To continue from my last set of photos from London, here are the rest of the photos from London, please a few more of additional photos.

I started my day heading to Tower of London. It was also the first time that I tried taking the overground train from where I stayed to Tower of London. I lost a lil bit of time looking for the closest station, but I walked a different way and made quite a detour before finding the station. When I reached the interchange station, I was aiming to take another tube line and made quite a detour before arriving at Tower of London, but turned out that I accidentally found another overground train was like a shortcut and take me to the station close to Tower station at a much shorter time.

So I arrived a little earlier than expected, so I walked to take a photo of Tower Bridge to pass the time.

Along the Thames, there's a big battle ship is docking on the opposite side of Tower of London. I remember reading somewhere that the ship has been converted into a museum. I am not sure if it's the same one, and I havne't gotten a chance to visit it as well.

According to the audio guide, the walkway that you see in this photo used to be the river. The outer wall that you see used to be in the water, but through time, the soil built up and add more land along the river bank.

The most famous attraction in Tower of London is this building. I don't remember what it's called but it's where the Crown Jewel and many of the royal jewellery are displayed. I was there on a good day that the place wasn't crowded, so I was able to walk around to take a look at the crowns and standed in front of the display cases and read as much and as long as I wanted.

The Tudor houses are the residence of Mayor of London (correct me, if I"m wrong), who are the head of the Tower of London. The green area in front used to be a ground where the prisoners of the Tower were executed. They said it was actually an honor for the prisoners to be executed within the wall of the Tower. Most of the prisoners were sent out to be  executed elsewhere.

This is how the prisoners inside the Tower of London passed their time. Some of them carved words of repent, some prayers, some the emblem of their family and etc.

The Yeoman Warder aka Beefeater, I didn't get to confirm if it's true, but someone told me that they are called Beefeater because they used to receive beef as their salary in the old days. These guys live inside the Tower wall with their family and have served in the military for many years. They have to be at least 40 years old to work as a Beefeater.

White Tower where Lady Jane Grey was imprisoned and where the two sons of Edward IV was believed to be assassinated and buried by Richard III, their own uncle, in order for him to become king. The story of Richard III later became one of Shakespeare's most famous play.

Not sure if you could see the raven on the top right corner, it is believed that there must be at least 6 ravens living near the White Tower, or the tower and maybe England itself will collapse.

Metal Soldier in medieval armour defending the wall.

Medieval scene... kinda surprised me as I walked into the room and found these two people in medieval custumes whispering and laughing in the King's chamber.

Old crumpling wall

White Tower in black and white

The cutest medieval guy around!!!

After spending 4 hours in the Tower of London, I headed out for a super late lunch and headed to the Bank of England Museum. Along the way, I saw tradition and globalization standing side by side.

A quick stop at The Monument (of London Great Fire)

Arriving in Bank, I truly enjoyed the view of the old buildings all over the area.

Bank of England Museum, not exactly that fabulous place, but I would say the history of the Bank and information on how broke British Monarch was, are kinda interesting. The highlight of the museum is the 13 kg gold bar, that you can touch. I love display of bank notes and coins though.

Next is Hampton Court, which is in Zone 6. Getting there is quite convenient by train and the price of the train isn't too bad, 6.50 pounds return. Hampton Court is the most favorite place of Henry VIII, who I heard so much about from visiting various attractions.

Hampton Court is everything Tudor. I wouldn't say the exterior is that impressive, but the interior isn't too bad. Too bad most of the photos taken inside the building are badly lit and not that presentable.

In Tudor period, an attractive man gotta have good calves, like this guy. He is Sir Thomas Seymour, a part of the live commentary available at the Court. He's very entertaining.

Lady Katherine Parr, I love her gentle smile and kind eyes.

Stained Glass at the praying corner.

Lady Parr and her aunt Lady Mary something, exhibited how to choose a wedding gown for the Queen. The French fashion was in the trend at that time.

