My 200th Friendster her tips for visiting London...
Yeah! It's official. I have just had my
200th Friendster! It is none other that Ms. Farhaini Fasri, my friend, client and SMS-Tourguide/Lifeline while i was away in London for a wedding shoot recently. For those who have not added me and wish to
Add me by
clicking here or add me manually by my email
kidchan@portraitone.comFar has also previously wrote me a great email/
tip for visiting London . And since London was awarded the 2012 Olympics on Wednesday, i have asked her permission to reproduced her very informative mail here.
So for those who are visiting London or already in London, do check out some of her tips. Farhaini and her sister was both educated in UK.
Here it is:
Hi Kid,
I actually drafted this long email while working last night, but as you have only a short time in London, we have to do it differently. Just one day right? I know you said you don't like sight seeing but you cannot leave London without some sight seeing. Get up early and i would recommend you get on the hop in-hop off open top tour bus. You'll get to see the famous tourist attractions and u don't even have to get down if u don't want to explore them. Don't miss out on
Big Ben, The Tower of London (one of my fav place but you would need at least half a day to explore),
Westminster Abbey make sure you get to see the change of guards (nothing much but first time in London everyone must be a tourist!),
Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral,Windsor Castle, House of Parliament, London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, the London Eye and of course the
City of London ( a place everyone or at least i dream to work in *sigh* )
Are you into arts? If you are, i suggest you get off at St Paul's Cathedral. A beautiful chapel in my opinion. My bf had his graduation there and it was beautiful! Anyway, get off at St Paul's, take some pictures and walk to the
Tate Museum. Depending on the exhibitions that they have, but the last time i was there it was great! From the museum you can cross the millennium bridge. (But if you're not into museums, then don't do this.) You can walk along and either wait for the buss or talk the tube to anywhere u want to go next.
Personally i think the London Eye is over priced. But you'll get a spectacular view in it esp at night. And you can take the river cruise after the London Eye experience. If u have time in the afternoon i.e. before 3.30, try catching the matinee shows. Can get relatively cheap tickets. An old time favourite of mine is non-other than
Phantom of the Opera. But you could also try the new productions. Sadly i'm no longer in touch with the West Ends, so i cant really say what is good and what they are showing now. Would love to do some research for you but rushing off to work. Will do it if i have time before the 11th.
It might also be cheaper if you try and purchase your theater tickets online now
www.ticketmaster.co.uk After the sight seeing and theater (if u have time), walk around
Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and
Convent Garden. It's all next to each other, just keep on walking and you'll get to those places. The place is just full of life and character! I don't know how to describe it, its just so London! Its really beautiful at night and you can even stop by
Soho if you want. Of course you would want to do some shopping. 14th is a Thursday and they have late night shopping. So make your way to
Oxford Street.
You can go in straight to
Selfridge's or go along Oxford Street. You can also go to
Bond Street for the up market shops. They'll be loads of ppl, the hustle and bustle of London. You either love it or hate it. If u come across
Pret a Manger, just drop in look at their sandwiches! Esp during lunch. Its really good! As you walk along London, if you come across any cafes that sells Bagel,try a hot bagel with sour cream with salmon. This is a matter of preference, so if you're not into those kind of food, don't try it. Since you'll be staying in Kensington, Harrods is just nearby so i'm sure you can drop by Harrods anytime. Make your way to their market hall! The desserts are so mouth watering! You might not get the same effect as i do every time i walk into their food hall *sigh* miss London so much... Can't you extend ur trip?
If you could, go to the British Museum! I'm into this kind of things, so i love it. I can spend the whole day there and not get bored. If you have time, go to
Portobello Road Market, Hyde Park, Madame Tussuad's, London Dungeon, Hampton Court Palace. Hampton Court is outside of London, and it'll take you around half an hour to get there from Waterloo Station. But the place is really nice. Just remembered, a good place to take photos would be
Campden Town but the place is really dodgy and be careful when you're there. It's like pasar malam,cheap stuff. Oh! It'll be rainy season when you're there so don't leave your hotel without a good brolly. You might need 1 or even 2 depending on the weather! And good walking shoes, the best way to explore and have fun in London is by foot. If you're not a walking person, you still need a good pair of walking shoes. If you'll be doing a lot of traveling you might as well get the London Pass or the travel card. The travel card allows you to travel in tube and buses all day depending on which zones ur purchase. I think now they also have 1 week's travel pass.
Do you research and see which is cheaper and which suits your needs better. Check out
www.londontown.com . Will check on the travel cards for you. ANything just ask me Hey! I think when you;re there they'll be having Hammersmith and Fulham Festival. Check it out! And if you can extend your trip you'll be able to experince the FA Cup Semi-Finals in an english pub! Doubt u can get tickets now. Have fun in London!!!
Love,
Far (Reproduced with permission:) )
Cheers,
Kid Chan, WPJA
" the most sought-after wedding photographer in Malaysia" -NST
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