The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Davinci Code" Tour

sightseeing the intriguing places in Paris, London and Edinburgh mentioned in the Novel

"Every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith — acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration… Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical” - Chapter 82, pp. 369-370

I made this post due to curiousness and fascination on Dan Brown's famous novels, on how he played my imagination while reading his book and incorporating my backpacking passion to wander them around. The adventure started in Paris, France last October 2013 where I headed to Louvre Museum first going to the Gallery, the mysterious portrait of Monalisa, exiting through the Inverted Pyramid area, then to Saint Sulpice Church. On July 2014 continued to pursuit the places in Longdon, England  by visiting Sir Isaac Newton's Sarcophagus in Westminster Abbey. Finalizing the itinerary by going to Edinburgh, Scotland last December 2014 in Rosslyn Chapel where I visited the intriguing carvings, the Apprentice Pillar and the Crypt downstairs.

The Da Vinci Code is a 2006 American mystery-thriller film directed by Ron Howard and adapted from Dan Brown's 2003 best-selling novel of the same name that stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou. The film, like the book, was considered controversial. It was met with especially harsh criticism by the Roman Catholic Church for the accusation that it is behind a two-thousand-year-old coverup concerning what the Holy Grail really is and the concept that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were married and that the union produced a daughter. Many members urged the laity to boycott the film. Two organizations, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei figure prominently in the story. In the book, Dan Brown insists that the Priory of Sion and "...all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate".

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Davinci Code" Tour

London City Tour last part; Another night on West-end and the Streets

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

London City Tour 1st part; Inside Winter Wonderland

Since I arrived 20 days before Christmas, might as well explore London's captivating streets in celebration of Yuletide season. Making adventure memories by soaking up the festive atmosphere at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Razzle and be dazzled by the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street. Gawp at Covent Garden's gorgeous tree and magical light displays.
http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/special-events/christmas/101-things-to-do-in-london-this-christmas

Cats is one of the most successful musicals of all time and has been performed throughout the world. Here are just a few things you may not know about this theatrical phenomenon… On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

side trip to London (Cats at Palladium Theater)

London City Tour 1st part; Inside Winter Wonderland

5 Days Winter Solo Travel in Scotland (United Kingdom)
December 05 to 09, 2014

London Heathrow Arrival at Night

How to go to Winter Wonderland;
Located near Hyde Park Corner Station of Piccadilly line or Green Park Station of Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines of Tube Metro. Opens from 1000H until 2200H daily. Free admission, photography and video taking is allowed inside. 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland provides a spectacular festive destination with something to excite people of all ages. Choose from one of our popular attractions, experience the thrilling rides, take a trip to Santa Land, browse the Christmas markets and enjoy the festive fare. FREE to enter and soak up the festive atmosphere! BOOK AHEAD for ICE SKATING, THE MAGICAL ICE KINGDOM, ZIPPOS CIRCUS, GIANT WHEEL and BAR ICE. Advance booking is highly recommended as attraction tickets sell out, especially at weekends and evenings. Advance tickets guarantee fast-track entry into Hyde Park Winter Wonderland!
http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Inside Winter Wonderland (Magic Ice Kingdom)

London City Tour last part; Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT) Park

3-days England Autumn Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

October 03 to 06, 2014

Cambridge City and University Walk Tour

How to go to Greenwich Park;
Greenwich Park is around 300m away Cutty Sark & Maritime Museum Station along DLR line in East-End.

Greenwich Park is a former hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest single green spaces in south-east London. One of the Royal Parks of London, and the first to be enclosed (in 1433), it covers 74 hectares (180 acres), and is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site. It commands fine views over the River Thames, the Isle of Dogs and the City of London. The park is open from 06:00 for pedestrians (and 07:00 for traffic) all year round and closes at dusk. Roughly in the centre, on the top of the hill, is the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. To the north is the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House, and beyond those Greenwich Hospital. To the east is Vanbrugh Castle. To the south is Blackheath and in the south western corner is the Ranger's House, looking out over heath. To the west lie the architecturally fine streets of Chesterfield Walk and Croom’s Hill.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Park

London City Tour last part; Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT) Park (Royal Observatory)

London City Tour 2nd part; Another West-End Shows Night trip

3-days England Autumn Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

October 03 to 06, 2014

Lake District Hiking last part; ​Sightseeing the Oxenholme Pasture

How to go to Theatreland;
Theatreland is within the Zone 1 or Central London Area where the Leicester Square Station is in the center which most of the ticket sales are located.

London West-End Shows First Visit (June 2014)

Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera & Wicked

No visit in London is complete without a visit to a west end show. West End Theater is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of "Theatreland" in and near the West End of London. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theater is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theater in the English-speaking world. I watched again for 2 shows among more than 20 that time. I rate the Les Miserables as 9.5of10, followed by The Commitments at 6.5of10. My criteria is based on the stage production and over-all impact it gave to me. Tickets are purchased online, around week before. "Less Miserables", October 04 for 22.5GBP on Upper Circle seat. "The Commitments", October 05 for 15GBP on Balcony seat but upgraded to Dress Circle during the play.

