GARGANTUAN steps
Friday, January 16, 2026
the battle for Britain
Dieu et mon droit
'God and my right'
- motto of the British monarch
London and the United Kingdom will always hold a special place in my heart. Looking back, my years there were transformative. I lived apart from my family for an extended period of time. I was in a foreign land where the outlook and perspectives of people were way different to those back home. I travelled, and more importantly learned how to plan for them whilst I was there. I obtained my degree there, and even the seed of my specialty of choice, infectious diseases, was planted there. I made many of what I hope to be my lifelong friends there. I have nothing but fond memories of the place - those six long, yet short, years felt like my coming of age, where I finally became an adult. I left London a bachelor with my Bachelor's, but I was now back with my brood of three children, and I was pretty excited to show them this important milestone in my life.
The motive for this trip was to attend my brother-in-law's registration of marriage. Having met his other half in London, they decided that this was, fair enough, the place to get married. The unfortunate thing was the timing - right smack in the middle of winter, where the days were the shortest and just about the coldest. I initially had very grand plans whenever the time came for me to bring my family to London - besides visiting the museums and sights of the capital, I had the intention of going down to the Jurassic Coast to hunt for fossils, as well as going for walks in the Lake District. Those would not have been suitable events in the bleak mid-winter, and they were shelved aside for the next trip. There were still things to do in London as well despite the shortened days, and if anything, there is something magical about soaking in the Christmas vibes in the bitter cold.
One of the things I try to do before my trips, besides packing, is to do some pre-travel reading. The pick for this trip was Winston Churchill's biography, 'Churchill: Walking with Destiny' by Andrew Roberts, and it was a great choice. There was history coupled with drama, and my only regret after finishing the voluminous tome was that I had spent my years in London glued to my medical textbooks instead of visiting important historical sites. I was prepared to make some amends during this trip, though I had to lower my expectations since I wasn't expecting my children (nor my wife) to share my enthusiasm. Once again, maybe next time.
And thus, with some trepidations, we took a 14-hour day flight out from Singapore on a Saturday morning. The thought process behind this was that a red-eye flight out of Singapore would land in London at 6 am, leaving us with a handful of tired kids to last till check-in in the late afternoon. Thus, a morning flight was decided, landing in London at 3 in the afternoon, which would be about 11 pm Singapore time, and hopefully, a quick ride on the Heathrow Express to Paddington and we would be asleep not too much later. However, last minute arrangements scuppered our plans, with my cousin Mindy making a trip down to London with her husband, Darren, and daughter, Morgan, from Bournemouth. Thus, we ended up staying way past our expected bedtime.
With our baggage at Heathrow Terminal 3
Dinner at ASK - a pizzeria - with Mindy and family
The cousins catching up
And I woke up the next morning with a rip-roaring migraine. The boys had, unsurprisingly, woken up at 2 am GMT (which was 10 am Singapore time), and struggled to head back to sleep after. Two rounds of Panadol barely moved the needle, and I needed some Ibuprofen before it calmed down. Thankfully that was all the migraine I experienced for the rest of the trip. The day ahead was spent catching up with Chun Yi's friends from work, and their kids, at Battersea Power Station. This was a decommissioned coal-fired power station that has now been converted into a shopping mall. Interestingly enough, it was not somewhere I had visited during my six years in London, and it appears I wouldn't have been there either during my six years because it was only reopened in 2022, having been decommissioned since 1983. Another interesting fact shared with me was that the mall was actually owned by a Malaysian consortium. No wonder the whole place felt a little familiar to me.
All decked out in their beanies
The best thing about winter is that the kids can be decked out in cute clothes, and you don't perspire (except within the confines of a crowded Tube). Obviously, the corollary of it is that half the luggage is filled with thick winter clothing, and having to lug around three of them, together with three young children, is not the easiest
Riding the carousel at the Christmas fun fair
In a festive mood
The taming of the children - with ice cream. Even in winter.
Posing with the Paddington bear statue at Paddington station en route home
Our third day in London coincided with Elizabeth's 3rd birthday, and she was sure up for being fully pampered for the day. One of the most intriguing things about our stay was how much the kids loved toasted bread with jam. The thin slices of wholemeal bread made crispy in a toaster was devoured with ravishing speed, especially Elizabeth, who can take ages to finish anything. Second and even third slices were requested, and it seemed like we were getting a whole loaf of bread every other day. Not that I was complaining.
