London Day 3: A Walk in West End: Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus

Leicester Square is the heart of the West End entertainment district.

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Leicester Square is ringed by blockbuster cinemas, fast-food places and souvenir stores. It was the home of scientist Isaac Newton.

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We came upon bicycles for rent along the way.

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M&M’s World in Leicester Square. (more…)

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London Day 3: Trafalgar Square

This was the view from the Pret A Manger where we had our coffee break.

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The street was lined with tour buses.

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The 170 feet tall Corinthian column is the world’s biggest. Admiral Horatio Nelson stands tall on the column. Admiral Lord Nelson was Britain”s most famous naval captain who died at the Battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon in 1805.

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Fountain at Trafalgar Square. At the background is the National Gallery. (more…)

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London Day 3: Churchill War Rooms

The Churchill War Rooms are where Winston Churchill and Britain’s war cabinet met during World War II.

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The Churchill War Rooms are located below the Government Office Building north of Parliament Square.

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The Cabinet War Room was where military operations were strategized. Winston Churchill’s seat would be the center seat behind the red box.

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Churchill’s Dining Room. (more…)

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London Day 3: Westminster Abbey

We intended to visit the Westminster Abbey on this day.

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Westminster Abbey has been British Coronation church since the crowning of William the Conqueror in 1066. The above is the north entrance of Westminster Abbey.

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It is also the burial and memorial place for many world famous historical figures from writers, musicians, scientists to rulers and politicians. The above is the western facade.

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The Abbey was founded in AD960 as a Benedictine monastery. It is a self-funding church with no financial assistance from the State, the Crown or the Church of England. (more…)

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London Day 3: Buffet Breakfast at Kapok Tree

We  had a lousy night at the hotel. Apparently, there was a Halloween party going on at the restaurant below our floor. The loud music kept me awake most of the night.

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The next morning, we did not want to look for breakfast elsewhere. We just had the buffet breakfast at the Kapok Tree restaurant at the hotel. It was an English breakfast. Ten pounds per person. I love the mushrooms and grilled tomatoes.

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Brown sauce in a packet. I have never seen this in Vancouver. (more…)

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London Day 2: Indian Dinner at Sripur

We went for an Indian dinner at Sripur in the vicinity of Tower Hill before we headed back to the hotel.

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Papadam was served for appetizers. The papadam came with four chutney.

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The chutney came in different flavours and texture; sweet, minty, spicy and lastly a chunky onion and cucumber salsa.

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We ordered a Sripur Biryani which came topped with fried egg and fried onions and served on a bed of shredded lettuces and tomatoes. It looked tasty but actually it was quite bland. (more…)

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