Another interesting corner is the Tudor Kitchen, where meals for 600 - 1000 people were cooked daily. This photo is only one small office keeping tracks of the food and pewter inventory, as well as the expenses spent on food.  

Henry VIII and his sixth wife, after his wedding. They came out to greet the commoners waiting for the introduction of the new Queen.

Fountain Garden

Another attraction at Hampton Court is the gigantic garden and the maze. I didn't have the time to look at the garden because it was so big and it was getting dark at around 3.30 pm. I decided to check out the maze and only walking from the building to the maze took me 5 mins already!

Inside the maze.

Yay!!!

Due the unexpected news that I had to come back to Thailand, I had to cut my trip in London short. On the last day before leaving, I went to see the outside of St. Paul's Cathedral before heading to Covent Garden and China Town for last minute shopping. Throughout the 6 days I was there, it had been raining everyday. Until the last day, when all I got to do was shopping, the sun was shining brightly and the sky was clear!

After finishing with shopping, I stopped at Four Season, for the famous roast duck! The place is nothing fancy, and the duck is expensive, but the taste is exceptional! The duck was very fatty, but it tasted great, although I don't think they could beat the duck in Hong Kong!

Then I had to go back to the Isaan of the UK, and packed up. I had a little bit of time to visit Doddington Hall, not too far from where I stayed. The Hall was built in the 15th Century. The exterior is very old, but the inside isn't too bad. Some interesting collections are well worth a visit.

My bf's family is very nice and they decorated their houses early this year, so that I could see Christmas decoration before I left. Here's the competition between the traditional Christmas tree and a modern one. Which one do you prefer?

I still have one last set of photos from Windsor Castle to complete my UK trip. Will do it as soon as possible, since I still have photos from the light decoration on Ratchadamnern road to take a look at as well!Thanks for reading. Have a great night and great Sunday!

You fitted a lot in. that ship is HMS Belfast, and I'm certain that those houses are not the mayor's residence. At least, not nowadays. maybe in the past.

The mayors office is that funny looking building on the south bank, opposite the Tower of London, that looks like a dragonfly's head.

Well it does to me. :-)

so much to know about England here in your one journal, Nong S. and I still enjoy reading it..:-)

Looks lovely there in London, thanks for sharing Shannon.

Funky house -- Looked up for Mayor of London, you are right. It's not him. Don't remember that the head of the Tower is called. He's been there for quite some years already. Will see if I can find correct information somewhere later.

P'Tudtu -- thanks ka! Just something I learned from audio guides.

MissJaidee -- It'd look better with the sun though!. Thanks for ur comment.

BOD...

what a nice trip! (and "back to the Issan of the UK" ...you're too Much!)

I could have made it as a Tudor...(only my legs are still looking good lol)...wrong century for me

but I am the right age for a Beefeater...must apply...if the wages are abit more liberal!

Hey...you still enjoying your vacation in a vacation at the beach?

Shannon, the warship moored near Tower Bridge IS the one that was converted into a museum. It's name is H.M.S. Belfast and it was first commissioned into service with the Royal Navy in August 1939, less than a month before the start of World War II. It was involved in the Battle of the North Cape in December 1943, in which the German warship Scharnhorst was sunk and also saw action in the Korean War. It was retired from naval service in 1966 and towed to its present position in the Thames in 1971.

So glad you enjoyed your visit to my country, please come again sometime :-)

When will you visit Denmark? ;D

Danno -- Unfortunately my bf is living an Isaan man, I don't know how else I can put it! I'm back to busy BKK already. Need to spend carefully, while job hunting.

PeterH61 -- Thanks for the info. It's on the list of places to visit in London. Will be a while until I get to visit your country again. Please make sure it remains this cheap when i go there next!

P'Nicky -- I'd really love to travel around Europe. Need to make more money and you'll be the first to know when I can afford the trip!

Thanks for all your comments.

Amazing journal! I live in London and haven't seen most of this stuff. Never been to Hampton Court or the Tower. i guess if you live in a place, you don't bother to see the tourist attractions.