Last Day in London (2016 Solo Trip)

It's my last day in London for this trip. My flight is in the evening, so, I still have one whole day to explore and enjoy the beauty of London. I plan to see London bridge that day. So, I took train from Earls court station to Monument station. Remember, It's a green line. There will be signs at the station to direct you which exit to take to go to London Bridge. I walked less than 10 minutes and finally I saw a group of people taking picture. Yeah, that's a good spot to take picture with London Bridge as your background. Actually, London Bridge is not very near to Monument station, but if you want to get a good picture, I suggest you to take this route. The scene is definitely awesome. I took a lot of selfie picture there, LOL.  

            (London Bridge - but the sky doesn't look so good from this side)

There is a pathway for jogger or walker to walk along Thames River, and eventually you will reach the beautiful bridge. You will also pass by London Tower along the way. 

                        (London Tower)

If I am not mistaken, it took me about 20-30 minutes to walk. I know it's quite far, but again, believe me, you won't regret. Of course, I stop few times to take picture.  

After passing the London Bridge, then only I see the beautiful blue sky. Wow..... Luckily I did the walking, hahahaha. Otherwise I don't think I will be able to get this nice picture (see below).

                 (Isn't it beautiful?)

After satisfied with the photo taking, I walked to Tower Hill station. Ths station is very near to London Tower. Actually there is London Bridge station nearby, but, I am not sure why when I searched my map, I couldn't find that. But, the walking is still not too bad. I was wearing my heeled boots and still was able to walk, so, it shouldn't be too bad for you.:D 

                      (Tower of London)

I went back to hotel to check out. After that, I am going to do my last minute shopping. I received a request from my sister in law to get some children educational books for my niece. So, I headed to Picadilly area again to look for bookstore.  

My lunch is at Caffe Concerto again. Hihihihi, I saw people eating their pasta the day before. It looked good, so, I thought that I should try it. I ordered King prawn spinach pasta. Yummy....

        (Spinach Pasta with king prawn)

One guest was nice to offer taking picture of me, after she saw me taking selfie picture. LOL.

          (My bill at the cafe)

Oh yeah, they have offer with zapper app. I wanted to take it at first, but then the waiters told me that I have to key in all my information, includes my credit card at zapper. I hesitated and eventually decided to let go the offer.:D

      (Along the street, I think it's Regent street)

Things that I bought back during my trip in London:
1. A pair of Clarks shoes for my mom
2. Lotion from Crabtree & Evelyn
3. Children books
4. Confectioneries from Mark & Spencer
5. Samsonite luggage
6. Hot chocolate from Whittard of Chelsea
7. Accessories from H & M
8. Chocolate from Harrods

Oh yeah, please plan to reach airport at least 3 hours before your flight. The VAT refund counter is super crowded when I was there. It took me about an hour to queue. I wanted to get cash refund, but some of my refund is too little to be able to get cash. There are some charges. So, I opt for credit card refund for Clarks shoes and lotion. But, I get cash for samsonite VAT refund. Oh yeah, they can only return US dolar in cash. So, another conversion of money, and of course the rate is not that good.
Actually, even credit card refund also has fees. I just checked my credit card statement, and I have received the refund. It takes slightly more than a month.
I thought I was early to airport, but the time was just nice, I need to run to check in, after settled my VAT refund.

Chocolate is super cheap in Heathrow. I saw 1 kg Lindt chocolate (individually wrapped), which is only 19.9 pounds. It's a steal..... I should have bought 2 boxes, haha. But, I only got one. Oh well, maybe next time. ;)

Good bye London. Hope to see you again in the future.
         

I love London! (Solo trip 2016, 4th day)

I woke up early and prepared myself for breakfast. I decided to try the hotel breakfast buffet. I have heard good reviews of the breakfast at premier inn. The costs is 10.50 pounds. Not too bad. They served typical english breakfast, which includes: sausage, bacon, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, and one new item (black pudding). Black pudding is blood sausage which is made from pork fat, pork blood and oatmeal. I thought of trying it, but when I saw the amount of oil, I changed my mind. It's so oily!

Then, aside from that, they have different type of cereal, soy milk, fresh milk, juices, fresh fruit smoothies, hot beverages, etc. 

I plan to visit Big Ben that day! 

By the way, I think I haven't told you that, the public transportation in London is really not cheap. One way of underground train can easily costs 2.5 pounds. But, there is a daily price capping using oyster card. You can find out more about the price from the link. Different zone has different price. I think it's 6.5 pounds daily for zone 1-2. Most tourist places are around that area. 

From Earl's court station, I took green line to Westminster Station. It took me only about 20 minutes to reach the station. As soon as I walk out from the station, I was like "WOW"! It's my second time in London, but I can't remember to be so amazed seeing Big Ben six years ago. I really fell in love with this place!

