En ymmärrä, miten kerran viikossa postailu voikin olla näin haasteellista. Viikot tuntuu juoksevan niin hurjaa vauhtia, että alan olla kohta varma siitä, että ne onkin tosiasiassa neli- eikä seitsenpäiväisiä. Muuten, kiitos kovasti kaikkien teidän kommenteista edelliseen postaukseen! Tosi kiva, että aihe herätti ajatuksia teissäkin. Yritän jatkossa päivitellä projektini etenemistä, mikäli jotain mainitsemisen arvoista tapahtuu :-)
Nyt kuitenkin olisi taas aika palata Lontooseen. Varoitan jo etukäteen, että tämä postaus tulee sisältämään paaaljon kuvia! Luulen, että minun täytyy sittenkin tehdä muutama suurempi kuvapainoitteinen postaus, jotta saadaan nämä Lontoo-jutut alta pois vielä tämän vuoden puolella, hah. Tällä kertaa pääsette pienelle turistikierrokselle. Turistinähtävyydet saattavat nostaa kokeneemman matkailijan ihokarvat pystyyn - eikä niinkään hyvässä mielessä - mutta mulle ne olivat Lontoossa ihan must-juttuja. Olin jo niin monta vuotta odottanut, että pääsen omin silmin näkemään Big Benin, Tower Bridgen ja Buckinghamin palatsin, että voitte vain kuvitella sen riemun ja epäuskon tunteen, kun pääsin viimein todella kiertelemään listaamiani nähtävyyksiä.
Hello everyone! It's time to head back to London again. I must warn you in advance, this post is going to contain loooots of photos. I guess I have to write a few of these overly image heavy posts so that I won't be writing about my London trip still in next January. This time you'll get to go on a little tourist tour with me! A more experienced traveler might want to stay away from most of these tourist attractions, but to me they were a very relevant part of our trip. I had been waiting sooo many years to get to see Big Ben, Tower Brirge and Buckingham Palace, that you can only imagine how excited I was when I finally got to see them with my own eyes.
Hello everyone! It's time to head back to London again. I must warn you in advance, this post is going to contain loooots of photos. I guess I have to write a few of these overly image heavy posts so that I won't be writing about my London trip still in next January. This time you'll get to go on a little tourist tour with me! A more experienced traveler might want to stay away from most of these tourist attractions, but to me they were a very relevant part of our trip. I had been waiting sooo many years to get to see Big Ben, Tower Brirge and Buckingham Palace, that you can only imagine how excited I was when I finally got to see them with my own eyes.
Vietettiin siis käytännössä yksi päivä vain nähtävyyksiä kierrellen, enkä varmasti valehtele jos väitän. että käveltiin tuona päivänä varmaan lähemmäs 20 kilometriä, ellei ylikin. Pitänee tästä lähtien ruveta kantamaan askelmittaria reissuilla mukana; olisi nimittäin ihan mielenkiintoista nähdä, kuinka paljon kilometrejä sitä tuleekaan vieraissa kaupungeissa kierrellen kartutettua.
Basically we spent the whole Tuesday by touring around the most important monuments of London, and I think I'm not exaggerating at all if I claim that we walked nearly 20 kilometers that day - or maybe even more. From now on it would be fun to carry a pedometer with me when walking around in a new city.
Basically we spent the whole Tuesday by touring around the most important monuments of London, and I think I'm not exaggerating at all if I claim that we walked nearly 20 kilometers that day - or maybe even more. From now on it would be fun to carry a pedometer with me when walking around in a new city.
Meillä ei ollut hirveän tarkkaa käsitystä siitä, minne oikeastaan oltiin menossa: hostellin wifi toimi aivan surkeasti, eikä meillä täten ollut minkäänlaista karttaa, joten päädyttiin vain hyppäämään pois Tower Hillin pysäkillä, josta enemmän Lontoota kiertäneet kaverimme suunnistivat meidät sitten oikeaan suuntaan. Aloitettiin päivä siis siten, että yritettiin eksyä mahdollisimman lähelle Tower Bridgeä. Onnistuttiinkin siinä ihan hyvin, sillä päädyttiin ensimmäiseksi ihailemaan Tower of Londonia, jonka luota jatkettiin kävellen vähän matkan päähän Tower Bridgelle.
