PARIS DAY 4 / LONDON DAY 7
Date : 4th December 2014, Thursday
Paris Train Station Gare Du Nord - London Hotel - Camden Market - Wallace Collection - British Museum
Checked out the hotel and left to take the train from Paris Gare Du Nord station back to London King's Cross Station.
Was so tired I didn't take any pictures, but this is how the station looks like.
(Pics from google)
I would suggest that you recce around and find your way to where your train will be at so you will take the right train and know where to find your return train.
Headed back to the hotel once I reached London to unload my bags and change.
So before I start on my day in London..
Here's my outfit of the day :D
Shoes : @shopaggyl
Skirt : The Haute Theory
Time check : 1000
First Stop - Camden Market!
Nearest Tube Station : Camden Town Station
There are many shops around, like VANS, American Apparel, Aldo, Accessorize, and also Superdrug!
I shopped at Superdrug for approximately an hour looking at all their makeup/products.
Left the store with a big bag of loots and continued walking and exploring about Camden Market.
Take a walk inside and this is how it looks like!
(IMO a little like Bugis Street, and clothes on sale were pretty expensive (10 pounds and above)
Not impressed, I left for coffee at PRET MANGER.
Left Camden Market at about 11am and to visit The Wallace Collection.
From wikipedia :
"The Wallace Collection is a museum in London, with a world-famous range of fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries with large holdings of French 18th-century paintings, furniture, arms & armour, porcelain and Old Master paintings arranged into 25 galleries. It was established in 1897 from the private collection mainly created by Richard Seymour-Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford (1800–1870), who left it and the house to his illegitimate son Sir Richard Wallace (1818–1890), whose widow bequeathed the entire collection to the nation. The museum opened to the public in 1900 in Hertford House, Manchester Square, and remains there, housed in its entirety, to this day. A condition of the bequest was that no object ever leave the collection, even for loan exhibitions. Admission is free. "
Address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN, United Kingdom
Open daily · 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Nearest tube : Bond Street
Buildings around the Wallace Collection.
From what I remember it's like a circle of buildings around the Wallace Collection.
Tip : Do save the map before you go or use google maps to help you find your way!
Time check - 1200
Entrace of The Wallace Collection
Left feeling satisfied as I love Victorian and Georgian Arts/Furnitures/Pottery.
Time check - 1400
Left to the Primark @ between Bond Street and Marble Arch.
On the way, took a few shots of the pretty structures and buildings in London as I'm on my third last day there.
After shopping, I went to the British Museum!
It is one of the more popular museum in the world, and yes, Night in the Museum : Secret of the Tomb was filmed here! :D
Time Check : 1600
The inside of the British Museum!
Went straight to the Egypt section as I was always in awe of Mummies annd their history.
I was there on 4th December so no, I have not seen the Night in the Museum movie yet as it was only released around Christmas period in SG?
Real mummy corpse omg
I was most impressed by the tomb of Cleopatra.
I mean, we always spoke about Cleopatra (her makeup/dressing/etc) but who is she really?
This is her coffin/mummy.
She was 17 when she died and was the daughter of Candace.
You can see that the face painted on it is of a young woman.
Mummified animals!!
The British Collection
This was used for astrology I think.
Hehehe.
Super fruitful day.
Left the British Museum and was pretty tired after.
Had Korean food for dinner with my friends but was too cold and tired to bother to take any pictures. :(
Good day spent overall :D
LONDON DAY 8
Date : 5th December 2014, Friday
Buckingham Palace/St James Park - Westminster Abbey - Big Ben - London Bridge/Tower Bridge - London Eye - Borough Market - Trafalgar Square - Thai Square Pub/Club
Overslept :P
I wanted to head to Buckingham Palace on my second day in London but realised I was a little tight on time so I didn't in the end.
Wanted to head there to watch the Change of Guards ceremony.
For dates and timings please check : here
There were so so many people, but the experience first-hand was really fun.
You see the guards in funny-looking tall fur hats, which are called Bearskin.
And also their dress-like suits/uniforms.
Also heard the marching band which was reaaaaaaaaaally cool :D
(Watch out for my vlogs uploading very very soon!)
Walking to Buckingham Palace...
(Nearest Tube : St James' Park Station)
From Wikipedia :
"Buckingham Palace is the London residence and principal workplace of the monarchy of the United Kingdom.Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing."
The Palace!
