A Peep from HADLEIGH HOTEL

After a few hours of stressful hunt to find accommodation on our arrival at London, we stumbled upon the HADLEIGH HOTEL, located near the MARBLE ARCH area. There are not many places that can accommodate 3 pax at a go thus with limited choices, it was chosen as our home, away from home for the next couple of days.

On arrival for checked-in, the heart almost stopped when told that there were no lifts in the hotel. The thought of dragging 4 large bags up the stairs was mind-bloggling. To our surprise, we were offered a basement layout, complete with a living room, a pantry and 2 bedrooms with common toilet facilities / showers. Weren't as frightening as we would have imagined. (The dragging of bags will be executed on our check-out day. Delayed pain !!!)

So far, it has been a pleasant PART I stay at the British Capital.

Let It Be

Musical at the GARRICK THEATRE,LONDON. Re-visited the days of "The Beatles" with popular hits like Penny Lane, Yesterday, Hey Jude and the evergreen, Let it be.

What's surprising was the unusual announcement at the start of the show stating "Still &Video photography, sing along and dances are greatly encouraged". (Just when I have decided to deposit by camera back in the hotel !!)

It was the "Beatlemania" ..... their songs live on. The crowd was singing-along, & clapping with the music (like in the good old days)

Looking around, Clarissa was one of the few "young ones" in the crowd. Guess she is one of the few that can relate to the "older folks" of hits of tester-years.

The evening concluded with a long walk from Leicester Square, all the way back to Marble Arch, on a cool, chilly British evening.

Burger & Lobster

A short walk from ST PAUL STATION (Central Line), is the famous Burger & Lobster Restaurant @ BREAD STREET. Specialised in "Lobster" meals, we were fortunate to get seats without reservations. As our meal was being prepared, the crowd started to stream in. By the time we were at mid-course, the restaurant was already at its capacity with queues formed at the entrance.

The portions was generally large. Though we ordered a COMBO meal (2 burgers and a lobster) and a lobster roll, we had to ta-pau a burger that was large enough for a 3-person share for the next morning's breakfast. Took a shot to mark our presence, unaware of a photo-bomb by a passing waiter, in the background.

As we took our leave from the restaurant, the few remaining lobsters in the tank bid their FINAL good-byes, before they join their other friends' faith on some roll, burger or grilled dish.

"Lon Piak"

As UK paramedics remained on "stand-by" at King Cross Station, more "Harry Potter" hopefuls made their attempts at "running into walls" (commonly known in chinese dialect as "lon piak !!!".

Successful ones get to see what's on the other side of the wall, whilst the not-so-successful ones, get scraped off the wall by the emergency services, with a last smiling photo to keep, taken seconds before the tragic incident @ Platform 9 3/4 !!!

Taking off soon

The D-Day finally arrived for Clarissa-Anne to make her UK journey. With 92 kg at check-in (with more to follow), in 4 large suitcases, it's off on SQ308 bound for the British Capital. A new journey, a new adventure, a new chapter to her life. Accompanied by Dad & Mom and with Por Por & Kong Kong + Albert, Shawnna & Timothy, Sarah & Jared + Serene (Clare's friend) in the send-off party .... It's bye-bye Singapore (for now) and hello Nottingham for her.