After 13 hr flight from Singapore via BA flight. Right out of the plane at the custom checkpoint. i did not find that the interrogation part of the passport clearance process quite friendly, but i do not have any choice but to bare with it. Ryan took the other flight which he arrived slightly later . we waited for him before my uncle picked us up.. the weather was sunny and bright a tad bit cold at about 15 degree. from his new Mercedes wagon, we were driven to his place at Richmond borough about 30 mins away.
Richmond is a affluent district next to Thames river. and his place is near the bridge at Twickenham also known as the putney bridge.
We were shown to our rooms on the second and third floor. Jeff being a light sleeper gets to have a room by himself on the second level while me and ryan stayed on the third floor with a toilet built in.
Had breakfast cooked by my uncle, while we watch UFC (Ultimate fighting championship) matches on the satellite TV. After which my uncle drove us down to the Tube station where we bought 6 day season ticket for Zone1-4 at tube station Which set us back about 33 Pounds.
Great fire monument
Took train to monument station from there we climbed up the great fire monument 331 steps in total. But we are rewarded with a wonder view of the Thames river and its surrounding city scape. (remember to bring your own binoculars or you can pay 1 pound for the stationary binoculars there. On the way down you can get to received a cert for climbing the fire monument.
Next the old church at St Dunstan-in-the-East this church was destroyed during world war II bombing it became a garden of sort .
Next we head down to lloyds of london, Which is an insurance market. The building is rather unique as it looks as if its a industrial factory or a building stripped of its exterior.
We also caught a glimpse of the Gherkin also know as the swiss re tower. boy does it look like a banana!
A little bit down the street is leaden hall market, ironwork roof market which has alot of cafes and restaurants not to mention delicatessen and fresh produce. The only place i had a rude encounter is when i tried to take a photo of the shoe shine guys i was given the wave and gesture not to take their photos. Come on its just a photo .
Along leadenhall st we came upon the city center , which has the bank of england and royal exchange which is a shopping mall with all the branded shops ,
Next was the St Lawrence Jewry infront of the guild house, there was a piano recital practice inside quite lovely. The church was destroyed a 2 time, first by the great fire and then by world war II bombing but it was rebuilt again .
Finally we get to have a lunch break over at a sandwich cafe along close to the museum of London, We saw a segment of the old roman wall still standing after so long. We then head into the museum, interesting exhibits welcome us , from prehistoric to roman occupations (which london was know as londinium) and present history. Current display includes the great fire very interactive.Oh one good thing about the museum or most of them museum and gallery are free entry!
Next we came across postmans park ,which has some tiles that commemorates ordinary people who sacrifices their live to save other. heroic deeds in deed. but kinda creepy to me.
then heads to another park known as christ church greyfriars.
We drop by st pauls cathedral but unfortunately it was rather long queue to get in so we moved on to the
Temple of Mithra's remains, to me its quite a let down all i can see is just a marble floored open space that used to be a roman temple oh well..
We then head back via monument tube station.
Still unfamilar with the route back, called upon my uncle to pick up back for dinner. The rest of the night was just watching TV and chit chatting before retiring.
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