London Attractions TR March 2017

[Henry M]

Hi all. It has been a while that I have done a trip report, but for two months, I have had a slight issue logging on to TPR Anyway in that time, I went to London in the off season to do some stuff to take my mind away from working.

Firstly, I visited the Shard and Borough Market. Sadly I do not have any pictures from the Shard, as I took my new 360 camera, and TPR is not compatible with this type of media, sorry. The Shard is London's tallest building. Although the weather was poor, the views were great. While not as tall as buildings in other places, the Shard is a must do attraction in London. The large viewing gallery makes it easy take in the panoramic views of London, even on the busiest days. Very well organised as well, with a fast moving queue to get up in the lifts and back down. The bad weather made everything looks really far away, and the Eye was barely visible. A highlight was the open top , as people did not stay for too long, meaning it was not as busy. Borough market is really pretty, and is littered with quaint food stores and an unearthly, heavenly smell fills the air. You could fill yourself up on free tasters from a range of food so good, it felt like I was being drugged.I am not sure about the history of the place, but it is worth a visit if you are by the Shard.

 

Next I went to visit the British Museum, London Sea Life aquarium and the London Eye. I do have pictures or these. The British Museum was good, while it is an attraction, it is pushing the theme park boundaries. None the less, it was very interesting, and some great artifacts, along with a stunning building. Secondly the Sea Life Aquarium, more my area. I thought (based on past experience) it was going to be a waste of time, but was actually really good, and had a nice touch of "Merlin Magic" to it. The best part was the incredible audio throughout the aquarium, creating a tranquil and immersive atmosphere, something I have never had before in an aquarium. Every area had its own soundtrack. Anyone who has been to Sea Life knows it is just fish. Fish. Fish... However it was so relaxing sitting by a tank, watching fish swim by, with beautiful music, I have no reason to complain. Next, I went onto the London eye, as the queue was not too big. Recently I went up the Shard when visibility was poor. Luckily, the visibility was excellent and the views were great. As it was the evening, everything had a pleasant orange glow.

 

I then tried to get into the London Dungeons. I say tried, because they did not let me in, due to the fact you have to be over 16 if you want to enter alone. As I was alone, and under 16, I was denied entry, unless I teemed up with another family, but I could not be bothered. While I understand rules and regulations and the fact I should have checked, it seemed strange I was able to go into the Amsterdam Dungeons by myself at 14, and nobody questioned it. After that, I went back to the aquarium, a perk of being by yourself and not having other people telling you what to do. Yes, I went twice it was that good!

Biggest surprise was Sea Life, and I would definitely recommend a visit, even on a busy day. I had to drag myself into it (after being refused entry to the Dungeons) and was pleasantly shocked by the quality and enclosures.

British museum artifacts.

The detail on these is insane!

Flared nostrils and veins make it look so life like.

These are from Grease, but look like they are from Heaven.

Half repulsed, half stunned.

More impressive artifacts from Egypt.

For people who have a fetish for hieroglyphics.

Another horse, but this was seriously huge.

Now onto the beauty of Japan.

While I am not into Samurai things, this does look pretty bad a$$

Flexibility mixed with strength and fear, made this the ultimate armor.

Fish

It does look old fashioned, but it does not bother me.

Waterfalls added to the atmosphere.

A range of tanks and fish.

Also this was mildly educational as well.

New off season GAME! Think up more than five captions for an Aquarium TR!

The award for the most entertaining fish goes to... This guy! He moved around the glass, using the power of his mouth at lightning speed. Fun and interesting to watch.

Mandatory London picture.

Now, onto the eye. Why not?

Unlike the Shard, I actually god some good views. A quater of the way up, I had a better view ofLlondon than at the top of the Shard. That does not mean the Shard it bad, it was the luck of the draw.

Looking across.

The pods have great all round visibility and I was the youngest person there, so it was very peaceful.

While you cannot ever get excellent, unique pictures on the eye, I like this one.

A little bit higher now.

Whoa!! I can actually see the Shard! AND CANARY WHARF!!!

I hate the Coca Cola stuff, but what can you do?

This summs up the London Eye really.

Evening draws in.

Sadly the sun was in the way of the houses of Parliament, but someone might want to see them.

The eye gives the best views of the Thames, and it feels like you are basically on it.

Blue skys and views. What more could one ask for?

Back to earth. Walking to the station along the Thames was really nice, and a great way to end a great day.

 

Henry M is back...for now...

Crocodile or alligator relaxing on a rock.

NO! Stop the show! You got the wrong envelope! Moonfish has won most entertaining fish. This is no joke...

Now lets speculate for a week in the news how this happened.

More waterfalls

They also had a penguin enclosure which was very well done.

[LeoBruz199]

Nice TR, Henry! It's nice to find something different on the site!

[Henry M]

^ Thanks. I guess some people could count these as theme parks without coasters. The eye is just a big ferris wheel!

[AllenA07]

Nice work on the trip report. While I've never personally been there is some very cool history at the British museum. It never fails to fascinate me how a museum in London holds so many treasures from Egypt that were discovered and collected by the French.

Edited March 27, 2017 by AllenA07

[Samuel]

Grease:

 

 

Greece:

 

 

 

I particularly enjoyed the shots at the museum -- one of the non-park things I try to experience when I travel. Looks like you hit up a nice blend of city/culture/artifacts, never a bad decision in London!