London City Tour 2nd part; Another West-End Shows Night trip

London City Tour 1st part; Sightseeing the Streets at Night

3-days England Autumn Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

October 03 to 06, 2014

London Heathrow Airport Arrival at night

Upon arriving on my hostel near Kensai Green Station, I went to Oxford Circus Station where some of the bright night lights occur. From Oxford Street (Exit 5 of Oxford Circus Station), I went to Regent Street, crossing to Piccadilly Station. Going to left road is the Shaftesbury Avenue where some of the west-end theaters particularly the 2 shows I booked and the China town is located. Then, I stopped-by to Piccadilly Park and Trafalgar Park. Piccadilly Circus is the London version of Times Square.

Piccadilly Circus is a busy square in the heart of London. It is famous for the fountain that was installed here at the end of the nineteenth century and for the neon advertising that turned the square into a miniature version of Times Square. The name 'Piccadilly' originates from a seventeenth-century frilled collar named piccadil. Roger Baker, a tailor who became rich making piccadils lived in the area. The word 'Circus' refers to the roundabout around which the traffic circulated.

London City Tour 1st part; Sightseeing the Streets at Night (Trafalgar Square)

3 Days Revisiting England (UK) for Autumn Fellwandering and Sightseeing

London - Lake District - Cambridge tour, just a weekend in England
October 03 to October 06, 2014

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages." - William Shakespeare 

My 2nd visit to the United Kingdom (1st visit was last June 2014), 37th solo backpacking trip, 39 countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

This United Kingdom is more than 300 years old and comprises four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern portion of the island of Ireland and most of the remaining British Isles. "Great Britain" ("GB") for a geographer refers just to the single largest island in the British Isles that has most of the land area of Scotland, England and Wales. In normal usage it is a collective term for all those three nations together. Great Britain became part of the United Kingdom when the Irish and British parliaments merged in 1801 to form the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". "Britain" is simply another name for the United Kingdom, and does include Northern Ireland, despite common misconceptions otherwise. The flag of UK is popularly known as the Union Jack or, more properly, Union Flag.
http://wikitravel.org/en/United_Kingdom

3 Days Revisiting England (UK) for Autumn Fellwandering and Sightseeing (Birmingham Palace above)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (United Kingdom)

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

England Royal landmarks last part; Oxford Castle

1. On my visa application though it is not recommended, I paid confirm flight tickets and hostel accommodation. I just want to make it sure the embassy will grant me a visa on earliest day due to the proximity of application date against flight departure.

2. London Pass is a tourist pass in London that gives entry at no further cost to a choice of over 60 favorite attractions as well as free public transport on buses, tubes and some regional trains. I availed 3-days London Pass with off-peak travel card for 107GBP ($182). I visited most of all major tourist spots (as previously mentioned) included in a combined entrance fees of 124.2GBP ($211), the 3 off-peak travel cards (8.9GBP) for 26.7GBP ($45) plus a roundtrip train ride to Windsor which costs around 40GBP. This totals 190.9GBP and has a huge savings of 83.9GBP ($142.6) a 44% smile on budget. Unfortunately, entrance fees to Westminster Palace, St. Paul Cathedral, London Eye, Aquarium and Ripleys are NOT included in London pass attractions.
 
3. To have discounts on some tourist attractions not included in London Pass, book your tickets in advance online especially for train tickets. Britrail train tickets, mock booked more than a month before compared to week before flight departure has a huge fare difference. Even during the booking of 3- days London Pass w/ off-peak travel card, there was a 10% discount promo that time. Warwick castle entrance fee with an almost 30% discount online. I paid 16.8GBP online, walk-in ticket costs 24GBP. Oxford castle entrance fee with 15% discount online.

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (London Pass with off-peak travel cards)

London City Tour last part; Sightseeing at Night

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

​London City tour 5th part; other tourist spots

How to go to these Places;
London Eye and Westminster Palace is a bridge away from Westminster Station of Circle and District line. Marble Arch is just upon exit from Marble Arch Station of Central line. Tower Bridge is around 700m away from exit of Tower hill Station of Circle, District and DLR lines.

In my opinion and based on my experience, photography at night is better and concentrated on where all major tourist spots located. Thus, my usual practice is to stroll most of this places and walk around with my travel buddies, my camera and tripod. Starting from Tower Bridge on my 1st night, followed by the Marble Arch and nearby art sculptures on 2nd night and finally the stunning London Eye and Big Ben of Westminster Palace on the 3rd night. 

