England: London Eye

April 2012

On one walkabout in London with AFVdR (Brian was with us), we saw a lot of tourist London. We passed under the London Eye where Brian and I recalled our first, ill-timed visit. We both still remembered riding it and laughing at people getting off who had felt "afraid". When it was our turn at the top, we both sat down in the cabin with our legs feeling a little like jelly. The London Eye excels in providing a lot of glass to make even non-vertigo sufferers feel it.

Due to its success, similar such "wheels" and "eyes" appeared in major cities across the globe. Singapore has the Singapore Flyer, Dubai the Dubai Eye, and Las Vegas the High Roller - just to name a few. None can compare with the London Eye simply because of its position - the wheel was purpose built to give astounding views of Central London (and it does). Constructing a large ferris wheel within a city without giving thought to the experience is just not the same. For example, if one were ever to be built in New York City, it could only be in Hoboken/Jersey City or Brooklyn. Any other place would defeat the purpose.

London Eye - check (back in 2001). Similar rides (never).