After those few more days in Paris Center, we departed to London via the Eurostar Train and our first experience right through the Tunnel Channel. It wasn’t too long a journey and from our early departure in Paris Gare Du Nord we reached St Pancras Station around noon. How was the Tunnel Channel? Well, it was dark and couldn’t see anything of course, and at some point under the sea the pressure becomes a bit hard on the ears for a minute or so 🙂 but that’s experience.

St Pancras International

The first sights of England were rather pleasing and with the countrysides and reaching the terminal right in London was as pleasing as the first impressions. Clean place and courteous looks. Given our AirBnB apartment will be ready in two hours time, we left our luggage at the Left Luggage facility next to the Kings Cross Post Office and went for a stroll around. I’ll have to admit, our first experience of London up to now (contrary to Paris) was very pleasing and welcoming. The people are very friendly and even stopping for a chat, as if you are from the neighbourhood.

Wapping

After a quick lunch, we ‘ubered’ to our apartment in Wapping and to say, I love those typical British-look of those structures with orange bricks. After settling down, we went for a courteous stroll in the neighbourhood through St Katharine Docks Marina up to the famous Tower Bridge, a 15 minutes walk of amazement.

Walk-Around in London

I’ll have to admit, yes, I chose the area due to the proximity with the tower bridge and my planned whereabouts, and I don’t regret it. Everything was quite close, including the underground transport. After having dinner with family, I went for a solo walk towards the Tower Bridge and beyond, just for discovery… and get my Oyster Card 🙂

The Natural History Museum & London Transport Museum

The next day, after waking up later than expected, we went to visit the Natural History Museum given it was Sunday and museums are normally free access. The visit went on pleasantly with the kid enjoying the most. Thereafter we took a ride to Covent Garden to visit the London Transport Museum and at the same time do some walk-around up to Leicester Square, including M&M’s World.

Greenwich & Oxford Street

Day after, we headed towards Greenwich with our first activity being a return trip over the Thames river by the Emirates Cable Car. If you are with family like me, I’ll highly recommend that as a fun experience. I must admit it wasn’t my first time, I did something similar back in year 2000 in Singapore, but after 20 years, it was as nice. Did some shopping and lunch at the O2 and from there, took our first ever Double-Decker ride to the Greenwich Royal Observatory. It was on my bucket-list to visit the Prime Meridian Line! Afterwards visited the Cutty Sark ship and Greenwich Market before heading back to our apartment for a short rest. In the late afternoon we headed towards the iconic Oxford Street for some shopping and explore adventure.

Solo Mission: Sunrise at London Tower Bridge

Some things needed to be experienced differently and the next morning I woke up very early and headed towards the Tower Bridge (which is like 15 minutes walk from where I stayed) to see London from an early-bird aspect. I wasn’t deceived to experience the early summer sunrise from a photographic perspective.

Shad Thames till Rotherhithe

London is so beautiful and different early mornings, especially when everything is still uncrowded. From the Tower Bridge I walked to Rotherhithe through Shad Thames and Bermondsey, longing the Thames River.
At 8h15am I was already back at the apartment with wife and kid still sleeping. That 3.5 km’s walk did me the greatest good!

Sea Life London Aquarium and Buckingham Palace

Later that day, with a failed attempt to visit the Coca-Cola London Eye, we went to visit the Sea Life Aquarium and a quick courtesy visit at the Queen’s place at the Buckingham Palace (from the outside of course). Spent the early afternoon around having tea time snacks and some wandering at the Jubilee Gardens.

Sunset at the Shard

In the evening I went on another solo trip to enjoy the London summer sunset at the Shard ;experiencing a bird-eye view over one of the most marvelous cities of the world. If am not wrong, the Shard is one of the tallest building of London and the view from the top is just magnificent, especially if you happen to check-in minutes before sunset like I did. Just bear in mind that it can get crowded, so better be there earlier and choose a nice convenient place and stay there by the glass panes squatting till that golden hour. I was just having an awesome time.

The Coca-Cola London Eye

For a second attempt at this famous attraction we booked the tickets online ‘yesterday’ night and in the morning we were officially the first people in the queue for the day. For a 15 minutes circular ride it was quite scenic and 10am we completed the first checklist. Next destination…

Little Venice till Camden Market

Heading towards Little Venice out of curiosity, we ended up having a boat tour in the canal and enjoyed the one-hour ride till Camden Market, and that too wasn’t planned actually and the surprise was very welcomed. Little Venice is a must-do! Camden Market on the same note is just another awesome place to visit, eat and shop. The variety of foods left us with very difficult choices and the tourist market in itself is very worthy of a visit.

London Tower Bridge

The evening wasn’t over yet and round 4h30pm we headed towards the Tower Bridge, and this time it was more of a tourist visit inside the towers rather than just admiring from the outside. At this hour it wasn’t too crowded and I must admit that the timings were just right in our favor with another nice sunset. It was our last night in London and we had diner around enjoying those last hours.

Back to Paris

The next morning we took the Eurostar back to Paris with the best memories we could get hold of our holidays from London.