Staying in Paddington was a deliberate choice on my part, beyond the convenience of getting there from Heathrow. The halls where I first lived in London is located there - Wilson House. From there, I used to walk daily to university, meeting Ben Loh along the way to cross Hyde Park to get to campus. Hyde Park itself brought back many memories of floorball, of the lifelong friendships with Hocks and Ben Goh (and Ben Loh as well), honing our skills in front of the Albert Memorial, or more fondly known to us as Uncle Albert. When homesick, we used to gorge on nasi campur at one of the few Malaysian restaurants along Sussex Gardens. And St Mary's Hospital, the jewel of Imperial College's crown, was located right there - where I did many postings, delivering my first baby there during my Obstetrics posting. It was truly a deluge of memories going back there again. I found myself imagining what could have been, having booked an apartment there for our accommodation, raising my family in London instead of Singapore. Perhaps a little too cramped with a single toilet servicing five of us.
Elizabeth enjoying a toast on her birthday
Outside our apartment along Sussex Gardens
Our apartment was on the 3rd story (4th floor because the 1st floor in UK is known as the Ground Floor). Without a lift, it was a bit of an inconvenience having to carry our luggage up and down the many narrow flights of stairs. Still, the apartment mostly did serve our needs, and I guess, 'reasonably' priced
For the life of me, I still can't fathom why I had never been to the Alexander Fleming museum located at St Mary's, especially having lived in London for six years. It almost seems unforgivable considering the path I have taken in my career, but looking back, how could I have known that I was going to become an Infectious Diseases specialist? It is but a small museum, where a mock setup of the original laboratory remains. Still, it was quite humbling to be in the room where it all happened, where the seemingly innocuous spore of a Penicillium mould landed on a petri dish of bacteria and decimated it, leading to the discovery of the first natural antibiotic, penicillin.
Posing with the plaque
The room where it all happened
Unfortunately, photos aren't allowed to be taken within it
With the brood at my old haunt
Chun Yi likes to pretend that this was her alma mater too, having done an elective at this hospital
We wormed our way after that to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, a temporary amusement park erected within Hyde Park each winter. It was actually quite impressive, seeing the kind of rides that they had, including a few good going, nerve-wrecking, gravity-defying roller coasters. Obviously we did not sit in any of those. For us and the kids, there was the simple carousels and some obstacle-course 'house' for the boys to tackle. It was actually quite pleasant, if not for the fact that I was forced to uncouple my camera body and its lenses by the security because it was deemed 'professional', and professional cameras are not allowed. Surely, they must realise, that phone camera take pretty professional pictures as well. And, doesn't it all help with promoting the event itself? That was unpleasant.
At the entrance to Winter Wonderland
Elizabeth and me enjoying a mini car ride
Daniel in the obstacle-course house
Nathan following suit
Elizabeth getting a second ride on her birthday!
She was absolutely delighted
Next up was a trip to the Natural History Museum, which one now needs to book tickets to get in (though entry is still free). This was the first museum I had ever been to in the UK, and I still remember being absolutely astounded by the Diplodocus skeleton looming large in the central hall of the museum, which has now been replaced by that of a blue whale, as well as being gobsmacked by the many other dinosaur fossils in their dinosaur section. This was what I had wished I had experienced in my childhood, and it was one not to be missed for my children. Unfortunately, just as we were plodding through the crowds and through the dinosaur section, the emergency evacuation alarm sounded and our visit was cut short. We forcibly exited the museum, only to find that people were already being readmitted via the main entrance, and this left us scratching our heads. Sadly, we did not have time to queue up for a second round as we had made dinner plans to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday, and it was off to Bayswater for our dinner. We would be back again later in our trip.
Posing with the giraffes
Dinner at Four Seasons along Bayswater
Comfort food in a Chinese restaurant - still the best roast duck in town
Absolutely delighted with her birthday cake
Celebrating as a family!
