While I'm on vacation here in Hua Hin, I think I should upload the first half of my trip to London two weeks ago. Since BigKus requested that I should upload the pics with description, I'll follow her request this time. It might be kinda long, since there are quite a few photos from the trip. These photos are from the first 3 days of my trip in London. Unfortunately, most places do not allow any photo to be taken, so the photos are mainly of the roads and building exterior.As I have ranted in many of my journals before that the weather wasn't accommodating for photos, most of the photos are taken in either sepia or black and white to show better details.As bored as I was in Lincoln, I had a really great time in London, although I was there by myself. There are so much to do and see there. I was there 6 days for at least 6-8 hrs a day, and kept moving with hardly any time to eat or sit down, yet, I have only seen half of the things I wished to see. The cool thing about London is, I hardly had to use the map that I had. Most of the time, there will be signs that would take me to the places that I wanted to go.I started my trip at Victoria Station, then following the sign to the Buckingham Palace. Do you see the flag up there? It means the Queen is home. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/breakofdawning/London%20I/LN1002.jpg'>During winter time, the changing of guard is only on the odd days, but people were still waiting for it to happen on the even days. O_OBeautiful statues in front of Buckingham PalaceSt. James Park and a glimpse of Big BenThe lion protecting Lord Nelson Statue at Trafalgar Square. Behind Trafalgar Square is National Gallery. But I am not so much of an art person, so I didn't spend much time there. The two symbols of London, red telephone booths and underground sign. I heard some people said the red phone booths can only be found in London, but I did see them in York, Lincoln and maybe even in Scarborough, if I remembered correctly. Covent Garden Market with early x'mas decoration and the area where there are many shops to spend your money in. A tunnel somewhere in Charring Cross... it looks quite old and eerie as I was walking through it. London is not as big as I thought. If you know the way, you can actually walk around most tourist attractions without spend much on the train. I walked back to White Hall, just to get a glimpse of the charming knight on the black horse. Then I continued walking towards Downing Street, where British PM resides, due to security reason, the sign of the street is the closest you can get in seeing the PM's residence. Keep walking along White Hall, there's an entrance to the Cabinet War Room. If I remember correctly, if you are a Blighty citizen, you can schedule to see the debate live on Tuesday.Next stop is Westminster Abbey. The entrance fee is 15 pounds per adult, which I think is super expensive but with the audio guide and what to see inside, personally, I think it's worth the price. Photos aren't allowed inside the Abbey, so I only have pics of the facade. Across the street from Westminster Abbey is the Houses of Parliament and the world's famous Big Ben.Keep walking a little further and there across the river is London Eye.The colorful souvenirs of London.After two days in London, the morning of the third day was the first time I actually got to experience the underground train in the UK, with my boyfriend as a personal guide. I was using the bus for the past two days, which wasn't too bad. The first impression of the tube was that it was old and dirty. Also the interchange stations were like a maze, walking up and down stairs, taking escalators, following different signs. As confusing and as old as it is, I still think, it's the most efficient way to get around London. For those who live in London, is dog allowed on tube? One thing for sure... I don't think it should be allowed on the seat! 

Victoria & Albert Museum, I didn't get a chance to visit it yet. Natural History Museum, the best place to visit!! I really love the museum and what it has to offer. Please avoid the museum during weekends! We were there 10 mins before 10 on Saturday, and there were 300 other people waiting in the queue before us!!! We spent 3 hrs there and we covered less than half of the whole museum. I'd really love to go back there to see more!Is that a dinosaur?This is a dinosaur!!! (or what is left of it at least)Say Cheese!!!! Some sort of wild boar.... looks really friendly, despite his sharp teeth!After Natural History Museum, we booked a ride on London Eye for an experience.Before heading for the ride, I took another shot of the Big Ben and Houses of Parliament.  Bird eye view of the same building from London Eye capsule.The next morning, I went back to see the Changing of the Horse Guards again, but without much success again. >_<This guy suddenly became as famous as the twins from the X factor once he started his shift in front of the White Hall.Not sure who he is, but he must have been guarding the White Hall for a long time now. The symbol of London Trocadero, am I correct?Last is the Sanyo sign at Piccadilly Circus... I wish I could take better photo of Eros here, but my camera isn't capable of that. I hope you enjoy seeing the landmarks of London. I'll share with you some more photos in my next journal, when I have time to post it again! Have a great evening!

