Our London Trip (Apr 30 to May 04)

Well this is my first trip to London. In fact, it was a birthday present by my sweetie hubby. We waited for close to 2 mths for this trip..was so damn excited the closer the day drew. The last time he went to London was 12 yrs back but he was an excellent guide still. In this trip, my in laws joined us and we are far more than happy to have them, as they are already so close to me like another set of parents.


Days before we set off, it was raining in Genoa and we are so worried that the weather will be just like this there. Luckily for us, it was SO perfect, no rain, 15 degrees and still sunny.


We arrived at Stansted airport @ 2pm London time and took a coach right up to Victoria Street and then a 10 mins walk to our hotel - Central House Victoria. We are all set to move out after checked in and things are set @ 5pm.


Here is our 5 days diary..


Day 1 - The Buckingham Palace

We set our foot off to the nearest place of interest - The Buckingham Palace since its already 5pm, we decided not to go too far in case my in laws they are tired. We pass by this London phone booth and take a pic with it..



After about 15 mins of walking, we arrived at the Buckingham Palace, it was so grand and we saw a couple of the Queen's guards marching and some remain so still in their own post totally motionless.

At the entrance, we notice a board that says 'Changing of the guards @ 11.30am daily' Mr L told me that its an event that drew lotsa crowd and we cannot miss..we decide to go on Day 04..


Just right infront of the palace was the Statue of Victory. There are some smaller green colour statues just below the vitory statue which looks half human and half lion, from far they look like a piece of paint work, so 3D and so real

Time is up for dinner and we walk back to the nearest pub close to our hotel and have our dinner there. Its already 8.30pm and if you look carefully, does the sky still appear like 5pm??
My bb here is so contented with the cheeseburger and 2 glasses of beer.

As for me, cheeseburger seems too much for me and since I am in London I must try the original Fish & Chips - trust me the plate must be meant for 2 pax and I wonder how I actually able to finish the whole piece of fish there..but it was damn crispy and nice..but the fries and peas were vacuumed off by Mr L and my FIL..it was too much indeed..

Dinner over and so is Day 1..we headed back to hotel and have a good night rest for the next day :)

Day 2 - Covent Garden Market / British Museum / Chinatown / Leicester Sqr

We woke up as early as 7.30am for a heavy continental breakfast coz we are dead hungry (although I prefer English breakfast more) but the continental breakfast did not disappoint me either, has a wide range of food from boiled eggs to croissants, 5 different choices of cornflakes, 9 choices of coffee & chocolate drinks machine, fruit juices, muffins, teas, yogurts and breads.

After the breakfast, we took a train to our first destination of the day - The Convent garden

We arrived there at 9.00am and we are very early as the shops open at 10am .. hence we decided to come back later in the noon after visiting the British Museum.

Here we are just at the entrance of the museum, it was such a hot hot day that just the Hello Kitty T-shirt is enough for me but my FIL keep insisting me to put on something more like a long sleeve and bring along a jacket...too fatherly...

We are at the Israel and Iraq section. These are the ancient Cyprus lion guards with wings. They look so magnificent and it was too hard to wait for the crowd to pass by before we can take a picture.

Inside the gate was the ancient craftings, we are not allowed to touch anyone of them at all times.

Finally, we arrived at the mummies section, it was so breathtaking to see live mummies and there are also instructions on the steps in wrapping up one..it was a bit freaky as my mind brings me to the movie The Mummy.. hahaha...imagining them coming alive.

Next, Mr L bring us to the Chinatown as he thought I might miss some chinese food or if I need to 'top up' some chinese stuff in our kitchen...as there is the Swine flu going around, I did not take any pork no matter how much I love the roast pork displayed at the restaurants. We end up having lunch at a Japanese rest, food was good, service sucks and was pretty pricey £50 for a family set of sushi (28 pc), 4 pcs of Siew Mai, and for me a bowl of Miso ramenm, of coz couple of beer..anyway its a holiday!

Here is the entrance of the Chinatown and it was real huge inside and I found so much stuffs which I cannot find here in Genoa ..anyway nevermind London is just 2 hrs away from here..

We walk and walk and end up @ Leicester Square at 5pm.. me & Mr L decided to watch a movie - The Wolverine so my in laws got back to the hotel themselves and we have some little time for ourselves..

