London Eye + Queen's Life Guard
Break of dawn…..
It was a beautiful morning in London. The air was crisp and the golden sun just began to rise as it kissed the glistening Thames. We were on our way to The Eye……. we’ve been on The Eye several times in past visits but, it just doesn’t seem like a trip would be complete without experiencing it once again. It has become a future in the city, much like Paris’s Eiffel Tower.
We hopped on the Tube to the Waterloo Station and made a stop at the Nelson Mandela bust which is located on London’s South Bank. The moving inscription reads “The Struggle is My Life”. You might also take the time to see the Nelson Mandela statue that stands in Parliament Square not far away.
We arrived 30 minutes before the ticket office opened so, imagine our dismay when we saw the long line already snaking along the walkway. As the ticket box opened, we realized it might be better to purchase our tickets online with my phone, which was a good call because those standing in front of us were unable to get a morning ticket. If you find yourself in the same predicament, not to worry, you can quickly purchase your tickets here . Tickets purchased online seem to get a better spot in the queue. We purchased tickets for 11:30 and decided to go for a walk across the Golden Jubilee Bridge!
This grand bridge was designed by archtects Lifschutz Davidson and is named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne. There’s also the Hungerford Bridge that runs parallel — often called Charing Cross Bridge — and is a railway bridge. I really liked the textures on both bridges and the shadows they cast! There are many opportunities along the walk across the Thames to take in the views and in our case a few selfies!
We continued towards Whitehall where we were able to catch the changing of the Queen’s Guard — what a treat! You might consider watching the changing of the guards here as well….. far less crowded than watching at Buckingham Palace and with just as much pomp and circumstance! They were so close it felt like we could reach out and touch the horses —- but, I wouldn’t dare!
Loved watching all of the pageantry on display on the grounds of Whitehall…..
London Eye peeks over Whitehall….
The London Eye peeked over Whitehall beckoning us to come back….. it was our turn to ride the Eye and take in the magnificent views along the Thames and across this beautiful city!
View of The London Eye from Golden Jubilee Bridge
The views as you rise over London are vast and wide. It’s fun to point out various landmarks —— my favorite thing is looking at the Thames glisten below as it meanders through the city and spotting the red buses crossing Westminster Bridge.
Tomorrow is our last day in London —- savoring all of the sights, sounds and textures this city has to offer!
Happy Travels!
