Just a quick one, I thought I share my experience here in London from two events. The first one was climbing the O2 Arena in North Greenwich. We gathered a small group and met in front of the O2 Climb office.
There was a video that explains the history of the O2 and its details as well as the safety instruction first. We then headed to the change room and got fitted a suit to wear. You get into the suit with everything you have on including your jacket. During Winter it can get really freezing up there especially with sharp wind.
Any cameras bigger than a small digital or phone aren't allowed up there, so bringing my SLR was a bit pointless, but so was the climb in my opinion. It was great for checking it out, but nothing too amazing. You pretty much have the same view from the Greenwich Observatory, just for 28£ less.
The pictures they take are good, but for 9£ a little bit too expensive. Every next copy would have been 7£.
I certainly recommend gloves. They give you boots if you don't wear the right footwear as well as gloves if needed.
Overall it was a fun experience, but this was totally up to the people and not the activity itself.
.jpg)
The second time I tried to see London from the top was to the Shard, the tallest building in Europe. A newly-ish attraction in which you get to see all of London from a viewing platform. The fun cost you 25£ when pre-booking, 29£ for booking 24h before viewing and a 100£ (yes you read that correctly) on a same day ticket.
We were a bit unlucky with the fog. Certainly in all cases you have to be a bit lucky with the weather during the Autumm and Winter time in London.
The view through the windows that had reflections on there because of the light wasn't really great either.
If I were to go again, then only during summer and afternoon-ish sunshine. Of course sunset would be great, but with the reflections very difficult to take pictures of the view. Overall it was nice, but very risky in London because you never know how low the fog is actually hanging and if you have a view at all.
The pictures wrapped in Leather will cost you 28£ including digital copy and the simple ones 22£. I mean seriously, who would buy the pictures at this price?
There was a video that explains the history of the O2 and its details as well as the safety instruction first. We then headed to the change room and got fitted a suit to wear. You get into the suit with everything you have on including your jacket. During Winter it can get really freezing up there especially with sharp wind.
Any cameras bigger than a small digital or phone aren't allowed up there, so bringing my SLR was a bit pointless, but so was the climb in my opinion. It was great for checking it out, but nothing too amazing. You pretty much have the same view from the Greenwich Observatory, just for 28£ less.
The pictures they take are good, but for 9£ a little bit too expensive. Every next copy would have been 7£.
I certainly recommend gloves. They give you boots if you don't wear the right footwear as well as gloves if needed.
Overall it was a fun experience, but this was totally up to the people and not the activity itself.
.jpg)
The second time I tried to see London from the top was to the Shard, the tallest building in Europe. A newly-ish attraction in which you get to see all of London from a viewing platform. The fun cost you 25£ when pre-booking, 29£ for booking 24h before viewing and a 100£ (yes you read that correctly) on a same day ticket.
We were a bit unlucky with the fog. Certainly in all cases you have to be a bit lucky with the weather during the Autumm and Winter time in London.
The view through the windows that had reflections on there because of the light wasn't really great either.
If I were to go again, then only during summer and afternoon-ish sunshine. Of course sunset would be great, but with the reflections very difficult to take pictures of the view. Overall it was nice, but very risky in London because you never know how low the fog is actually hanging and if you have a view at all.
The pictures wrapped in Leather will cost you 28£ including digital copy and the simple ones 22£. I mean seriously, who would buy the pictures at this price?
That's all I really wanted to mention. Read you soon again with some more random stories.
Happy Travels!
Love love love London. It's my favorite "affair" so I am just giddy with delight reading this and looking at the photos. Beautiful, Nat. :)
ReplyDeletehave u learnt how to take better photos ?? or u got a new camera?? the pics look very crisp ^^ wow. it looks different to what i see or read about london :)
ReplyDeleteGreat write up. I was curious to check out both of these outings but it does sound like its not worth the time now.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of/been to Sushi Samba? It's on top of a tower on the other side of the river and I hear it's a great experience. They do food obviously but you can just sit at the cocktail bar to drink and soak in the view.