London in a click

The Sun shone brightly but a light breeze took away its severity as we entered the department store. A few minutes later, it started pouring.

This was our first encounter with the whimsical London weather. Our first trip to the British capital was based on a whim. My wife and I were supposed to travel home but we decided to visit the UK instead. Our visas were processed easily and British Airways provided an excellent deal. Moreover, we found accommodation at reasonable rates. We had no excuses but to embark on our ten-day holiday.

I had always imagined London to be a city with dingy lanes and moss-covered ancient buildings. But I was in for a big surprise. The city is extremely beautiful, glowing with modern glass-fronted buildings with broad thoroughfares.

Yet the narrow streets and old buildings hold not just historical significance but a charm of their own. While you have the London Eye on the one hand, you have different views of the city over the Thames on the other.

The city provides limitless opportunities for a photographer and I couldn't seem to take my finger off the shutter. Everything seemed clean and bright.

While I had heard several tales about British people being rude, it was heart-warming to come across some extremely helpful ones. We never got lost in the city as the passers-by were willing to give us directions and guided us to our destination.

Getting around is extremely easy with the efficient public transport system. You just have to learn to use it and not travel at peak hours.

Of course, when you travel with a woman, shopping is always on top of the list. And my wife was quite surprised, as there was no cribbing from me about her spending. Though everything is available in the UAE, I found London less expensive. The department stores seemed to have a year-round sale.

With its wealth of history and culture preserved in its museums, historical sites and people, London is a must-see, at least once in your lifetime.

We are already planning our next visit.

— As told to Manjari Saxena, Features Writer