"In my next life I would like to be born Indian"

My friend, Chetan sent this to me. 

It's a good read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Note: You can click on the picture to open it in another window for better reading

London ~ General

This concludes the chronicles of my London trip ^^*

London is a melting pot of cultures. On a single bus trip, you can see burqa-clad women sitting alongside turban-wearing men with beards down to their belly.

WEATHER

London weather is unpredictable! You can expect to wake up to grey skies, but have the sun out by lunch time. We were fortunate to have clear skies for most of the week.

TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION

Although I was only there for a week, I found the transport system to be fairly efficient. We only used buses, and had no need to use the tube. We were advised by many people not to use taxi’s as they are quite expensive.

Maps can be deceiving. What looks like a distance can merely be a ten minute walk from point A to point B.

EATING PLACES

You’ll never run short of places to eat… there are café’s, deli’s, coffee shops and restaurants everywhere! It’s not that difficult to eat well on a tight budget (look for the nearest SUBWAY!) I was spoiled with choice with all the Indian eateries.

PEOPLE

Various shopkeepers couldn’t be bothered to keep us waiting while they finished their personal phone calls. Strangers on the street or on the buses were willing to tell us which bus to take to which destination.

Bus drivers are also generally OK, and a few even looked for us in their rearview mirror to tell us that the stop we were at is the one we needed to get off!

NOTE: Always ask at least two people to verify directions (some people get a kick out of sending tourists in the wrong direction!)

London ~ Sunday (Feb 10) The sweetness that is home...

When I got home, my apartment was freezing…but it was so good to be back in my own little space! After my gim-bap and making a few phone calls, I got to bed…hoping and praying I’d wake up in time for work the next day!

I received my luggage the next day (Monday evening)

London ~ Sunday (Feb 10) Luggage Drama

I landed in Korea at 3:30pm, and assumed I’d be home by 5pm. Well, one of my nightmares came true… my luggage was nowhere to be found. After reporting the matter, I was told that it was at Pudong Airport. I was furious, because when I checked in at Heathrow, I specifically asked the woman if my luggage would go through directly to Incheon, and she said that I only need to collect it in Korea…

I was told that they’d try to put it on the next flight, and I was even prepared to wait at the airport for it. But there was no guarantee … so I went home, and I was assured that it would be delivered to me (for which I’d have to pay for!)

London ~ Sunday (Feb 10) Back home!

I flew British Airways from London to Shanghai. Again, I wasn’t impressed by BA’s service. For the second time round, I found the aircraft to be dirty, and thank goodness I inspected my seat before sitting down as there were pieces of chocolate on it.

I was pleased to arrive at Pudong Airport, because I was nearly home. I then flew China Eastern Airlines to Incheon International, which was very pleasant. Good and friendly service!

*While I was on the shuttle bus going to the aircraft from the terminal, I felt so relieved to see Hangul (Korean writing) on the Asiana Aircraft!! I still can’t believe that I was homesick for Korea.

London ~ Saturday (Feb 9) All good things must come to an end...

Our week of absolute fun came to an end on Saturday and by afternoon, I was at Heathrow saying good bye to my mum as I made my journey back home.

London ~ Friday (Feb 8) Harrods

Who would have thought that a department store would thrill me nearly as much as a theme park?!

I walked into Harrods and looked around wide-eyed, like a child with unlimited access to Disney World! I was in absolute amazement. Situated in Knightsbridge, Harrods is apparently one of the largest department stores in the world, with designer labels everywhere ~ I mean everywhere!

It has over 300 departments, including clothing, jewelry, sporting gear, electronics, bridal wear, pet accessories, toys, food, furniture and so much more.

If anything, the food halls will make you feel as though you’ve died and gone to heaven! The proud owner of Harrods is Mohamed Fayed, an Egyptian businessman and billionaire.

London ~ Friday (Feb 8) Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is the famous wax museum in London, which also has branches in other major cities, including Las Vegas, New York and Shanghai.

It is home to some of the most famous faces in history, from the royal family to academics, writers, sportspeople, singers and actors.

I saw everyone ~ Julia Roberts, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, John Travolta, Salman Khan, Robin Williams, David Bekham, Hitler, Yasser Arafat, Nelson Mandela and Benazir Bhutto.

You’re likely to be star struck in this museum …I sure was!

London ~ Thursday (Feb 7) Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805)

South Africa House!

London ~ Thursday (Feb 7) Picadilly Circus

Picadilly Circus lies at the heart of London's West End and is a major tourist attraction with loads of entertainment and shopping.

London ~ Thursday (Feb 7) Kensington Palace

Until 1997, Kensington Palace was the official residence of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The palace currently hosts an exhibition dedicated to the late princess, which includes some of her evening gowns that she'd worn.

The surrounding gardens

London ~ Thursday (Feb 7) St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral sits high on my list of favourite places I’ve seen in London. The beauty of the exterior of the building certainly doesn’t prepare one for what lies inside.

The minute I stepped into the Cathedral, I felt a sense of calmness. Naturally, photography isn't permitted as it is a place of worship. The intricate designs covering nearly every piece of the cathedral is mesmerizing.

Services that have taken place here include Sir Winston Churchill's funeral, peace services marking the end of the First & Second World Wars and the wedding of Prince Charles & Princess Diana.

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British residence and is used for state occasions and royal entertaining (stated on Wikipedia)

Victoria Memorial

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) London Eye

The London Eye is also known as the Millennium Wheel and stands 135 metres high on the south bank of the River Thames. One revolution takes 30 minute and the observation capsules are air-conditioned and can hold up to 25 people.

The view from the capsules make you feel like you’re really on top of the world. In fact, you don’t even feel it moving. The Eye is one of the most popular attractions in the city and again, I think we were very lucky to have excellent weather that day!

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey served as a cathedral from 1546-1556. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English monarchs.

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

Big Ben is one of London’s best known landmarks and is situated at the north-eastern end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

Taken from parliament.co.uk :

The first known royal palace to occupy Parliament’s site was Edward the Confessor’s (c1065). Parliament officially remains a royal palace and is still referred to as the ‘Palace of Westminster’. The site was used as a royal residence until Henry VIII moved the royal family out in 1512 following a fire.

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) River Thames Cruise

The River Thames is the longest river in England. After spending a couple of hours at the Tower of London, we took a cruise on the Thames – which stopped at the London Eye!

I was giddy with excitement when I caught the first glimpse of Big Ben from the river. It was simply majestic. The view of the London Eye and other spectacular buildings were beautiful beyond words. We were so lucky that we had good weather!

I think I was the only person running around snapping pics from the left... then the right... then the left again!

...with Mum!

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) Crown Jewels

Obviously only a picture!

According to Wikipedia, the Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London since 1303 after they were stolen from Westminster Abbey. They are considered to be the most valuable jewelrey collection in existence.

Let's just say there was more BLING than my eyes could handle *^^*

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) Tower of London

We drove over London Bridge and stopped at the Tower of London which was the seat of British government and the living quarters of monarchs. It has housed lions, bears and flightless ravens. Legend has it that if raven’s leave the tower, the world will see the fall of the British government. It is an historic monument situated on the north bank of the River Thames.

London ~ Wednesday (Feb 6) London Bridge

I grew up with the nursery rhyme, “London Bridge is falling down” so when I came face to face with this majestic bridge I couldn’t click fast enough on my camera. I swear, it looked like a picture from a fairytale book.