In the year 2000, when we dropped in London on our way from Scotland to Japan, we visited the London Eye. We wanted to ride it, but there was a long queue, probably because it was during the summer holiday season. We had no choice but to give up the idea.
Then, in Spring, 2002... Initially, we planed to use Virgin Atlantic to go to England, but the tour company said that if we flew to London by BA, we would get tickets for the London Eye, because there was a special campain. "Wow! I can solve the No.1 regret of my last trip to London!" Therefore, we decided to use BA without hesitation.
After you get off the train at Waterloo, you pass by the imax cinema(right) and walk towards the River Thames. Then, you can see the London Eye.
We rode a capsule which 20 or 30 people can get in, for about 30 minutes ; we were able to look down at London from the sky.
We could see Big Ben(first line). Next, we saw Waterloo station(second line, right).
We saw the capsule before us reaching the summit.(third line, left). "Look at that..." Probably, they were saying to their companions and looked down at the town of London.
The place which we saw just under us, might be a part of Jubilee Gardens(third line, the middle). The building which curved wonderfully like a fan was probably Old County Hall(third line, right).
We felt that we were space traveling for a while!
Thirty minutes passed ever so quickly.

After that, we walked to St. Pauls along the banks of the River Thames. On our way, we passed by OXO Tower and Tate Modern. We visited Shakespeare's Globe Theatre again. The building is repaired every several years--this was such a a year. Therefore, the building had covers on the outer walls due to the repairs. At the theatre, we took a guided tour and bought some goods at the shop. When we had finished tea and went outside to visit St. Pauls ; unfortunately, we found it had begun to rain. However, I really wanted to go to St. Pauls as I had not been there for a long time. Moreover, I wanted to go by crossing the Millennium Bridge, so I thought it was OK and began to walk with my friend. The rain gradually became stronger. Finally, when we arrived at St. Pauls, we were wet.
Ah, unlucky! I wanted to take some pictures on the bridge!!

			first line : My friend said, "Let's take a picture of our feet"(the middle), because the Queen's Walk was near, along the riverside（left）. We felt confortable walking along the River Thames(photo by Akiko).
			second line : You can see St. Pauls(left) ; St. Pauls and OXO tower(right)
			third line, right : Tate Modern

Two years have passed. This time, I decided to visit England with my parents. Considering their age, a hard schedule was undesirable. We planed to take a package tour including flight and hotel in London, so we should mainly see London. However, my parents had visited London once during their previous visit to Europe and went sightseeing in London. When I wondered, "Where should we go?", I firstly thought the London Eye from which we could see the whole of London city was good.
So, I visited the London Eye homepage. I found out that the fee would be 5% cheaper using the internet booking system. Moreover, even if there was a long queue for the ride when we visited, we could be able to take the ride without waiting if we already had the tickets. Therefore, I booked our tickets.
Last time, we walked from Waterloo station to the London Eye, but from the station, we couldn't see the London Eye. Therefore, firstly, we didn't know which direction we should go and so looked at a map for a while to decide which direction. I wondered, "Is there any suitable station to get to the London Eye easily?"
On the way from Heathrow Airport to our hotel, I asked to a tourist company employee who took us to the hotel, "When we go to the London Eye, Waterloo station is the nearest, isn't it?"
He answered, "Probably, Westminster station is the nearest. Actually, I haven't visited there, but somebody said so. I think you'll arrive at the London Eye soon after crossing the bridge."
I checked a map. Surely, between the London Eye and Westminster, there is a bridge. I thought, "If we walk from Westminster station, we can see Big Ben too.", so, I decided to walked there from Westminster.
The day came. We had to get our tickets 30 minutes before taking the ride, so we left our hotel early. When we got off at Westminster station, it was easy to find the exit for the London Eye and we went out. "Wow! We can see the London Eye from here(left in the below). So, we'll never get lost."
Firstly, we took some pictures in front of Big Ben. Then, we crossed a bridge towards the London Eye. As the tour guide had said, the nearest station was Westminster.

Before riding the London Eye, the guardmen checked our bags. In my father's bag, there was an unfinished bottle of water and two more bottles which we had bought for two people, my father and mother, that morning.
"You have a lot of water", one of the guardmen said smiling. Maybe, he was a little surprised because a strange Japanese man carried three bottles of water by himself.
After getting on the London Eye, we went around the capsule slowly and saw the city of London from every direction. My father enjoyed taking many pictures.
"The buildings which we see may be Buckinghan Palace, because neaby we can see the statue which seems to be of Queen Victoria(right in the below)." What is that?", and so on. During rinding, my parents and I saw the scenery of London pointing out in many directions.
Unfortunately, it was cloudy, but my parents seemed to enjoy the 30 minute ride.

right : Probably, it's Buckingham Palace on the inner part of the right picture(arrow).

After getting off, we walked to the Millennium Bridge along the river passing OXO tower, Tate Modern and Shakespear's Globe Theatre.
I thought, "Today, we can cross the Millennium Bridge slowly as there was no rain."
When we arrived at the Millennium Bridge, we could see St Pauls(left) in the front, and looking back, there was Tate Modern(the middle).

		Soon after leaving the London Eye, we saw many children together with their teachers. Probably, they came to the London Eye on a school excursion or an extracurricular class. Moreover, we saw many older children on the way to the Millennium Bridge. Autumn is a good season, so outside classes may be held often.

Actually, we got a little tired, but walking along the river from Westminster to St Pauls via London Eye was truely enjoyable.

（2002.5.29, 2005.1.15）

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Trip to England

I really love London!