Further to my previous post, here is a little update on the bits of the Southbank I couldn't clarify in my last post! Also, I'm writing this on my iPhone and for some reason I can't turn the keyboard round to landscape, so I may have to come back and edit the mistakes at a later date!
The IMAX, as aforementioned, is part of the British Film Institute, and it boasts the larger cinema screen in Britain. Mum and I went to see Disney The Lion King in 3D. The Lion King was the first film I ever saw at the cinema when I was little. I was 3 or 4 years old and I found the noise (and Scar) terrifying! I'm not even sure I made it all the way through the film! Hope I did because this is an absolute gem of a movie. On a sidenote, if you grew up watching Disney films like I did I would definitely recommend rewatching them now you're older - there are lots of adult themes in these films, especially the nazi Scar scene! The 3D experience at the IMAX is worth going to, although I expect you really feel the full effect of the 3D better in a real film rather than an animated one. The 3D glasses are also pretty funny! It was still brilliant though, and very comfortable. There was a little girl in the cinema today who cried at the noisy scary scenes today. I could totally relate to her haha!
To enter the IMAX you have to go down into the underground subway, and you exit the same way. Exit 1 leads you out towards the river, up the steps and then back past Royal Festival Hall. This is where my filling in the gaps exercise began. Past the National Theatre there is another building of very much the same character and style but it wasn't marked or named, so I'm afraid i can't shed light on it's use. There are many anonymous mysterious buildings along the river bank; only the most knowledgable tourguide would be able to tell you their purposes! The Oxo tower is actually not far at all past the theatre, but just before the complex is the Market I mentioned in my previous post, which is called Gabriel's Wharf. If you're looking for a unique gift for someone this is a great place to come - as well as some independent fashions stores there are also several jewellery designers, most of whom actually make their pieces in their shop. And it's so much cheaper than what you would find on the High Street, and undoubtedly more original. There is a lovely looking restaurant on the corner called The Wharf which must be buzzing in the evenings, as well as an Italian too. From Gabriel's Wharf you approach the Oxo Tower, which houses lots of independent art dealerships and florists and fashion outlets, as I mentioned before. I only explored the ground level but I'm sure it is just as intriguing and offbeat on the upper levels. The tower was built (I overheard from a passer by...) because advertising wasn't allowed in London on buildings, so Oxo had their name built into the brickwork. Crafty. Don't take my word for it though, definitely Wikipedia it!
Leaving the Oxo Tower, you pass a lively multilevel pub on the corner of Blackfriars bridge. The bridge is currently undergoing renovation, has been for a long time now (wonder when it will be finished!) which means there is a brief diversion off the river walk around the building work. You rejoin the Thames at the Tate Modern.
So there we go, gaps filled in and wisdom (ha) shared! As said before, there is much more to the Waterloo area than what I've described here, but there's so much to see in London you could easily spend a whole day just on what I've already described! Happy exploring.
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