London is an exciting, but sometimes overwhelming place to be. There’s always something happening and the flow of people coming and going never stops. Life generally never slows down.
I spent several days this week visiting London’s rich assortment of museums. The Science Museum features an impressive collection of scientific achievements including some of the first steam locomotives, Puffing Billy and Stephenson’s Rocket. NASA’s Apollo 10 is also featured in the museum (not to be confused with Apollo 11, which landed Neil Armstrong on the moon, although the museum does host a replica of this). I also visited the Natural History Museum, which has on display replicas, fossils, and bones of virtually every creature that lives or has lived on the planet. On display in the main hall is a replica of the Diplodocus that literally fills the entire main hall of the building. Throughout the museum you’ll find the bones of many other extinct creatures, from giant sloths to New Zealand’s own Moa.
The most impressive of the three museums was the British Museum. The name is rather deceiving; the British Museum is not just about British history but the entire history of the Ancient world. I especially liked the African art section, a subject which I had not been exposed to in great depth before. No matter what era or country you’re interested in, it’s likely you’ll find it at this place. I managed to see most of the museum in an afternoon, but if you spent time going through the museum thoroughly it could easily take you several days to experience it all.
I also went to Leeds Castle this week, experienced a London musical, met one of my uncles for the first time, and tried some English pub food. The English have a bizarre tradition of serving mushy peas with their food, essentially peas squished together into a slimy pile of green on the side of your plate. I can’t see the appeal myself, but otherwise the food was excellent.
I’m currently down in the south of England for a few days staying in a village called Pagham. Although I’ve enjoyed London so far, it’s definitely good to get away from the hectic nature of the place and experience some English countryside. I’ll be returning to London next week for a few days. There is plenty left to do and see.
Photo Sets:
Science Museum, London
London Sightseeing
British Museum, London
Leeds Castle
Natural History Museum, London
Mushy peas taste good, is why it’s so awesome. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried it.
I’m jealous you’ve been to the British Museum. The Natural History one is amazing though. I saw an animatronic dinosaur display there when I went, it was crazy good.
Mushy peas are pretty darn good. Best with fish and chips IMO.
I haven’t done the British Museum yet, I need to set a weekend aside for it I think.
You English people are funny with your mooshy peas.
@Urban Reflex: Is this the dinosaur (the T-Rex) that you saw?
http://flickr.com/photos/uriptical/2932223143/in/set-72157607946760283/
@darkmaterial: My visit to the British Museum was quite rushed. A couple of visits to the museum over the course of a weekend is a good idea, not only because of the time factor but because it can be quite tiring trying to take in the whole museum in one day.
Yeah, I saw that bad boy when I went there. But there was a seperate display hall with about five or six different ones too, as part of an exhibition.