London's Eye in the sky not just a Ferris wheel  September 23,
2007|By Elliott Hester, Universal Press Syndicate  LONDON —
Built in 2000, London Eye has become as much a part of the
city's identity as Big Ben or Westminster Abbey. Standing 443
feet high on the south bank of the Thames River, it is the
world's tallest observation wheel.  It's also the United
Kingdom's most popular paid tourist attraction. Each year, more
than 3.5 million people queue up for the carnival-like ride that
offers spectacular views of the city.  After buying my ticket,
however, I remained skeptical. From the ground, the massive
2,300-ton attraction resembles a glorified Ferris wheel.  Yes,
it's the fourth-tallest structure in London -- only the One
Canada Square complex (770 feet), British Telecom Tower (620
feet) and Tower 42 (600 feet) are taller. But would my tourist
dollars have been better spent on a Thames River cruise? A visit
to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum? A day-trip to Legoland Windsor?
When I took off on the 30-minute Lo