OUR LONDON TOUR Dt: 27th April to 30th April 2006
Now a long detailed acount of our trip to London.We reached Bombay Central at around 20.00, took light dinner on the platform and went to Sahar airport.We got all the baggae weighed and since both suitcases has more than 32 kg. we had to take out some and put it in the backpack.We then checked in.Both suitcases and strollies were checked in.we immediately went into security check and after doing sat in to the waiting room. it was all crowded and manypeople had no place to sit. At 1.30 am boarding call was announced and we went inside the aircraft.I have observed that security check is better and more elaborate at Indian airports then at London and us airports.
We soon took off and after some time, we were served COLD dinner of one samoso,a crrosiant and muffin.We then went to sleep and for continously 7 hrs we just rested.Before landing at the airport we were served a break fast of indian veg,a alu parotha,bun,butter, jam,fruits,juice and chay and coffee.it wa nice break fast.
We landed at the Heathrow and went for an immigratin check.A routine questions were asked ,verfied our visa, our stay at the hotel and was given 6 months' permision to stay.We then adjusted our baggage and went for the left luggage room.They charge 6 pounds for each bag for 24 hrs. We waited for some time to check in, as coming early after 3 days should not be difficult for us to reach the airport.We again went at 10.00 am to LL room, but he refused to take the baggage, as our condiments were smelling and he can't bear the smell.We did argued but had no alternative, so went out to inquire.Unfortunately underground rly. station under the airport was closed for the renovation and as such we need to take the free bus trip to nearest station.As with luggage it was not possible to take the bus, we hired a black cab for pound 45 to cover the distance of 14 miles to hotel.
We went little ahead and took under ground train at Glucester road.
It is a wonderful engineering feat, achieved by UK, about 200 years ago, when they started digging for an under ground train and and till today it is running successully.They have criss crossed railway network touching every corner of the London, thus giving comlplete coverage to all the areas.When we even today have not been able to construct underground railways network on our own, they have achieved this feat 200 yers ago.At certain places they have digged 12 stories underground and in normal places too 6 undergroundstories are common.Trains run one above the other stories, i.e. picadaaly lines run 6 to 12 stories, under neath and jubilee lines run 4 stories beneath, whereas circle lines runs 2 stories beneath andmain lines run just 1 stories beneath. They have no suffocation problem, or lighting or any other problem.Escalators take passengers beanth and up.Electronic survillance system monitor the traffic and electronic tickets control the flow and revenue of the trains.There is wide spread guidance on the platforms by maps, clarifcation sign borads and and annoucements on the platforms and inside the trains, take youto the right direction.There is always annoucements inside the trains saying that this station is such and such and the next station would be such and such, and this line will take you to the follwoing destination, and if you wish to go to the such and such station, you need to change the trains at follwing station.We just got acclamatised in one day.They have various ticket system to boost the traffic, as single fare is costly, as minimum of pound 3, but if you take a day ticket of 4.90 pound,you can move around the entire train system in london as also can take entire routes of bus system.We used to take these tickets and move around the entire Lonon in under ground trains and buses.Trains are also fast and frequency is quick.No one has to wait for more than 3 minutes at any given time at any of the station.Trains are decent with cushion sofa type seat , tube lights, automatic doors etc.Station are also well equipped with escalators, lifts,cameras and all the food facilities.
DAY -1: 27th April 06:After checking in to the hotel we took a under ground from glucester road,where aGujarati booking clerk guided us well and we took lift going under 6 stories, for picadally circus line.we got down at picadally and went out to see the monuments and fountains, moving around the roads, when we met gujarati of Vadodara, who guided us o go to Westminster station, so we tok again same train and reached Wesminster station.
