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I had the opportunity to spent 3 month in Leeds, UK this year -- carrying out some research to finish my final project. I worked typically 6 days a week and for very long hours. A lot of times I actually just sleep right in the lounge above my lab at night. But no matter how tired I was, Sunday was the day for travel, and I'm happy to see some of these beautiful scenes across the pond and to meet up with a few old friends who have made it their new home.

London: Parliament Square, Big Ben

Named after NBA basketball player Ben Wallace, this is one of my favorite views from London and a symbol of the UK.

London: Thames River, London Eye

London: St. James Park

The many parks in London were once the hunting grounds for the royal family. They are huge, extremely well maintained, and really kicks NYC Central Park's butt.

London: Buckingham Palace

London: Piccadilly Circus

Bath: Pulteney Bridge, River Avon

Bath: Park

Bath: Bath Abbey

Bath: Roman Baths

Leeds: outside Harewood Mansion

Leeds: Kirkstall Abbey

York: York Minster

Yorkshire Dales National Park: Yorkshire 3 Peaks Hike

This was on top of the first of 3 peaks from this 40km (25 mile) hike.

Yorkshire Dales National Park: Yorkshire 3 Peaks Hike

The UK is just full of sheeps. They look fluffy from this distance but they are just covered with mud and grass when u get up close.

Whitby: Whitby Abbey

Whitby -- a small town on the east coast of the UK

Stratford-Upon-Avon: Welcombe Park

My favorite part about traveling is avoiding the tourist traps and finding small parks like this that only locals know about. This park outside the city had only one Google

reference to it, is not mentioned in any book, but had a terrific panoramic view of Stratford and a ton of dog walkers.

Stratford-Upon-Avon -- the birth place of Billy Shakespeare

University of Cambridge: Kings College

If you're Asian and you're in the UK, it's obligatory to visit the two oldest schools.

University of Cambridge: Kings College

University of Cambridge: I've visited so many colleges I don't remember which is which

University of Cambridge: punting down River Cam

Punts are small flat bottom boats that resemble Venetian gondolas without the curved ends. It was pretty fun pushing the boat alone, although the water was ice cold and the board was slippery.

University of Oxford: famous view of All Souls College from St. Mary the Virgin Cathedral

This college is only for Fellows (professors) so we weren't allowed in. In the UK, professors receive much more respect and reverence from students and staff than back home.

University of Oxford: Christ Church College dinning hall, where Harry Potter was filmed

We got hassled by the porter at this college for our casual dress. Basically my friend had a hoodie and I had on a Northface jacket. We had to say we were prospective

in order to see all the colleges, but this one just wouldn't believe us. But those with a wool coat and scarf walked right in.

Canterbury: one of many gates

Edinburgh: view of Arthur's Seat from Edinburgh Castle

I was up on Arthur's Seat that morning, and the wind was so strong it almost blew my hat and glasses off my head. It even held me up at a 45 degree angle!

Loch Ness -- didn't see Nessie this time, but the like was still beautiful

quaint small town in Scotland

St. Andrews: St. Andrews Cathedral

beach by St. Andrews Golf Course

small fishing village in Scotland

Leeds, where I lived. Compared to London, I guess it's not as grand or flashy, but it's still a very beautiful city and a great place to live because it has all the

cuisine/entertainment/shopping of a big city but a reasonable cost of living. Plus it has a lot of young people because of the many schools there. It is also in the

middle of the country, which makes it easy to travel out other cities.

University of Leeds. Within the Faculty of Biological Sciences where I worked (bottom right), the facilities were world class.

Damn, there's a lot good looking guys in my lab!

This is the student lounge above my lab where I slept quite a few nights when I was busy with my experiments. It was pretty comfy, but the lights are controlled

by motion sensors, so they turn on every time I move. Overall it was worth it, I managed to finish all my experiments well ahead of schedule.

Things don't look very expensive in Leeds at first glance, but then you remember the exchange rate. Plus my room mates didn't really maintain a clean kitchen...
So for many meals, I ate instant noodles and pb+j sandwiches while I was in Leeds.

Here's a store just by the university -- very clear and unpretentious, AND IT RHYMES!

Alcohol is readily available, this is the grocery store in the university student union building.

American fast food is everywhere, guess I shouldn't be surprised.

I started collecting UK coins for the novelty of their denominations: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, 1, 2

I collected as many as I could from 2000-2008 but didn't manage to get a whole set for any particular year.

I sampled some of the local beer (not in one sitting). Most of them were not "local", but I wanted to try the "local selection" of beer.

Personally I prefer the UK ales over the American lagers.

Traveling and exploring has definitely been a lot of fun. But after 3 month of no exercise, I have weights to lift, sports to play, and books to read.

I feel I have the UK pretty well covered. Europe, I'll be back.

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