour. I had previously been there before, and it was good last time, so I couldn’t really go wrong.
I think I was spoiled by the English breakfast and the pasta though because I didn’t think this place was as good as I remember.
HMS Belfast
Visiting the Belfast was one of the new things I did in London. The HMS Belfast is a light naval cruiser that is now a museum and is parked on the Thames River. From the outside, the ship didn’t look that big to me, but it still took quite a while to see it all.
I even got to go inside the gun battery and inside there was a “simulation” of the batteries firing and it was very loud. I don’t know what I expected.
The tour takes the tourist to different rooms in the ship such as the sick bay, mess hall, chapel, among other places. As an engineer, the most interesting area for me to look at was the engine room. It’s amazing to see exactly what mechanisms can generate so much power to drive the ship.
Lots of ammo.
On the ship deck.
It just so happened that an airplane flew over as we were looking at the anti-aircraft gun.
A Comfortable Place to Travel
The biggest differences between travelling in Kiev and London is that in London, we can actually talk to people. We can read all the signs. It’s not sketchy at all. While this made travelling here super comfortable, it took away the excitement that being in a little bit of danger gave. Even then, we still thought it was fun and we rather have done this than not at all.
Links to photo albums: