Thanks. And I just noticed that it's meant "start off with"!?
Interesting aspect about the vanishing lines. I'll have to discover this subject, in theory or when taking my next shot. Now I looked at the picture even more, and I may have gotten what you mean. Had I taken the shot from let's say ~150m to the left, then the vanishing point would probably be revealed, but also the parliament building in the back would not be visible any more...
The HDR effect in my picture is at the edge of what I tolerate personally, so I am not surprised by your feeling. One other thing is the white balance, after I posted the picture I lowered the temperature a bit, and it gave me a somehow more likeable sky and water (more blue than turquoise). But that's just a detail.
Don't miss my next to criticizing picture!