Thursday, February 28, 2013

Markets in London

There is a lot of shopping in London, now the thing is where to look. Since there are an abundance of main streets and shopping centers for name brand clothes I was in search for a more alternative shops. I asked around and and it turns out that there are many hidden away or easily accessible if you know where to look. We were able to hit up two of the destinations recommended by the people we work with at the pub.


Near London Bridge tube stop you can walk for less than 3 minutes and bam you are in the midst of a market. Food aromas wafting through the air, fresh produce, healthy shakes, pastries, jams, organic makes of yummy everyday foods, don't forget fudge and honeycombs and lastly cheese stalls with samples. I don't think I covered all the basics but there it is a market that is available everyday for people from all around to buy food.


You have to check it out yourself when you are in the area, I hear that Saturday at lunch time is when the action happens.

If Borough Market was a small slice of London market life, then Camden Town is that slice writ large. Stall spill out across many huge rooms and swathes of yelling vendors, overcoming their boundaries and spreading out onto the street.
Take the tube to Camden Town when you exit the station you should be able to sense the large streets with stalls. From there they are outdoor catacombs of stalls arranged in a way where you can squeeze past, the thing is that comes with shopping like this are the vendors. They instantly break into sales mode, grabbing you sizes from anything you look at trying to herd you into trying on clothes. I get it most people who come here browse at the merchandise and never come back. I still just don't believe that being pushy is the way to sell, I have been in situations with restaurants in Rome yelling at every person to walking by to come in and eat. Through China store owners almost drag you in and won't let you go until you have bought something. Times are hard and we become more persistent. So don't take it personally and remember to try to haggle for a deal, the people here are happy to knock off a couple pounds for your purchase. 

The best thing about Camden Town is the fact that everything here has a very alternative/punk/Victorian feel to it. From there stalls upon stalls have set up with their fashion, knock offs,tattoo and piercing parlors, shoe shops, smoking paraphernalia you can find pretty much anything here.



Don't forget there are food stalls here, tonnes of restaurant and pubs around the area. 

Whilst you are here don't forget to visit The World's End a pub that is much bigger on the inside. They played metal the whole time we were there but it was late afternoon and it wasn't ear blaring. It was a nice change from the top 40 radio playlist that is found at more mainstream pubs. 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Aquarium and the London Eye


SEA LIFE London Aquarium, EDF Energy London Eye, Madame Tussuads and London Dungeon

We wanted to see more of London and there were so many sights still left on my list to check off. I was suggested by the lady at the salon to visit the London Sea Life aquarium. On their website we were able to pick up a duo package for another attraction within London. Making it more economical to visit all these places since a single ticket costs more.

We decides to do the Sea Life and the London Eye, with our online tickets we were able to go through the priority line at sea life and skipped the line which is always a nice perk. Inside the aquarium are guides, tours and people bringing awareness to how human lives impact sea life. On top of that there are different species of all kinds of sea animals, even penguins.

During the walk through we were able to see giant sea turtles, sting rays of all assortments and walk through a tunnel that was fed through the large aquarium. I was luckily enough to touch a star fish during a presentation. If you like sea life it is worth the walk through.
I always love seeing these mini eels.

it is really hard to get a good picture of a sea horse.
I have many photos from the aquarium but I will let you see it yourself. Our London Eye pass is valid for one month after our first attraction visit. So we were thinking since it was valentines day there would be a huge line up for the ride. When we walked out at sunset there wasn't anyone, I guess it was dinner time so we hopped right on. No line or anything, it was a nice slow incline with about 6 other people a very calm overlook of the city. It didn't go high enough that you could see how vast London was but you could see all the nearby landmarks.
Us at Southbank

Me on the London Eye.

Happy V-Day Everyone! <3
The London Sea Life is located on Southbank which overlooks the River Thames home to great views of London.
Much love <3