off topic but would like to share photos of recent trip to London/Paris and guys you can compare similarities/differences in these 2 large & historic cities......

flight went thru Dubai. The airport is one long terminal, the ground flr is all shops like a dept store, the 1st flr is where the restaurants, airline lounges and departure gates are located, arrived at midnight & it was crowded, night & early morning are its busier times. not enough areas to sit and passengers sleep on the floor.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01451.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01450.jpg

all i got to see of Dubai city in the distance from the terminal

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01452.jpg

stayed outside central London in Greenwich (SE of centre, south of thames river downstream fr city) this is the commuter train I took regularly to get to central london
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0244_2.jpg

views from the train as it comes into the city,
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0246_2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0248_2.jpg

it can be quite grim in some parts
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0267.jpg

Charing cross station is where the train terminates, there are many similarly large stations in london that connect to different parts of the country
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0268.jpg

Tralfagar sq near the station with Nelson's column
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0251.jpg

yes its the M'sian flag, flying over the M'sian tourism office in tralfagar sq
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0252.jpg

a pedestrian bridge to cross the thames river

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0254.jpg

its along side the railway bridge
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0257.jpg

crossing the bridge for views of parliment buildings
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0256.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0258.jpg

and the london eye
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0255.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0260.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01466.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0261.jpg

Big Ben clocktower
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0262.jpg
beyond the gates is the official residence of the PM on Downing St
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0263.jpg

Piccadilly circus (a large traffic roundabout with a fountain) many large stately buildings around here
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0264.jpg
Streets around piccadilly
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0265.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0266.jpg

British museum - front entrance
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0269.jpg

recently renovated interior courtyard with glass enclosure
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0270.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0271.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0273.jpg

Both are beautiful cities.

more streets in central london
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0278.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0279.jpg

Portobello road is a street market selling mostly antiques, there is also a fruit and veg section
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0281.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0282.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01469.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01467.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01470.jpg

came across this malaysian cafe with kueh & curry puffs, 2nd hand/pirated DVDs for sale
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0285.jpg

waiting for the bus, it was a hot day unfortunately the bus wasnt aircon
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0286.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01471.jpg

the server is really slow now, laborious to post. I'll continue later.:hi:

Travellator, THANKS! for the tour! great job...as always...hope you're having a blast in London!

OMG!!! London looks awesome! love the archotecture so much....

can't wait to see more of your pics of London, travellator!

and of course i can't wait to to see one of my favourite cities in the world - Paris

Appreciate it and nice. :okay:

Looks fun and the buildings look great!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0252.jpg

Looks like as if the Malaysian flag looks like it's on the statue!

Tate museum (of modern art) sorry photography inside was not allowed
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0298.jpg

cafe in the museum
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0300.jpg

Millenium bridge a pedestrian bridge across the Thames at the Tate museum
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0297.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0299.jpg

Canary wharf is an urban renewal area in east London where london's port wharfs and docks were once located but is now an office, residential area with many new buildings
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0243_2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0319.jpg

there is a seperate light rail line connecting here, it seems similar to KL Sri petaling LRT
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0320.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0322.jpg

the underground(metro) in London covers a large area, some of the stations & trains are old, many of the stations & trains are not aircon so when its hot and crowded its quite uncomfortable. The ride in the older trains is not smooth with alot of rocking. The best thing is the convience and the very extensive coverage of the city

Escalator to the underground station
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0277.jpg

Newer underground station
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0318.jpg

Interior of train (can't remember exactly which train I think its the commuter I took to the city)
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0280.jpg

Docklands light rail seems similar to KL's LRT, driverless just a conductor to open & close the doors
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0287.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0288-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0321.jpg

Thanks guys for all your replies & comments. hope you get a feel of london from my photos. still more to come and then I'll show you Paris :)

