year abroad in London

I finally get to update. Gosh, internet aint so cheap here - here its like a pound an hour. Anyways, its been 28 hours since I have arrived in London and Im loving each bit. It has certainly exceeded my expectations. I was really young when I first visited London, and all I remember was Big Ben and the London Bridge. Now, just walking down the streets of Kensington and Paddington, I realize what a beautiful city it is. I had envisaged traffic congested roads, dark skies, and haze. Instead, I was greeted with nothing short of sunny weather and blue skies. It was still light up till 8pm yesterday! I know it wont last long, so I better enjoy the rest of the summer!

So, I took the tube from Heathrow Airport to Kings Cross on the Picadilly Line. The flat where Im staying is only a short two minutes walk from Kings Cross Station. So convenient! It wasn't as empty as I thought - there is a microwave, fridge, stove, washing machine, TV, mattress ! yea and a piano, lols. Oh that reminds me of the view when I look out of the flat. Have you watched The Pianist? Remember the scene where Adrian Brody looks out the room where he hides out and opposite the road is the hospital. Well, that is the typical architecture around. Really old and antique.

Anyways, so on the first day, I dropped my things at the apartment and headed out. I was feeling quite awake and decided to head to Notting Hill Carnival which is a festival happening over the long weekend. It is certainly the largest street parade I have ever been in. There were crowds of people, lots of Carribean food, loud music and dancing.

Edit (continue):

Ah wells, after the Carnival I headed to do my first bit of grocery shopping at Tescos!Well, it was quite late, so only the Tescos express was open (similar to like Coles express), so the range wasn't very big. But weird enough, they sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

On the second day, I woke up at 7am! can you believe it? laura waking up at 7am..lols, im normally up at that time if I had been doing an all nighter. I think it must be jet lag. I took the bus to Oxford Street to check out the shops, and I was astonished at the length of the street. It took me at least an hour to walk down Oxford Street, and I didnt really go inside many shops (I did go into Selfridges which is a huge department store, sort of like David Jones). Oh, Im so happy to find plenty of Marks & Spencer with their yummy gourmet food in the basement, and loads of Pret a Manger which serves delicious sandwiches! The prices are similar to HK. This is the second day in a row I had Pret for lunch. I need to diversify. I was so caught up with the shops on Oxford Stret (oh, passed Bond St Station...!! monopolyyy and Regent Street lols) that I was late to meet Corie and Kenny back at Kings Cross. Two old Island School friends who I havent seen in years (well 2 and 4 years respectively). I also met Corie's friends from the States who were backpacking Europe with her, and Kenny's friend from York. We all headed to the Carnival AGAIN and I couldn't believe the crowds. There were even more people than yesterday. The food was more or less the same, all Carribean food. I had for the first time, Jamaican jerk chicken. it was so good.

Afterwards, we hit ChinaTown and had pearl drinks. I was craving for one since I didnt get one in HK :( Then we went to watch London Theatre. IT was soooooo good. Im addicted to theatre now. We watched Mouse Trap by Agatha Christie which was a murder thriller. I couldn't take a photo inside the theatre to show you the seating, but its really cool. There is like three levels of seating and we sat in the highest. You sit on these red velvet plush cushioned seats, just like the ones you see in the movies. The theatre finished around 10pm and we headed to a Jap restaurant for late dinner. I think all cafes/restaurants here are at least double to triple the prices in Australia. Oh, and petrol prices are definitely two and a half times higher in London (so no complaining in Aus!). Afterwards, we met up with the others at Leicester Square and went to a modern looking bar called Yates for drinks. I like Leicester Square, all around it is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, cinema, theatre. Very colorful. I hear Covent Gardens is similar, but I have yet to check it out.

So now today is day three. And I woke up at 7am again! I cant believe it. Oh well, I may as well make it a habit, because I have to start the internship this Thursday (1st Sept). The office is in Farringdon, which is like a neighbour station to Kings Cross. I am set on getting a bike. I see quite a few people riding a bike (without helmets as well, and yes, alongside those red double decker buses...fearlessly..lols. its not illegal to ride w/out helmet as is the case in Aus). anyways, cycling to Uni and to work will save me so much transport money.

