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Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen and is one of the most famous and easily recognizable façades of any building in the world.

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen and is one of the most famous and easily recognizable façades of any building in the world. (click to enlarge)


London’s Houses Of Parliament were designed by Charles Barry. The famous tower and clock are known as Big Ben, but this is in fact the name of the 16-ton bell that rings the hour. Passing by is probably the most famous London symbol, the red double-decker bus.

A red double-decker bus passes by London’s Houses Of Parliament, with its famous tower and clock known as Big Ben. (click to enlarge)


The Tower Bridge was opened in 1894 and measures 240m between the two towers, which house the machinery for raising the bascules in 90 seconds. The upper walkway is open to visitors.

The Tower Bridge was opened in 1894 and measures 240m between the two towers. (click to enlarge)


The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court. The spectacular glass and steel roof added in 2000 has transformed the British Museum's inner courtyard into the largest covered public square in Europe.

The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court in the British Museum's inner courtyard has a glass and steel roof. (click to enlarge)


Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Arles, January 1889, 61 x 50 cm. On the night of December 23, 1888, Vincent van Gogh was drunk and upset that his friend Paul Gauguin was planning to leave. He waved a knife in Gauguin's face, then cut off a piece of his own ear and gave it to a prostitute. Gauguin quickly left for Paris, and van Gogh went to a hospital. A week later, Vincent looked in the mirror and saw a calm man with an unflinching gaze, dressed in a heavy coat (painted with thick, vertical strokes of blue and green) and fur-lined hat, and a slightly stained bandage over his ear.

Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Arles, January 1889. (click to enlarge)


JMW Turner - The Fighting Temeraire, 1838, 91 x 122 cm. This painting was voted #1 in the 2005 BBC Greatest Painting in Britain Poll. Although Turner painted many years before the Impressionists, I consider him the true first Impressionist. The Temeraire was a famous ship that had helped Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The painting shows the ship as she makes her last voyage before being broken up for salvage. Turner’s brilliant sunset bathes her in light, celebrating her glorious victory. The golden sky contrasts with the dark, modern tug that pulls the majestic old ship to her deathbed. The painting, which Turner called his favourite, is also regarded as a reflection by the artist on his own age and death.

JMW Turner - The Fighting Temeraire, 1838, 91 x 122 cm. This painting was voted #1 in the 2005 BBC Greatest Painting in Britain Poll. (click to enlarge)

Updated: February 2009. Click on an image to see the FULL size with a caption.


London, England

London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, and the largest city in western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of roughly 7.5 million people, although the figure of over 14 million for the city's total metropolitan area more accurately reflects London's size and importance.

The Roman city of Londinium was established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in 43AD and forms the basis for the modern city. London has remained one of the great cities of the world ever since is still a global capital of politics, culture, fashion, trade and finance.

London is one of my favourite cities in the world. London was the first foreign city I ever visited, and I've been back over 10 times throughout the years. When I think of London so many images come to mind - the Queen, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the British Museum, the Thames, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, a pint at the pub, bed and breakfast, the Tube, the red double-decker buses, theatre, music, fish 'n' chips, shopping, and on and on.


My Top 5 Memories Of London, England

1. National Gallery - a sensational range of European paintings from 1250 to 1900.

2. The British Museum - extremely broad collection of world antiquities.

3. Thames River - wander along the Thames see the Parliament buildings, the London Eye, London Bridge, and the Tower.

4. Buckingham Palace - the icon of the British monarchy still excites tourists with the changing of the guard.

5. St. Paul's Cathedral - Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece. Great views of London.