Broke journey in the UK on the way to Bangalore. It was four days spent in a city that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Before anything further, I want to thank M, for being such a gracious host, and for showing us around a city so full of charm, life and energy, that I know I want to go back, and soon.
It is a known fact that Europe is completely different from the US, but I guess London epitomizes this difference on so many levels. The history of the city, and the way it blends with the modern strikes you even as you first set foot in the place. This was my second visit here actually. I have memories from twenty years ago, and as I stepped out of Heathrow this time, I found that much had changed, but much was the same as what I sort of remembered from so many years ago.
This is a city to explore. A city to discover. And how. You can walk around the place seemingly forever, just taking everything in. From palaces, to museums, to parks, to theatres. From restaurants, to pubs, to markets, to....we walked around so much in the four days we were there, and we barely scratched the surface. The entire city is so well connected with the Underground and buses. All you need is a map and good walking shoes and you are set.
I loved the history oozing out of every corner of the city. Camden Locks was a sheer delight (would not have been possible without M!). The Thames river cruise starting at Cutty Sark was awesome. The views of the city from the hilltop at Greenwich were fantastic. Windsor Castle of course was breathtakingly beautiful. Stonehenge was.....well....nice. :)
Bath
I know I will not do justice to this unbelievably beautiful place in a blog post. One has to visit it to see how amazing it is. As our bus drove towards it through already beautiful English countryside, we didn't have a clue of what was coming, when suddenly the bus climbed a hill and then all of a sudden we had a "OMG" view of the hills and valleys in front of us, and there was the city of Bath. The star attraction of the place is of course the ancient Roman bathhouse with the only natural hot water springs in the area (circa 400 A.D) which I thoroughly enjoyed seeing. I am a big time Roman history buff. I find their ancient culture utterly fascinating. But aside from this, the city of Bath is simply breath-taking. Set amid rolling hills and gorgeous scenery, it really does look like a scene out of some fairy tale.
Back to London...
Wish I could have spent more time. Londoners are a seriously friendly lot. And so fashionable (seriously!), even the men (such a visual treat after the overly casual American attire one is used to seeing). And in shape (I didn't spot a single obese person). And they have the most delightful accent (often I had to stop myself from laughing because I found what they were saying and how they were saying it to be just too cute)....
Had a great time. Hope to go back again soon...
It is a known fact that Europe is completely different from the US, but I guess London epitomizes this difference on so many levels. The history of the city, and the way it blends with the modern strikes you even as you first set foot in the place. This was my second visit here actually. I have memories from twenty years ago, and as I stepped out of Heathrow this time, I found that much had changed, but much was the same as what I sort of remembered from so many years ago.
This is a city to explore. A city to discover. And how. You can walk around the place seemingly forever, just taking everything in. From palaces, to museums, to parks, to theatres. From restaurants, to pubs, to markets, to....we walked around so much in the four days we were there, and we barely scratched the surface. The entire city is so well connected with the Underground and buses. All you need is a map and good walking shoes and you are set.
I loved the history oozing out of every corner of the city. Camden Locks was a sheer delight (would not have been possible without M!). The Thames river cruise starting at Cutty Sark was awesome. The views of the city from the hilltop at Greenwich were fantastic. Windsor Castle of course was breathtakingly beautiful. Stonehenge was.....well....nice. :)
Bath
I know I will not do justice to this unbelievably beautiful place in a blog post. One has to visit it to see how amazing it is. As our bus drove towards it through already beautiful English countryside, we didn't have a clue of what was coming, when suddenly the bus climbed a hill and then all of a sudden we had a "OMG" view of the hills and valleys in front of us, and there was the city of Bath. The star attraction of the place is of course the ancient Roman bathhouse with the only natural hot water springs in the area (circa 400 A.D) which I thoroughly enjoyed seeing. I am a big time Roman history buff. I find their ancient culture utterly fascinating. But aside from this, the city of Bath is simply breath-taking. Set amid rolling hills and gorgeous scenery, it really does look like a scene out of some fairy tale.
Back to London...
Wish I could have spent more time. Londoners are a seriously friendly lot. And so fashionable (seriously!), even the men (such a visual treat after the overly casual American attire one is used to seeing). And in shape (I didn't spot a single obese person). And they have the most delightful accent (often I had to stop myself from laughing because I found what they were saying and how they were saying it to be just too cute)....
Had a great time. Hope to go back again soon...
