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 :)