we just came out from thestation and saw huge BIG BEN tower, clocking 3 o'clock time.This buidling is very very huge and most imposing. we then took side walk on the river THAMES and took photos of London eye, then went on the westminster bridge on thames river.River is quite big and deep with full of water with lots of botas,launches running. on the other side of the river, LONDON EYE is consturcted recently, by British airways. This is somewhat huge merry go round in a slow speed. it has 14 capsules each has a capacity of 12 persons moving upward, going up say about of 20/25 stories high, having an bird's eye view of entire london. It takes around 30 minutes to complete the circle.We thereafter took coffee and chips. went onthe other sie of the Westminster station, towards W M Abbey and saw the buidling of abbey and other imposing typical gothic art of old london and its building consturcted during victoria era.We then, went on the back side of the big ben area where house of comon and house lords are housed.While passing though it we saw peole going inside, so just out of curiosity, i asked the police inspector, that can we go inside to see the building. He immediatialy said yes and we can attend the proceedings of House of Lords too.So we were ushered in the building , after through security check and identity bages were, writing down our address.Here we sensed real democracy,as if we are in india, we would ask tocontact some MP or MLA take signatue and guarantee from then only we canattend the house, where here anybody can get inside the house.We went onthe fourth floor of the house where visitor gallery was availabe.we saw some bill for improvement of london facilites were discussed.chair in the person had laptop and we can see them on the Tv screen too. Hall had imposing sculture and decor of the old era, with exquite furniture.
We then came out sidedian restarant went towards war officies, cabinet room, martyr memorials and then near the 10 Downing street , official house of the Prime Minister. came to the station again and taking trains to Earls' court came to our hotel, took some rest and went for dinner at indian restaurant named Masal zone.Indian restaurants in London are not tuely Indian and has mixed receipe.We saw Chan puri, which has no puri but bits of bread.pav bhaji was ok. But next day when we went for a dinner we had to take UNDHIYO AND KHICHADI.After delicious but spicy meal we took refuge inthe hotel and went to bed.Most surprising is that now Britishers prefer spicy meal then what we prefer it.It is also striking difference between UK and USA restaurants that here everybody take hard drink before dinner, where as in US it is not so.
This is account of our DAY 1.
niranjan buch
Now a long detailed acount of our trip to London.We reached Bombay Central at around 20.00, took light dinner on the platform and went to Sahar airport.We got all the baggae weighed and since both suitcases has more than 32 kg. we had to take out some and put it in the backpack.We then checked in.Both suitcases and strollies were checked in.we immediately went into security check and after doing sat in to the waiting room. it was all crowded and manypeople had no place to sit. At 1.30 am boarding call was announced and we went inside the aircraft.I have observed that security check is better and more elaborate at Indian airports then at London and us airports.
We soon took off and after some time, we were served COLD dinner of one samoso,a crrosiant and muffin.We then went to sleep and for continously 7 hrs we just rested.Before landing at the airport we were served a break fast of indian veg,a alu parotha,bun,butter, jam,fruits,juice and chay and coffee.it wa nice break fast.
We landed at the Heathrow and went for an immigratin check.A routine questions were asked ,verfied our visa, our stay at the hotel and was given 6 months' permision to stay.We then adjusted our baggage and went for the left luggage room.They charge 6 pounds for each bag for 24 hrs. We waited for some time to check in, as coming early after 3 days should not be difficult for us to reach the airport.We again went at 10.00 am to LL room, but he refused to take the baggage, as our condiments were smelling and he can't bear the smell.We did argued but had no alternative, so went out to inquire.Unfortunately underground rly. station under the airport was closed for the renovation and as such we need to take the free bus trip to nearest station.As with luggage it was not possible to take the bus, we hired a black cab for pound 45 to cover the distance of 14 miles to hotel.
We went little ahead and took under ground train at Glucester road.
