Our first stop was the St. John’s Chapel in The White Tower.

St. John’s Chapel is the oldest church in London, built in the 11th century. The stone was brought in from France. We joined a guided tour of the chapel but not photography is allowed in the chapel.

From the guided tour, we learned that the Olympic medals were stored in The Tower of London for safe keeping before the game. We also learned that the royal toilet is called guardrobe because the king or queen will hang their robe at the door of the toilet before using the toilet.

The Tower was a royal residence. The Medieval Palace showcases rich colours and comfortable furnishings, including a replica of Edward 1’s bed.

A wider view of the royal household. The massive fireplaces kept this cold stone palace cozy.

A replica of the throne room.

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We took a cab from the Sheraton Skyline (which is in the Heathrow Airport vicinity) to the City Hotel (near Brick Lane). The cab ride cost 45 pounds. After checked in, we ventured out for our first full day adventure. The tube station near our hotel was closed for maintenance on that Saturday. So, we decided to walk to the Tower London since it’s within walking distance.

We bought the 6 Day London Pass for 92 pounds per person for this vacation. It is definitely worth its value compare to the entrances that we have to pay for popular attractions.

It was a very busy day. There were a lot of tourists visiting the Tower London. The tourists were waiting on the draw bridge at the entrance gate for the guided tour.

Ben snapped a few photos while waiting for the guided tour.

The map of Tower of London. (more…)

We had breakfast at the Sheraton Skyline before we checked out. We had reserved a room in a hotel nearer to the city center for convenient commute to the touristy attractions.

I had coffee while Ben had tea. Ben enjoyed his English tea here.

A typical English breakfast with baked beans, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, sausage, eggs and hash browns. I like the bacon here.

My pastries plate. Got to try Marmite on toast. (more…)

Ben wanted to give me a glimpse of the iconic London attractions on the first day.

After the Tower of London, Ben brought me to see the Tower Bridge. When I was young, the image of the bridge in the song “London Bridge is Falling Down” was the image of the Tower Bridge. Now I knew that London Bridge is another bridge which is a much plain looking bridge.

A boat passing under the Tower Bridge.

It was a cold and windy evening with a light drizzle. You can see from the photos that the sky was grey.

Walking across the Tower Bridge. (more…)

I arrived at Heathrow airport around 2PM. Ben picked me up and we took the hotel hoppa service to Sheraton Skyline. We dropped off my luggage and took a bus to a tube station and took the tube to the city of London. It was quite a long ride; it took more than an hour  to get to the city.

Waiting for the train.

Arrived at the city of London.

My first view of the Tower of London. (more…)

I flew to London to join Ben for a short vacation after his business trip. I was not able to do so in his previous trips to London because my kids were still young. Now, they are old enough to take care of themselves and I have more opportunity to travel with Ben.

Chicken dinner on board.

I travelled via British Airways. It was a night flight. I checked in online and get a recommended good seat according to sea guru. My seat was an aisle seat behind the galley. It supposed to give more leg room. This is only good if there is no baby on board. Most parents with baby will take the same row of seat for the space for the baby carrier. I had to endure babies cries most of the flight.

Another disadvantage seating behind the galley is you have to bear with the noise of the stewardesses preparing food there.  (more…)

Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, Ben took the Hotel Hoppa bus service to his hotel.

It only costs 4.50 pounds from the Heathrow Airport to Sheraton Skyline London.

Here are some photos of his room.

His work station. (more…)

Ben had a business trip to London in mid October last year. He flew from Beijing to London.

Ever since Ben received a series of pictures from his folks at work about the Airbus A380 of the Emirates, it’s on his wishlist to ride on one. He had the opportunity to do so in this trip.

The interior has a soft colour scheme.

The washroom is better equipped than normal airlines. (more…)