London Calling

 Obsession with the tube | Enjoying giant cappuccinos, while having withdrawals from my Nespresso back home | Enjoying London bridge on a double decker bus | Typical tourist shot at Parliament | The gates of Buckingham Palace | Shivering in Hyde Park | Statue at St. Pancras Station | Westminster | Views on the eye | Camden Markets | Foals | Bath | Vintage store in Camden | Carousel near the eye | The intriguing stonehenge as the sun sets 

London had been calling me for a while, and I finally decided to give in. 

Since I was so young when I last had the chance to see London, I have little memories. My year abroad in England with my family seems like a blur, of skin getting pale, wooly socks, English accents and British candy stores. I remember when I was in primary school no one knew anything about Australia, (I’m pretty sure I was questioned for being white, as one kid was certain it was part of Africa), I ended up making my own language, which back fired on me, many times. 

While editing these photos I have been listening to The National's new album, it really sets the tone for misty grey London, so please feel free to play a few of their songs while reading this post. Looking back on these photos, London seems so gloomy, but it really wasn't. 

Looking back on London, it feels like a lifetime ago, as I visited so many cities, it's sometimes hard to distinguish between them, but photos and videos always jog the memory, along with my travel journal. I think I took up a whole page just talking about how incredible the tube was. 

London is incredible as many people know, filled with millions of different people, history, markets, royal family members, oxford street and so much to see. Being bored in London seems impossible.

Being a typical tourist without a clue I did make the mistake of visiting some really tacky boring attractions such as Madame Tussauds and the dungeon, the lines were ridiculously long, you were sure that something amazing was waiting at the end of them, unfortunately not worth the wait.

What these photos don't capture is the bone chilling cold, the pushy crowds and the butterflies in my tummy all through Foals breathtaking performance, in such a perfect backdrop of the St Albert's Hall. 

I could only handle so much of the gray, cold weather so left with haste in search of sunshine, I hope to meet you again soon London, hopefully you’ve cheered up a bit by then. 

London Tips

See
       tourist sites: big ben, buckingham palace, the eye, westminster
       parks: hyde park, regents park
       day trips: bath/ stonehenge
       museums
       art galleries

Give it a miss
      Madame Tussauds, dungeon

Get around
                     underground (get an oyster card)
                     hop on hop off tours
                     barclays bicycle hire

Shop
          $-$$$ oxford st
          $-$$  camden markets
          $-$$  vintage stores (list available)
          $-$$ brick lane markets (Sundays 9-5)
          list of other markets here

Stay  
         $-$$  clink 78 hostel

Spend 
         40-70 pounds per day