London City sightseeing at night (Westminster's London Eye)

​London City Tour 5th part; other Tourist Spots

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

London City tour 4th part; West-end Theater Shows

How to go to these Places;
Wellington Arch is located near Hyde Park Corner Station of Piccadilly line Zone 1. London Eye and Aquarium is a bridge away from Westminster Station. Abbey Road is around 500m away from Maide Vale Station of Bakerloo line Zone 2. Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace is around 400m away walk from Victoria Station of District, Circle and Victoria line. Red Telephone Box can be found anywhere in London. ArcelorMittal Orbit of Olympic Park is 700m away from Stratford Station of Central, London Overground and DLR line. Royal Air Force Museum is 700m away from Colindale Station of Northern line Zone 4. Photography and video taking is permitted on all of this tourist spots.

Explore the 3 floors of exhibit inside the Wellington Arch telling its fascinating history, including its time as London's smallest police station. Abbey Road crossing featured on the Beatles cover, have become popular photo-opportunity areas, despite the road still being a busy thoroughfare for traffic. Westminster Cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Buckingham Palace is the London residence and principal workplace of the monarchy of the United Kingdom. Red Telephone Box is often seen anywhere in London and as an iconic British symbol throughout the world. The paint colour used is known as "currant red" and is defined by a British Standard, BS 381C-539. Standing at 114.5m tall, ArcelorMittal Orbit is Britain's highest sculpture and provides stretching panoramas across East London and Olympic Park. Take-off to the Royal Air Force Museum and soar through the history of aviation from earliest balloon flight to the latest Eurofighter. Discover over 105 aircraft, aviation and wartime memorabilia.

​London City tour other tourist spots (Wellington Arch, included in London Pass)

London City Tour 4th part; West-End Theater Shows

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

London City tour 3rd part; Wimbledon & Kensington Palace

How to go to London West-end Theaters;
West-end Show Theaters are located in Central London Zone 1. For "Wicked" that is always shown in Apollo Victoria is just upon exit of Victoria Underground Station of Circle and District Line. For "Phantom of the Opera" in Her Majesty's Theater is around 400m away from Piccadilly Circus Underground Station of Bakerloo and Piccadilly line. For "Miss Saigon" in Prince Edward Theater is around 200m away from Tottenham Court Underground Station of Central and Northern Line.

 London West-End Shows Second Visit (October 2014)

Les Miserables and The Commitments

No visit in London is complete without a visit to a west end show. West End Theater is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of "Theatreland" in and near the West End of London. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theater is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theater in the English-speaking world. I watched 3 shows among more than 20 that time. I rate the Miss Saigon as 9of10, followed by Phantom of the Opera at 8of10 and 7of10 for Wicked. My criteria is based on the stage production and over-all impact it gave to me. Prices are only purchased on the day of show. "Miss Saigon", June 28 for 26.4GBP on Grand Circle seat. "Phantom of the Opera", June 30 26GBP on Balcony seat. "Wicked", July 02 23GBP on Upper Circle seat.

London City Tour 4th part; West-End Theater Shows (Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theater)

London City Tour 3rd part; Wimbledon and Kensington Palace

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

London City tour 2nd part; Westminster Abbey & Big Ben

How to go to Wimbledon;
Wimbledon Championship is around 600m walk away from Wimbledon Underground Station of District Line, South West Train, ctc and tramlink fare zone in Zone 3.

2014 Wimbledon Championships took place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, from 23 June to 6 July 2014. Andy Murray of Great Britain was the defending champion in men's singles, while Marion Bartoli of France was the defending champion in women's singles. The men and women's singles titles were won by Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic respectively.

I went to Wimbledon and plan to watch the Championship via "The Queue". The operation of this process is for 1-day ticket sales to ensure fairness. Ground admission costs 20GBP before 1700H and 14GBP after 1700H. Tickets are valid only for a court and not for any specific match.

Wimbledon Championships 2014

​London City Tour 2nd part; Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

​London City tour 1st part; Tower Bridge & Tower of London

How to go to Tower Bridge and Tower of London;
Big Ben of the Westminster Palace is just a little walk away from Westminster Underground Station of Central and District Line in Zone 1 (Central London). Westminster Abbey is in front of Westminster Palace. Only the Westminster Abbey entrance fee is included in London Pass. A separate fee on selected timings is applied in Westminster Palace entrance. Photography and video taking is NOT permitted inside.

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower. The tower is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower, renamed as such to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and is often in the establishing shot of films set in London.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben

Big Ben of Westminster Palace

​London City Tour 1st part; Tower Bridge and Tower of London

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

London Heathrow Airport arrival in the afternoon

How to go to Tower Bridge and Tower of London;
Tower of London entrance gate is around 400m away from Tower Hill Underground Station of Central and District Line in Zone 1 (Central London). Tower of London is just beside the Tower Bridge. Both entrance fees are included in London Pass. Photography and video taking is permitted inside.

Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894, and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the world. At the Tower Bridge Exhibition you can enjoy the breathtaking views from the high-level walkways. Learn about  the history of the bridge and how it was built from the interactive display and films, and descend into the Victorian Engine rooms, home of the original steam engines.

Tower Bridge of London