Europe (London, England) April/June 2010 D1-3 & D-32-39

After some months of anxious waiting and 3-4 months of planning, it was time for me to fly off to London to embark on my 2nd visit to Europe. With an Air Asia ticket (RM1,600=Euro$355 return) which I booked in August 2009, I landed in London Stansted airport on 26 April at around 10.30pm local time.

On arrival, I stayed put at the airport until early morning and then took a Terravision airport shuttle bus (14 pound return ticket) to the Victorian Coach station. From there, I bought an Oyster card (3 + 5 pound top up train fare) to Russell Square tube station and checked into Smart Russel Square hostel (9 pound dorm inclusive of a breakfast).

Of the 40 days in Europe, I stayed in London for 10 days and used the city as a base for my travel to central, northern and Eastern Europe.

Since my first visit to London in May 2009, this city has now become a familiar territory to me and for touristy places like Big Ben, China Town, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square etc, I could walk to these places (20-30 mins) from my hostel instead of using an off peak London Underground day train ticket (5.60 pound) to take me there. But for faraway places like Kew Garden, Buckingham Palaces, Camden Town, I have to take a tube to get there.

While in London, I met my Qigong mate from USJ and his wife and together, we were able to visit some touristy places in central London and had lunch in China Town. The War Museum, Kew Garden & Stonehenge were my first time visit and for places like Camden Town, Covent Garden, China Town, SOHO etc these were my 2nd visit.

Total expenses incurred in London (10 days):

Hostel (7 x 9 + 2 x 12 pound) - 87 pound Underground tube (Oyster card + Day tickets) - 27 pound
Stonehange tour / bus - 24 pound
Food & groceries - 50 pound Airport shuttle bus (return ticket) - 14 pound Lonely Planet (Discover Europe) - 13 pound Miscellaneous - 20 pound 

Eurolines 30 day bus pass- 300 pound

Total expenses: 544 pound

Exchange Rate: 1 pound = RM5.00

Travel Highlights:

1) A cherry tree in full bloom at a Russel Square suburb in London ! My wife and myself were in Japan during the Sakura season from 1 -15/4/2010. This had intrigued me to take some pictures of cherry trees in European countries. Isn't it marvellous to see cherry trees in full bloom in other regions of the world minus a Sakura party in London ?

2) Live exotic flowers & plants from South Africa on exhibition at the British Museum ! So beautiful and fascinating to look at . Without visiting South Africa, I was at the right place and the right time in London to see these live South African flowers and plants - lucky me !

3) London Eye, Westminster Abbey & Cathedral, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street - down the memory lane as I visited most of these places in May 2009 ! My Qigong mate from USJ 11 and his wife were in London at the time of my visit - so together we roamed the central London.

4) Tower Bridge by night

5) Imperial War Museum 

6) British Museum - I spent two full days in this museum and was very impressed with the exhibits on display

7) Camden Town - a tourist haven especially during the weekend

8)Trafalgar Square & National Gallery & Portrait Gallery - I spent a full day to admire the various paintings drawn by famous artists like Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo & Van Gough in both Galleries

9) Leicester Square & China Town - a favorite place for movie goers & tasty Chinese Tim Sum, roasted pork & duck, eat as much as you can buffet lunch (8 pound). I was taken for a sumptuous roasted duck lunch (5.50 pound) at the China Town and the food was great !

10) Covent Garden - my favorite place to shop for souvenirs and be entertained by street singers and musicians showing their talents for a small money contributions from the audience or crowd

11) St James Park - nearby is the Buckingham Palace; very pleasant for a stroll especially during the Spring season

12) Stonehenge, Salisbury - the mysterious stones with a 5,000 year old story ! my dream of seeing Stonehenge has been fulfilled today. I took a National Express coach ( bus ticket from London to Salisbury return for 8 pound for senior citizen of 60 yrs - 50% discount) from Victorian Coach station. Departure at 11.30am and back to London via Southampton at around 10.00pm. From Salisbury bus terminal , I joined a Stonehenge day tour for 15 pound ( senior citizen) inclusive of admission ticket of 6.50 pound (normal fare is 18 pound). This was the shortest ancient civilization tour I had visited and it was over in less than 30 mins !!!!

" After two visits to London, I have fallen in love with London. Fish & Chips, smoked fish, pizza, natural mixed nuts & raisins, hot dogs & sausages, roasted duck, street music, underground tube, top-notch museums, stone that rocks, botanic gardens, cool weather in Spring - I shall return to London in 2011 ! 

The Secrets of Life - If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they had never tried a new thing in their life "