The third day in London_ Dec/5/2013

Trafalgar Square London

We returned to London from Bracknell, and we revisited Trafalgar Square first in the morning.  The square was so bustling with a crowd of people as usual. 

The giant blue rooster statue in the square came into sight.  Its title is Hahn/Cock made by German artist, Katharian Fritsch.  Not only the blue, but the rooster are a symbol of France, who was defeated by Britain at this square; In that sense, this art tends to be quite playful and witty.

Levitating people in the square

It's a fairly simple trick but a brilliant idea to call people's attention quickly.

Look at this untarnished blue sky in London.  It proves its weather can be pretty sometimes even in the winter. 

Playing selfie in front of National Gallery London

The key reason we revisited National Gallery in couple years was only because of this lovely painting. ↓

The Arnolfini Potrait (1434) _ Jan Van Eyck

The more I see it closely, the more I marvel at his talent.
Most surprising is it really helped Darrin to appreciate arts in painting.  It is such a wonderful thing that somebody's work painted almost 600 years ago can completely captivate our spirit- we are willing, even eager to dive into his painting and play with the hairy puppy dog. 

Move to Bracknell_Dec/4/2013-14

On the third day in London, I spent most of time in Oxford Circus shopping district while Darrin had a few meetings in Chester.   At nightfall Darrin and his boss, Chris, picked me up at the lobby of Hilton Euston (We were reunited after more than 8 hours) to catch the train to Bracknell. 

On the train (London Waterloo to Bracknell)

We traveled on a slow railway to Bracknell.   The worst part was after three or four stops there's only standing room left since all seats were occupied very quickly.  The train was jam-packed until we almost got to the last stop, Bracknell.  Darrin kept checking our suitcases on their safety.  

~(> <ㆀ )/

Hilton St. Anne's Manor in Bracknell we stayed for two nights

For lunch I walked to the seafood restaurant, Loch Fyne near the hotel, which Chris had highly recommended.   During my walk to the restaurant, it was almost freaking spooky with nobody walking around me.  Only me for the whole time!!  

I just simply had the seafood lunch set; Fish ball with veg, Tomato soup and Coffee.

The second day in London_Dec/3/2013

Walking through the park near by Hilton Euston to get to the Charles Dickens Museum

It takes only about 20 mins walking slowly to the museum from the hotel.  

Charles Dickens Museum London

Address: 48 Doughty St, London WC1N2LX

The dining room table set with a little Christmas decoration at the museum

In his place there were some interesting devices and even an little animal to keep the house clean I've never heard of before.

A dirty house produces dishonest people?  Is it really true? ;-)

During my sixth grade's summer school holiday, I had written book report on one of his well-know stories, 'A Tale of Two cities'.  I don't remember the story in detail, and yet I do remember very vividly how deeply I was infatuated with his tales.   

This is it!!   

↓

My book review on A Take of Two cities written in Korean on my 30 year-old time-worn note pad 

The classic looking antique piano in the living room

Darrin and I were being busy taking photo of the museum.

Charles Dickens' hand writing 

Catherine Dickens's room

The little bowls set on the table right next to her bed caught my eye for some reason. 

The books displayed on his book shelf

After museum tour, we went straight up to the restaurant, Northall, for having brunch.

Adress: 10 Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5AE

We had Sunday Jazz Brunch set, so there was a live jazz band singing the whole time we were there.

We realized much later when we finished the meal that just right next door of Northall was the Herrods restaurant.  A lot of people was enjoying a leisurely tea time there. 

Benjamin Pollock's Toy Shop at Covent Garden 

Address: 44 The Market, London WC2E 8RF

The tiny little shop was stacked with a wide variety of antique toys, including these. ↓

These are what I got from the shop, which now displayed on my TV table.  

s(￣▽￣)/

The first day in London_Dec/2/2013

Arrived at Hilton Euston London after around 14 hours flight from Singapore

Yay, finally!!

The b/w BigBen photo at the lobby in Hilton caught my eye.  

I would like to bring it home and put on the wall in our room, ha-ha! ;)

After relaxing a little bit, we took the tube to go to Tower Hill Station.

There are two main attractions near Tower Hill Station; one is the Tower of London and the other is Tower bridge. 

Okay then, the Tower of London first!

As we entered the Tower in no time, we found many people were following a Beefeater(Yeomen warder)in large group who telling some interesting tales related to the Tower.  Without any hesitation, we joined the group and followed him for a while.  

Darrin with beefeaters

The guards at the Tower of London are officially called Yeomen Warders who look after any prisoners at the Tower and safeguard the Crown jewels.  They have the nickname Beefeater, and now they are more like tour guides.  

There's a diversity of opinion concerning the actual origin of the name Beefeater.  However, it is more likely to have originated from the time when they were given chunks of beef as their salary in 1800s.

After the Tower of London, we walked down to Tower Bridge right next to the Tower and waited till the Bridge lighted up to take better shot.

It looks more prettier at night.

The temperature drastically dropped down after sunset, therefore we moved to the next destination, Oxford Circus, in a big hurry.  

We started to feel more Christmassy there, Twinkle Twinkle~!

♬(^0^)~♪

Just right before dinner, we stopped at Liberty, one of the largest department stores in London.  The huge ornate Christmas decor was dangling from the ceiling.

Kua 'Aina is one of the must-go restaurants in this London trip.  

Darrin ordered Avocado Hamburger with some chips this time.

And I had Teriyaki Sandwich with some sweet potato chips.  

Whoa, how could they make sweet potato chips so tasty and chewy!!!