Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Return to London: 14-19 June 2008
Sat, 14 June 08.
My A380 flight from Singapore to London Heathrow was not the smo
othest of flights, with the early part of the flight experiencing serious turbulence - passengers shaking in their seats from side to side, food on their meal trays popping into the air, and in one instance, I saw a passenger's coffee rise out of and up into the air, miss the cup on its way down. Nonetheless, the new ex2 Krisworld entertainment was impressive and easy to navigate (albeit one occasion it hung and I asked the stewardess to reset my system), and kept me glued to the movies I haven't watched in ages.
Upon arrival, I called Kelvin, who's been working at Heathrow since Feb 08. I was real fortunate for a prior arrangement I made, so that I could put up with him in his apartment for a few days. As he just started his shift, he passed me his spare keys and gave me directions to his place in Kew Gardens. I bought a 7-day pass (£29.40) as I thought I'd be staying 5 days and there was no 5-day pass. On hindsight, I didn't know they also sold a 3-day visitor's pass (which the station staff probably intentionally forgot).
My A380 flight from Singapore to London Heathrow was not the smo
othest of flights, with the early part of the flight experiencing serious turbulence - passengers shaking in their seats from side to side, food on their meal trays popping into the air, and in one instance, I saw a passenger's coffee rise out of and up into the air, miss the cup on its way down. Nonetheless, the new ex2 Krisworld entertainment was impressive and easy to navigate (albeit one occasion it hung and I asked the stewardess to reset my system), and kept me glued to the movies I haven't watched in ages.Upon arrival, I called Kelvin, who's been working at Heathrow since Feb 08. I was real fortunate for a prior arrangement I made, so that I could put up with him in his apartment for a few days. As he just started his shift, he passed me his spare keys and gave me directions to his place in Kew Gardens. I bought a 7-day pass (£29.40) as I thought I'd be staying 5 days and there was no 5-day pass. On hindsight, I didn't know they also sold a 3-day visitor's pass (which the station staff probably intentionally forgot).
The tube ride from Heathrow to Kew took 50mins, including a change of trains from the Picadilly Line to District line. Thereafter the walk from Kew to Kew Riverside Park was about 15mins. I got to Kelvin's apartment by 9.30am and settled in before heading out after noon.
Since I hadn't planned anything for the day, I decided I pop by the Wimbledon Lawn Championships that afternoon, but got off at the wrong stop (Wimbledon instead of Wimbledon Park), which was a helluva walk towards the Championship grounds. I went in to the souvenir shop for free, but chose to forgo the musuem since it cost more than £10. It was a pity I didn't plan my trip in a way I could watch Wimbledon which began on 23 June, as I'd have missed Jossy in London, and my £0 flight (£20 with taxes) from London Stansted to Milan Bergamo.
Sun, 15 June 08
Mon, 16 June 08
With a free day in which Kelvin was off, he drove us down to visit the town of Brighton, over an hour south of London. Fortunately, good weather greeted us when we arrived at 1pm. And since we were by the sea, what better way to lunch than Fish & Chips.
In the evening, I arranged perfectly with Jun and her sister Marlene to meet at Clapham Junction since Kelvin and I would drive by that town, and therefore avoid the London congestion charge (8£).
Tues, 17 June 08
-Shopping at Bond Street, Oxford circus, Regent street.
-Train to Clapham Junction to meet Cat, Jossy and Edmund, then head back to her place in Guildford.
-Dinner with her parents Ian and Jill, which saw a spread of roast beef, cauliflower and nutmeg, potatoes, peas and parsnip.
Wed, 18 June 08
Cat, Ed and myself woke up and prepared a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, before we set off to Windsor Castle.
By late afternoon, we drove back to Wandsworth where Cat parked the car at her sister's house, so we could take the tube uptown, and catch the Lion King Musical at the Lyseum Theatre. What I loved about the play was really the set and animalistic movement of the actors. When the musical does arrive in Singapore, be sure to look out for the stampede scene, which I felt was remarkably crafted, as well as Simba's father's (Mufasa) spirit when he appeared and disappeared seamlessly on stage. And did I also mention the African soundtrack was captivating too?
After the show ended past 10.30pm, we went for an Italian dinner at Zizzi's, where Jossy secretly paid for our dinner by the time we called for the bill. Thank you Jossy!!!
I tubed down to Victoria, where I boarded the 12.30am National Express coach (£10 one way, every 30mins) and arrived in Stansted airport about 80mins later, where I spent the night.
Cat, Ed and myself woke up and prepared a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, before we set off to Windsor Castle.
By late afternoon, we drove back to Wandsworth where Cat parked the car at her sister's house, so we could take the tube uptown, and catch the Lion King Musical at the Lyseum Theatre. What I loved about the play was really the set and animalistic movement of the actors. When the musical does arrive in Singapore, be sure to look out for the stampede scene, which I felt was remarkably crafted, as well as Simba's father's (Mufasa) spirit when he appeared and disappeared seamlessly on stage. And did I also mention the African soundtrack was captivating too?
After the show ended past 10.30pm, we went for an Italian dinner at Zizzi's, where Jossy secretly paid for our dinner by the time we called for the bill. Thank you Jossy!!!
I tubed down to Victoria, where I boarded the 12.30am National Express coach (£10 one way, every 30mins) and arrived in Stansted airport about 80mins later, where I spent the night.
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