I took so many selfie pictures just in front of the station. LOL

          (Big Ben)

            (One of my selfie picture with Big Ben as background)

Then I walked further down, along the river, and reach London Eye. Below you could see few pictures that I have taken. 

             (London Eye)

    (My rare nonselfie picture - taken by a stranger) - I think she happens to be a photographer.

After spending about 1-1.5 hours there, I decided to leave the place. My next itinerary is shopping. I wanted to look for the lite Samsonite luggage. It costs at least 400 SGD in singapore. I asked one luggage store in St. Pancras International, they have a promotion going on, buy one and get the second one 50% OFF. However, their color stock is quite limited. So, I plan to go to Westfield Mall. I was thinking to go to the biggest one, which is located at Shepherds Bush, London. I just typed westfield in my google map, and guess what? I was directed to the other mall, which is located at Stratford City. I didn't realized that, until I reached the mall, and looking for Longchamp store, but I wasn't able to find any. What a joke! LOL.... 

Yeah, It could happen in some of my trips if I travel alone. The thing is, when I travel alone, I won't plan in very details way, instead I just look for the information about how to go and where to go on the travelling day. But, I think it's sometimes fun though. 

Oh well.... After realizing my mistake, I took underground train again to the westfield in Shepherds Bush. It's quite far. 

There are a lot of restaurants and shopping centre in the area. Unfortunately, eventhough I found the luggage store, the price is more expensive compared to the one I saw in St. Pancras. So, I didn't get anything eventually.  

          (These are the sale that they have in the mall)

                      (Performance near the mall)

But, I had my simple lunch at the mall. It's a cup of noodle and a cup of water from one japanese fast food restaurant. It is a light lunch. 

                     (My lunch)

Shepherd's Bush station is a red line, (central line). So, from there I took train to oxford circus. It's only about 6 stops. I got a pair of Clark shoes for my mom. Then, few bottles of Crabtree & Evelyn lotion. It's definitely much cheaper. Similar lotion that I bought in London costs 35 SGD, whereas it is only about 12 SGD in London.  

Before going back to hotel, I go to King cross again. Of course to get my samsonite luggage. So, I walked to Piccadilly. Yup, King cross is in Piccadilly line, and so does Earl's court (hotel where I stay).

Hohohoho, and I passed by this cafe, called Cafe Concerto. Six years ago, I passed by the same cafe, and just took picture in front of the cafe. This time I think I have to go in. So, I went in and ordered a cup of ice cream. 

           (Yummy Ice cream)

Oh yeah, eventually I did buy the Lite Samsonite luggage from St. Pancras. I happened to meet one lady in the store. At first, we were thinking to combine our purchase so that we both can get the promotion. But, since I need to keep the receipt to get back VAT refund, and she may need the receipt for warranty purposes as well, so eventually we didn't do that.

Oh yeah, I think I should share one of my experience. I have one old 50 pounds note which I didn't use 6 years ago. Apparently, this old note cannot be used anymore. The only way is to change it in a Bank. However, unless I have a bank account in their bank, else I cannot change the note in any bank. The only bank that will take the note is Bank of England. It was weekend during that time, so Bank of England is close. When I know about this thing, I was so sad. 

So, I just simply throw the question to the salesman in the luggage store. He is a very friendly guy. He suggested me to try money changer. So, I kept that in mind, however, I didn't stop by in any money changer that day. I did the next day, and they took it, by charging me 2.5 pounds, which is of course fine with me. So happy...., else the 50 pounds will be wasted.:D

So, I carried the two luggage back to hotel. It's not easy though, even though they are light. In one station, I have to hold the handrail of escalator, so, I only left with one hand for two luggage. Luckily there is one guy who help me to carry one. LOL. Yeah, I have met a lot of good people in London. 

My dinner is an instant noodle. I brought one packet of penang instant noodle to London. Hahaha, People who knows me well, will know that I won't eat instant noodle at home, but I do when I travel.:D  

                 (My dinner for the day. Yummy....)

Sheffield and London (UK 2016 trip, 3rd day)

I give a 15 mins oral presentation regarding my work that day, and i plan to leave after i am done with my session. Honestly, i wasn't ready yet that morning. So, i have to revised what i should talk and how i should deliver my work. There are few new results that i haven't been able to explain why it came out to be that way. Luckily, i got the clue while having my breakfast.

Anyway, the presentation went well and there are few questions came up from the participants. Not many questions though. It's either they understood it so well or they didn't get it at all. LOL

                                                          (Picture of Ranmoor village)

                                                                    (My breakfast)

                                                I love the chocolate pastry (danish). 

Oh yeah i met two students there. Good to know them, else my conference trip would be very lonely. The girl is an Italian and the guy is from Spain. All the best for their last year of PhD. 

                          

I left during the tea time at around 11 am. The conference is supposed to be over at around 2 pm. But I skipped the last session since the talks are mostly not related to my work. I took bus to the train station again. My train to London is at 12:49 pm. 

