First day, I arrived.
I was dreading this trip initially, because of the bad Italian trip that I had. Another 2 weeks travelling? No way. I gave up planning, so I didnt prebook any trips out of London, not even an air tic back to Norway. Chill & relax in London sounds good to me. No huff & puff of chasing trains and sorting things out.
When I reached London, there was a subtle sense of relieve and joy even. Soon, I find myself smiling to myself. Why.. Its all in ENGLISH!
Having not been in an English country for 5 months, being able to read public signs felt so beautiful. We took language for granted. In Asia, most places have duo-languages, in English. But in Europe, that's not true. Its almost impossible to find something in English in Italy & Norway, hence I was more than stress travelling in Italy for 2 weeks - Perpetually feeling lost & confused. A little moment, I actually thought I was back in Singapore, where English is also the first language. It feels so much home, when you see everything in your language, except that I soon realise Im populated by white people. The feeling of English was so overwhelming, I didnt realise that I was reading every signs that came into my way, with glee. It was extremely welcoming. Not praising London yet, I was more than welcomed by my mother language - something I would never imagine feeling. (I rmb in Rome, when I asked my American roomates who's studying in London, about London, they replied "Much better than Italy! At least you can understand the language there!)
Bought easybus ticket to Victoria Train station for 9 pounds.
The bus is suppose to depart at 1550. But at 1540, as I was about to make my way to a toilet, the driver sped off. Thankfully, Im still on the bus. This is a culture welcome to London it seems. Or unwelcome.
First sights of Victoria train station.
Waited for Heather who then brought me on a double-deck bus ride. We sat at the front of the upper deck, and it would bring me past most of the famous sights. What a first day in London!
Left to right: London eye, Big Ben, Westminister Abbey
the ghost bus tours - over the next 2 weeks, I would realise that ghost bus tours are everywhere in the UK & Ireland.
London and its many people.
We got off at Chinatown! Heading to a Chinese restaurant!
It was only few days ago, in Oslo, that I dreamt about eating in a Chinese restaurant, specifically, I dreamt about Hor Fun. For days, I reminded myself that I would have to starve my craving till July. This was simply jubilant! It was a dream come true literally! If only all dreams come true within days!
Oh yes, despite smiling at the long list of FAMILIAR chinese food, beef hor fun was too tempting. Ok, that restaurant owned by Cantonese, had extremely poor service. Despite sitting just next to the counter, they ignored me several times, even when I asked "if the Horfun wet or dry one?". Even when ordering, they ignored my question, and only after asking several times after she passed by several times, did the server answer me, very rudely as if she's lecturing me. Nevertheless, I wasnt in a mood to pick at her services. I just wanted my food. (5 pounds)
we went sourcing for more food to take home. Interesting that they sell instant noodle packet by packet.
Singapore Chilli Sauce.
Check out the streets on a Saturday London night.
We settled at a pub, with good music & beer.
Next day, we went for some food festival. To a indoor Pasar Malam place which sells food & clothes.
I agree with the sign. Thai food :)
The shirt on the left says "I cut my own hair" Apparently, the stall owners gets buay song with people taking pictures. With him peeking at the left corner, this was a quick one. And yes, I cut my own hair.
To the outdoor Pasar Malam.
HUGE piece of meat. I wonder what animal lies there.
Went to this cool music & everything else store.
Then to the backyard market.
Every book & cd is for 1 pound each. I rmb the guy shouting on the street "1 pound each! Get some books, put on your shelf and look smart! only for 1 pound you get to look smart!"
Trying to raise publicity for themselves & sell their album. They sang good old Johnny Cash & June Carter!
Someone passed me this. Would you believe it? Dont suffer in silence.
Shopping! I bought some much needed summer clothes.
A pair of shades to go!
To some bookstore exhibition.
The Homeless & moneyless speaks.
To the White Chapel Gallery
The waterways of London.
The boat people eat, sleep and live in them. But they were only allowed to park their boat on a slot for a limited time, before they had to move somewhere else to park.
Underneath a bridge, this guy's graffiti is world famous. And he even earns lots of money from it.
This is his signature. I suppose.
They have their own little venice. Its getting abit boring and common in alot of countries.
To a park and pond!
We break for lunch at the restaurant on the top right corner.
Again, on the top front of a double deck bus.
That famous egg building, the 30 St Mary Axe.
This building on the right, is prudential. Such architecture for an insurance company.
To the famous British Museum. One of the best I've been, and its completely free.
As the museum is closing, we did a quick cut through to get to UCL. I came back later days. The guard was kind enough to let us cut through.
Cutting through.
The cut-through was pleasant. Great exhibits that would bring me back.
UCL's theology school.
Nearby, a strange building stands out, so I decide to explore, while waiting for my friend in UCL.
UCL
UCL
UCL
At night, I went to Harrods by myself.
Harrods.
This is what Harrods is famous for. Combining modern clothing designs, with ancient Greek/Roman/Egyptian/Chinese culture.
Next, I took to Tower Bridge.
Outside the train station, a famous cathedral, with romanic ruins inside. Be back later days.
On london bridge, looking over to tower bridge.
London Bridge. Its chao ugly in the day.
Tower bridge
Beautiful. (no flash. hence, my dark face)
Crazy battleship in front of the tower bridge. Makes it such an amazing sight.
I recommend clicking on it to enlarge.
I decided to try the flash, to brighten up my face. The result was more than what I expected. With flash, tower bridge was breathtaking. All the white lights turned golden.
With flash, the battleship & towerbridge was too fantasy. Well, it really is fantasy. With my naked eyes, I saw the one without flash (above). So, dont go there expecting to see this picture!
End of first 2 nights in London.
