Europe & UK Tour - UK

I decided to write my first blog about my childhood European dream trip. After many years of saving and right timing, finally I got the opportunity to visit these medieval countries together with my uncle. We took the Contiki tour and spent some free and easy days in London and some places in Europe. The whole trip took about 25 days and had visited 9 countries (UK, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic).

Our first destination was London. After long hours of flight from Kuala Lumpur, finally we reached the London Heathrow Airport late evening on 28 April 2006. With all the adrenaline flowed from our excitement and curiosity, we totally forgotten about the exchaustion during the flight. We made our check-in at Generator London and started our first night exploration to Picadilly circus. This lively place filled with many visitors watching the street shows. It was so much fun to see the majestic old British buildings, red double decker tourist buses and telephone booth which signify UK infrastructure features. Without hesitating, I took a couple of shots with my brand new Canon EOS350D and spent a while before returning to the inn for Zzzzz. The real exploration started on the next morning. We woke up very early in the morning and followed our daily plan.

Piccadilly Circus revisited during the day....

Nicely built sign board at Piccadilly Circus

Big Ben also referred as the clock tower, located at the north eastern end of Palace of Westminster in London.

Could not resist to take the night view of Big Ben and the Parliament....

Change of Horse Guard. There was another one at Buckingham Palace but did not manage to watch that due time constraint.

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch

Resting around St James's park after non-stop walking tour in London

Another garden, Kensington Garden. Holly Cow...It was chilling cold on that evening.

Tower Bridge....I always thought this bridge was London Bridge but it wasn't. London bridge located beside it and looked not that spectacular compared to this one.

St Paul Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral dated from 17th century. Though no photo taking is allowed in the cathedral, the interior were fantastic and peaceful.

London View from St Paul Cathedral....

My first castle experience in the Tower of London. There were many towers in the castle such as the White Tower, Bloody Tower, Bell Tower, Tower Green, Fusiliers museum and many more.

A typical British Royal guard with tall bearskin hat and red costume. Wondering whether the hat now are still made of this pelt of black bear fur ....

Westminster Abbey, London's premier church which was build and opened since 1065. Its first coronation was William the Conqueror. many politicians, generals and artists being buried there.

Colourful buildings at Nothing Hill

Salisbury was my only destination outside London. Getting there mainly to fulfil my Seven Wonders coverage, the Stonehenge. It was believed to be a place of worship and ritual. Well, that wraps up my UK tour coverage and had added my 7 Wonders collection to 2 (after Great Wall of China). Below are some brochures that I took back home.