The following day was spent touring some of the more famous sights in London. Once again, I was hit by a wave of nostalgia, since these were places I used to tour around myself, or bring people sight-seeing when friends came to town when I was around. Tower bridge? I used to cross it regularly to get to a friend's house. The Tower of London? The ravens immediately come to mind - that should these residents of the Tower ever depart, then London itself will collapse (and hence why they have all their wings clipped). The legendary beefeaters, the guardians of the Tower, too, are vividly recalled, for being my tour guide when exploring the grounds, telling me sordid tales of blood and murder. Big Ben (the bell) and the Palace of Westminster, where I once went on a tour within, and got to see where the Prime Ministers sits and gets grilled during PMQs (Prime Minister's Questions). And then there was Westminster Abbey where royal weddings are held, and where famous figures like Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are buried within (the former made famous especially during Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code'). Our final stop of the day (for the kids), was to Buckingham Palace, where the royalty resides, and where they managed to catch the changing of the guards! I've got to hand it to them for being absolute troopers and walking such long distances, and I'm glad I got to be a tour guide for them as well, albeit catered to their much shortened attention spans.
Between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, I was even allowed some time on my own to visit the Churchill War Rooms which was quite a treat. Here, right at the end of St James's Park, buried in the basement of New Public Offices was the underground complex where the Cabinet hid out during WWII. It was a self-contained venue to protect the key decision makers, including Winston Churchill himself, a bunker where they could live and work in safety. I can imagine that spending the entire day and night without seeing the sun or without a breath of fresh air must have been quite disorientating. Coupled with the endless battles to keep up with, I'm quite sure it must have driven quite a few of them mad. But it was quite an experience, albeit quite a pricey one - it cost me a hefty £33. Still, it was another one of those where I wondered why, for the life of me, did I not visit it during my time studying in London. Managed to catch up with Alex that night as well at a Thai pub just down the road from my accommodation - though we missed a photo opportunity amidst the catch-up!
The Yans at Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is falling down!
Crossing the bridge
At the Tower of London
Peek a boo!
All wrapped up
Daniel and the (stone) lions
With Big Ben (though technically that is the name of the bell which is inside the Elizabeth Tower) and the Houses of Parliament
At Westminster Abbey
Winter in St James's Park
Churchill's room in the War Rooms
Delighted to have visited the Churchill War Rooms
At Buckingham Palace
The following day was the wedding day itself, what we had flown 14 hours there and then another 14 hours back for. It was also the first day of our trip where the clouds finally dispersed and we were granted some glorious skies to spare us from the doom and gloom of winter. The ceremony was held at the Islington Town Hall, and it lasted for a good 20 minutes before we adjourned for photo-taking, lunch at a pub, and then a tea ceremony at Sam's place. I was made the unofficial photographer as well, and put my camera to good use. Most unfortunately, the car ride from the lunch venue to Sam's place ended up with a nauseous Elizabeth, who then proceeded to throw up right at the end of the journey - mostly on Chun Yi's dress, but a little splattered on the car seat. That was one for the memories!
The children all decked out for the ROM ceremony
Elizabeth collecting the flowers from Sheen
The boys dutifully handing over the wedding bands
Here comes the bride (and groom)
With the kids
The lunch venue
The tea ceremony, and some choice words to last a lifetime
The trip started to wind down after the wedding, but there was still much to accomplish! Right at the top of the list was ice-skating, which was something Chun Yi wanted to bring the kids to do since planning this trip months ago. With my left shoulder injury and recurrent dislocation, I was going to sit this one out as well, and remain as the unofficial trip photographer. The kids did enjoy themselves quite some bit at the ice skating rink set up at Leicester Square, and Elizabeth was a natural, and the two boys took a while to get the hang of it (and probably will take a few more rounds).
Bravely stepping out onto the ice
All smiles
Scooting about
The quintet
Sharing a secret
A nice, hot dim sum lunch at New Loon Fung Restaurant in Chinatown
We walked around Trafalgar Square and its lions before heading for our afternoon activity, the musical 'My Neighbour Totoro'. It was absolutely glorious and gorgeous, and it was just the right choice for the kids (and even the adults). I had watched the movie in my teens, and it did not appeal as much to me then as it would have to a young kid, or to a parent, the former of which I have now, and the latter of which I have become. The music and the singing was top-notch, and I haven't enjoyed a performance this much in a while. It really is a must go, if you have to, and you'll have to see the giant size ambulating and bellowing Totoro to believe it. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed! The funniest part was when Chun Yi said that the children actors were really wonderful, not realising that they were actually adults who were just really small in nature. Absolutely hilarious.
