Exploring the world

Gallery: Stonehenge

mary_nomads — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:05:00 GMT

Gallery: Oxford

mary_nomads — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:55:00 GMT

Gallery: Bath

mary_nomads — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:44:00 GMT

Old but still outstanding

Day 2 - Tower of London

mary_nomads — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:04:00 GMT

Day 2, blue sky in the morning. Early start, beat the crows, no queue.

Gallery: London

mary_nomads — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:24:00 GMT

Things we saw

Day 1 in London

mary_nomads — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:45:00 GMT

It was a long long way from Sydney to London. After total 18 hours in the air, Qantas took us to the city of London. The first class flight make the journey much easier, allowed reasonable good sleep, plus good food. So I wasn't very tired when landed. Thanks to Qantas.

No suprise, it was raining, and cold. We took Heathrow Express train from Heathrow Airport to Padding, they don't take Oyster card, costed us 16 ponds, but only took 10 minutes to get to Padding station. Then a short walk in the rain to the hotel. Pete complained but I was happy, we made it to London.

The hotel room is compact but new and clean, and we didn't need to wait for the room

After dropped off the bags, we decided to try out the Oyster card on the buses. The bus stop has a big yellow stand with clear indications of the bus numbers which stop at this stop, there is a bus map show the routes, so we could work out where to get off. There is an amazing digital sign showing the time the next bus arrives, like the trains in Sydney. The serviese seems very good, with every 3,4 minutes. Compare to Sydney bus, Sydney is so far behind.

The famous London double deck bus is so much fun to ride, especially the top deck. It literally take us a tour to the central London on a bus. Since it is raining, we decided to visit the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

The National Gallery is huge. For the first time, I see some of my favourate paitings in the original.

Load up and get ready

mary_nomads — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:13:00 GMT

I was told May would be a good time to visit London, as it wouldn't be too cole.

Finally, I was going to a trip to Europe for the first time in my life, how exciting!

Decided the cities and places that I wanted to visit in this trip, London, Paris, Ireland...

1. Choose a hotel to stay

After some research and learning, I decided to book a small hotel near Paddington station, where it is a main tube line and buses whick could take to anywhere literally.

2. Load some cash

I decided to take some GBP, and Euro with me. I found Bank of China near Wynyard station does good rate for Euro.

3. Packing

Small carry on cabin bags would be the go, so went out and bought a small soft bag with two wheels, plus a backpack, all my stuff for three weeks is ready to go.

4. Oyster card

One of my colleages introduced me Oyster card, a smart card, used on Tubes and Buses in London. It can be topped up when the balance is low. I searched Oystercard.com and found one of the overseas agent in 263 Clareance st in Sydney, went over there and bought off from them, they also gave me the tube and bus maps which showed me a clearer picture of London's transportation, I was so impressed by the transportation network in London.

5. Get travel insurance

Worldnomads.com offers a great flexible cover, buy a short duration, extend it later.

6. First Aid package

Prepared self for a small package of some first aid stuff just in case.