7D6N London, Belgium and Amsterdam - Sept 2007: Part IV

Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge

On Day 6, followed Viator for a day tour to Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge which costs me US$123.39.

Throughout the journey, the guide told us some history about the places that we will be visiting that day. The weather was not that great, it was cloudy, gloomy and then it started drizzling that last for the whole day. The first stop was Windsor Castle. We were given the entrance ticket and the earphone.

The Windsor Castle is really magnificent and that was the first time I visited a real castle. I was very excited and soon I was already exploring the castle on my own. We viewed the Queen's room, the Princes' rooms, the guard's meeting room etc. What I enjoyed most was the structure of the building, not so much of the interior as I am not a person who appreciates antique stuffs and the interior decorations are something like that to me.

See the middle picture with the flag? We were told that the Queen usually comes over to stay during the weekends and if the Queen is around, the flag will be taken off and the castle is closed for public viewing but if the Queen is not there, the flag will be up and the castle is open for viewing.

Managed to witness the changing of guard ceremony also.

That's outside the castle.

Next, we proceeded to the City of Bath to view the Roman Bath Pool. That's the outer courtyard.

The circular bath.

The picture in the middle shows the hypocaust. It looks like stacks of bricks isn't it? It is actually used by the Romans to heat their rooms and is used not only in public baths but also private homes.

This is the city of Bath. Unfortunately it was drizzling and the wind was strong so I could not venture far out to explore the place.

The Roman Bath entrance.

Look at the chimneys. Can't recall the story behind this but all the houses in this city has their chimneys like that.

Next is Stonehenge. On the day that we went, there were not many tourists. Not much to see here except for the extraordinary forming of rocks/stones.

It was strange to hear the story of how the stones were formed and the whole place looks a little mysterious. Initially it was quite interesting to view the stones but after a while, it became boring. I was the only Asian around that day. Anyway that was the end of our day trip and we left for London shortly after that.

7D6N London, Belgium and Amsterdam - Sept 2007: Part III

London

I was in the London city on my Day 5 and Day 7 trip. That's why I have some photos of the same location in daylight and night time. Day 6 was a day out to Bath, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle while Day 7 was my last day in London.

On Day 5, took the 11.04am Eurostar train back to London city from Brussels Midi Station in the morning of Day 5 and arrived in London at 12.27pm. Transferred to London Tube and checked in to my hostel, Astor Victoria at Belgrave Road. The hostels and hotels in this area all look alike. It took me a while to find the place as the direction given in the internet was not very clear. Asked a few pedestrians but most do not know the place and finally a good samaritan came over to help after seeing that I was quite lost with the map on one hand and my luggage on the other.

After checking in, I went out for a walk and never returned till around 9pm that night. My first visit was the Tower Bridge on the River Thames.

Across the Tower Bride to the other side of River Thames is the Tower of London. Looks beautiful isn't it? Heard that it was haunted. It actually appeared in the Guide Book as one of the haunted places to visit in London. Decided not to spend money to scare myself.

That's the London Bridge which I visited on the early morning of Day 7 after I checked out from the hostel. Decided to have one last look at Big Ben and the parliment square before I flew off that evening as it was already dark when I reached this area on Day 5.

Outside the Covent Garden tube station.

Trafalgar Square below. This is the heart of London and one of the most popular spots in the city of London. Lim Kok Wing University is just around the corner, somewhere opposite Trafalgar Square.

Many people were queuing up to take photo with this guard and one good samaritan offered to take a photo for me. I looked so small beside the Queen's guard.

Around parliment square. Behind me is the Big Ben. It was already getting dark and very quiet around here.

Westminster Abbey at night.

Posing with the Big Ben and the London Eye behind me on Day 5. The two pictures of the London Eye were taken on Day 5 and Day 7.

Big Ben again on the morning of Day 7. Nothing that spectacular but the surrounding area is quite beautiful. Took the tube to the Westminster Tube Station and the moment you exit the station you will see the Big Ben and London Eye. The Parliment Square is just nearby.

This is the Parliment Square in the morning of Day 7.

Along one of the roads near Parliment Square, there is this big statue built in memories of the Women in World War II.

The policemen in London making their rounds in the city on the horses. Something different that you don't see back home.

This is Hyde Park. Walked across this park to the Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace. There is a changing of guard ceremony that takes place at 11.30am. The crowd started to form since 10.30am. Lucky I was there early but still, I didn't manage to get a good spot so I just hung around there posing and taking pictures of whatever that interests me. The security there was quite tight and the guards looked awesome. Some marched in while some came in on the horses.

After the changing of guard ceremony, the crowds started to disperse. I continued to explore the city on my feet...poor feet, I think I have overworked them on that day. Walked around the city, came across this market but nothing much to see. Finally decided to take the tube to Picadilly Circus.

This is Picadilly Circus and is quite a congested area. In fact, I think everywhere seems to be full of people in London, a typical city - crowded with people and congested with traffic.

Next, headed to Chinatown to have a quick feel and had my late lunch there. Yup, this place is where all the Chinese are. There are plenty of Chinese restaurants here. Food price is reasonable. The moment you stepped into the restaurant, the staffs will greet you in Cantonese but they do speak English too.

Decided to visit the last place on my itinerary before heading back to the hostel to collect my luggage - Covent Garden. Nothing much here. High end stuffs. It was also drizzling on that day. Visited the market hall also but didn't manage to buy any stuffs. The cheapest that I can find in the market is a very simple round neck blouse that cost 9 pounds.

Finally satisfied with my last round of sight-seeing in the city, I took the tube back to the hostel to collect my luggage. Reached the hostel around 5pm, collected my luggage and took the tube to Heathrow airport.