Second chapter of my very short UK trip... Two nights in Sheffield and one night in London. In London, my colleagues and I stayed at Holiday Villa in Bayswater area. A small hotel with Malaysian hospitality.
The room that I got was very small and has a funny layout. There are a few steps going down from the door to the bed area.
And everything are squeezed in the small space.
Well, I am not complaining, but just amused. We were on a budget trip anyway. Plus, it was only for one night and it was more than enough for one person actually.
Well, I am not complaining, but just amused. We were on a budget trip anyway. Plus, it was only for one night and it was more than enough for one person actually.
That night, we headed to a Chinese Halal restaurant called Noodle Oodle for dinner.
We ordered the set menu which consist of this appetiser
that came with this garlicky but delicious soy sauce.
This noodle dish. Could not remember the name.
This noodle dish. Could not remember the name.
And dessert.
I could barely finish the dessert. I was so full. After that we took a stroll along the road where there are numerous souvenir shops. I shed some of my pounds there.
The next morning, we had our breakfast in the hotel. We were given a choice between nasi lemak or roti canai as the main dish. Of course, I chose nasi lemak. Starting to miss the rice... ha ha... Exaggerating.. Baru berapa hari tak jumpa nasi..
And we helped ourselves to the buffet spread.
Then we checked out and left our luggage at the front desk and went out to catch the Hop-on Hop-off bus. It was very cold despite all the clothing that I wore. After waiting for some freezing minutes at the bus stop, we finally board the bus. We opted for the upper deck (for better view) and managed to secure seats which are sheltered under the roof. Or else, the cold would be intolerable. We were provided with earphones that we can plug into the seat. And as we travel, we can listen to the recorded commentary on the sights and buildings seen along the road.
There are several companies operating the hop-on hop-off bus tours. We took the Big Bus Tours.
Each tour bus would have their own routes. And along the routes, there are several stops and attractions that you can get off and have tour on your own. We don't have much time since we need to leave for airport latest by 5 pm. So we skipped many stops and just passed by most of them.
We intended to reach Buckingham Palace in time to observe the change of guards. But we did not manage to do that. Reason to visit London again in future...? InshaAllah.
We managed to take the boat cruise though.
It was very cold on the bus. And as we walked to the jetty, I thought I would freeze. Luckily, the pics we took had no sound. If not, can hear my teeth chattering. The view is nice though. Blue sky, yes...but freezing..
It was very cold on the bus. And as we walked to the jetty, I thought I would freeze. Luckily, the pics we took had no sound. If not, can hear my teeth chattering. The view is nice though. Blue sky, yes...but freezing..
It was a relief to be in the boat and get away from the cold. I bought hot tea, and it was heaven after the freezing weather.
It was a short boat trip and we got off at one of the piers, close to Big Ben. And of course, a pic is a must.
It was a short boat trip and we got off at one of the piers, close to Big Ben. And of course, a pic is a must.
And the Eye of London.
It was quite impossible to find a spot or moment that you can snap a photo without any pedestrians at the background or other people with the same intention as you, so belasah je la... Busy betul background dgn orang ramai...
Then we hopped on to the bus again, and thought of heading to Oxford Street, a must stop for shopping. Unfortunately, traffic in London was quite bad and getting from one stop to another stop, took ages. I took a lot of scenery pics. And even though the recorded voice mention every building, statue and scenery that we passed by, I have forgotten most of them.
It was quite impossible to find a spot or moment that you can snap a photo without any pedestrians at the background or other people with the same intention as you, so belasah je la... Busy betul background dgn orang ramai...
Then we hopped on to the bus again, and thought of heading to Oxford Street, a must stop for shopping. Unfortunately, traffic in London was quite bad and getting from one stop to another stop, took ages. I took a lot of scenery pics. And even though the recorded voice mention every building, statue and scenery that we passed by, I have forgotten most of them.
Here are some of the pics.
We passed by the Malaysian Embassy. Can see the flag outside.
We also passed by this eating place named Jom Makan. Malaysian owned I assumed.
This blue cock statue at the Trafalgar Square is very prominent against the grey, bleak weather of London.
View from the bus as we travelled along a bridge.