Thames river passes thru london dividing it north/south, the main parts/?nicer parts are north of the river. It is a dark brown river :)
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0289-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0290.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0292.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0293.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0294.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0295.jpg

took a walk along the south bank of the Thames & took these photos....
restored and renovated old warehouses now offices, restaurants, shops & apartments
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0302.jpg

view of the north bank, the building is under construction/renovation but covered by a large picture of a building
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0301.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0303.jpg

Along the south bank is a long pedestrian walkway called Queen's Walk. photos taken along the Walk
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0304.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0306.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0307.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0308.jpg

Tower bridge, the road bridge opens to tall boats about twice a week so was lucky to catch it opening
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0305.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0309.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0311.jpg

outside a design museum, its the BMW,Sauber,Petronas F1 car
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0314.jpg

a Norman Foster designed building(think its called the Gerkin)
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0313.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0315.jpg

more restored warehouses now offices & apartments
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0312.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0317.jpg

love to see that st. mary building if i not mistaken.....

time to leave London for Paris.......by train
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0324.jpg

connects centre london to centre paris in 2 1/2 hrs
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0325.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01473.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0328.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0329.jpg

toilet! about the same size of a plane
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/DSC01474.jpg

view of the outskirts of london fr the train
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0330.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0331.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0332.jpg

the time under the english channel is appox. 25mins then the train enters France

1 2/1 hours by eurostar. That is just not possible because the trains have to slow down to 150 when it reaches England. It took me 21/2 hours. I've been to London three times but i really hate the attitude of the immigration officers in Heathrow. They subject Malaysian passport holders to a lot of scrutiny. I will be going there again soon but i will fly to Paris and take the train there (saves me from dealing with the pricks in Heathrow)

my bad its 2 1/2 hrs, edited it, thanks globocentric. didnt have problems with UK immigration altho the line at heathrow was very long and had to wait one hour this was for all non EU arrivals. what i noticed is if you came in as a family with young children you will get held up as they scrutinize the whole family. when i left on the train we still had to present passports at the station before boarding so you may still have to show your passport in Paris b4 getting on the train

my bad its 2 1/2 hrs, edited it, thanks globocentric. didnt have problems with UK immigration altho the line at heathrow was very long and had to wait one hour this was for all non EU arrivals. what i noticed is if you came in as a family with young children you will get held up as they scrutinize the whole family. when i left on the train we still had to present passports at the station before boarding so you may still have to show your passport in Paris b4 getting on the train

I wouldnt say that i have problems. I was asked to produce my return ticket and was asked a few questions. They could have given me more scrutiny because they are notorious for targeting young travellers that travel alone and i certainly fit that profile. However, it is still stricter than airports such as Auckland. I was allowed to pass through immigration without producing my return ticket. However, the refusal rate for Malaysians in Heathrow is one of the highest statistically but in my experience, they are more likely to target people that either speak poor english or possess a passport that is relatively empty. They are much more lenient on good english speakers and holders of passport that has visited western countries numerous times.

awesome pics again, travellator!!

how i wish i was there

awesome pics again, travellator!!

how i wish i was there

Thanks TYW, well its not too difficult to go there. search the net for cheap airfares, you can go direct to the airline site or use one of the web search sites I recommend Expedia if lucky you can get a return for under RM3500, sometimes it is cheaper to reach london by a longer route rather than direct. The more costly part is the accomodation....London accomodation is expensive and you will be paying M'sian 5 star rates for 2 to 3 star accomodation, you can try youth hostels or stay further outside of London. better still if u have friends/relatives then mayb stay with them...start making london friends. nearly everything in london is expensive for us due to the exchange, a McD set meal is approx RM35! so to save on food cost go to the supermarket and buy stuff that you can make sandwiches and pack it for the day. transport in london....buy the travelcard, allows unlimited use of trains & buses. and of course buy a good travel guide of the city and plan ahead. It easy to move about in London and everyone speaks English :lol: alto you may see more non english than english people in london :) You dont need a visa but as globocentric said you may have problems with immigration if they suspect you may not go back, its good to have some proof that you will be returning eg. return flight ticket, letter from employer that you have a job in M'sia, enough money, credit card :) Get working TYW :wave:

