New Career Path

With the dark cloud of the credit crunch looms over us, I could easily do this for a living, professionally, to be honest :)

Been and Back

So far, our recent escapade to London was the best ever yet. First stop was Heathrow airport where we parked the car for an overnight stay and from there, we took the tube towards Victoria station and looked for a place to stay. Hint: don't go to those eager-beaver-cum-friendly-looking receptionist, coz their hotel is exactly the opposite. Looks can be deceiving, as always. Instead, go somewhere that looks alienated with "no vacancies" sign lurking somewhere, chances are, you could have the best room in the house. We ended up checking in at easyHotel (with easyjet as its counterpart) at the end of our search. The two interior designers (Jobert & Rose) gave their verdicts and sure enough, the rooms were clean and the sheets were in their whitest white but true to easyjet's trademark, the walls are in full blown orangey hue.

We had lunch at Victoria and headed straight to Trafalgar Square to check out the sights. There were obvious signs that the pigeons' population has diminished over the years: the ubiquitous "don't feed the pigeon" sign , the much clearer view of the National Gallery, and the absence of the "pigeon-lady" of whom for so many years have become a popular tourist attraction. Without the pigeons, Trafalgar have lost its main ingredient.


As we made our way towards Oxford Circus to do a bit of retail therapy, we caught sight of this what looked like a granite coffin but is actually a statue made as a tribute to Oscar Wilde. It's called Conversation with Oscar Wilde and depicts the head and shoulder of the Irish playwright that is carved in bronze. It's a makeshift bench and a respite corner after a long walk but Jobert laid on it like it's his coffin.


Then all we did was shop, shop and shop. Nevermind the omnipresent credit crunch, we still went to visit the cheap and cheerful store: Uniqlo and bought a little bit of what we fancy.
Going in and around London in a tube is the best way so far, unless you don't know how to read the map then the big red bus is for you.
It was a taxing first day and although we're dead tired, still, the conversations we've shared in between coffee-breaks, and the laughters in between boohoos were all priceless.


While the boys made their way back to Heathrow the next day to put some of the things in the carbooty, us girls have done our share of the sights in and around Westminster. The morning stroll coupled with a very calm weather and a slight breeze have brought us to the banks of the River Thames were joggers and early morning tourist collide. With few people surrounding the River, we gazed at the magnificent London Eye and the Parliament in full view---there's nothing way much better (not even the best cameras) than being there and seeing these sights up close.




The boys were back from Heathrow. Soon after, we paid a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Cameras were not allowed inside (but still, Jobert managed to get some shots from his mobile, cheeky!). A mass was being held as we made our way through a flock of tourists and security. I lit three candles and said my prayers. The interior of the Cathedral was magnificent. I wanted to walk through the aisle towards the altar as I did the first time I came to visit, but with the mass going on, going up towards the altar was next to impossible. The echoes of the hymn that reverberated throughout the cathedral gave me goosebumps. Amidst the throngs of visitors, tourists, believers, and non-believers alike, the solemn ambience still remained.



London as a city is both busy and idyllic. You can have the best of both worlds in one visit. Although, our two-day trip weren't enough to visit some of its renowed galleries and museums still our stroll among the city's famous sights and the walks through the busy streets remained unparrallelled. Be it your first, second or third time to visit, London has always something special to offer.
I'll keep coming back for more sights and shops :)

London (and rabbits) Calling

A sunday. I'm about to prepare our tiny, red luggage for London tomorrow on a road trip. Our friends will be fetching us as we commence our early drive on a September morn with an optimistic attitude that the weather would be at least welcoming. As it is the beginning of autumn, the skies are always bleak and the breeze aren't always light. You can feel them rustling through the leaves joyously like a long-lost friend.
We'll be staying in a 3-star hotel for a night and I'm expecting at least an inward friendlier service with no such haughty stance like some of them are and of course a total outward luxury. If you've been to London, you will know exactly what I mean.
Shopping will be top of the list on the first day and sightseeing on our last. I'm hoping we can take a cruise on the River Thames as I've never done it before.
During the 3-hour drive, I will be munching my moment-to-the-lips-friendly-to-the-hips guilty pleasure: raw carrots dipped in either sour cream or mayonnaise. Yum!
I can just imagine the rabbits calling me now: "Cherrypie we want our carrots back!"

A Taste of London

London. The last time I and Jobert were here was to see the breathtaking sights of this vibrant, multi-racial city. It was cold, wet and grey too. This time, we were not as curious of the sights and sounds as we used to anymore, instead, we came back for only thing: retail therapy. The weather was the best ever. The sun was beaming all day and the city itself is filled with tourists and shoppers alike.
We went to Portobello Market to buy my well-loved Nenuco. The Portobello Road is as famous as the market itself as it is where the film Notting Hill was shot. It's also the place where both Jobert and I were nearly ran over by Kate Moss' black Range Rover. The white painted apartments can be visibly seen through slit eyes as the sun blinds our vision. In one manicured garden, I noticed a father and daughter perched on their antique bench under the thick foliage both engrossed in their reading materials and both oblivious to the din of the passers-by. Walking towards the end of the road is the tiny Spanish store where Nenuco is sold. We bought loads.
As we got out of the gloomy and humid underground tube, a warm blue sky and the purity of the sun welcomed us. We went to Trafalgar Square first to rest our aching feet. True enough, the fountain with its blast of cool water was enticing us to get wet. Ah, it was pure bliss.
We had lunch at the quaint French restaurant in Soho district. It was our first time and the food was superb. I will definitely be coming back for more.
I love this city. Although you got to have the perfect pins to do all the strenuous walking, it has everything you want to see and more.


The famous Portobello market

Walking towards the Spanish shop

Vibrant hues

Just took a shot of this but never tried :)

An empty music bar where we had the mouth-watering ice cream

The appropriateness of these lovelies on a sweltering heat is just heavenly!

Solitary yet recognizable

Amused by the tardy train

Heading towards Trafalgar Square

It's freakin' huge even at a distance!

Your respite here is not complete without a shot of him

The fountain in all its glory

Even Nemo would envy this

Water therapy at its finest

Skinny dipping after being enticed by the cool water

Satisfaction guaranteed at Pierre Victoire

My main course

His much needed sugar boosting, mood calming cappuccino

A dose of retail therapy at Uniqlo

Scrutinizing but hey, don't buy everything!

Oxford Circus

Where shoppers collide in delight

Malls are a no-no here....Only massive shops reside

The fashion capital

The iconic Red bus

A bicycle is dwarfed by the huge double decker

Man, Oh, Man!

Inside the Tube station

Just follow the arrow

Short stop at Jobert's fave
So as mine


Heading for home


The only reason why we went to London...
But Jobert has a special way of getting away with all these shirts!