London from Above - Part I
One fine day, I decided to 'see' London. I mean just 'see', not explore or visit or roam about or anything! Just 'see'... You get that???? Just 'see' it from above!!! It was my day of heights and I went to 3 places where I could reach atop London and see the spectacular view of the splendid city. Here's Part I with one of the places - Coco Cola London Eye!
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The best way to start experiencing London Eye is with the 4D Experience. Outside the 4D hall is this film on loop that talks about how London Eye was built. It was definitely a worthy 5 minutes, with the 4th D being bubbles, snow (foams), fog (mist), and fireworks (lighting effects)!!! Until a bubble popped on me, I didn't even realize that was real and not in the video! I suggest watch this before you get into the 'eye'!!!
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Opened to public in the year 2000, it was the World's Largest / Tallest (135m tall, 120m diameter) Ferry Wheel since then till 2006 (taken over by 3 more since then). Still it is the largest in UK & Europe!!! Standing on the banks of river Thames this has 32 capsules and takes about 30 mins per rotation. The construction was pretty interesting with the several number of days the wheel were raised from ground and left hanging midway for a couple months on-site, to the Thames transport of the capsules which were built off-site!
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The capsules are air conditioned and open to the East and open/close for about a minute when its almost touching the ground. Its slow enough to get on/off while its moving (yes, after the ride, inertia is evident!). At the max each can carry 25 people. However the best part is you can hire the entire capsule all for yourself if you want to treat someone or just your soulmate (may be with some champagne and truffles!!).
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Even before you get into the capsule, there's a green screen photo op, which basically photoshops you in front of the London Eye! In case you're wearing a reflective sunglasses, the Thames or Skyscrapers are photoshopped on that as well!!! Yes, that's a bit too cheesy!!! However the saving grace is there are 2 sections within the capsule (during the descent) where you have to stand for a photo op (the imminent proof that you were on the top of the world inside than capsule!!).
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There's seating available inside the capsule but you can move about. The best part are those tabs fixed into the railing that helps you to figure out what building is what! The freakiest park, Wembley Stadium's (which takes about ah hour by metro) arch was visible from here!!!!! Errr... I gasped, much to the attention of the fellow passengers! Can you see that in the above pic. At the centre, in the horizon, a white arch!!!!!
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That's The Shard, The Cheese Grater, and The Walkie Talkie in one frame! The Gherkin, Barbican Towers etc were also some of the skyscrapers gorgeously visible from here! And ofcourse I was much above The Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, Her Majesty's Treasury, Buckingham Palace, St.Paul's Cathedral etc.
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The feel from there and view from there - no matter how many pics I put up here, can only be felt and experienced and cannot be justified with words or pictures! Btw, planning to propose your gal, why not take atop the world, slip the ring onto her fingers and take her to cloud 9!!!
To Get There:
Nearest railway station: Westminster & Waterloo.
Entry Ticket: Varies from £21.20 per adult to £8500.00 per capsule!
Available to buy online on their website.
Photos come only with a souvenir album that costs £20 - £25
I really wish they come up with cheaper options like £2-3 digital transfer!
I'm sure almost no one would mind paying £2 than £20 which is almost the ticket's cost!!!
Entry Ticket: Varies from £21.20 per adult to £8500.00 per capsule!
Available to buy online on their website.
Photos come only with a souvenir album that costs £20 - £25
I really wish they come up with cheaper options like £2-3 digital transfer!
I'm sure almost no one would mind paying £2 than £20 which is almost the ticket's cost!!!
P.S: I was invited by London Eye to experience it for review purpose, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
Dedicated to Venkat