Anyhow, not able to reach Oxford Street, we stopped by Harrods. And I bought nothing. Ha ha.... Others would have shopped like crazy kann... One evidence that I am not a shopaholic..? :P
After Harrods, we took a taxi back to the hotel. And managed to rest a while at the lobby before our taxi to airport arrived.
And that ended my London trip. I am happy to report that, London bridge is (not) falling down while we were there... :D
Next: a tale of Hong Kong (maybe)
When I was a child, I was taught this poem:
"Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,
Where have you been?
I've been to London
To visit the Queen.
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,
What did you there?
I frightened a little mouse
Under the chair."
London was like a dream then. And now at this age, I had the opportunity to visit London myself. Since I am not a pussy-cat, I did not get to see the queen... ;P
Where have you been?
I've been to London
To visit the Queen.
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,
What did you there?
I frightened a little mouse
Under the chair."
London was like a dream then. And now at this age, I had the opportunity to visit London myself. Since I am not a pussy-cat, I did not get to see the queen... ;P
Actually, it was a business trip to Sheffield, with two other colleagues. We represented the UKM Bone Metabolism Research Group to visit the Mellanby Bone Centre in University of Sheffield. I was excited since it was my first time experiencing London. I have been to Heathrow airport though, for transit, many years ago. Besides excitement, I was apprehensive too. Since the temperature would be very low during the visit. And I had to ensure I have everything to keep me warm.
So we made the trip. Thirteen hours of flight. My legs are very stiff after the long journey. I managed to sleep for a few hours but I ended up watching 3 movies: The Conjuring, Casino Royale and Jobs. How's that for a variety of genre? :) We finally arrived at LHR, very early in the morning, 5.30 am.
From the airport, we had to go to St Pancras International train station to catch a train to Sheffield scheduled at 11.55 am. We took the underground tube and it was an hour journey to the train station. The ticket costs us 5.50 pounds.
We arrived at the St Pancras train station and sat on one of the benches.
It was beginning to get very cold. We have been sitting there for quite a while before we found out that there's a lounge for first class ticket holders. Luckily, when we bought our train tickets, we paid for the first class. It was very cozy in the lounge. With sofas and tables and newspapers. They also provide free drinks and snacks. Alhamdulillah.
The train ride to Sheffield was about two hours. The train is very comfy. When we bought the tickets, we can actually choose our seats by stating our preference. Like near the toilet or window seat or near the plug point. I chose near the plug point and yes, my seat was just beside the plug point. In case I need to charge my phone. The train station also provides free wifi. They even have free wifi on board the train. Bliss... And what's more wonderful, they offer drinks and snacks for free! Berbaloi jugak la bayar mahal for first class.
Finally, we arrived in Sheffield. Took a cab to our hotel, Mercure St Paul's Hotel. The hotel have quite a number of Pakistani staff. We also observed that there are quite a number of them making a living in Sheffield. In one of our cab rides, the taxi driver who is a Pakistani made a joke: VIP stands for Very Important Pakistani.:D
The room is nice and comfy. For a single occupant, this is spacious.
After we have freshened up, we went out for a stroll and looked for a place to have dinner. The hotel was just beside the Town Hall.
And the streets were nicely lit-up with Christmas deco.
There are a few halal kebab stores and stalls. And we settled for one of the stalls: Zing.
The next day (still feeling jet-lagged and the body clock still following Malaysian time), we spent the whole day in Mellanby Bone Center and the Medical School in University of Sheffield. Discussion, meeting new people, visiting their lab and 'secretly' drooling over their equipments. How we wish we have the means to acquire all those lab equipments...
The day is very short. Pukul 4 ptg dah Maghrib. Kalau puasa time ni, memang best. That night we were treated to dinner where we had the fish dish. And finished off with one of the desserts.
The next day, again we went to Sheffield university to meet some more people and we concluded our discussion around noon with the promise of future research collaborations or attachments or visits. We enjoyed our visit and we met nice people who have the same passion.
Ok la... I have to admit, I am the shortest of all. Tak perlu tanya mirror, mirror on the wall...:P
Then we left for our hotel and checked-out. Boarded train for London at about 2 pm, which ended our Sheffield adventure and begin our London adventure. (to be continued) :)
