Here's one final picture of the sunrise over the Tasman Sea as we headed back to New Zealand.
Showing posts with label Europe Trip 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europe Trip 2009. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Europe Trip #25: That's All Folks!
Well, that's it for the pictures of my exciting trip to England, Slovenia and Austria. I hope you've enjoyed these photos almost as much as I enjoyed being there to take them... ha ha ha!
Here's one final picture of the sunrise over the Tasman Sea as we headed back to New Zealand.
Here's one final picture of the sunrise over the Tasman Sea as we headed back to New Zealand.
Europe Trip #24: London - 9 - The Tower of London
Straight after the Tower Bridge, I went to the Tower of London.
What an awesome place! The Yeoman Warders did a good job of introducing the place and some of the history [they were very humorous too!]. As you'll see from the photos the buildings are impressive. I feel [slightly] sorry for the guard trying to stand still with all these tourists taking photos of him :-)
Most impressive in the whole place were the Crown Jewels. Unfortunately, along with the various exhibitions [the collection of Henry the Eight's armour was awesome, although I think it is finished now], photos were not allowed, although photos were permitted pretty much everywhere else.
The final picture is a small cell. No loo [I guess that many of the occupants would not have lived long enough to need one...], nor any room to lie down and relax before an appointment with a gentleman to have ones head surgically removed in a town meeting convened especially for that purpose. Ouch!
What an awesome place! The Yeoman Warders did a good job of introducing the place and some of the history [they were very humorous too!]. As you'll see from the photos the buildings are impressive. I feel [slightly] sorry for the guard trying to stand still with all these tourists taking photos of him :-)
Most impressive in the whole place were the Crown Jewels. Unfortunately, along with the various exhibitions [the collection of Henry the Eight's armour was awesome, although I think it is finished now], photos were not allowed, although photos were permitted pretty much everywhere else.
The final picture is a small cell. No loo [I guess that many of the occupants would not have lived long enough to need one...], nor any room to lie down and relax before an appointment with a gentleman to have ones head surgically removed in a town meeting convened especially for that purpose. Ouch!
Europe Trip #23: London - 8 - Tower Bridge
Another highlight of the trip to London was a visit to the Tower Bridge. At only 7 quid it was also one of the cheaper attractions :-)
Below are a number of photos of the bridge itself, as well as the views from the walkway on top of the bridge. The final picture is part fo the old steam-driven mechanism for raising and lowering the bridge. Enjoy!
Below are a number of photos of the bridge itself, as well as the views from the walkway on top of the bridge. The final picture is part fo the old steam-driven mechanism for raising and lowering the bridge. Enjoy!
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Europe Trip #22: London - 7 - The Aquarium
I know it's been a few days, but hopefully I'll be able to finish off the posts from my recent trip in the next few days :-)
An interesting place to visit [although perhaps not at the top of the list] was the London Aquarium. Not being a fishy type of person [no need for rude comments, thanks!] I don't know a lot about these - except you'll see a stingray, a shark, a school of piranha [I didn't stick my hands in to confirm that!] and some other stuff. For those who are more knowledgeable, I'm sure you'll fill us in on the essentially details - best fried, best BBQ'ed etc... ha ha ha
The aquarium is conveniently located right beside the London Eye, so it's in a very easy place to get to [especially if you're using the tube] and well worth a visit if you're in to your fish, or if you have a couple of hours to spare. Photography is welcome, just no flash photography.
An interesting place to visit [although perhaps not at the top of the list] was the London Aquarium. Not being a fishy type of person [no need for rude comments, thanks!] I don't know a lot about these - except you'll see a stingray, a shark, a school of piranha [I didn't stick my hands in to confirm that!] and some other stuff. For those who are more knowledgeable, I'm sure you'll fill us in on the essentially details - best fried, best BBQ'ed etc... ha ha ha
The aquarium is conveniently located right beside the London Eye, so it's in a very easy place to get to [especially if you're using the tube] and well worth a visit if you're in to your fish, or if you have a couple of hours to spare. Photography is welcome, just no flash photography.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Europe Trip #21: London - 6 - St Pauls Cathedral View
As I was alluding to in my last post, it is amazing the amount of access the public can have to such an old building. The crypt was interesting, but was impressed me the most was the view from the top of the 500 odd steps to the highest viewing area. With hindsight it is a shame that I didn't take a couple of pictures of the landing I was on.
From memory, the guardrail is an old wrought iron structure, and in many places, it is so narrow that there is only room for a single person to stand. Awesome! :-)
Pictures consist of another shot of the outside of the cathedral, followed by the views from the top viewing area.
