We are back. And yes, two weeks flew by just like that.
As much as it's good to be home, I began to think about the next holiday the next day after our return. The thought of not seeing any in sight and returning to work on Monday pains me a little.
Oh well, fun's over and here I am reminiscing the trip.
We flew with Emirates again and while I thought we managed to grab a really good deal - S$2200+ for two, I failed to realise there's a 1.5hr stopover at Colombo. The good thing is transit at Dubai was a quick one and we saved a few hundreds with this route.
I was so tired I was drifting in and out of slumberland throughout the 13hr flight and only woke up to watch two movies and had 4 seafood meals. The flight from Dubai to London had me sit beside a young New Zealander who was travelling on his own for the first time and threatening to vomit. Thankfully he didn't and we arrived in London at local time 1pm with Uncle Bruce greeting us at the arrival hall.
He came to pick us up and did another city tour (Mr Grumpy was trying to make me say no but I didn't bear to reject Uncle Bruce) before sending us to Thistle Marble Arch hotel. The hotel is strategically located at Oxford Street where all the shopping are and what would usually costs one S$400+ per night only costs us half the price thanks to Uncle Bruce again.
To fight off the jet lag, I went shopping (while the man rested in the room) but was actually too lethargic to do much. He joined me shortly and I crashed at local time 9pm.
DAY TWO started with the hotel buffet breakfast - the mini harsh brown was still as good and the spread still the same - some things don't change; followed by a 20mins walk to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of guards. We weren't expecting that many people and I had two dads with thier sons sitting on their shoulders leaning against me to balance themselves! I tried to be understanding but was a little frustrated at some point. The worse thing is given my height, I couldn't see much still.
It was very cold for me (about 13 degrees) and my jacket wasn't exactly the most appropriate.
This brown leather (PVC actually) is from Promod (I think) and I bought it 2.5 years ago for the first Europe trip at a discount. I didn't wear it at all. I next wore it briefly at The Peak in Hong Kong and decided to bring it with me this trip. Guess what? The leather tore and you could see shreds on it! What's worse? Mr Grumpy saw it before I did and didn't tell me because he thought I knew. Now, if I have known, would I have wear it? My husband is not very smart at times.
After Buckingham Palace was Trafalgar Square. We only had a quick look the last time and it was nice to sit under the sun this time people watching. It was also here when I realised the torn jacket. Argh...! And we went around searching for a replacement. Couldn't find an appropriate one and decided to go for a late lunch at Chinatown.
Over ordered obviously.
Refused to wear the torn jacket although it was quite cold but finally found one at Gap. Went back to the hotel to rest before meeting the folks for dinner.
Dinner at the same Italian restaurant and it was a good one. This is my gu gu happily married to a British for a little more than 10 years. Yes, the age gap is huge but who cares when you are loved. She's a wonderful lady, ever so helpful and kind and even though her husband is rich, she's not into branded bags, diamonds and all - she has even given me a few Tiffany items that were given to her by friends. This trip, she prepared Octopus cards (their Ezlink) for us and gave me 'pocket money'!
They also sent us back to the hotel in a prepaid taxi after dinner. Honestly, I was a little overwhelmed with all the kindness. I mean so what if they can afford it? It doesn't mean they have to do it for us. But this is them, the lovely people.
DAY THREE and also the last day in London started with the same breakfast and visit to the St Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern and Notting Hill.
Match supposed to start at 4pm and we were seated at about 3plus.
DAY SIX and the last day in Liverpool was back to Anfield for the stadium tour.
As much as it's good to be home, I began to think about the next holiday the next day after our return. The thought of not seeing any in sight and returning to work on Monday pains me a little.
Oh well, fun's over and here I am reminiscing the trip.
We flew with Emirates again and while I thought we managed to grab a really good deal - S$2200+ for two, I failed to realise there's a 1.5hr stopover at Colombo. The good thing is transit at Dubai was a quick one and we saved a few hundreds with this route.
I was so tired I was drifting in and out of slumberland throughout the 13hr flight and only woke up to watch two movies and had 4 seafood meals. The flight from Dubai to London had me sit beside a young New Zealander who was travelling on his own for the first time and threatening to vomit. Thankfully he didn't and we arrived in London at local time 1pm with Uncle Bruce greeting us at the arrival hall.
He came to pick us up and did another city tour (Mr Grumpy was trying to make me say no but I didn't bear to reject Uncle Bruce) before sending us to Thistle Marble Arch hotel. The hotel is strategically located at Oxford Street where all the shopping are and what would usually costs one S$400+ per night only costs us half the price thanks to Uncle Bruce again.
To fight off the jet lag, I went shopping (while the man rested in the room) but was actually too lethargic to do much. He joined me shortly and I crashed at local time 9pm.
DAY TWO started with the hotel buffet breakfast - the mini harsh brown was still as good and the spread still the same - some things don't change; followed by a 20mins walk to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of guards. We weren't expecting that many people and I had two dads with thier sons sitting on their shoulders leaning against me to balance themselves! I tried to be understanding but was a little frustrated at some point. The worse thing is given my height, I couldn't see much still.
It was very cold for me (about 13 degrees) and my jacket wasn't exactly the most appropriate.
This brown leather (PVC actually) is from Promod (I think) and I bought it 2.5 years ago for the first Europe trip at a discount. I didn't wear it at all. I next wore it briefly at The Peak in Hong Kong and decided to bring it with me this trip. Guess what? The leather tore and you could see shreds on it! What's worse? Mr Grumpy saw it before I did and didn't tell me because he thought I knew. Now, if I have known, would I have wear it? My husband is not very smart at times.