It is a wonderful engineering feat, achieved by UK, about 200 years ago, when they started digging for an under ground train and and till today it is running successully.They have criss crossed railway network touching every corner of the London, thus giving comlplete coverage to all the areas.When we even today have not been able to construct underground railways network on our own, they have achieved this feat 200 yers ago.At certain places they have digged 12 stories underground and in normal places too 6 undergroundstories are common.Trains run one above the other stories, i.e. picadaaly lines run 6 to 12 stories, under neath and jubilee lines run 4 stories beneath, whereas circle lines runs 2 stories beneath andmain lines run just 1 stories beneath. They have no suffocation problem, or lighting or any other problem.Escalators take passengers beanth and up.Electronic survillance system monitor the traffic and electronic tickets control the flow and revenue of the trains.There is wide spread guidance on the platforms by maps, clarifcation sign borads and and annoucements on the platforms and inside the trains, take youto the right direction.There is always annoucements inside the trains saying that this station is such and such and the next station would be such and such, and this line will take you to the follwoing destination, and if you wish to go to the such and such station, you need to change the trains at follwing station.We just got acclamatised in one day.They have various ticket system to boost the traffic, as single fare is costly, as minimum of pound 3, but if you take a day ticket of 4.90 pound,you can move around the entire train system in london as also can take entire routes of bus system.We used to take these tickets and move around the entire Lonon in under ground trains and buses.Trains are also fast and frequency is quick.No one has to wait for more than 3 minutes at any given time at any of the station.Trains are decent with cushion sofa type seat , tube lights, automatic doors etc.Station are also well equipped with escalators, lifts,cameras and all the food facilities.
DAY -1: 27th April 06:After checking in to the hotel we took a under ground from glucester road,where aGujarati booking clerk guided us well and we took lift going under 6 stories, for picadally circus line.we got down at picadally and went out to see the monuments and fountains, moving around the roads, when we met gujarati of Vadodara, who guided us o go to Westminster station, so we tok again same train and reached Wesminster station.
we just came out from thestation and saw huge BIG BEN tower, clocking 3 o'clock time.This buidling is very very huge and most imposing. we then took side walk on the river THAMES and took photos of London eye, then went on the westminster bridge on thames river.River is quite big and deep with full of water with lots of botas,launches running. on the other side of the river, LONDON EYE is consturcted recently, by British airways. This is somewhat huge merry go round in a slow speed. it has 14 capsules each has a capacity of 12 persons moving upward, going up say about of 20/25 stories high, having an bird's eye view of entire london. It takes around 30 minutes to complete the circle.We thereafter took coffee and chips. went onthe other sie of the Westminster station, towards W M Abbey and saw the buidling of abbey and other imposing typical gothic art of old london and its building consturcted during victoria era.We then, went on the back side of the big ben area where house of comon and house lords are housed.While passing though it we saw peole going inside, so just out of curiosity, i asked the police inspector, that can we go inside to see the building. He immediatialy said yes and we can attend the proceedings of House of Lords too.So we were ushered in the building , after through security check and identity bages were, writing down our address.Here we sensed real democracy,as if we are in india, we would ask tocontact some MP or MLA take signatue and guarantee from then only we canattend the house, where here anybody can get inside the house.We went onthe fourth floor of the house where visitor gallery was availabe.we saw some bill for improvement of london facilites were discussed.chair in the person had laptop and we can see them on the Tv screen too. Hall had imposing sculture and decor of the old era, with exquite furniture.
We then came out sidedian restarant went towards war officies, cabinet room, martyr memorials and then near the 10 Downing street , official house of the Prime Minister. came to the station again and taking trains to Earls' court came to our hotel, took some rest and went for dinner at indian restaurant named Masal zone.Indian restaurants in London are not tuely Indian and has mixed receipe.We saw Chan puri, which has no puri but bits of bread.pav bhaji was ok. But next day when we went for a dinner we had to take UNDHIYO AND KHICHADI.After delicious but spicy meal we took refuge inthe hotel and went to bed.Most surprising is that now Britishers prefer spicy meal then what we prefer it.It is also striking difference between UK and USA restaurants that here everybody take hard drink before dinner, where as in US it is not so.
This is account of our DAY 1.
niranjan buch
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