Daniel and the lion at Trafalgar Square
Me and 'My Neighbour Totoro'
Definitely unmissable for any trip to London - Nandos!
Friday morning was spent exploring Little Venice just around Paddington. Paddington has changed so much since the time I lived there - way back in 2006. Where the station used to be dingy and grimy, it has now been transformed into an upmarket mall with quite a handful of food options, including food halls. Beside it lies a canal which is where the area's name comes from, and the children spent their time catching falling autumn/winter leaves and climbing trees. We then made our way on the oldest Tube line, the Metropolitan line, to my uncle Joe's place at Northwood - a good hour's journey away! Thankfully I didn't have to stay so far away during my years of study - we lived at Ealing Broadway then, which was much more convenient in getting to central London, as well as to the hospitals and university.
On the bench in Little Venice
Our customary bench shot in the Rembrandt Gardens
Tree climbing
Lunch with uncle Joe and the Giam family (or whoever could make it)
We made a beeline to the London Transport Museum after lunch. The Tube had become the star attraction of the trip for the boys, and the Tube map became like a treasure map for them. The goal of their trip became one of attempting to sit on as many different lines as possible, and the goal remains unaccomplished. Thus, assuming their interest remains, they will be back to finish the job. Elizabeth spent a good portion of her time sleeping during the visit, but just as well, since her body clock had gone haywire with the time difference, and she had been missing many afternoon naps. Personally, reading about the first underground transport whilst touring the museum was really quite interesting, at least from an engineering perspective. How do you ensure stability of the foundation and the buildings above? How do you ferry hundreds of people to the depths and up again in a safe and timely manner? How do you move away from steam engines which might otherwise pollute the tunnels? It was all rather fascinating and I am now keen to read up more on the subject - just like the boys. That night, Chun Yi had a special date with her sister, and went off to see another musical, 'Matilda'. I will attempt to catch 'Hamilton' the next time round.
Elizabeth sleeping on her ride
With an actual Underground map
The boys at the museum
Our penultimate day in London was spent visiting old haunts once again. The morning started with the most representative of English cuisine - the English breakfast. Essentially, tonnes of fried stuff. The best meal of the trip, according to the kids, quickly forgetting how much they enjoyed toasted bread at home just a few days back. We made our journey across Hyde Park to make another attempt at the museums again, stopping by the Peter Pan statue, as well as my old floorball grounds right in front of The Albert Memorial.
A hearty English breakfast to start the day
May you all grow up fast!
By the Serpentine River
In the glorious sun
My favourite shot of the trip
My floorball arena when I first came to London, missing my friends
I used to play here, without fail, every Wednesday after lectures, and it was here where I found some firm friends - Ben Loh, Hocks, and Ben Goh, who I still meet very regularly till now, minus the floorball
We visited both the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum again, broken up in between with a pit stop at the Kensington Creperie - another old haunt of mine. I even got to meet up with some of my old friends, Alasdair, Chuin Ying, and their girl, Emily, who made the trip downtown just to specially catch up - a co-museum tour with their kids. The day ended up with dinner with one of my closest friends, Alex, and his fiance, Stephanie. This holiday had come full circle and it was truly a trip down memory lane.
Floating poop in space
A replica of the first microscope created by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the 1660s
I had not realised that this was essentially the size of my palm, or even smaller!
Crepe break at The Kensington Creperie
With Chuin Ying and Emily
With old friends
Elizabeth and the Japanese spider crab
Dinner at Pearl Liang with Alex and Stephanie
Our final day in London was spent lugging our luggage to the train station and then catching the Heathrow Express to Heathrow, before embarking on our fourteen hour flight back to Singapore. It was truly a nostalgic trip, and many a times, I wondered how life could have been so much different had I stayed on and brought a family up there. I would never know, but I had a bit of a taster, having my family with me, living in an apartment (albeit with only one toilet)! I had accomplished much during this trip, and I want to be greedy and say I could have accomplished so much more. But I think, overall, I really enjoyed my time back to London, with my family in tow this time. Looking forward to the next time!
Sunrise on our last morning