Just look at the crowd!!!
It's about 1045am, there's already so many people waiting for the ceremony to start which would be about 11.10-11.15am.
The Changing of Guards is also known as Guard Mounting, which is the process involving a new guards exchanging duty with the old guards at Buckingham Palace.
#selfie while waiting hahahaha
Look look!!!!!
Hehe #selfie with the guards on cool black horses :D
With the statue and part of the palace :P
Part of the gates.. :D
Just a little walk down and you will see St James' Park
Is it for reaaaaaal?
Looks so much like a painting don't you agree??
Waddle waddle~~~
And he came straight up to me for a pic... xP
Just kidding he wants food hahahaha
Super regret throwing away my packet of hazelnuts from Tesco lor :(
The squirrels here at St James' Park were so much more daring :(
Left to visit Westminster Abbey.
Took a walk through the buildings and structures and really enjoying the view.
Tried to take #ootd but failed because the angles really not nice :(
Reached!
Time check : 1230
Imo looks a little like the front part of Notre Dame Cathedral???
From wikipedia :
"Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the United Kingdom and has been the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and between 1540 and 1556 had the status of a cathedral; the building is no longer an abbey nor cathedral however, having instead the status since 1560 of a "Royal Peculiar" – a church responsible directly to the Sovereign."
Pretty to see and good to learn some history.
Was rather tight for time so didn't manage to go in to visit the church.
Headed straight to Big Ben right after, just a short walk away from Westminster Abbey.
Was so super elated to see this clock tower I have always yearned to since young!
From wikipedia :
"Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower. The tower is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower, renamed as such to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II (prior to being renamed in 2012 it was known as simply "Clock Tower"). The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009, during which celebratory events took place. The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and is often in the establishing shot of films set in London."
Some security guard took this shot for me.
He was super cute because he was so serious in doing so he went high and low on different angles to shoot the best picture for me hahaha
:D
Sorry I just can't get enough.. :P
#SELFIE!
I was pretty upset to learn that tours of the Big Ben is only for UK residents only.. :(
So, take as many shots as you can when you are there then!
Time Check : 1330
Next Stop - London Bridge / Tower Bridge / London Eye
Took a tube from Westminster Station to London Bridge as I found out I would take approx 30-40mins to walk to London Bridge but I was tight for time.
So after 15-20 mins taking the tube from Westminster, here I am!
Wait.....
Is this......?
The London Bridge?!?
The Legendary London Bridge, which they made a nursery rhyme out of that is so popular around the world that even kids these days know how to sing it?
THIS?
So disappointing.
It doesn't even look like a bridge.
More like Braddell flyover =.=
This one looks better..
OKAY I'm kiddinggggg
Really impressive-looking navy ship in-front of the Tower Bridge.
No idea what this is but it looks like some square along the walkway from London Bridge to Tower Bridge.
Ahh... this looks so much better :D
The Tower Bridge!
I don't know why but it makes me feel like I'm at Disneyland xD
#SELFIE!
Went to this place to visit their toilet and took another mandatory #SELFIE hahahaha
Okay la I admit I just like the way I look that day with the beanie and neck warmer and all, and I was thinking what are the chances of me being able to dress like that in my whole life rightttt hahahaha
It was drizzling slightly so it was super freezing coldddddd
The London Eye!
Looks so much like SG Flyer lor, but SG Flyer is actually taller than the London Eye.
From wikipedia :
"The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Also known as the Millennium Wheel, its official name was originally published as the British Airways London Eye, then the Merlin Entertainments London Eye, then the EDF Energy London Eye. Since mid-January 2015 it has been known in branding as the Coca-Cola London Eye, following an agreement signed in September 2014. The entire structure is 135 metres (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft). When erected in 1999 it was the world's tallest Ferris wheel. Its height was surpassed by the 160 m (520 ft) Star of Nanchang in 2006, the 165 m (541 ft) Singapore Flyer in 2008, and the 167.6 m (550 ft) High Roller (Las Vegas) in 2014. Supported by an A-frame on one side only, unlike the taller Nanchang and Singapore wheels, the Eye is described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel"."
Time Check : 1500
HUNGRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
So I decided to pop by Borough Market which is pretty nearby!
Walked back to London Bridge station and on the way I saw this.
I think it is a cafe at the back, but I was really impressed with the pretty little garden.
And....
Here I am!
