Hit Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park and Paddington during a 7-hour layover in London
Lisbon International Airport
The terminal that I used didn’t have a high ceiling, so it felt kinda cramped particularly when there’s a reasonable amount of passengers. But I’m very impressed with vibrant colors used for decoration which was really refreshing.
London Heathrow Airport
Being one of the busiest airports in the world, the tremendous amount of passengers that I saw speaks for itself.
It’s stressful for me to see so many passengers crammed in the terminal and be part of it. But the gentlemanly behavior of the border control officer who served me helped relieve my stress.
Not only did he greet me by saying, ‘Welcome to London!’, he also advised me to have a good time management if I would head to central London cause my 6-hour layover might be a little bit tight.
He is one of the nicest border control officers that I’ve ever met.
Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 Tube Station
Looking at the logo of the London Tube which is the first ever built underground system in the entire world, I, as a aficionado of underground was more than thrilled.
Because I was right in the place of origin of underground which has been one of the sources of my happiness since I was 5 or 6 years old.
Nevertheless, as a demanding passenger who always looks forward to better service, I sincerely hope:
– for a larger train compartment
– for a better seat arrangement to vacate more space
Because I still felt cramped in the train even when there’re only few passengers let alone when packed with people. And I had to struggle a lot before I could get off the train and leave the station. The experience is awful!
I was planning to take the Tube again on the way back to the airport but I had no choice but change my mind because I was absolutely appalled by the invincible crowds.
However, I’m so impressed by the politeness, order and tolerance of most of the passengers. It’s crowded but not chaotic. It’s cramped but everything’s in order.
Piccadilly Circus was so vibrant and loaded with people
After being packed in the Tube, I finally made it back to the street level!
In spite of the crowds, I was so bumped when I was there in Piccadilly Circus. Reasons are:
- I am somewhat a fan of the British culture
- The belief that the British things are usually good has been implanted in my mind since I was a kid under the British colonial rule in Hong Kong
- Most of the people there were well dressed and looked good to me. And they seemed to be polite and cultured
- The white classical buildings looked stunning to me
- The Christmas lighting made the buildings and streets even more beautiful
- The curve created by the buildings on Regent Street is a real beauty to me
- The vibe was so international
I wish I could have stayed for a little longer to truly feel the vibe and take more shots.
When can I possibly pay another visit to Piccadilly Circus?
Piccadilly
According to Wikipedia, Piccadilly is part of A4 connecting central London to Heathrow Airport.
I’m impressed by Piccadilly because:
– most of the people were well dressed and groomed
– the classical buildings were stunningly beautiful particularly with the Christmas lighting.
Annenberg Courtyard 
The Ritz London Hotel 
Fortnum and Mason Department Store 
Burlington Arcade
Bombard Command Memorial
According to Wikipedia, the memorial was built to memorialize the sacrifice of the aircrew from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and other allied nations as well as civilians of all countries killed during the WWII. And it was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
Hyde Park Corner Tube Station was crammed with passengers
It’s time to go back to the airport, so I planned to take a train here. But it’s just too crowded to just enter the station. I had little choice but change my plan!
So I planned to go to the Paddington Station on foot and take the Heathrow Express train.
Hyde Park
On my way to the Paddington Station, I passed by the world renowned park. But sadly I could hardly see anything in the dark.
It’s pretty dark and cold inside the park except for the area where the carnival took place. It made a sharp contrast.
On the way from Hyde Park to Paddington
Paddington Station – the most pricey train journey that I’ve ever had
Paddington Station was another perfect place to experience the hustle and bustle of London.
Luckily enough, I managed to get my airport ticket with ease.
But I really have to say, this railway journey from Paddington to Heathrow Airport is the most expensive ever in my entire life. It took me £22 for merely a 15-minute ride. And what more surprising to me is that the train is completely full and some of the passengers had to be standing throughout the whole journey.
It means that even it’s so pricey to me but the demand was still higher than the supply. Cool!
It’s always said that the railway service in Britain is exceptionally expensive and I’m glad that I could experience it by myself.
Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 was literally a Club
I was flying with Virgin Atlantic so I had to check-in in T3, the terminal dedicated for the passengers of Virgin Atlantic.
The color scheme used in this terminal and in its cabins coincides, which I like very much. Is it called pinkish purple? or magenta? And to me, it’s more a clubbing scene than an airport terminal.
Thank you so much for the cool design!
My Travel Journal ONE 