– JULY 31, 2015

Our last day in London has us looking at some modern architectural wonders and the must-see Buckingham Palace.

City Hall was designed by the great architect Norman Foster.  This glass-clad structure is a jewel in the landscape situated on the River Thames.

The Tower of London is full to the brim of centuries of bloody history around a medieval castle and home to the Crown Jewels and the iconic Beefeaters.

The building located at 30 St Mary Axe is known as the Gherkin.  It’s a bullet-shaped office tower of swirling light and dark glass.

The Lloyd’s of London building is the home of the insurance institution Lloyd’s of London.  It is located on the former site of East India House in Lime Street, in London’s main financial district.  This example of high-tech architecture is either loved or hated by anyone who sees it.  We in particular love it.

Not much needs to be said about Buckingham Palace.  Unfortunately they were not performing the “changing of the guard” on this day, so we missed it.  There was a smaller crowd on this day due to a bicycle race against cancer.

By Buckingham Palace is Hyde Park.  This is the home to a huge green space, the serpentine lake, and the Diana Memorial Fountain.

Thank you London….you cost entirely too much money, but we loved every second in this amazing city.  It was nice to feel like being home, even if for only a few days.

Next up is Ireland!

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For more photos of our adventure go to our flickr account here.