Although weather was not so great but your photos still look great!

I also saw red phone booths in other cities beside London too

Great photos of some of the tourist spots in London. Obviously, there are lots more still waiting for you to visit.

Id advise you to stay away from Peckham and in general the outer SE regions...

Good to see you have seen the houses of parliament, downing street, piccadilly circus etc....

Hope you're ejoyong what our city has to offer.

A side note; yea Lincoln blows.lol.

The flag flying at Buck Palace only means the Queen is home if it is the Royal Standard. There used to be no flag flying if she was away until the death of Princess Diana. As the Queen was on holiday at the time, there was no flag to fly at half mast. Therefore from that point it was decided to fly the Union flag when she was absent from the palace. Its too hard to tell from the pic whether it's the Royal standard or the Union flag, so can't tell you if she was in or not!!

Looks like you had a nice time. The Natural History Museum is my favourite place in London as a kid I always made my Mum take me there for my Birthday.

If you come again message me here and I will let you know of other good places to go that is lesser known to tourists.

Teddy nothing wrong with Peckham I ran a club in Camberwell for a few years till only recently and often pop that way to my friends Jazz club the Crypt on Friday nights, I admit not a lot for tourists to do but Grenwhich is beautiful to visit and that's SE.

Shannon, next time you come to London (if there is a next time) try to make it in the summer and in particular take a riverboat trip from Westminster Pier to Greenwich. You can get some really great pictures of many of the most famous sights from the river and it will give you a completely different perspective on the city. BTW, the guy in the Underground with a dog, if a ticket inspector had entered the train he would have been charged an extra fare or a ten pound fine.

Nice BOD !!! and good to hear you are in a suuny (and sandy) place now!!!

i hope i will travel in london one day too ...thanks for sharing beautiful pictures

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Very nice - I used to go to London every year at this time. These are many of the places I visit! (Er, except with a pub or two betwen each stop...)

My impression of the tube? "Mind the gap please!"

Happywanderer -- thanks for your compliment. I guess the city would look much better with a lil bit more sun.

Funky_house -- Too bad I'm back to the other side of the world now, but I hope to go back there again sometimes to see more!

Teddy -- not sure where Peckham is. I only know the tourist spots for the time being. Will have to find out though.

Iain_D -- thanks for the info. It was Union Jack, so it means she's not home. I recalled seeing the Royal Standard flag u talked about at Windsor Castlle, and she was there.

ShortyG -- Glad to hear that someone else love it too! Not sure if you've seen the Darwin Center. It's a super cool museum! Highly recommended. Greenwich was actually in the plan, but I had to cut my trip short, so I didn't get to visit it yet. Will send you message, if I get to go back again.

PeterH61 -- Will try to make it in either Spring or Autumn, I don't really wanna be there when it's hot and the sun set at 10 pm is a lil too much for me. Boat trip sounds really interesting as well. Thanks for suggestion.

Danno -- Thanks!

Barbie_doll -- thanks... if u can save up fast, UK is very affordable now comparing to a couple of years ago, with 53 baht a pound. Although I must admit, it's expensive still!

P'Oh -- thanks ka... Will definitely let u know when I settle myself with all the things I need to get done ka!

newyorkd -- I couldn't possibly fit in all those stops in 6 days! ... Also, I don't have "the gap" to mind! thanks for ur comment.

very impressive, narrative and beautiful pics, Nong S. :-)

I feel like I travelling with you as all the places here in this journal I been before in May 2004, except riding London Eyes (¡ÅÑÇ) :-p. I didnt know that you would be there by yourself in first couple days, If i know I would suggest you someone to visit.. my sister she works in Oxford St.

Thanks ka P' Tudtu!

I actually have my aunt living in London to travel with if I wanted to. But the fee to the tourist attraction and time spent would be too much to ask for. I haven't gotten a chance to really shop along Oxford Street yet. Wanna go to Selfridges!!!!