We had been traveling to Japan for the past few years 'cause I like Japan alot but this year I decided to go London, Paris instead & this time round we went for a free & easy trip. It's the first time for so long that dad & mum went for a free & easy and they depended on me a lot. Before we leave SG I was so stressed that I might not find my way or have conflict with my parents, I did a lot of research on London & Paris almost everyday while on the way to work, during break time at work, on my way home & before I sleep for almost 2 months. I need the trip to be perfect, it has to be good especially when my parents depend on me & the rating for the whole trips depends on how I plan it.
So, on 9 Feb 13 - CNY eve, I had my whole day fully packed. Woke up really early in the morning to go for eyebrow trimming at beautylane. It was very tiring for me 'cause I went to catch "A good day to die hard" the day before which ended quite late. Anyway, after getting my eyebrows done, off to bugis - Jeric's Salon to get my hair treatment done. Was kinda disappointed 'cause I was looking forward to my chocolate treatment but no I got something else instead. Well, not a big deal anyway so I didn't bother with it. Then was back home to get my luggage packed & rush off to Junying's to get my nails fixed! My whole Saturday was rush & rushing & still rushing! Rushed back to grandma house to have reunion dinner & back home to wash up & check our luggages.
Finally time to go to the airport. However, our flight was suppose to be taking off at 115am got delayed for an hour. I expect myself to be sleeping in the plane but I spend more than half of the 14hours watching movies instead of sleeping. & we arrived at London at 8am London time which is about 4pm Singapore time. & our tour started ~
Arrived at our hotel too early for check in so we safe keep our luggage and went out to explore! It was drizzling but it did not dampen our mood at all. Asked for directions to the nearest tube station - Lancaster Station, got our tickets & first stop was "Oxford Streets" This is the streets were Topshop, H&M, Mis Selfridge, American Apparel, Zara & many many more are situated.
When we were there it was Sunday so most of the shops open only at 1130am London time so we walking around & saw Mcdonalds. Definitely we'll wanna give it a try. Their Macs is a little different from SG & they have more variety. They even have salad as their sides. After a fulfilling meal, did some shopping & we decided to go back to the hotel as all of us were really tired. Oh ya, & we got a new umbrella & brought it back to SG.
Got some rest & decided to end the night by visiting Harrods which was located at Knightsbridge. We didn't realize it close at 6pm until were there so we only had 2 hours to walk around. The moment I walked in all I saw was all the brands - Hermes, LV, Prada, Celine, Chanel and the list goes on & on. It's so different from SG, I don't know how to describe it but I love shopping in london more than SG. & the best part was their super market. They have ready cook food for you to buy & take away. They even have seafood for you to choose from which we don't really see in Takashimaya or Tangs in SG.
Look at the heart shape cheese & sushi! Valentine day was kinda like a big thing in London. There are Valentine day related items everywhere.
Chose this Asian Restaurant for dinner since mum & dad are not so used to western food. Order a dim sum platter and was expecting the platter to be a little more worth the price but it was -
It was only SIX piece & it cost about 30+ pounds!!! Which is about SGD60! But well, we are not in SG so we just have to adapt & accept. It's not filling enough but there's no more other choices since Harrods is closing in 30mins time & thats the best we can get. After dinner, back to hotel, bathe & slept our night through. Maybe our body clock is still SG timing, we woke up at 3-4am in the morning & had difficulty falling back to sleep. It was a long night for us.
Day 2 was a one day tour that we booked in SG through dynasty travel. We went to big ben, buckingham palace, St Paul, Tower of London & many other attraction.
It was really cold that day & snowing the whole day. We didn't really expect to see snow but I was happy that it was snowing. Strong wind & snow but still bearable. Snowing makes every photo more perfect (:
Dad mum & I just couldn't stop laughing when we saw this. It's a very well protected armor .
I look damn fat here. No choice it was really cold & I wonder how the guards withstand the cold. He's outside of the crown jewel where the world's biggest diamond is.
Tower of London
& we end our night shopping at Marble Arch where Selfridge is situated & many other shops.
& we end our night shopping at Marble Arch where Selfridge is situated & many other shops.
On the third day, we woke up early & ordered room service breakfast & went to St Pancras to catch our train to Paris. It was a 2 hours journey & it was a smooth & comfortable one. Three of us were all excited about Paris. We've been to many places but this trip was the first trip that we are all excited & looking forward to. Especially me!!! Paris is like a dream country that I wanna visit beside Barcelona & now finally I've been there & enjoyed myself to the fullest.
Reached our hotel which is located 5 mins away from Champ Eleysees. But we are quite shock when we see the hotel. It's a 3 star hotel & it's the first time we experience this kinda hotel. First & it's gonna be the last. But overall, for a night it's more than enough.
Left our luggages & off we go to explore the famous champ eleysees.
Stop by Laudree for brunch or rather afternoon tea. It's suppose to be like the famous one. & it was really really good. Their macarons were like the best. I don't eat macarons in SG but there I had tons. & the best part, they are opening one in SG!!! I can't wait for it to be here.
After champ eleysees was shopping at their DFS known as Lafayette. From what we heard from the hotel reception, it's a very nice building & we should go take a look. From the outside, it was a normal building but when we went in, it was like "WOW" now we know why the receptionist say its a beautiful building.
The next day, we can't help it but to take photo of the lift 'cause the lift was very small & it only can take 2 person. Fortunately three of us were skinny so we squeeze into the lift together.
Taking train to Eiffel Tower since we missed our morning tour that we booked we decided to go on our own.
The perfect place x captured the perfect moment.
Visited musée du Louvre
Supposingly the famous one 'cause it's everyone in Paris.
Catch our train back to London in the evening. We went to Paris with 3 hand luggages & back to London with one big Samsonite luggage & 2 hand luggages. Happy with all the good buys!
Back in London we decided to visit Chinatown & had chinese food at "Four Seasons" then to Oxford Street for a little shopping and end our night at Harrods to shop.
Last day in London we visited Windsor Castle which is in the outskirt of London. It was a good trip. Saw many wonderful antiques & paintings that we kept by the queens & kings long time ago. & their bed chambers & dining room. But we were not suppose to take photos.
Last dinner cost 77 pounds with 12 slices of sashimi.
Ended our london trip at hype park & walked all the way to oxford street & to liberty & back to Oxford street.
End of my london & paris street. I had been traveling every year with my parents since many many years ago. I can't remember which is the first country I went to but the recent ones are all Japan. This trip was the best trip ever 'cause I get to do what I like, buy what I want & visit places that I always wanted to. The most wonderful trip ever. Hope there's more to come!!