It was supposedly just a business trip, but I was lucky enough to be able to mix it with pleasure. I traveled April 2017, it was supposed to be spring but with London's very unpredictable weather, sometimes the temperature drops to 2 degrees Celsius.
God has His grand plan, I was used to traveling solo 5 years ago, but I never went outside Asia. Who would have thought that He is preparing me for this? I braved to travel alone in an unknown continent, exposed to unfamiliar culture and navigate through unrecognizable directions.
I arrived Saturday dawn in Heathrow Airport, I immediately changed my USD to pounds via travelex and went straight to Information Desk to validate the direction that google maps gave me. It was time to go, I bought my Oyster Card as it would be really convenient for for all my logistics need during the duration of my trip.
An Oyster Card can be used for transport via Tube, National Railway, TDL, Overground, Buses and Trams. One has just to top up the card when needed. Also, an Oyster Card can somehow be cheaper over-all for tourist since there will be a daily capping. This means one can travel infinite times for a certain zone where one could not be charged for more than 6.60 pounds.
An almost empty tube train. One of the things I really appreciate was the free newspaper being distributed during daytime and nighttime. People take time to read the news and have a cup of coffee in the other hand. Talk about too much sophistication.
I was able to find my hotel after more than an hour of traveling. I stayed in Victoria Inn London for the leisure part of my visit. It is located in Central London so it is very accessible to prominent tourist spots. There is already a free breakfast included. I got the single room so it was really just a small room but the price was not budget friendly. It cost 4,909 php/night.
Check-in time is still at 2PM so even if I still did not have a good sleep due to the long haul flight, I just changed clothes and washed before I start with my adventure. My first stop would of course be non other than Big Ben!
Upon stepping out of Westminister Station, I felt the one-of-kind shiver as I saw Big Ben. It was a long time dream to finally see him. The House of Parliament is also grandeur. The smile on my face can really attest to my happiness. I decided to enter the Westminister Abbey for 22 pounds. Security was really tight upon entrance because the attack just happen less than a month before my visit.
The intricate details of Westminister Abbey
The insides of the Abbey is truly Holy. Richness of its History is really evident.
After a very educational tour around the Abbey, I step closer to the Parliament to observe it's beauty. I was short with time so I wasn't able to visit the insides. Maybe next time?
My next stop was the National History Museum. Entrance is free. It's really kid friendly. What I appreciate most was the simulation of earthquake in reference with Japan Quake.
I chanced upon a Londoner doing his music in Exhibition Road.
Next stop for me is Victoria and Albert Museum. Entrance is free of charge. If only I have the luxury of time, I can stay all day in this place. There are amazing displays especially the sculptures.
Amazing art works indeed!
It's time for me to return to my hotel so I can check-in and finally have my shower after a very long tiring day. After resting for a while, I decided to maximize my time and head out again to Baker St.
I must go inside 221B Baker St. next time I visit. I was only able to buy Moriarty's Diary in the shop.
My next destination was the world famous Buckingham Palace. I was hoping I can take a glimpse of Her Majesty. Truly there are a lot of tourists in the area. The place was also being set up for the London Marathon scheduled the next day.
Trying to capture the beauty of the place despite the massive numbers of tourists.
Victoria Memorial
About weeks before my London trip, I was able to buy online a ticket to Harry Potter Studio Tour. I heard that the tickets are really selling fast so I was lucky enough to advance purchase via viator.com for 91.41 USD. The package includes the Bus going to the studio and back to the pick-up point around Victoria Station and the entrance in the studio. It was really a one of kind experience for a Potterhead like me. I was able to finally taste Butterbeer and best of all the chance to get to know the people behind the magical experience of Harry Potter.
One happy kid!
This is the first set-up one will see upon queuing to the studio. Harry's cupboard.
The amazing Great Hall
The time-turner is one massive pendulum
The details in Albus Dumbledore's room is really mysterious
It is definitely all passion and hard work to come up with these level of creativity.
I had been waiting to do this in Platform 9 and 3/4
The Hogwarts Express
Yummy butterbeer, finally!
The insides of number 4 Privet Drive
The tour ended around 4 in the afternoon so I still have time to walk around Victoria Station for some souvenir shopping. I went back to my hotel to rest for a while before heading out to continue my London adventure.
The London Bridge is really iconic. I really wished I was able to cross the towers.
The tower of London. Too bad I don't have much time to enter the medieval structure.
I really allotted time to hear Sunday Mass at St. Paul Cathedral
Oxford St. is a shopping Mecca in London. Too bad that shops close early on a Sunday.
I have to transfer hotel in Brixton for the Business part of my travel for my remaining days in London. I stayed in Premier Inn. Brixton's have this jazz vibes in the neighborhood and it is amazing that the office I am supposed to visit is just a walking distance, around 15 minute walking. I diligently did everything tasked to me so upon the end of the workday, I found time to visit back central London to watch a play.
Amazing play it is. I grabbed some fish and chips before going to the theater for some authentic English experience.
The following day, I was tasked to visit the country side for some work related task. I was really fortunate to be able to see the other side of London. It was truly so solemn to experience the country life.
The view from the Pub where we had our lunch
The insides of the Pub, so homey.
After the countryside visit, we returned to the city at Paddington Station. I was able to check some boat houses there before I went out to meet a Kababayan whom I met during visa application. She took me around Hammersmith to shop for souvenirs.
We had dinner at Nando's. It was an awesome experience to catch up with her.
We parted ways and I took time to visit back again Big Ben and London Eye to see how they look like during night time.
I am still in awe even if it was freezing cold during my return.
The wonderful London Eye
The following day, it was good to note that my meeting ended after lunch. I was able to reach out to my mother's second cousin in East Molesey just outside London. I traveled through the National Railway System and met them so we can tour Hampton Court.
The tour in Hampton Court was amazing as I was able to witness the royalty's way of life. The best part was really being able to see beautiful gardens and go inside a garden maze. I am grateful that my aunt treated me there. Entrance fee cost about 21 pounds per head.
The weather was really unpredictable as we experienced sunshine, rain and hail in just about an hour. With me are my third cousin, auntie and lola.
The place is screaming royalty everywhere
View from the castle
Beautiful garden indeed
Navigating our way in the Garden Maze
My third cousins joined us for a Korean Dinner before we head to their place. I was able to meet my 3 aunties and their families.
Before they drop me off to my hotel in Brixton, we experienced London's night life. We checked out M&M's world.
Leicester Square
Posing around National Gallery in Trafalgar Square
It was truly amazing to finally be with relatives after venturing solo for 4 days in a city I never visited before. The following day, I prepare very early as I advanced book a tour via Golden Tours for a visit to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford University. The tour cost at 117.76 USD. The package includes transportation, entrance and lunch.
First stop was Windsor Castle. It was really royalty. There are a lot to see and what I was really happy to see was the Queen's Doll house. I hope I had the chance to play around.
I cannot give justice to the beauty of the architecture
British Soldier, up and personal.
I am really blessed to be able to see this ancient monument. Amazing prehistoric structure.
Our last stop was Oxford University. It was really a privilege to be able to walk around JK's inspiration to Harry Potter. At the same time, it was a happy moment to know I was able to step into the University that produces very significant people around the world.
My great April surprise trip had finally put into an end and it was an experience I will be forever grateful of. I hope I will get the chance to explore United Kingdom again in the future and this time I hope to be more immersed so I can experience the British way of living.
