I visited London, the capital of United Kingdom, for a business trip during Jun 2005. This was a short, one week trip, so every evening after work, I used public transports; bus and tube, to explore this majestic city.
The United Kingdom (UK) is an island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain—which contains England, Wales, and Scotland—as well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland.
Little History about the United Kingdom: The origins of the United Kingdom can be traced to the early 10th century CE. Wales, a congeries of Celtic kingdoms lying in Great Britain’s southwest, was formally united with England by the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1542. Scotland, ruled from London since 1603, was formally joined with England and Wales in 1707 to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland came under English control during the 1600s and was formally united with Great Britain through the Act of Union of 1800. The republic of Ireland gained its independence in 1922, but six of Ulster’s nine counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland.
The British Empire which, at its height in the 1920s, encompassed almost a quarter of the world’s landmass and a third of the world’s population, and was the largest empire in history. British influence can be observed in the language, culture and the legal and political systems of many of its former colonies.
During my visit to U.K., I spent all my time in London, the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. London is one of the world’s most important global cities with considerable influence on the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, health care, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transportation. London has a diverse range of people and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken in the region.
Pictures below are from my a week stay in London.
A simple Manhole cover in London.The Palace of Westminster, built in 1016, serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The two towers at its ends are famous in their own right. One is Elizabeth Tower better known as Big Ben and the other the Victoria Tower contains more than 3 million documents. The Palace of Westminster has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.The Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, links the Palace of Westminster on the west side of the river with County Hall and the London Eye on the east. First Bridge was built between 1739–1750, the current bridge was opened in 1862.The Palace of Westminster after dark.A double decker city bus next to the Big Ben. Big Ben is nickname for the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. When completed in 1859, the clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom, a British cultural icon, recognized all over the world. The clock tower has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.Backside view of the Palace of Westminster, the large tower, Victoria Tower, contains more than 3 million documents.The London Eye, is a revolving observation wheel or Ferris wheel, on the South Bank of the River Thames. When it opened to the public in 2000 it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.The Tower Bridge, London’s defining landmark, built between 1886 and 1894, crosses the River Thames near the Tower of London. It is a drawbridge, which allows ships through the bridge deck when the deck is raised in the center at an angle up to 83 degree.The Tower Bridge after dark.The Tower Bridge after dark.The Tower of London, founded in 1066, and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, the Tower is a spectacular fortresses with its 900-year history as a royal palace, a political prison, a place of execution, a royal mint, an arsenal, a menagerie and a jewel house. The Tower of London has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.The main entrance to the Tower of London.A Beefeater guarding the main entrance of the Tower of London. Beefeaters, officially known as Yeomen Warders, have been in service at the Tower of London since 1485. They are all retired sergeant majors from the British Army, provide guided tours for free as well as ceremonial security.Tower of London with Swiss Re Tower in background. Swiss Re Tower, a commercial skyscraper in London’s financial district, is one of the widely recognizable landmark of London.The Tower of London after dark.The Victoria Memorial with Buckingham Palace in the background. Buckingham Palace, originally constructed between 1703 and 1705, is London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom.The Royal Crest (Coat of Arms) at the gates of Buckingham Palace.Sentry of the Grenadier Guards, Queens Guard, Scots Guard wearing black bearskin caps made from the fur of a Canadian black bear, posted outside Buckingham Palace, Royal residence of the Queen.A London Police officer and a Scots Guard posted outside Buckingham Palace.The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with the Greek god Anteros, built in 1819, at the Piccadilly Circus, a public space of London’s West End in the City of Westminster. The Circus, known for its video display and neon signs, is a busy meeting place with shopping and entertainment areas in the West End.London’s Mile 0 Marker. Since the early 19th century, Charing Cross has been the notional “Centre of London” and is now the point from which distances from London are measured.The Woman in White, a musical, being performed at the Palace Theatre (built in 1891), one of the 38 theatres in the West End district of the City of Westminster.Waiting for Pints of London Pride to celebrate birthday with my colleagues from MySQL AB.Enjoying a pint of London Pride, London’s most popular Beer, produced by Fuller’s Brewery since 1959. Enjoying a glass of Bass Pale Ale, once the highest-selling beer in the UK from the Bass Brewery founded in 1777. By 1877, Bass had become the largest brewery in the world.A hackney or hackney carriage, London’s iconic Black Cab.During my visit to London in Jun 2005, the city was bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympics.Lunch with a view of the Regent’s Canal, Camden Locks near Camden Market, in Camden Town.Noticed few Love Locks on the the London Millennium Footbridge.
After a week in London, it was time to go back home in Dallas. England and United Kingdom has lot more to offer than just the capital city, I would like to go back and explore rest of England and other countries in United Kingdom.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 