Friday 20 July 2007

LondonEye

I am going to share some of the featured places in London. This will run for next 3-4 posts (or more :-P) and it is not going to stop with that...wait and watch.
Hey Londoners ! and Guys & Gals who have already Visited London...excuse me Please.
London is such a beautiful and historical city one must visit. This post is all about my favourite spot -- 'London Eye'.

Information from Wikipedia and other sources (including my own experience hehe ;D)
London Eye is the world's tallest observation wheel at 135m high.It is considered one of London's 21st century landmark .
The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is an observation wheel that completed construction in 1999 and opened to the public in March,2000. As of June 2007, it is the largest observation wheel in the world. It is located on the banks of the River Thames.
Within this 7 years period, London Eye has become the most popular paid for UK visitor attraction, visited by over 3.5 million people a year i.e., on an average of 10,000 visitors a day.

The wheel carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned passenger capsules (look at the picture of a capsule above) attached to its external circumference. Each capsule holds approximately 25 people. Look at the view of London Eye during night taken from the pathway to Waterloo Tube Station.
What do you see here ??? Yes it is the BigBen. View of BigBen from the Capsule.Do you see the Ferry in Thames River.
How is my photography huh ?!!! Okay..okay..let me come to the picture. This is the footpath just below the LondonEye. A series of people dressed up and presenting themselves as a statue. Have a look at each one in the picture above. Interesting isn't it? Road shows are more entertaining.
LondonEye gives you a 360 degree view of the city. It is an amazing experience. It takes around 30 minutes for one revolution. But standing in the Queue to get in takes hours and hours.
Each capsule is marked with directions - North, South , East & West. Just before landing a photo light flashes near the entrance (Announcement will be made before the flash, but people tend to miss it). You can collect your photograph after landing (if your image is captured) in Magnet, Keychain forms...Of course you need to pay for it.
During my first visit to London, I was so thrilled about LondonEye as I was thinking it as a Fast revolving Giant Wheel (as fast rides in Fair) :) .
Though you have online booking and other stuffs, the queue always runs till the end of the Street. BA is the sponsor and it is called as BA Flight...for your surprise you will have all security checks (as done in airport) before entering into the Capsule. Once you are into it you will not feel that it is revolving.
The combined offer with Madame Tussauds ticket works out to be cheaper. BigBen and Houses of Parliament are located just opposite to LondonEye. Westminster Bridge connects LondonEye and BigBen.
Don't miss it !
Nearest Tube Station : Waterloo.