First trip abroad in 3.5 years: London, the start of a bitterly cold new life 2022/12【83】
December in London
It's been about 3.5 years since my last overseas trip before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arrived in Manila!! It was uncertain until the last minute whether I could take time off from work. Lol 2019/8/17【59】
My long-awaited overseas destination is London.
After about three months of preparation for my long-term work stay, I landed at Heathrow Airport.
After taking a taxi to the hotel and wandering around the nearby streets, I finally felt that I had arrived in London.
I plan to do various sightseeing mainly in central London during my stay, so I'm thinking of summarizing it roughly.
2022/12/03 Notting Hill Portobello Market
Notting Hill is a calm area in London with a series of quiet residential areas.
You can see colorful buildings in the city, which are photogenic.
It's famous as the setting for the movie "Notting Hill." (I watched it before coming to the UK)
A short walk from the station, you'll find Portobello Market, the largest in London.
This market sells a variety of items, from trinkets and antiques to clothing and food.
Shops line the streets, and I think you can enjoy it all day. You can also find unique British souvenirs.
It's bustling even after the sun goes down, so it's safe.
However, a short walk away, there's a zone where not-so-affluent people live. Be careful not to get your wallet or smartphone stolen, especially when it's crowded.
2022/12/24 Tower Bridge Tower of London
I came to Tower Bridge by bicycle from my home.
Thanks to the Christmas season, it was crowded with tourists.
I didn't take many photos of the Tower of London.
2022/12/26 Harrods
The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, marks the start of the sales.
Several department stores are busy from the morning, but I headed to the most famous one, Harrods.
The majestic building can be enjoyed from the outside.
The store is very spacious, and various famous brands were jostling for space.
I just did some sightseeing without shopping in the sale and then returned.
HP: Harrods
2022/12/27 Buckingham Palace Big Ben
That day, I headed to Buckingham Palace by bicycle.
When I arrived around 11 am, it was overflowing with tourists, and I couldn't get close.
It took just a few minutes from Buckingham Palace to reach Big Ben.
The sun was shining, and the golden building was radiant.
After going back and forth on the bridge, I did a little sightseeing at Trafalgar Square before heading home.
2022/12/29 Holland Park
London has several large parks, and on this day, I headed to Holland Park.
There was a Japanese-style garden, and it was a calm park.
Surrounded by nature, the air felt refreshing.
I also saw pigeons, birds I've never seen before, and frequently spotted squirrels.
2022/12/30 St. Paul's Cathedral
That day, I had some errands in the morning, and on my way back, I visited St. Paul's Cathedral.
It's a beautiful building even from a distance, but up close, I was overwhelmed by its scale and intricate decorations.
You can tour the inside if you book in advance, but I was satisfied with just admiring it from the outside.
2022/12/31 Buckingham Palace
I spent New Year's Eve in London at Buckingham Palace.
The area around Big Ben was restricted without a ticket, but the vicinity was crowded with people gathered to watch the fireworks.
Even from a distance, the sky was bright, and you could feel the excitement.
When the countdown began, you could hear loud and strange voices.
The fireworks continued for a while, but I went home early to avoid the crowd.
