hkskyline's 2009 LONDON Photo Collection

[hkskyline]

A Grey Day in London

With the aviation industry in turmoil, this year's plane ticket prices have dived, which opened many interesting options for me as a frequent flyer. I was in London for a day trip while en route from Hong Kong to Canada back in the spring. Armed with camera on hand, I made best use of a day trip to Europe ...

The overnight flight from Asia wasn't so bad. I secured a roomier seat out back, although I must say BA's in-flight entertainment isn't too good.







































































































Being such a grey day, I had to do more close-ups than wide shots.

[ColDayMan]

Fantastic.

[the sage]

Seems like you made the most out of your limited time available!

Hopefully BA will put the A380's on LHR-HKG when they get them.

[OhioGuy]

I was just thinking about London and with perfect timing you've posted photos. Thanks!

[xzmattzx]

Nice pictures. London for a day trip? How can you afford all of this world travelling?

I've heard of some of the crazy names of streets in London, like Pall Mall, in your picture.

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Does anyone know how old this building is? It seems like the London of 400 years ago that I envison from stories and fables that I've heard since I was a kid.

[johnnypd]

I think that is Liberty & Co department store dating from the 1920s. Though Ive heard the timber used in construction was from some old british warships.

[Bedhead]

I used to work round this part of London - I really like the way you've picked out little details - especially round the arcades near Piccadilly.

Does anyone know how old this building is? It seems like the London of 400 years ago that I envison from stories and fables that I've heard since I was a kid.

This certainly does give an idea of London of 400 years ago - though I'm guessing that this is Liberty's department store, which was built in the 1920s. It's one of the few examples of really good mock Tudor buildings. 400 years ago, this part of London was open fields, with a country lane running along what is now Oxford Street.


Luis Villa del Campo, Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Li...ore_London.jpg

Most of the half-timbered houses burnt down and were replaced by more fashionable brick or stone houses. A few of the originials still remain though, like this gatehouse in Smithfield.


MikeGTNhttp://www.mikegtn.net/category.php?category=London

[xzmattzx]

Cool! Thanks for the information, and for showing something that really is that old.

While on the subject of London questions, can someone explain how the boroughs work in London? The street signs say City of Westminster, but it is considered London. Is it kind of like how you can be in Manhattan or Brooklyn or Queens and be in New York City no matter which of those that you're in?

[muppet]

kind of. Strictly speaking The City of London is only about one square mile, and is the premier financial district aswell as the oldest part of the city simultaneously. It is marked by statues of griffins and nameplates whenever you enter it, and it has its own separate mayor, police force and institutions. Historically it has always had to compete with The City of Westminster downriver (where Big Ben and much of the West End is, the commercial hub of the city rather than financial and business). Nowadays these two rival cities have of course conjoined into one, and form 'boroughs', one of many, that creates Greater London.

Sidenote: Other parts of the city fall outside of Greater London, even certain quite central areas due to mapdrawing delineations. Many parts of the city come under the counties of Kent or Surrey etc.

[DIABOLICALIBERTY]

London has 33 boroughs

[hkskyline]

A Walk Around the West End

I like to walk around neighbourhoods to see how people live. I chose Holland Park, where it seemed quite posh and upscale. Don't think I can afford a place here!







Back when these were build, each door probably led to one house. But now I wonder how badly subdivided they are to generate more income.















































These ones have less ornaments and don't seem as posh. But I expect them to still cost an arm and a leg!



















Full collection : http://www.globalphotos.org/london-hammersmith.htm

[Chelsea Spy]

Neat set

the second series is more the posh part of Shepherd's Bush/ Hammersmith than Holland Park proper. I once lived in the street in the first pic. You need to head a little further east across Holland Rd for Holland Park proper - there the houses are much, much grander and much, much more expensive...

[boden]

Great selection of shots.

[hkskyline]

These inner streets are quite serene and seemingly safe.

[WEMO]

Great shots

[pablosan]

What a gorgeous city.

[xzmattzx]

Nice pictures again.

[hkskyline]

Full set on my website : http://www.globalphotos.org/london.htm

[hkskyline]

Transport
London is a great place to spot airplanes. Heathrow has all sorts of varieties.





You have the 2 Delta liveries.



A Qantas A380.







An Emirates A380.



The traditional 747.





London is also a good place to spot buses. The red liveries stand out amidst the grey skies.













I really hate these bendy buses that take up valuable space on London's narrow streets.



The Tube is a comfortable and cost-effective way to get to Heathrow. You can also score a cheap ticket on Southern to get to Gatwick, but you need to book early online.

[-AX-]

That was my bus when I lived in London! Great tour!