City Of Horse Carriages, London Bridge & Miserable Weather

Happy Monday! As promised, here is the first part of my Europe trip!

 For those who are curious, I booked my trip (8D European Traveller)

with Asia-Euro Holiday as recommended by momsie (:

Covered the gist of 5 cities in total. 

(London was not part of the tour. We extended 2 nights on our own.)

27/04

Our flight was at 2am (Thus you can see the airport was really quiet, first picture from left >) and took a 7h10m flight to Dubai via Emirates Airline.
In a way, the stopover at Dubai was somewhat comforting because I got to stretch my legs a little.

(Last leg of the journey which is another 7h30m before arrival at London Heathrow Terminal 3.)

We stayed at Royal National Hotel at 195pounds/night. Nearest tube : Russel Square.

To summarize, accessible location but no so ideal room design and facilities.

Royal National Hotel
Bedford Way,

London Wc1
United Kingdom

Snippets of our hotel room & walkway, Ben & Jerry vending machine (the boy insisted a picture with it :|) and tube underground. 

First stop, Four Seasons. Nearest tube : Bayswater.

You might think we are crazy to fly 14 hours to have duck rice in London but this is DIFFERENT!

I haven't come across a store in Singapore or Asia which sells as good roast meat! 

The meat is so juicy and succulent unlike those smack thinly kind served locally >< 

Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant 
 12 Gerrard Street,
 London W1D 5PR.

We wanted to try Ottolenghi, a cake/pastry shop but we were just a minute or two pass the opening hours. Grrrr!

63 Ledbury Road, London, W11 2AD. Nearest tube : Notthing Hill

Headed down to Soho Square and Convent Garden.
According to Lonely Planet, these two places have a lively nightlife and vintage shops.

Along our way, we managed to hunt down Maison Bertau!

28 Greek Street, London, W1D 5D 

This cake shop was recommended on many forums.
Huge varieties and a selection of tea to choose from. Settled for 2 cakes and 2 pots of tea (earl grey & mango).

28/04

Hop On Hop Off Tour : The Original Tour (cost 23pounds/pax)

Changing of Guards at Buckingham Palace.

This happens on specific dates so please check the website first. It is a rain or shine event. But in cases, when the rain is too big, it will be cancelled - which is a pretty common sight in London cause it rains frequently over there.

Initially, it was announced that the event was cancelled & we saw the guards heading back to shelter as well. We were so disappointed! But miracle does happens, its back ON!!

It was so crowded. Tourists from all over the world trying to have a glimpse of the guards. 

One of the ushers said that this is something he looks forward to seeing every morning (as the guards on horses marched behind him. Aww!

We had late lunch at Borough Market. 

Check out the huge slab/shredded cheedar cheese! OMG!

*Spot the huge wok of Thai seafood green curry

 

On board the glass roofed Thames cruise ^^

Before the cruise, we had a walking tour to trace back the steps of a serial psychotic killer known as Jack, The Ripper. Creeeepy :\

After the cruise from Tower of London to Westminster, we rushed to Wicked Play at Apollo Victoria Theater.

Photography wasn't allowed so I don't have any pictures. And I fell asleep for most part of it because I was so tired from the long flight. No joke. 

Only our station has this many steps before reaching the entrance. SIAO one.

And of course, we took the lift up! :D

 

This marks the end of our stay in London. Of course, there are still so much to explore around. Perhaps the next time ;)

Up next, it will be our Paris Experience!

(Below collage is on board the ferry en route from London to France)