London, UK - best attractions | #club5050

I have visited London in 2013. At that time the brother of my husband was making the doctorate in UCL (University College London) so we have decided to visit him and stay in United Kingdom for two weeks. Country (or maybe the capital city, because we didn't leave London at that time) is great - plenty of attractions, internationally recognized places, like SOHO or TATE modern gallery, London Eye or Big Ben as well as symbols, like red buses and telephones. It's impossible to get bored with that city! Today I'll show you some places that I enjoyed the most

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1. British Museum

As you all probably know, some time ago Great Britain colonized nearly 1/3 of the world. The time of colonization brought plenty of archeological "discoveries" (in quotes, because it's basically re-discovering by Europeans what was well-known for colonized nations since ages). Many artifacts from the past were stolen and transported to London and now most of them can be seen in British Museum - enormous building where we have spent nearly 5 hours and yet didn't manage to see everything what's in there.

If you are willing to see what we have seen, I'd recommend you to hurry up. More and more nations are demanding from Brits to give back their heritage (I support that demands with all my heart) so British Museum may contain less exhibits in the nearest future. One of those things that people discuss to give back is the holy head from Rapa Nui island (currently Chile). You may see it on one of the photos. I've never been on Rapa Nui (it's on my wish list), but managed to see two heads already - one in UK, other in Valparaiso Chile.

_{photo by @papi.mati}

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2. Big Ben

One of the most recognizable buildings of United Kingdom. Surely you know it from many movies and other cultural references. The building looks marvelous from the outside and I can only imagine that it's equally interesting from the inside. Even though it is possible to book the 1,5 hour long tour inside the clock tower, we didn't make it because in the time we have visited London, it was in renovation. Well, bad luck, but honestly even walking nearby and shooting photos from the coast of Thames river is enough to get amazed.

_{photo by @papi.mati}

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3. London Eye

If you are willing to visit London Eye and watch the panoramic view for the city from the high altitude, better prepare well for that trip. There are two lines to the attraction - one is for the people who bought slightly more expensive tickets via Internet - that one is short. Other is for everyone else who wants to buy the ticket directly before entering and that is long for a few hundred meters. Go n the morning, probably you will get in there right for the sunset.

Speaking about sunsets - the sunsets and the sunrises are the best moment to use the London Eye.
The entry cost 30-35 USD per person.

_{photo by @papi.mati}

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4. The Royal Albert Hall

For all of you who love classical music, just like me, the Royal Albert Hall is the must-visit stop. It's a philharmonic/concert hall from the XIXth century where the most important music events in the country are organized. During our stay we were lucky enough that there was a BBC prom concerts - we bought tickets in advance with the help of Krzysiek's brother and participated in one day of that tremendous, most important classical music event in the country, organized since 1895.

The BBC prom concert started with the classics and after the second break composers from the XXth and XXIst century were presented. I'm more into the XIXth century classics, like Rimsky-Korsakov, Strauss or Tchaikovsky and usually don't enjoy post-modern classics who like to break the rules I used to appreciate so much, but this time I enjoyed every single tone. I assume the place influenced how I interpreted the music.

_{photo by @papi.mati}

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5. Tower Bridge

The bridge built in 1890's and nearly as popular as the Big Ben. The bridge "opens" thanks to the steam-based mechanism, allowing bigger ships to move from one side to another. It's only 5 years younger than Eiffel Tower and when it was finally opened, it was considered the architectural masterpiece and one of the most advanced technologically solutions of those times world.

Of course, it still functions as the regular bridge so it's opened to everyone, no need to pay any fees to use it to move from one side of the river to another.

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That would be all from the first post about my stay in London.
Thanks for reading,
@papi.mati