Excursion part8 - LONDON

It was the third day we stayed in London.
18th September.

Reload Oyster card first! Negative credit already...

We went to Buckingham Palace for the ceremony of changing of guard which happens every even days this month.

Buckingham Palace is a residence and principal workplace for Britain's sovereigns. We waited outside the neoclassical palace around 10am, and there was already crowded with visitors who were waiting for the 11.30am ceremony too:-

Buckingham Palace view from far.

People waiting for the ceremony... I wonder what time they
came and started waiting.

Look at the crowds that wait for the ceremony...!

Polices controlled the order of public, and some of them were even riding on horses.

Friendly police willing to take photo with visitors.
(I wonder will he get scolded for not doing his duty properly)

This horse stood in front of me for few times already, and
the police allowed us to pat the horse.

Around 15 minutes before the ceremony started, I heard the band music from far, seemed that guards had already arrived.

They didn't enter through main gate. Can only take pictures
from far.

During the ceremony...I could see nothing!
Got so hard to take the photo below:-

And this is how I took the photo:-

Since my position was against the palace, I could only see the guards leaving the palace from the main gates after the ceremony ended. Finally got chance to see them near and take nice photos!

WOWWWWW

After the ceremony, we took a rest in the garden beside
the palace.

Relaxing life hurrr...

Rental of seating units.

Went to Stratford to visit Discover Children's Story Centre
 at noon.

Stratford station.

The special...erm...installation?

Our destination.

Discover Children's Story Centre is a storytelling centre for 0 to 11-year-old kids to develop their potential in creativity, imagination and art skills, similar to KidZania. It has a series of facilities with stories behind the programs (garden trails and story trails) for kids to build their dreams and fantasy stories.

A cafeteria selling pastry and drinks
and admission counter at the entrance.
 The space is playful yet harmony with
gently warm pendant lights and vibrant color of furnitures.

Story book corner and tiny souvenirs for sell.

Eye-catching donation box.

Some photos taken outdoor:-

Role playing and
drawing are part of
the programs too!

In the garden behind the house, children can play with the decorated playground facilities (monsters, UFO boat, pirate ship, etc.) and custom-made music instruments.

In the centre, kids can experience the magical world by their sensory - lighting, music, sounds, draw, crawl, etc. There are puppet making area for kids to learn and make their own puppets with simple materials.

We leaved in evening and walked around the area of Stratford - the Olympic stadium and garden near the stadium. The stadium had been used to host 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympics, and it was under construction for upgrading and renovation when we visited.

Some surrounding views there:-

After Stratford walk, it's time to visit London famous attractions - the Big Ben and the London Eye! Everyone of us wowed when we turned our head and saw the Big Ben was just behind us!

The Big Ben is the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster.

Since it was evening, the photo looks nice even without
editing! Some more this photo was taken using phone
camera.

Stalls near the venue which accept euro
as it is a tourist attraction.

The London Eye blended well with the gently sky.

Queen Boudicca statue was just beside the tube station we
went down.

Excursion part7 - LONDON

It's second day since we reached London city. We had our breakfast in the hostel as it was provided to those who have breakfast ticket.

Self-serviced breakfast.
Notice the lighting - it's so stylish!

A self-serviced simple breakfast with bun, ham, cheese,
veges and fruit yoghurt, cereal and several drinks.

After breakfast time, we departed to Science Museum by tube. At first I could not brain how interesting would the contents be from the greyish ordinary building facade, but then when I explored the building, I felt sorry for judging a building by its facade.

Disabled folks accessibility is enabled in the museums with elevators, ramps, wheelchairs to lend, etc:-

The ramp.

Wheelchair.

Wheelchairs.

In front of the entrance hall is the Energy Hall, James Watt and Our World and Foucault's Pendulum. Right side is a cafe while left side is a souvenir shop. The large aluminum energy ring with LED screen at inner face hung to the high ceiling caught my eyes.

Shop in Science Museum.

Energy Cafe.

Energy Hall with LED energy ring.