                                         (Sheffield Train Station)

                                     (Selfie along the way at Sheffield downtown to train station)

       (My simple lunch, salmon sandwich)

The train was quite crowded on that day. I was so worried about my big luggage. This time I got a seat without a table. So, I was ready to place my luggage in front of my seat, and of course I would have to fold my legs on the chair. But, luckily, nobody has seat beside me a long the way. Fiuhhhhh.... 

I reached London at around 3 pm. From King cross underground, I headed to Earl's Court station. I booked another Premier Inn at Earl's Court. It took me about 10 minutes to find out the right wasy to the hotel. But after I knew the route, it's just less thank 10 mins to the hotel. 

They have few machines for self checked in, which is very convenient. I got a room at level 1. In order to get into the lift, I need to scan my card. So, usually the card can be scanned inside the lift to get to our room level. But, this one, we need to get it scanned first then only the lift's door can be opened. Quite safe.......

  

This hotel is again rock! It's very spacious, compared to the previous premier inn. Just that this hotel looks older inside. But, the bed is really comfortable. I wonder what type of bed that they use. Both premier inn that I booked have similar bed type. Very comfortable...........

After placing my luggage, I decided to go for a walk. I went to green park station to find Boots store. One colleague asked me to buy some cosmetics there. 

From green park, I walked to Piccadilly, then to oxford street. Oxford street is shopping heaven in London. Clarks, H&M, Mark & spencer, and many more. You can find them all there.

I stopped by Mark & Spencer, and the biscuit covered chocolate is so much cheaper compared to Singapore price. They are selling it only for 0.65 pounds, whereas in Singapore it's sold for 3.50 or 3.90 SGD. For the price in singapore, you can get 3 packet in London.It's a steal!

It's time to go back to hotel. I stopped by a thai restaurant to pack my food. I found it in google map, it's called Addie's thai restaurant. I packed seafood tom yam soup with noodle. I forgot to take picture of my food. Haha... But, it was ok, a littl eoily, not very special. I just remember that i have to wait for quite a long time for my food, and after I reach hotel room, I found out that they didn't give me any spoon, or chopstick. Luckily there is a small spoon in the hotel room.

Oh yeah, I found one thing, Evian! It only costs 0.95 pounds for a 2 liter bottle of Evian. So cheap............ I got one bottle, and finished it in one night. Yeah, I wasn't feeling well starting that day. I guess it's the dry and cold weather in London.                    

Sheffield (UK 2016 trip)

I go to sheffield on the second day. The conference that I am attending starts at 10:30 am in Sheffield that day. So, I took 6:32 am train from London, and will be arriving at 8:55 in Sheffield train station. I would have plenty of time to find out about the city bus which can bring me to the venue.

 I carried quite a big size of luggage with me, and unfortunately it doesn't fit in the luggage storage in the train. So, I have to put it underneath my seat.
However, on the way, another passenger got into the train, and her seat was just in front of mine. That big luggage occupied her space, so I have to move it to the storage. A lesson learnt, not to bring too big luggage on train? Yes and No. Because I think in the future I would still bring the big one with me. I need more space for shopping. LOL. 

                  (St. Pancras International London station)

               (Inside the train)

              (My sleepy face with a cup of hot chocolate + almond milk) 

Oh yeah, the passenger sat in front of me is an old lady. She is very friendly. We had a good chat along the way. The poor lady has backache (along her spine). She bought her ticket to sheffield to meet a friend, and the train ticket is not refundable, so, she has to go. She seems to be very interested about my work. I think that's the first time I met a person who is not in research field but seriously listening to what I explained to her. She used to stay in Scotland, and just moved to London area not long ago. I told her that I would love to visit Scotland one day. Hahaha....

                           (Along the way to Sheffield)

I reached Sheffield at around 9 am. It took me less than 10 mins walk to the bus stop. Of course my phone gps directed me the way.:D The city bus costs 2  pounds for one way to Ranmoor Village (conference venue). I reached the venue before 10 am.
I don't think you want to know anything about my boring conference, hihihihihi. Anyway, it's about computational nucleation work. My work is related to pharmaceutical field. It's the small component before it is made into medicine. You know paracetamol, naproxen? Yes, I looked at the smallest component of those drugs, before it can be made into a tablet. Boring? Indeed super boring. LOL...



So, in the evening there is a banquet that the organizing committee arrange for all participants. Oh yeah, guess what? I think this is the smallest size of conference I have ever attended. Only about 35 participants were there, and none is Asian, except me.:D

The food at the banquet is so so, but the dessert is yummy....

            (Make a guess what this is?)

It's butter! one guy put the whole thing in his mouth, and it's butter. Poor guy.....LOL

                             (Soup starter)

          (chicken in mushroom white sauce + mashed potatoes +veggies)

              (Belgian Chocolate cake. yummy............)