Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Super Duper Tourista

Since yesterday, I've been browsing through my pictures folder. Somehow, I always end up feeling sad and always nostalgic especially when I look back at last year's major event, the United Kingdom trip. I saw that there are still a number of unpublished photos of mine  that I intend to keep from everyone's eyes. 

I like being behind the camera. I like to capture the place and people and things rather the other way around.  Most of my UK photos compose of places and animals and infrastructures and my mum and Dave. I remember I hated it when my mum asks me to pose. It would only result to petty arguments. I just didn't like it. Or it's too Filipino, the "kodakan" thing. (But wait, I am Filipino!) Or I was just too shy to pose while people pass me by. (But I am not a shy person!)

Anyway, here I am, posting all of my "tourista" photos and I can't help but say thank you to my mum for doing the job of taking photos of me with the every tourist-y backdrop imaginable. 

 Firle
Bodiam Castle
Sheffield Park
Bluebell
St. Leonard's and Hastings

Basildon Park
River Thames Cruise

Westminster Cathedral
Shakespeare's humble abode

With Shakespeare in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Penrith
Penrith 

Scottish Highlands

Edinburgh Castle

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Land's End

St. Ives

Dover

Harry Potter Studio Tour

Harry Potter Studio Tour

hahaha

Buckingham at Night

Picadilly Circus

London Eye

Monday, September 10, 2012

I f*cking love you.

After almost 2 weeks here in England, my mum and Dave brought me finally to a city close to Manila. Well sort of.

I've been calling Eastbourne my home for almost 2 weeks. It's a seaside town in East Sussex. It's really quiet down here. Well, it's where people retire. I can't complain much. But I've been missing the hustle and bustle of Manila. So when I knew that we were going to London, I kept my excitement inside of me. I had to pinch to remind myself how lucky I am to be in this country.

We left Eastbourne around 9 in the morning. And around 10:30 we were slowly creeping to London, the suburbs of London.

My anticipation was so high upon seeing the busy streets that when I caught my first glimpse of Central London, I just had this big smile on my face. Really, it was breathtaking and surreal.

The first famous landmark that greeted me was the House of the Parliament. It was behemoth! No words can describe the architecture of the House of the Parliament.




When we arrived, there was an on-going Paralympic marathon on the streets of London. The crowd rooted for every athlete. It was a joyous celebration!



Then we he headed for the Westminster Pier. We passed by the Westminster Train Station and I heard music coming from within. I wanted to catch a glimpse of them since street musicians have a place in my heart.

My mom and Dave booked 3 tickets to CityCruises, tours along the Thames River. There was a long queue but good thing we bought ours online so hopping in on one was a breeze. i know, I know, it's a tourist trap but it is the quickest tour of London.

And here are some of the landmarks you'll see when you board CityCruises.









We got off at Tower Pier where a few yards away is the Tower of London. I was finally alone when I toured Tower of London. Entrance for adult is £20. (Mahalia) But you get to see the armours of the kings. Henry VIII was a big king! Oh and the crown jewels! They were an eye popper with all those sparkles! Too bad, no cameras were allowed inside the vault of the crown jewels.




We hopped on the boat again and headed to Greenwich Pier then back to Tower Pier again and then Westminster Pier.

The cabin crew guides of CityCruises were a fun bunch! They could pass for stand up comedians!

Oh, I was able to see the Tower Bridge's bascules go up to make way for a boat.


Then Dave continued touring me in Central London via car. I wanted to check out Buckingham Palace but roads that lead to it were closed. Some other time. OH OH OH OH My heart melted when I saw West End! So many great musicals! I hope I will be able to watch one! Wicked sana!

Oh Oh Oh, My twelve year old self wanted to get out of the car when I saw King's Cross Station! Hi Harry Potter fans out there!

Another reminder, I must insist on a Harry Potter Studio Tour.

I finally was able to satisfy my longing for the hustle and bustle. It was sweet and short but I know I'll be coming back again. Can someone in London adopt me for a week??

Hay London, I fucking love you!