Ticket counter for temporary exhibitions and IMax Movies.

Behind the main hall is another section - Exploring Space with dim outer space-look surrounding. The circulation is radial as the main way to the next exhibition area is centered while displays and interaction activities are located at the side of the space.

A gigantic rocket model is hung on the center of the
 high ceiling.

Interesting model of space
transportation.

The next section is Making the Modern World, displaying various old and new objects which mark new departures in technology and science, from items as huge as transportation, architecture, machines, to tiny objects such as watch, pistols, tableware, etc.

Gigantic model at top too.

Cuteeee display!

Access to models display area at mezzanine floor.

After the Making the Modern World, there are three spaces - Pattern Pod, Antenna- Science News, and Deep Blue Diner restaurant. The whole area look futuristic due to blue tinted full-height glass wall.

Pattern Pod entrance.

Pattern Pod interior.

Antenna: 3D printing.

Blue tinted glass wall.

Pattern Pod is a children interactive space where trigger children's sensory and creativity.

Antenna- Science News is an exhibition describing how 3D printing works and its potential to be developed in future. There were interactive learning facilities in the gallery too.

There are seven floors in total but I didn't walk through all floors. The programs I mentioned above are located ONLY on ground floor.

First floor consists of IMax theater (ticket is needed to enter), interactive games and galleries based on genes, DNA, agriculture and cosmos.

Corridor to IMax theater. It's so sharp!

Second floor has galleries of Media Space (charged temporary exhibition of photographer Joan Fontcuberta), Oramics to Electronica, Energy (fueling the future), Computing, Mathematics and Atmosphere (exploring climate science).

Seatings for adults and kids.

Interactive galleries.

Ground floor and first floor view from second floor.

I didn't explore third to fifth floor due to time limit. According to the overleaf, third floor is significant with 3D flight simulation theater and Launchpad with over 50 hands-on physic-based exhibits. While fourth and fifth floor are exhibition related to medical history and development.

There is a basement level with funky and colorful ambiance. There are three sections:-

1. The Rubbish Collection (a temporary exhibition and I couldn't enter it as maintenance was carried out)

2. The Garden (sensory-stimulate playground for children involving music, water, lighting, etc.)

3. The Secret Life of the Home exhibition (an exhibition about home gadgets and appliances history and development such as toilet bowl, television, radio, etc.) It was fun to explore how materials, technology and changes in society influence the design and function of home appliances over time.

After the home gadgets exhibition, there is a interactive small gallery about HVAC system.

Staircase to the basement.

The basement entrance.

Ramps are available anywhere in the museum.

What I did when I found here:
*peeks inside through openings like a stalker*

Various activities for kids in The Garden.

The Secret Life of the Home exhibition.

Interesting intro of the exhibition.

Someone peeking from the toilet bowl!

Detail sections of the gadgets.

Graphic explains the gadgets.

Gallery of gadgets from old to modern.

HVAC system gallery.

There is a Basement Cafe offering light pastry and desserts.

Piccadilly Circus - the heart of London city
It is a busy square with many shops and malls, theaters, etc. The outstanding elements of the circus are the Anteros statue located at the centre of the roundabout and the contrast of old and new elements - combination of classical architecture and illuminated signboards and electronic billboards.

Street view.

The roundabout (circus).

Anteros statue.
(I thought it was Cupid until I google-searched it.)

The outstanding electronic billboards.

Here, finally I got chance to try London food - FISH-N-CHIPSSSS! It is a common dish for Londoners and a must-try food for visitors!

The portion was quite big actually.
I thought it won't be enough to me
but at the end I was so full!

It's easy to find double-decker buses, underground stations, street booths selling souvenirs, street artists and performers, etc, which make the whole square lively. It's all the essence of London!

I had no idea what's the meaning but...
* secretly takes picture*

It's too fanciful I couldn't ignore xDDD

A row of street artists.

Unexpectedly found a Malaysian restaurant.

Night scene of London street.
Took this picture randomly so I didn't
 know the street name.