Chinatown Gateway, Liverpool.

This is the largest multi-span arch located outside of China (44ft tall) and can be found in Liverpool, which is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe.
The arch contains 200 hand carved dragons, 12 which are pregnant, symbolising good fortune between Liverpool and Shanghai, Liverpool’s twin city.

Transport in Amsterdam

Cycling is a very popular mode of transport in Amsterdam, which is why the city is covered with cycling lanes. You should always take caution when crossing roads as cyclists can come out of nowhere!! You can hire bikes from around 8 Euros per day if you choose to cycle around. 

Trams are a popular way of getting around. You can buy 24 and 48 hour tram passes (longer if needed) for a reasonable price, however I did find the trams to be quite confusing as tram conductors would often tell you the wrong tram to take.

London 2012 Olympic Games - Olympic Park

Olympic Park & The Orbit

The Orbit

 Gardens in the Olympic Park

London 2012 Paralympic Games - ExCel Arena

Here are some pictures from when I went to see the Paralympic Games in London. I had an ExCel Arena pass so got to see sitting volleyball, wheelchair fencing, boccia and powerlifting. Enjoy!!

The Royal Liver Building, Liverpool, England.

The Royal Liver Building from a distance. It is one of, if not the most symbolic building in Liverpool, sitting on Liverpool's famous waterfront as part of the 'three Graces' of Liverpool. It has a clock face bigger than that of Big Ben, which started at the exact time King George V was crowned in 1911 and was once the tallest storied building in Europe.

On top both towers rest the infamous Liver birds. Legend has it that the female looks out across the sea to guard the sailors and the male focuses on the city to protect the people; however, some believe that the female stares at the sea to eye up the sailors and the male likes to see what time the pubs shut!! Nevertheless, if the Liver Birds were to fly off, the City of Liverpool would be no more.

Superlambanana - Liverpool, England.

Created by Japenese artist Tar Chiezo, it was constructed in 2008 to celebrate Liverpool's European Capital of Culture status. It comments on the dangers of genetic engineering, using the lamb and banana (which were both common cargo at one point at Liverpool's docks), and also plays on Liverpool's famous sense of humour.

The 17ft model currently stands on Tithebarn street in the city centre.

There were also more than 150 smaller sculptures scattered throughout the North West, one in London Euston train station, and one on a mountain in Wales.

London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony

It's been an amazing 2 weeks, but at least they ended in style!!