The world-famous London Eye hosted the next 2024 Birthday Adventure episode. With its glass pods, the iconic cantilevered observation wheel offers riders glorious, unobstructed views of London.
Before we enjoyed those views, we said goodbye to Auld Reekie. Edinburgh was a fantastic host, and we enjoyed our adventure.
Now it’s off to Londinium.
GETTING HERE
Getting to London from Edinburgh was a breeze, thanks to a short, one-hour flight. Opting for London City Airport over the major hubs of Heathrow and Gatwick proved to be a smart choice, making the journey less stressful and more manageable.
Our flight from Edinburgh was scheduled for 9 a.m., so we made sure to be at the airport by 7 a.m., starting our day bright and early, fully prepared for the adventure ahead.
We initially debated getting a taxi to take us to the airport from our Airbnb.
However, we learned that the tram service began at 5:30 a.m. and only took an hour. So, we booked our tram tickets and packed our bags the night before. At 5:15 a.m., we headed to the tram stop across the street from our Airbnb.
Check-in and security at Edinburgh Airport is one of the worst I’ve experienced. Only Dubrovnik Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport tops it.
We made it through security and decided to get breakfast at Wetherspoon-The Sir Walter Scott.
Surprisingly, we weren’t that hungry. We ordered a few slices of toast, sausages, and the bottomless coffee and tea.
At 8:30 a.m., we boarded the flight and departed Auld Reekie, arriving on time at the welcoming London City Airport, a significant step closer to our London adventure.
From there, we jumped on the DLR, after first getting Maria an Oyster Card. The Oyster Card is a convenient way to pay for public transportation in London. We topped it up with enough credit for our stay.
Lodging
Following a quick transfer onto Hammersmith & City Line, we arrived at our London Airbnb on Bassett Road.
We had a wonderful stay at this Airbnb.
Marquessa, our host, was responsive and ready to assist if needed. The instructions for the key and entry were clear. Upon entry, the flat was clean, and the layout was as described in the listings and pictures. Marquessa quickly resolved any issues we had.
The flat was about an eight-minute walk to Ladbroke Grove tube station, from which it was easy to explore the Greater London area. We were close to the famous Portobello Road Market, grocery stores and restaurants, so getting food and unique gifts was not impossible.
We were also in the Notting Hill area, which made Laura more excited as Notting Hill is one of her favorite Hugh Grant movies.
Once settled, Laura and Maria went out exploring Notting Hill. They did a self-guided walking tour searching for locations used in the movie.
I stayed behind at the flat to complete some work-related tasks. I had a few reports to finalize, some emails to respond to, and some photos to catalog. This was part of the deal I made with my boss so he wouldn’t deny my vacation request.
One four-hour work session in exchange for three weeks of vacation? That’s not a bad compromise.
LONDON EYE
The following day, we headed toward the London Eye.
With the fast-track, flexi-tickets for the London Eye, we had the power to choose when to take our ride, without the hassle of standing in a long queue. This flexibility added a sense of control to our visit.
Laura made the final decision to not wait until the evening hours. She argued that we should take our ride when the attraction opened at 10 a.m. Her reasoning was: “Less fuss, more time to explore London’s other sites.”
Maria and I did not argue, so 10 a.m. was the selection.
I also took the time to explain more about the London Underground. The Transport for London app had us transferring at the King’s Cross St Pancras. This station is one of London’s major transport hubs, which means it’s always bustling, frustratedly complex and extremely time-consuming.
By changing at Baker Street and hopping onto the Jubilee Line to Westminster, we managed to save about 20 minutes. This efficient use of the London Underground made our journey smoother and more time-effective.
We arrived well ahead of 10 a.m., so we did a photo safari along the way, capturing life surrounding the Palace of Westminster, the Elizabeth Tower, the Thames and the neighboring areas.
ONBOARD THE EYE
Thanks to the fast-track queue, we were able to board the attraction within ten minutes of its opening. The quick process added to our excitement and eagerness to start our adventure.
Ascending to a breathtaking height of 443 feet, our panoramic view remained unobstructed by the fluffy clouds, elevating the scenery to an even more awe-inspiring 360-degree spectacle.
As the Eye slowly made its way around, I took on the role of photographer. The views were breathtaking, with the cityscape stretching out in all directions.
Maria’s initial apprehension about the London Eye transformed into a sense of relief when she discovered that the Eye doesn’t make frequent stops like a typical Ferris wheel. Instead, its slow, steady movement, gliding at just 0.6 miles per hour, allowed her to fully immerse herself in the breathtaking sights of London.
As they captured the grandeur of the Houses of Parliament, the striking Shard, the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the iconic chimneys of the Battersea Power Station, both Maria and Laura were filled with an exhilarating sense of wonder. Laura’s infectious joy bubbled over as she caught sight of Buckingham Palace.
During a serene 45-minute journey, our tranquility was momentarily interrupted by a self-proclaimed ‘influencer’ attempting to monopolize the most picturesque spots for her selfies.
Maria and Laura wanted to move to a different but less photogenic area. I wasn’t having it and stood my ground.
I, respectfully but loud enough for everyone to hear, told the ‘influencer’ that if she wanted the prime photo spots, she needed to book a private pod. I made it clear that I paid for my ticket just like everyone else, and had the same entitlement to capture photographs wherever I desired.
She huffed and puffed, but my words were made of bricks and she couldn’t blow them down.
CONCLUSION
Our experience on the London Eye was absolutely unforgettable. The breathtaking views of London, unfolding gracefully from this iconic attraction, are truly unparalleled and absolutely worth the investment.
As we marveled at the panorama from the London Eye, the meandering Thames flowing between the iconic Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, framed by the grandeur of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, left us completely spellbound.
While we’d wished for a clearer day to see the full 25-mile radius and perhaps catch a glimpse of Windsor Castle, we were grateful for the cool, rain-free summer day, a rare occurrence in the bustling city of London.
Nonetheless, our ride on the London Eye marked the perfect beginning to the London leg of Birthday Adventure 2024.
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