Karl WP Beyer Our cruise ship Azamara Journey reached Greenwich Pier after a trip on the Thames. We arrive in the London borough on a Sunday in September 2018. The first thing we do is explore Greenwich. Then we will take one of the fast Thames Clipper liners up the Thames to Westminster Pier. We choose one of the outside seats on the rear deck as the seat. Our sightseeing tour of the Thames takes just under 40 minutes and there is a lot to see.
Azamara Journey outside Greenwich
Former quays and warehouses became exclusive residences
Between Greenwich and Tower Bridge, the former quays are lined up in a loose sequence on both sides of the Thames. In English they are called wharfs. Greenwich is followed by Canary Wharf, Globe Wharf and Oliver's Wharf. It continues on the north bank with the modern residential and commercial location Tower Bridge Wharf. In front of it there are many historical ships on a pontoon. On the south bank of the Thames follows Butler's Wharf with luxury apartments and dining options. As an encore, we can marvel at the 98-meter superyacht Aviva in front of Butler's Wharf. It belongs to a British investor.
Hermitage Community Moorings
City of London icons
Our traditional London favorites include Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. This is followed by City Hall on the south side of the Thames and the historic light cruiser HMS Belfast. On the north side of the Thames, the seat of Swiss Re comes into view: The Gherkin. One of the icons of the new London looms behind Belfast: The Shard. The skyscraper is 310 meters high and has 72 floors. Then come Shakespeare's Globe Theater and the Millennium Bridge. In the north, the bridge connects to St Paul's Cathedral. On the south side of the bridge is the unadorned building of the Tate Gallery of Modern Art. Its motto is: “See great art from around the world”. To the north of the Millennium Bridge, more high-rise buildings are growing. It looks as if Brexit doesn't exist.
London Eye
A look at Britain's political center
Another attraction is the London Eye ferris wheel. At 135 meters high, it is the largest in Europe. We leave the ship at Westminster Pier. First we do a lap with the ferris wheel. Then we walk around the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Finally we go to Horse Guards Parade Square and towards the hermetically sealed Downing Street. For the way back to Greenwich we take the boat again. As soon as we have passed Tower Bridge, we are rewarded with a kitschy, beautiful sunset. A great day is coming to an end.