I was dreading this trip initially, because of the bad Italian trip that I had. Another 2 weeks travelling? No way. I gave up planning, so I didnt prebook any trips out of London, not even an air tic back to Norway. Chill & relax in London sounds good to me. No huff & puff of chasing trains and sorting things out.
When I reached London, there was a subtle sense of relieve and joy even. Soon, I find myself smiling to myself. Why.. Its all in ENGLISH!
Having not been in an English country for 5 months, being able to read public signs felt so beautiful. We took language for granted. In Asia, most places have duo-languages, in English. But in Europe, that's not true. Its almost impossible to find something in English in Italy & Norway, hence I was more than stress travelling in Italy for 2 weeks - Perpetually feeling lost & confused. A little moment, I actually thought I was back in Singapore, where English is also the first language. It feels so much home, when you see everything in your language, except that I soon realise Im populated by white people. The feeling of English was so overwhelming, I didnt realise that I was reading every signs that came into my way, with glee. It was extremely welcoming. Not praising London yet, I was more than welcomed by my mother language - something I would never imagine feeling. (I rmb in Rome, when I asked my American roomates who's studying in London, about London, they replied "Much better than Italy! At least you can understand the language there!)
Bought easybus ticket to Victoria Train station for 9 pounds.
The bus is suppose to depart at 1550. But at 1540, as I was about to make my way to a toilet, the driver sped off. Thankfully, Im still on the bus. This is a culture welcome to London it seems. Or unwelcome.
First sights of Victoria train station.
Waited for Heather who then brought me on a double-deck bus ride. We sat at the front of the upper deck, and it would bring me past most of the famous sights. What a first day in London!
Left to right: London eye, Big Ben, Westminister Abbey
the ghost bus tours - over the next 2 weeks, I would realise that ghost bus tours are everywhere in the UK & Ireland.
London and its many people.
We got off at Chinatown! Heading to a Chinese restaurant!
It was only few days ago, in Oslo, that I dreamt about eating in a Chinese restaurant, specifically, I dreamt about Hor Fun. For days, I reminded myself that I would have to starve my craving till July. This was simply jubilant! It was a dream come true literally! If only all dreams come true within days!
Oh yes, despite smiling at the long list of FAMILIAR chinese food, beef hor fun was too tempting. Ok, that restaurant owned by Cantonese, had extremely poor service. Despite sitting just next to the counter, they ignored me several times, even when I asked "if the Horfun wet or dry one?". Even when ordering, they ignored my question, and only after asking several times after she passed by several times, did the server answer me, very rudely as if she's lecturing me. Nevertheless, I wasnt in a mood to pick at her services. I just wanted my food. (5 pounds)
we went sourcing for more food to take home. Interesting that they sell instant noodle packet by packet.
Singapore Chilli Sauce.
Check out the streets on a Saturday London night.
We settled at a pub, with good music & beer.
Next day, we went for some food festival. To a indoor Pasar Malam place which sells food & clothes.
I agree with the sign. Thai food :)
The shirt on the left says "I cut my own hair" Apparently, the stall owners gets buay song with people taking pictures. With him peeking at the left corner, this was a quick one. And yes, I cut my own hair.
To the outdoor Pasar Malam.
HUGE piece of meat. I wonder what animal lies there.
Went to this cool music & everything else store.
Then to the backyard market.
Every book & cd is for 1 pound each. I rmb the guy shouting on the street "1 pound each! Get some books, put on your shelf and look smart! only for 1 pound you get to look smart!"
Trying to raise publicity for themselves & sell their album. They sang good old Johnny Cash & June Carter!
Someone passed me this. Would you believe it? Dont suffer in silence.
Shopping! I bought some much needed summer clothes.
A pair of shades to go!
To some bookstore exhibition.
The Homeless & moneyless speaks.
To the White Chapel Gallery
The waterways of London.
The boat people eat, sleep and live in them. But they were only allowed to park their boat on a slot for a limited time, before they had to move somewhere else to park.
Underneath a bridge, this guy's graffiti is world famous. And he even earns lots of money from it.
This is his signature. I suppose.
They have their own little venice. Its getting abit boring and common in alot of countries.
To a park and pond!
We break for lunch at the restaurant on the top right corner.
Again, on the top front of a double deck bus.
That famous egg building, the 30 St Mary Axe.
This building on the right, is prudential. Such architecture for an insurance company.
To the famous British Museum. One of the best I've been, and its completely free.
As the museum is closing, we did a quick cut through to get to UCL. I came back later days. The guard was kind enough to let us cut through.
Cutting through.
The cut-through was pleasant. Great exhibits that would bring me back.
UCL's theology school.
Nearby, a strange building stands out, so I decide to explore, while waiting for my friend in UCL.
UCL
UCL
UCL
At night, I went to Harrods by myself.
Harrods.
This is what Harrods is famous for. Combining modern clothing designs, with ancient Greek/Roman/Egyptian/Chinese culture.
Next, I took to Tower Bridge.
Outside the train station, a famous cathedral, with romanic ruins inside. Be back later days.
On london bridge, looking over to tower bridge.
London Bridge. Its chao ugly in the day.
Tower bridge
Beautiful. (no flash. hence, my dark face)
Crazy battleship in front of the tower bridge. Makes it such an amazing sight.
I recommend clicking on it to enlarge.
I decided to try the flash, to brighten up my face. The result was more than what I expected. With flash, tower bridge was breathtaking. All the white lights turned golden.
With flash, the battleship & towerbridge was too fantasy. Well, it really is fantasy. With my naked eyes, I saw the one without flash (above). So, dont go there expecting to see this picture!
End of first 2 nights in London.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.