Pre-trip (26/1/2011)
Started to pack my stuff at about 11.30pm and done with it at about 1 or 2 in the morning I guess....couldn't quite remember. 27/1/2011
I got up quite early than usual. Adrenaline rush - nervous@excited maybe...The journey started with me taking an Airport Limo at 7.30 in the morning. It was a chaotic one indeed. All my family members had left the house to go to work or school. Once the cab arrived, I dragged my huge luggage out and got back into the house to take the rest of my stuff. Then, I set the alarm on and locked the front door, only to realize that I don't have the remote to close my automated wrought iron main gate. Got back inside, put the alarm off, close the main gate, get the key to the small gate and clumsily tries to lock the front door back after setting the alarm on for the second time. Boy, it was tough having my handbag on one hand and jacket plus winter coat on the other while locking the door. But finally, I arrived safely at the airport at about 8.15 am. Checked-in and waited at the lounge before boarding - upgraded to Business Class meh...hikhik...btw, the rendang ayam was superb....=P
The flight departed at 10.45 am. It was a 12 hrs 50mins flight of DAYLIGHTS. A very tiring one indeed. Thankfully, we were given hot towels every now and then to rejuvenate our self.
Immediately after the flight took off, we were served with what looks like an endless supplies of foods. First, we had our lunch. From appetizer to main course to the desserts, I took it all in while watching movie. Hehe....except for the chocolate muffin....too full already....=P
The list are as follows:
Appetizer - satay & smoked norwegian salmon + bread & butter + fruit salad
Main course - grilled beef tenderloin + mashed potato
Desserts - Häagen-Dazs ice cream
Throughout the journey I managed to take 2-3 hours nap and watched 3 movies - You Again, The Social Network & Life As We Know It. About 2 hours before landing, we were served with SO-CALLED light meals.
The list again:
Appetizer - cured salmon with marinated + bread & butter + prawn fruit salad
Main course - skipped this one
Desserts - skipped this one
Arrived at the Heathrow Airport at about 4.15 pm (local time) with the temperature at 3°C. On immigration check & while waiting for the luggage, all I can think of was service in KLIA is way better...=P....Was extremely sleepy during this time while waiting for the company's rep to pick us up. Usually, should already be in bed (Malaysia time - 1.00 am). The weather outside was very cold. So, I stayed in instead whilst checking out the shop. Checked-in at Travelodge at 7.15 pm and went for a dinner at 8pm. It is a must since the rep had already prepared the meal for us at his house. Got back and went to sleep at 10.30 pm.
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| My room - spacious & comfy |
28/1/2011
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| Pergi UK pun sibuk nak bawak kereta. =)) |
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| Our lodge is next to Holiday Inn |
Met with Azli, our tourist guide (asal Melaka; engineering student@London South Bank University) and Dariusz Dziala, appointed photographer (freelancer from Poland).
Spent 3 hours at Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies (menghayati keindahan seni ukiran kayu Malaysia) and continued our journey to London. Before that, we had our lunch first and stopped at Bicester Village - Outlet Shopping to shop on the way. This is the place to get branded items at a low price. Sort of like factory outlet store. (http://www.bicestervillage.com/)
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| OXCIS |
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| Impressive woodworks |
Reached our hotel in London, Corus Hyde Park Hotel at 8pm, checked-in and went out for dinner at 'tuk din - flavours of Malaysia' sambil dengar radio ERA....hehe....