From memory, the guardrail is an old wrought iron structure, and in many places, it is so narrow that there is only room for a single person to stand. Awesome! :-)
Pictures consist of another shot of the outside of the cathedral, followed by the views from the top viewing area.
Europe Trip # 20: London - 5 - St Pauls Cathedral
A highlight of a trip to London was my visit to St Pauls Cathedral. It is very much a working church rather than purely a tourist attraction [worship services continue in the midst of the tourist traffic], and there's a lot to see.
Unfortunately, photography is not welcome inside the cathedral itself [although fair enough], so I can't show you the internal architecture, the whispering wall, the walk up to the tower on narrow steps and with low ceilings or the crypt [you'll just have to go and see yourself!], so I've selected a range of the external shots which might help to give you an idea of the size and presence of this building.
In my next post, I'll show you the view of from outside on the tower/ dome walkway. Impressive!
It is almost hard to believe that such an impressive structure was not only built 100's of years ago, but that it is still standing, is fit for purpose, and you have a great deal of freedom to explore parts of it. Thankfully, the Brits appear to have a substantially more sensible approach to health and safety than we do in New Zealand - if the Brits were to adopt our model, they'd have to instantly shut down most of the access to this building... and perhaps to many other buildings and in fact towns more than 50 - 100 years old! Three cheers for common sense!
Unfortunately, photography is not welcome inside the cathedral itself [although fair enough], so I can't show you the internal architecture, the whispering wall, the walk up to the tower on narrow steps and with low ceilings or the crypt [you'll just have to go and see yourself!], so I've selected a range of the external shots which might help to give you an idea of the size and presence of this building.
In my next post, I'll show you the view of from outside on the tower/ dome walkway. Impressive!
It is almost hard to believe that such an impressive structure was not only built 100's of years ago, but that it is still standing, is fit for purpose, and you have a great deal of freedom to explore parts of it. Thankfully, the Brits appear to have a substantially more sensible approach to health and safety than we do in New Zealand - if the Brits were to adopt our model, they'd have to instantly shut down most of the access to this building... and perhaps to many other buildings and in fact towns more than 50 - 100 years old! Three cheers for common sense!
Europe Trip #19: London - 4 - Buckingham Palace
A couple of days after arriving in London, we decided to go for a walk to Buckingham Palace, via Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Thankfully, being a weekday, there were not the massive crowds that I expected at the palace, so it was easy to get a good look.
Actually, after multiple warnings of how busy the city is, there was hardly any time that I felt I was in a big crowd - no matter if it was a week day or a weekend...? Perhaps this is because September really is the end of the summer tourist season, and from what I understand, all of the schools were back also.
Anyway, on to the photos. The first one is of the Palace. The second is of a statue opposite the entrance to the Palace. The third of of some police and soldiers on horseback as we walked back to a tube station.
Lastly, and I can't tell you where I saw this [or I'd have to kill you...], but I may have found an American government organisation's secret hideout! :-)
Actually, after multiple warnings of how busy the city is, there was hardly any time that I felt I was in a big crowd - no matter if it was a week day or a weekend...? Perhaps this is because September really is the end of the summer tourist season, and from what I understand, all of the schools were back also.
Anyway, on to the photos. The first one is of the Palace. The second is of a statue opposite the entrance to the Palace. The third of of some police and soldiers on horseback as we walked back to a tube station.
Lastly, and I can't tell you where I saw this [or I'd have to kill you...], but I may have found an American government organisation's secret hideout! :-)
Monday, 21 September 2009
Europe Trip #18: London - 3 - London Eye
Immediately after the Thames river cruise, we decided to go on the London Eye to get a different view of the city.
Surprisingly, there were no queues to contend with, and so within a few minutes we were on our way. It was a lot of fun and a great way to get a look around, although pick your day - a rainy or smoggy day would be no fun at all. Anyway, here are some of the photos I took on the 30 minute trip.
The second picture is an aerial view of the London Aquarium [and other businesses], the fourth is the Parliament building. Enjoy!
Surprisingly, there were no queues to contend with, and so within a few minutes we were on our way. It was a lot of fun and a great way to get a look around, although pick your day - a rainy or smoggy day would be no fun at all. Anyway, here are some of the photos I took on the 30 minute trip.
The second picture is an aerial view of the London Aquarium [and other businesses], the fourth is the Parliament building. Enjoy!
Europe Trip #17: London - 2 - River Trip
This post consists of more pictures from the Thames river cruise. The first building is apparently where the Bible was first translated into English and printed on a printing press. The Tower Bridge is pretty obvious and the Traitors Gate is part of the Tower of London complex [more later]. The HMS Belfast is a WWII battleship that is open for tours. Finally, the Gherkin [not the official name] building stands out from all over the city.
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