London: Day 8

Last day in London.

1) Walked through Oxford St to do some last minute shopping. The highlight was Primark. Its cheap!! Its crazy. Its cheap like Sg Wang cheap...err likeee flea market cheap.

2) Brunch at Patisserie Valerie. So yummmm :) :) Should try all things salmon there. And the scones....oooohhh

Aaaand thats it! I cant say that I fell in love with London immediately. Its hustle and bustle and cold shoulders and cold weathers were a big turn off. But I did eventually fall in love as I met some friendly ppl along the way, found plenty of things to do, immersed in the history of the past and adjusted to the present cosmo....and as it got sunnier day by day! Cant wait for my next travel but its back to reality for me.

^8 Cee

England: Day 7

London

1) We took the bus to Buckingham Palace and walked through the Buckingham Palace garden. I like parks. It was a lucky coincidence that we went there at the time of change of the palace guards. Its an elaborate event that happens every other day around noon. Touristy, I like ;)
2) Walked all the way from Buckingham Palace to Knightsbridge to pay Harrods a visit. Its hugeeee, like twice the size of Selfridges. Its motto is Omnia, Omnibus Ubique-All things for all people, Everywhere. Yeah right. Its $$$. I didnt really mind coz they had a frgn opera singer on the balcony overlooking the escalators. Kinda crazy, kinda awesome.

Had tea at cafe Laduree

3) I left my family to head towards Grace Kelly's exhibition. The exhibition was in Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) which is in Kensington, a couple of blocks away. V&A is free but exhibitions are not. Bought night-time tickets to the exhibition as all the day tickets were sold-out.

4) Spent the next couple of hours wandering the V&A. V&A is unlike any museums I've visited. V&A is the excessiveness, elaborateness and the beauty of the world's countries amplified. A world of wanders and aesthetics. By far, my favorite museum!

5) Met up with Lalink. We got lost looking for Snogs...well she said she was showing me around Kensington -_-"

6) Headed back to the V&A, this time, for Grace Kelly's exhibition as it was a must-do-together-visit. Lol, I told her so in my first email when I told her I was visiting London.My first love for GK was when I chanced upon a Hitchock film some 4 years ago. I remember watching Dial M for Murder and was intrigued by the actress. Then I chanced upon Rear Window and it was the same actress, strikingly classy. They dont make those kind of films anymore.

7) We dined in Fifteen. We confidently walked in without any reservations and got it! Lol it turns out that it wasnt the Fifteen of Jamie Oliver's. But it was good time spent :)
^8 Cee

England: Day 6

1) What else do people do in Manchester....visit Manchester United stadium!! A dream come true for my dad and bros. Wished I was a die-hard fan myself.

The Manchester United TrinityHeading towards the old Trafford stadium...wheee!!In the player's changing roomWatching the match from the player's seat! O.M.G.

2) We dropped by my cousin's university, Manchester University to take pictures!3) And took away lunch and ate in the car coz we had 3 hours to drive and a play to catch.

4) Watched the Lion King musical at Lyceum Theatre. It was good :) :) Except the Simba actor had a rather feminine voice. If not, everything else was fantastic!5) Celebrated my parent's anniversary dinner at Covent Garden. 27 years of marriage is no joke and I've learnt that its not always picture perfect... but whats important is the determination to stick together as a family. Ps I loveee Covent Garden! Its a place I would definitely visit again or maybe stay at when I come visit London again.
^8 Cee

England: Day 5

1. So I woke up for breakfast and next thing I know was that we were going for a roadtrip. Well the plan was to pick my sister's luggage at her HSBC training centre which was in
Bricketwood..who knows where.
2. We rented a car, got ourselves a Tom Tom and off we went to Bricketwood. Its sooo beautiful! More like a vacation place if you ask. Hehe my company should take note!
3. Had lunch in a lovely little town in St. Albans.

4. We were told that Bicester Village is a must visit. So off we went to the designer outlet place. Time was very limited. We only had an hour to shop. Hahah good news for my wallet. I got myself my first Karen Millen dress :)
5. And then guess where we headed to next. Clue: my dad and bros are Manchester lovers.


Yepppp we drove another 3 hours to end up in Manchester!! Red bricks all over!
My sister and I decided to explore the city in the middle of the night, thanks to our cousin who became out body/tourguide (he's studying there)...We bought some shakes and drinks from a convenient store and just hung out on the streets in the city. I like Manchester. It feels like dear ol' Melbourne...It feels like home :)

We hung out by the 'Manchester Eye'

6. Our travel route!^8 Cee

England: Day 4

London

1. Don't really recall what we did today except for the British Museum. Its hugeee. Visited the mummies, the Mesopotamia, the ancient Greece, China prints, Indian sculptures etc. Its impressive....and its freeeee..I like! :) :)

Check out the larger than life sculptures!

2. After the museum we headed to Piccadilly Circus. It was buzzing with video displays and neon signs. That, I like. But the crowded places, not so. Well anyway, no pictures from there as it was raining. Thought I could just come by the next day to take some pictures..it is rather nice.

^8 Cee