29/1/2011
Breathed in fresh morning air in front of the hotel and catched a glimpse of the Hyde Park while waiting for Azli. Breakfast at Malaysia Hall. The place is a bit small, but serves variety of dishes. Plenty to choose from. Got our UK sim card - Lebara. Travelled to McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Swindon to shop from noon till late evening. The store is housed in the beautifully restored Great Western railway works with a Swindon-built locomotive (Hagley Hall) on display in the eating area. Bought a blazer, ties, perfumes and shirt from Marks & Spencer, Cadbury chocolate, calendars,etc.....Had fish & chip (minus the chip) for lunch. My biggest regret....didn't manage to buy a Skechers' sneakers n Radley's handbag....(+__+). That night we shopped for souvenirs at Bayswater Road. |
| Corus Hotel |
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| Hyde Park |
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| Malaysia Hall |
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| Designer Outlet, Swindon |
30/1/2011
Sight-seeing day - - - > We took the Tube to travel from place to place...it is quite efficient actually....We used Oyster; similar to Touch n Go in Malaysia. Our destination was the Westminster station to see Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Eye of London. Then, we walked along the road to see Richmond House (Dept. of Health), Downing Street (PM's house) and buildings that housed other ministries; the area is sort of like Putrajaya to us. Then, we head to the National Gallery down the road with the big fountain used to be found in the film with lots of wild doves. But, nowadays, there are not much dove left to be seen.http://www.bulgarianlondon.com/bg_lon/bg/images/tube_map.gif
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| Westminster Abbey |
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| Big Ben |
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| Eye of London |
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| Westminster Road |
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| Downing Street - PM's house (black) |
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| Gateway to Buckingham Palace |
After that, we took the double-decker to the Tower Hill. Standing under the Tower Bridge, we can see the Tower of London (place for execution of death penalty), the London Bridge (always get mistaken by tourists with the Tower Bridge); Potter's Field Park (the location where Malaysian - London Week was held) and panoramic view of the Tower Hill itself.
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| Tower Bridge |
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| Potter's Field Park |
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| London Bridge |
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| Tower Hill (background) |
Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped at Lillywhites - a sports retailer based at Piccadilly Circus to shop for a while. That late evening, we went to Madame Tussauds to have a little tour there. For me, it ended in just an hour. It bores me off as I am not that fanatic to any of the wax figures there. ;-P Having escaped my breakfast cause not being in the mood and missed our lunch because of the tour, we stopped for a drink at Caffé Nero before heading back.
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| Madame Tussauds |
31/1/2011
Headed to Oxford Street (the whole stretch from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus) early in the morning to shop as that was our final day there. Our flight was at 10 pm and we needed to take off from the hotel by 5.00 pm. Or else, we would miss our flight. Of course we does not want that to happen as the price of a new ticket....can be quite expensive I must say....=PHad some breakfast at Starbucks while waiting for the shops to open. All I bought here was some souvenirs from the roadside stalls (shirts and key-chains) and Fossil watch (totally love this) - I did get permission from my dad first before purchasing this. =)
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| My self-bought early birthday present. =) |
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| Came across this while strolling down the street |
Followed Azlin into the LV store.
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| LV Planet |
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| Waiting |
At 5.00 pm, we headed for the airport, checked-in and had some meals at the waiting lounge. Getting into the airplane, I didn't realize that I had dropped my phone on the couch at the lounge. At least not until I went looking for it to switch it off for departure. Luckily, somebody found it and passed it to the attendant there. Or else, I would be having a brand new mobile phone by now - probably an iPhone4.... hehe...
On the plane, I skipped my meal, went straight into sleeping mode and woke up 5 hours later to enjoy chicken rolls while watching The Clique & Magika. Feeling bored, I went through the Introduction of 'Dr. Mahathir's Selected Letters to World Leaders' book and have light meals served 2 hours before landing.
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| I hate having raisins in my foods. |
1/2/2011
Touched down at 6.20 pm. Felt great to be back in Malaysia. Took a cab. Fell asleep on the way. Arrived safely before 8.00 pm. Home sweet home. Gave out souvenirs to my family members, got nothing interesting on the TV, went to sleep early at 10.00 pm.- - - - - - THE END - - - - - -
such a lovely trip i guess...
ReplyDeleteA lovely one indeed....except for the companion. Wish I had my family along...
ReplyDelete