Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Our Day 3 in London

Exploring a different bus route

Bus 23 is the closest and most practical bus for us. But today we wanted to explore and different route. It entailed a little walk towards the BBC buildings and a huge shopping complex called White City.


Bus route 9 leaves White City and meanders through a different section of London. Passing Notting Hill Gate, it follows the north border of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Intersecting route 23 at the Marble Arch, it turns south along the edge of the park down to the ROyal Mews. It then continues past Westminster Cathedral, then it is on to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament of Westminster Castle.



Hopping off the bus, we were engulfed by the throng of tourists milling about. We made our way past them, as we wanted to start our walk at Westminster Bridge.


Westminster Bridge offers a wonderful panorama of London. Big Ben chimes away, as we take in the view. Westminster Castle dominates the view, and we can see the towers of Westminster Abbey. Behind us, the London Eye is a recent addition but is already an icon of London. Beneath us, the River Thames flows.





In the 11th century, King Edward the Confessor moved West London, and built a church (Minster) and a castle, thus the name WestMinster. The king ruled here for centuries, but slowly, as the populace wanted more say in affairs, nobles were allowed to meet, creating the House of Lords. Soon the common man too wanted a say, and a House of Commons was started, and Royalty decided to move once again.

One can feel the power that has been weilded here for all these years as we strolled along Whitehall, the road that leads to Westminster. Offices of power line the street. Downing Street intersect Whitehall, and we peered through the gates for the famous address of 10 Downing Street, home of the Prime Minister.



A bit further up the road is the Banqueting House. An impressive buidling, but with an even more impressive history. This was where Royalty lost its divine right to rule with the beheading of King Charles I. Royalty soon resumed power, but this time its right to rule came from Parliament.

Even more impressive is the knowledge that this was but part of what was once the largest castle in all of Europe. A Castle that stretched from Trafalgar Square to Westminster. All but this building burnt down.

A little bit further up Whitehall we encountered the Horse Guards. Elite fighting men, guard the entrance to Buckingham Palace. They are the Queen's personal bodyguards.


Ahead of us we could see Lord Nelson atop his column. Traflagar Square is a busy intersection that links various sections of London. Down Whitehall is Westminster, down the Mall is Buckingham Palace, and Pall Mall leads towards St. James Palace. East is what is called the City, or the old London.



After people watching a bit, we walked down Northumberland, to cross the Golden Jubillee bridge to get a different perspective of Westminster and the Eye of London.



Finding an old English Pub, we had a late lunch, and gave our feet a rest. We befriended a very pleasant family nex to us, and we promised them that we would go and see the Sherlock Holme's museum.


After our lunch, we entered the Mall with Buckingham Palace before us. But a few steps inside, and we noticed a park off to the side. St. James Park is a wonderful oasis from the hustle and bustle of London's streets. We wandered along its refreshing paths, enjoying lovely beds of flowers and brids galore. Ducks and ducklings, swans and herrons.





As we exited the Park, back onto the Mall, we came across a newly married couple. What a wonderful location for some wedding locations.


We wandered about to Piccadilly street, window shopped the impressive stores, and found ourselves in Piccadilly Circus. We darted in and out a few streets here and there, and found London's Chinatown. After strolling its streets, we decided it was getting late, and decided to have supper here.







Time flies way too fast. We found our 23 bus stop, and made our way back home.


Cheers,

Hera & Anthony