The Legendary Foodie's Heaven : BOROUGH MARKET
Okay la I know I'm not much of a foodie myself, but this is a MUST-GO when you visit London.
Everything's so authentic (but expensive), and there's so much to try so do go with a group of friends so you can try many many different foods/flavours.
Hehe sent these to the husband and he was like "OMG I WISH I WERE THERE"
HAHAHAHHA
Okay so after exploring the entire market (in and out), I have decided to try..... THE CHEESE POTATO DISH CALLED THE RACLETTE!
Apparently a google search on it and I realised it was pretty popular!
From wikipedia :
"Raclette is both a type of cheese and a Swiss dish based on heating the cheese and scraping off (racler) the melted part."
Okay let's take a look..
It is served with pickles but I'm not a fan haha
See the metal thingy?
Fire comes out from it to heat the cheese.
Scraping the cheese!
YAY MINE MINE MINE
My experience?
GASTRONOMIC (Y)
But I have to admit I feel a little sick of the cheese right after heh heh.
Better for sharing la!
Continued to explore around Borough Market..
They sell mushrooms and truffle oils! :D
My heart literally warmed at this sight.
How I wished we see this in Singapore everyday.
So next stop was Trafalgar Square.
Skies are starting to get dark as I made my way there.
Time check : 1700
Haha "floating santa" at the square.
I'm still astonished as of now on how he managed to do this!
The National Gallery, looking pretty.
The popular Blue Cock of the Trafalgar Square!
Quite new to London, this was only here since 2013!
One final shot before I leave this beautiful square.
Headed back to the hotel for a short rest.
I remember slightly spraining my leg and desparately trying to find something to apply at Boots. T.T
Showered and changed then met Cara and friends for some nightlife @ London before I head back the very next day :D
This place, called TSQ (Thai Square Trafalgar) is like a Thai pub/club (we call it Siam Diu in SG).
There were soooooooooooo many koreans there.
They were all around 18-21, really young (and rich) kids.
And funnily enough, there wasn't much londoners there, in fact, only one or two.
Mostly asians and I can see mostly koreans.
Had a few drinks and look at my face....
hahahaha
Was a great night out, and a superb experience especially on a night before leaving London ;)
Thanks guys :D
LONDON DAY 9
Date : 6th December 2014, Saturday
Harrods - The Muffin Man - Heathrow Airport (Flight home to SG)
Woke up and immediately started to pack.
The luggage I brought back was approximately 50 kg in total. -.-
And to think that I have to lug the two huge luggages to take the tube to the airport really scares me.
I was trying to rehearse how I was to do that over and over again in my mind as I head out to Harrods for some last minute shopping.
Harrods was.... overpriced and overrated.
As much as yes it is a must-go, but I would say, maybe not for shopping.
And not to mention the really long queues/crowds.
Spotted this super chic glittery Mercedes!
Wonder if it will pose any threat to drivers due to the reflective effect caused by the glitters.. hmmm..
Shoes : @shopaggyl
Skort : Bangkok
I might come up with a separate blog entry on how to take self-#OOTDs, will see how everything goes okay :D
Happy happy trip overall ♥ ♥
Headed to meet Cara for a last meal in London before I leave for the airport :D
According to her, the Muffin Man is popular with their breakfast, tea and scones so we headed there!
Here we are!
With the sweet babe who suggested meeting me one last time in London before I fly back. :D
The Muffin Man
12 Wrights Lane London W8 6TA United Kingdom
Nearest tube : High St Kensington
-
We parted ways at the station and I headed to the hotel to grab my luggage and to the airport.
Goodbye London :'D
I will be back again real soon!
My flight on British Airways back was much better.
I had white wine on board with hopes to help me sleep but the jetlag just took over me -.-
Landed and back home.
Started unpacking straight-away and here are all my loots.
Literally a big mountain-like pile worth of stuffs hahahahha.
Him and his new little scarf and rawhide candy canes!
And the sweet husband did this while I was in London....
Really happy to come home to a this sight.
Home sweet home ♥
-
That's all folks!
What do you think of my London/Paris travelogue entries?
Do you want to see more in future as I travel?
Let me know how you all feel okay! :D
I will be putting all the video snippets of my vlogs together and post it on my youtube channel hopefully by this friday.
Please be patient as I have so much editing to do! >.<
Sorry to keep you all waiting~~~ :P
Have a good week ahead y'all!
Muacks ;-*
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