In the morning, when we left our hostel, we had actually no clue where to go. Our hostel's wifi was practically nonexistent, so we didn't have any kind of map to follow as we headed to see the attractions I had listed down. We decided to get off on the Tower Hill stop. We ended up near one of my must-see-places, Tower Bridge. First we took a look at the London Tower, and then we headed to Tower Bridge with the guidance of our friends, who had been touring London before.
In the morning, when we left our hostel, we had actually no clue where to go. Our hostel's wifi was practically nonexistent, so we didn't have any kind of map to follow as we headed to see the attractions I had listed down. We decided to get off on the Tower Hill stop. We ended up near one of my must-see-places, Tower Bridge. First we took a look at the London Tower, and then we headed to Tower Bridge with the guidance of our friends, who had been touring London before.
Ajattelin, että voisi olla ihan kiva, jos kertoisin vähän siitä, miksi halusin mennä katsomaan juuri näitä kyseisiä monumentteja. Tower Bridge oli minun listalla siksi, että se on ollut tosi vahva osa minun mielessäni vallinnutta Lontoo-kuvaa aivan lapsuudestani saakka. Tämä taas johtuu siitä, että saatoin lapsena katsoa kerran jos toisenkin elokuvan nimeltään Spice World. Siskoni oli nimittäin astetta kovempi Spaissari-fani, joten elokuvan synopsis on melko tiukasti istutettu minunkin päähäni. Elokuvassa on siis sellainen kohtaus, jossa Spaissarit ajavat keikkabussillaan Tower Bridgen yli juuri kun siltaa ollaan "avaamassa". Kohtaus näytti tältä :D Tuntui muuten aivan hullulta seistä sillalla samalla kun valtavat ihmismassat kävelivät sen yli. Pystyin aivan tuntemaan, kuinka silta tärisi allani!
I thought that it might be nice, if I clarified why these exact places were my must-sees. Tower Bridge was on my list, because it had always been a very big part of the image I had of London, and that is because I might have watched a movie called Spice World once or twice (or a million times) as a child. You see, my sister was quite the Spice Girls fan and hence I had my portion of her fanaticism. In the movie there is this scene in which the Spice Girls are driving over Tower Bridge, just as the bridge is about to "open". It actually felt insane to stand on the bridge as people were walking over it. I could just feel the bridge trembling!
I thought that it might be nice, if I clarified why these exact places were my must-sees. Tower Bridge was on my list, because it had always been a very big part of the image I had of London, and that is because I might have watched a movie called Spice World once or twice (or a million times) as a child. You see, my sister was quite the Spice Girls fan and hence I had my portion of her fanaticism. In the movie there is this scene in which the Spice Girls are driving over Tower Bridge, just as the bridge is about to "open". It actually felt insane to stand on the bridge as people were walking over it. I could just feel the bridge trembling!
Tower Bridgeltä suunnattiin pienelle kävelylle Thames-jokea pitkin. Oli muuten likainen rapakko! Tosin mitäpä muutakaan olisi voinut odottaa. Luulin kyllä nähneeni kaiken, kun ensimmäisen kerran menin pällistelemään Aurajokea, mutta vähänpä tiesin. Pimeällä olisi varmasti ollut kiva tehdä kävelylenkki joen varrella valojen loisteessa. Ensi kerralla sitten! Thamesilta lähdettiinkin sitten kohti päänähtävyyksiä.
After spending a while on Tower Bridge, we continued our tour by having a little walk by the Thames. I was surprised to see how dirty the river was, although now that I think of it, I don't know if I really expected it to be particularly clean. I'm sure the place would've looked amazing in the evening with all the lights on. Maybe next time we'll have a walk by the river when it's dark outside. After strolling around like proper tourists, we headed to our next locations - the main monuments.
After spending a while on Tower Bridge, we continued our tour by having a little walk by the Thames. I was surprised to see how dirty the river was, although now that I think of it, I don't know if I really expected it to be particularly clean. I'm sure the place would've looked amazing in the evening with all the lights on. Maybe next time we'll have a walk by the river when it's dark outside. After strolling around like proper tourists, we headed to our next locations - the main monuments.
Big Ben ja London Eye tulikin nähtyä yhdellä iskulla. Totta puhuakseni olin kyllä vähän äimistynyt siitä, miten pieni Big Ben oli! Minun mielestä se on näyttänyt kuvissa aina niin valtavalta, mutta sitähän se ei kyllä ollut. Komea kuitenkin! Big Ben ja London Eye eivät olleet mitenkään kärjessä turistinähtävyyslistallani, mutta kyllähän ne piti käydä katsomassa, kun kerran Lontoossa oltiin.