After Buckingham Palace was Trafalgar Square. We only had a quick look the last time and it was nice to sit under the sun this time people watching. It was also here when I realised the torn jacket. Argh...! And we went around searching for a replacement. Couldn't find an appropriate one and decided to go for a late lunch at Chinatown.
Over ordered obviously.
Refused to wear the torn jacket although it was quite cold but finally found one at Gap. Went back to the hotel to rest before meeting the folks for dinner.
Dinner at the same Italian restaurant and it was a good one. This is my gu gu happily married to a British for a little more than 10 years. Yes, the age gap is huge but who cares when you are loved. She's a wonderful lady, ever so helpful and kind and even though her husband is rich, she's not into branded bags, diamonds and all - she has even given me a few Tiffany items that were given to her by friends. This trip, she prepared Octopus cards (their Ezlink) for us and gave me 'pocket money'!
They also sent us back to the hotel in a prepaid taxi after dinner. Honestly, I was a little overwhelmed with all the kindness. I mean so what if they can afford it? It doesn't mean they have to do it for us. But this is them, the lovely people.
DAY THREE and also the last day in London started with the same breakfast and visit to the St Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern and Notting Hill.
St Paul's Cathedral
Walking over to Tate Modern. Too artsy for us and we sat under the sun again people watching. Also did a facetime with my family who was celebrating my popo's birthday.
Notting Hill was crowded - it was a Saturday and it's like a huge flea market day. Lots of things to see but bought nothing. Loved the movie so it was nice to be at the real scene. I'm sure Mr Grumpy didn't think likewise but he still accompanied me for a couple of hours there.
Mr Grumpy taught me this pose. Nice right? Haha.
That's my new coat and new shoes (no reason, just wanted to buy something pretty).
We had a late lunch somewhere in Notting Hill (there weren't many Asians in that area and if it's not bright and early, I wouldn't stay too long) and took a few trains to get back to the hotel. Wanted to take a walk at Hyde Park but there was some weed party (yes it's legal) going on and we decided against it. Went shopping instead and ended the night early as we were leaving for Liverpool the next morning.
DAY FOUR 21 Nov was a memorable and exciting day for Mr Grumpy as we were leaving for the Liverpool vs Chelsea match! Our first and mann, it was a great experience. The tickets bought under Thomas Cook came with a one night accommodation at Hampton by Hilton John Lennon Airport (it's just opposite the airport) at S$1000. Value for money I would say. It's after all a once in a lifetime experience isn't it? Train tickets from Euston Station (London) to Lime Street (Liverpool) were S$280 for two and took 2hrs plus.
It was raining when we arrived and made it colder than ever. Cabbed to the hotel since it's far from the station and the 40mins (thereabout) journey cost us 20 pounds (including tip). Checked in to the nice hotel (our favourite among all), had a quick lunch at the airport and cabbed to the Anfield - another 18 pounds I think.
The excited fan went to collect the tickets and a booklet while I waited under a miserable shelter to avoid the rain.
Match supposed to start at 4pm and we were seated at about 3plus.
Players came out to warm up and the stadium was slowly filled with fans. We were seated beside the Chelsea fans, behind the goal post and got a pretty good view of the field. Of course, the thing about watching live match is you don't really get to see all the actions and definitely not replays of the goals. Three out of the four goals (especially the two by Liverpool) were at the other end so we missed the best unfortunately. The atmosphere was still electrifying regardless.
Match ended with a draw (at least we didn't pay to see them lose) and a bite from Suarez (which we didn't get to see) at about 6pm and we went dinner from a cafe opposite the stadium while trying to get a cab. Surprisingly, there were very few cabs and we only managed to get one by chance.
DAY FIVE was sight-seeing day since we didn't explore much previously. We took a bus from the airport to the city at 8 pounds for two, two-way and took us about 45mins. There's free wifi in the bus - how cool is that? - so don't worry about getting bored during the journey. First stop was shopping at Liverpool One, a mall and hip area which we totally missed previously and then lunch at a restaurant which serves the BEST vegeterian lasagne. We couldn't find it initially and while Mr Grumpy insisted it was the one he found, I was pretty sure it wasn't. Checked the menu and they didn't serve what I wanted. We thought the dish was probably removed but I wasn't quite ready to give up. Luckily we didn't because we found it eventually.
Now that we took a photo, we are not gonna miss it should we visit Liverpool again.
The best to me. Enough said.
It was lots of walking after the heavy lunch to Albert Dock and Beatles Museum.
Bought tickets for the Beatles and Elvis museums and started the former tour at 4pm and were done at 5ish only to realise it was quite a long walk to the latter. In fact, we reached 10mins before it closed but were denied entry. Decided to end the day then and took the bus back to the airport.
DAY SIX and the last day in Liverpool was back to Anfield for the stadium tour.
There were two little girls and this is the cuter and more obedient one. The other was trying to run around and screaming all the time when the parents tried to stop her.
Same pose, same place, same shot 2.5 years later.
Lunch at the cafe after the tour since we had 20% discount. When you pay in pounds, every savings counts.
After lunch, we took a bus to the city and then a bus back to airport (hotel). Took a different bus back to airport and went a longer and slower route with it stopping at almost every stop. Fortunately we were just in time to check in for our flight to Pisa.
And that's our good, cold five days in UK. We would love to drive the next visit and I hope that would be soon :)
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