Thanks TYW, well its not too difficult to go there. search the net for cheap airfares, you can go direct to the airline site or use one of the web search sites I recommend Expedia if lucky you can get a return for under RM3500, sometimes it is cheaper to reach london by a longer route rather than direct. The more costly part is the accomodation....London accomodation is expensive and you will be paying M'sian 5 star rates for 2 to 3 star accomodation, you can try youth hostels or stay further outside of London. better still if u have friends/relatives then mayb stay with them...start making london friends. nearly everything in london is expensive for us due to the exchange, a McD set meal is approx RM35! so to save on food cost go to the supermarket and buy stuff that you can make sandwiches and pack it for the day. transport in london....buy the travelcard, allows unlimited use of trains & buses. and of course buy a good travel guide of the city and plan ahead. It easy to move about in London and everyone speaks English :lol: alto you may see more non english than english people in london :) You dont need a visa but as globocentric said you may have problems with immigration if they suspect you may not go back, its good to have some proof that you will be returning eg. return flight ticket, letter from employer that you have a job in M'sia, enough money, credit card :) Get working TYW :wave:


thanks for the tips!! hope to set foot on London and Paris...hopefully soon he he...

you have more pics of London? and how about Paris? i can't wait to see Paris :D

i do have some more pics of london unfortunately they also include people that dont want to posted :( anyway i will post the paris part soon

Thank you, travellator! :applause:

Very fine photos and comments. I'm still mad at myself for not having taken the opportunity of a ride on the Eye when we were in London some years ago. :wallbash: So I guess I'll have to go back. :)

I like the pedestrian bridges across the Thames, and I love the way they refurbished all the old storehouses by the River. :okay:

love to see that st. mary building if i not mistaken.....

St. Mary Axe

Thank you so much for the photos! Can't wait to see London with my own eyes next year.

Damn i miss London so badly!:gaah: Oh hey.. Are these photos taken months ago? Cos' it seems warm at that moment..

i do have some more pics of london unfortunately they also include people that dont want to posted :( anyway i will post the paris part soon

Hi travellator,

well done for all these fab pics! excellent!:applause:

myself living in London ( 20 mins to central london), never quite appreciate all those walks, buildings etc. may be because there is soooo much to see and to do. will go out more! anyone coming to london soon?

Thanks travellator. London is always an exciting city.

thanks travellator.:cheers:

yes its the M'sian flag, flying over the M'sian tourism office in tralfagar sq
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0252.jpg

:banana: :banana: :banana:

travellator, hope u don't mind if i put some of my photos here in ur thread. :)

the greater london city hall, by Norman Foster
http://photos-267.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131267_5537.jpg

tower bridge, as viewed from the observation deck on the top floor of the greater london city hall
http://photos-275.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131275_7684.jpg

this is london city skyline, not like KL or any China's big cities at all
http://photos-277.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131277_8231.jpg

canary wharf
http://photos-279.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131279_8771.jpg

tower of london
http://photos-281.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131281_9319.jpg

inside greater london city hall
http://photos-288.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131288_1350.jpg
http://photos-286.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v67/55/61/556310144/n556310144_131286_771.jpg

that's all from me now. hope u guys enjoy it and see how different is london skyline from KL. :)

no problems tk, very nicely taken photos :okay:

thanks to dmtling & alsen for the bump up :)

:eek2: the city hall is awesome!!!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/London/IMG_0268.jpg

Thanks for that pic - Charing Cross, is the inside still as depressing looking as it was ?!
(eg. pidgeons flying about, pooping all over the place ..... etc !) :)

:eek2: the city hall is awesome!!!

KL should have this as well, showcasing the DBKL's transparency, and of course it can be one of KL landmarks. :)

For ur info, the ramp is surrounded by the offices. so, public ppl can look into the offices.