Luckily for us, Big Ben and London Eye were located side by side. To be honest, I was quite confused about the fact that Big Ben wasn't that big after all. If you ask me, I'd say it was pretty small actually, but majestic anyway. These two attractions weren't actually on the top of my list, but as we were in London, I thought they were a very essential part of a tourist tour.
Luckily for us, Big Ben and London Eye were located side by side. To be honest, I was quite confused about the fact that Big Ben wasn't that big after all. If you ask me, I'd say it was pretty small actually, but majestic anyway. These two attractions weren't actually on the top of my list, but as we were in London, I thought they were a very essential part of a tourist tour.
Big Beniltä kipaistiin Westminster Abbeylle, joka oli tietysti listallani, sikäli kun olen jokseenkin mielissäni kaikesta, mikä liittyy Ison-Brtinannian kuninkaallisiin. Kyseisessä kirkossa on siis vihitty mm. Kate ja William, sekä kuningatar Elizabeth II, joka on muuten minun ehdoton lempparikuninkaallinen. Tämä kuva on minun suosikkini! Westminster Abbeyn jälkeen meidän oli tarkoitus mennä Buckinghamin palatsille, mutta kun oltiin edelleen kartattomia, ei tiedetty yhtään, mitä kautta päästäisiin sinne helpoiten. Päätettiin mennä munkilla ja hypättiin metroon, joka vei meidät Hyde Parkin kulmille. Ei todellakaan aavistettu tuossa vaiheessa, miten hankala - tai ennemminkin pitkä - reitti oltiin itsellemme valittu, joten päädyttiin kävelemään koko Hyde Parkin läpi aina Buckinghamin palatsille asti. Tämä matka vei yhteensä varmaan jonkun kaksi tuntia. Välillä tuntui kyllä aivan toivottomalta, mutta selvittiin kuin selvittiinkin paikan päälle. Tulipahan ulkoiltua ja nähtyä Hyde Parkia!
Next we steered to admire Westminster Abbey, which obviously was on my list, since I'm somewhat excited about anything that has something to do with the British royalties. For example Kate and William were married in this church, and of course hrh Queen Elizabet II too. She is actually my favorite royalty. This picture makes me smile every time. From Westminster Abbey we were supposed to head to Buckingham Palace, but as we were still moving around without a map, we had no idea which way would be the quickest one to the palace. We hopped into the tube and got off somewhere near Hyde Park. At that point we had no idea that we had most likely picked the longest possible way to our destination; we ended up walking through Hyde Park in order to get to the palace. I think it took us almost two hours to get there, and at some point we were so done with the walking, but eventually we got there!
Next we steered to admire Westminster Abbey, which obviously was on my list, since I'm somewhat excited about anything that has something to do with the British royalties. For example Kate and William were married in this church, and of course hrh Queen Elizabet II too. She is actually my favorite royalty. This picture makes me smile every time. From Westminster Abbey we were supposed to head to Buckingham Palace, but as we were still moving around without a map, we had no idea which way would be the quickest one to the palace. We hopped into the tube and got off somewhere near Hyde Park. At that point we had no idea that we had most likely picked the longest possible way to our destination; we ended up walking through Hyde Park in order to get to the palace. I think it took us almost two hours to get there, and at some point we were so done with the walking, but eventually we got there!
Jos olin innoissani Westminster Abbeysta, niin Buckinghamin palatsi oli mulle ikään kuin unelmien täyttymys. Kuten voittekin ehkä alimmasta kuvasta huomata, niin hymy oli herkässä. Tuo kuva on muuten varmaan ainoa, joka minusta reissun aikana otettiin, eikä kuvaajani ollut hoksannut tarkentaa.. :-D No, sattuuhan näitä. Siinä kun pällisteltiin palatsilla, niin huomattiin, että porteista virtasi porukkaa sisälle hienoissa autoissa, jotka muuten tarkastettiin porteilla tosi perusteellisesti. Tultiin siihen tulokseen, että siellä on joku häppeninki alkamassa. Kun oltiin lähdössä palatsilta pois, kurvasi liikennevaloihin moottoripyöräpoliisi ja pysäytti koko liikenteen. Pian sen jälkeen iso musta maasturi tummennettuine ikkunoineen kaahasi liikenteen läpi palatsille. Ollaan melko varmoja, että siinä muuten meni kuninkaallisia ihan meidän neniemme edestä!! Myöhemmin yritin ottaa selville, että mikä tapahtuma siellä oli meneillään, ja se taisi olla joku Queen's Awards, tai jotain sinne päin.