For dinner, we had KFC and was still so finger linkin' good since there is no KFC here only @ Milan..then after back to hotel..

Back into bed @ 11.30pm..sweet dreamz..

Day 03 - Portobello Market / Hyde Park / Harrods / The London Eye

Right after breakfast, we head out to the famous market in London - Portobello Market. Here they have everything from antiques to painting and to food & wet market.

A board sign showing the outlay of the market, but the market itself is larger than the the sign..we actually spend 5 hrs in this market, from 8am to 1pm..I did not buy much stuff here except for a real nice leather jacket @ £15..and a painting.

On the way down, I notice this really beautiful house and decide to take a pic of it.

This pic is taken by Mr L which has a row of houses with different colours, was such a nice scene

An English pastries shop with some pastries displayed inside a 500 Fiat mini..it drew crowd!

Here we are at the food section, as its approaching lunch...the food here makes my stomach sings..these are chicken thighs cooked with leeks.. and it smells sooo good..

Ehi..this owner's dog was clinging to him the whole time, no matther he turns, bends, squat, the dog is 'glued' to him and it could not stop people from taking a pic of them..

By 1pm ++, our stomach are all growling, we then took a subway to Knightsbridge and then a 10 mins walk to The Hyde Park where there is a lake call the Serpentine which is obviously named after its shape. Bought a couple of sandwiches, juices, beer, fruit and brownies - thts our lunch of the day..which a terrific view behind us..ducks swimming and people paddling boats..!

Look at the crowd! So relaxing and calming..with the hot sun and cool wind...simply got drunk too..

Walked back the same road and we now arrived at Harrods which is 5 storey high..well here I did bought quite a lotsa stuff - a harrods bag, 2 books By Danielle Steel, an oil & vinegar holder, Harrod biscuits and other Mr L's stuff..was full of bags..

We have booked our tickets online for the London Eye flight and we arrive there earlier and been told that we still have to queue up except if we get express boarding tiks ! Lucky, it was only a 5 mins affair..so here is the view of the Big Ben on the right inside our capsule.

Taking a pic inside the capsule with a wonderful view behind us...actually at this point I was pretty tired already..walking and shopping the whole day.

Oh yes..this was taken we board the London Eye flight..since we arrive early..we take a walk around and saw this horrific looking guy from a horror exibition..so I took a pic with him and he simply cant smile even Mr L told him too..simply professional.

On the way back to hotel, we pass by the Westminster Abbey church which was built 600 yrs ago! Mr L insist tht I take a pic and I have to drop down all my bags and if u notice behind, a man in red thts my FIL and he is helping us to carry one of our bags!

This is the full top view, it is impossible to take full pic as its too tall.

For dinner, we took a Oriental eat all you can buffet @ £7.99 each paxand I am glad that my in laws enjoyed them..day 3 ends here!

Day 04 - The Buckingham Palace / The National Gallery / Oxford St. / Regent St.

The changing of the Queen's guards will take place at 11.30am. Its kinda early and we decide to go to The National Gallery before going to Buckingham palace later.

Here we are again at The Buckingham Palace..look how smart the guards are and the background music was great. In winter and autumn, the changing take place every other day, in summer and spring, it is on a daily basis. It was so crowded that we cannot even move and Mr L went over to the other end to capture a video instead and I should say he did an awesome job

A post box where I mailed a postcard to my parents from London..and simply the houses behind captures my attention more.

Here we are at Regent Street / Oxford Street. Had a heavy shopping day today @ Primark, HMV etc..

We pass by Selfridge and saw this piece of art, can you guess what they are? They are LV Speedy 30 bags formed in the shape of a lamp with a golden LV bag inside, spot it? Its in collaboration with Louis Vuitton 100 year anniversary..

Found a Ferrari store just along Oxford Street...its the kind where we can see but cannot buy, ya?

Last point before the day ends, Hamleys - The largest toy store, some say even

larger than Toys 'r' Us..it was around 4 storey high, not sure as we only went up to Level 2 for Hello Kitty stuff but went off disappointed as we cant find what we want :(

Day 05

Nothing special about our last day as it was the day to leave..we have an early bus to catch to Gatwick Airport where our flight is at 10.10am..so we actually woke up at 6am lookin like zombies and hurry to catch the bus..

We arrive back at Genoa at 13.10pm..

Love London..hope to see you again sooon !!!