If I was excited to visit Westminster Abbey, I would describe seeing Buckingham Palace as a dream coming true. As you can see from the picture above, I was quite happy at that state. Too bad that this was one of the few pictures that was taken of me during the trip, and my photographer didn't notice that the focus wasn't actually on point.. ;) Well, that happens! As we were standing at the gates, we noticed that a line of fancy cars were let in (after a very thorough examination), and people in festive suits went into the palace. Just as we were about to leave the palace area, a biker police suddenly appeared and halted the whole transport, and a while after that a huge black SUV with darkened windows speeded right in front of us to the palace. I'm pretty sure that it carried some royalties!! Later I tried to find out what was happening at the palace, and it turned out that there was this event called Queen's Awards, or something like that.
If I was excited to visit Westminster Abbey, I would describe seeing Buckingham Palace as a dream coming true. As you can see from the picture above, I was quite happy at that state. Too bad that this was one of the few pictures that was taken of me during the trip, and my photographer didn't notice that the focus wasn't actually on point.. ;) Well, that happens! As we were standing at the gates, we noticed that a line of fancy cars were let in (after a very thorough examination), and people in festive suits went into the palace. Just as we were about to leave the palace area, a biker police suddenly appeared and halted the whole transport, and a while after that a huge black SUV with darkened windows speeded right in front of us to the palace. I'm pretty sure that it carried some royalties!! Later I tried to find out what was happening at the palace, and it turned out that there was this event called Queen's Awards, or something like that.
Tämä päivä oli varmaan yksi minun elämäni parhaista. Mulla oli niin hyvä mieli, kun sain kiertää minulle aivan uutta paikkaa parhaan ystäväni ja kahden muun tosi kivan tytsyn kanssa. Sain nähdä niin paljon kaikkea hienoa ja ainutlaatuista, että tuli tosi onnekas olo. Ainoa nähtävyys, joka jäi näkemättä, oli Royal Albert Hall. Sekin oli nääs aika olennainen paikka Spice Worldissa. Onneksi senkin ehtii nähdä seuraavalla kerralla.
This day was definitely one of the best days of my life. I felt so lucky when I got to examine whole new surroundings with my best friend and two other great gals. I got to see so many cool and unique things! The only attraction that we didn't have time to visit was Royal Albert Hall (also a relevant part of the Spice World movie), but luckily it can be experienced next time.
This day was definitely one of the best days of my life. I felt so lucky when I got to examine whole new surroundings with my best friend and two other great gals. I got to see so many cool and unique things! The only attraction that we didn't have time to visit was Royal Albert Hall (also a relevant part of the Spice World movie), but luckily it can be experienced next time.
Päätettiin muuten jostain syystä kävellä samaa reittiä takaisin aivan hostellille asti. Illalla meidän oli tarkoitus mennä pubiin, mutta olo oli kyllä niin ryytynyt päivän jäljiltä, ettei millään kyetty.
For some reason we actually walked the same way back to our hostel, even though it felt like such pain the first time we did it. In the evening we were supposed to go to a pub, but we were so exhausted after walking around the whole day, that we simply were unable to do anything!
For some reason we actually walked the same way back to our hostel, even though it felt like such pain the first time we did it. In the evening we were supposed to go to a pub, but we were so exhausted after walking around the whole day, that we simply were unable to do anything!
Tämän kuvan otin seuraavana päivänä Piccadilly Circusta kierrellessämme, ja minun on aivan pakko todeta, että myös tämä aukio yllätti minut pienuudellaan! Piccadilly ja sen lähellä oleva Chinatown olivat kuitenkin hienoja näkyjä illalla kaikkine valoineen.
I took this picture the next day while we were walking around Piccadilly Circus, and I just must admit, that this square also surprised me with its smallness. Piccadilly Circus and the neighborhood's Chinatown still were an impressive sight with all the lights in the evening. Definitely places worth visiting!
Ps, oh my god this post turned out as a novel, I'm so sorry :'D Hope I didn't bore you to death!
I took this picture the next day while we were walking around Piccadilly Circus, and I just must admit, that this square also surprised me with its smallness. Piccadilly Circus and the neighborhood's Chinatown still were an impressive sight with all the lights in the evening. Definitely places worth visiting!
Ps, oh my god this post turned out as a novel, I'm so sorry :'D Hope I didn't bore you to death!