Its a bit past noon now. This morning I went to UCL to fix up enrollment and housing. But the relevant office was closed from 10.30 to 2pm. Grrrr!! So Im going to linger around Kings Cross till 2 and then cross to Euston Square where UCL is. Kenny and Corie is making me jealous...they are at Oxford Circus having Indian fare for lunch whilst Im doing all these errands >.< including setting up a bank account with HSBC...apparently it takes at least 7 working days to set up an account..nOooo I need cash flow. So I think Ill meet up with them in the afternoon. Hope everything gets sorted now.

Im going to head to Kings Cross St and check out train prices. Im thinking of going to Edinburgh this weekend and visiting the castles. It will all depend on the train costs though. If I dont go before Uni starts, I doubt I will go this upcoming year, because the weather will be horrid. Edinburgh will be soo cold in December and as for my Easter break and June break next year, I want to cross to the European continent.

Alrighty, thats it!
Love you all

10:06 AM
Lura

Saturday, August 27, 2005

ah, Im waiting in HKG airport. The plane is delayed for three hours. The plane was originally meant to depart at 1.05am but now the estimated departure is 3.55am *ouch* Apparently, the plane from Sydney to HK is late.

*sighs* unfortunately, everything is closed! at this moment, I wish I was in Bangkok airport even though I know it would be so hot and stuffy. But at least shops will be open and I can buy some books/magazines to read. The only thing that is opened is Aishi (sp) Ramen and Cafe de Coral; well, we are given food vouchers.

I just found this free internet kiosk. woo hoo. I think I have a 15 minute limit. So I will be logging in again soon.

Oh this afternoon, I had a bizarre hair-cut. It was cheap alright, like HKD 108, which is about AUD 17? But in a pretty hip looking salon. Anyways, so after all the cutting and blowdrying I thought that was the end. THen the hairdresser started putting my hair up and setting it in with bobby pins! I didn't know what to say. He was twisting locks of hair on the crown of my head. And with the remainder of my hair he tied it in a lopsided pony tail. I think its supposed to be some honky or jap style or sth! I asked if he could (at least) make the pony tail centre because I thought I look really weird. I didnt want to offend him and say can you take it all down!

I actually kept my hair up for the rest of the day. It looked alright, but just wasn't me. And when I got home, I took it down and noticed for the first time, how shaggy my hair was cut. I had asked for layers, but I got more than I bargained for. I had some layers that didn't even reach my ear!! I cant even tie my hair half-up half-down. Now I'm wondering if he decided to put my hair up so that I wouldn't realize he layered it too much!

Oh, Im tired. I think Im going to take a nap. Cheers

10:59 AM
Lura

Whoaahh I totally confused my departure day and time to London. (No worries, I havent missed it yet!). I thought I was leaving HK on Sunday 1pm, but after closer inspection of my flight itinerary its not 1pm Sunday but 1am!! ahh its all written in 24hours time. lols silly me. So Im not spending the night in HK after all. In fact...Im leaving in a few hours.

I landed in HK early this morning and was greeted with the typical humid summer weather. My last summer in HK was when I was in Year 10- and truth be told, I never missed being back in HK for summers. I was anticipating a really eeky sticky-need-a-shower-thrice-a-day feeling, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. In fact, after a few hours, I got quite used to it.

Its so good to be home. Im always so lazy when I am at home, whether it is in Sydney or HK. The first thing I did was kick off my shoes and turn on the TV..lols. but after a few minutes I was too tired from the plane flight (I watched Monster-In-Law and half of Madagascar) and fell asleep. I woke up two hours later, took a shower and headed out.

Question of the day: If you only had one day in HK, which suburb would you choose to spend your day?

For me, its CWB - Causeway Bay. I love it. My mum always jokes the frequency I go to CWB is like a person reporting to their full-time work each day. its really a fun place. Its busy and crowded and there is great food and shops.

I spent the day satisfying my gastronomic urges and filling my belly. It started with yum cha with my dad and relatives, then sweet tofu at a local outlet, red bean and seasame mochi from Sogo food court, cold drinks from street vendors, taiwanese noodles @ Harbour City. Oh Im stuffed! If I had anymore room in my stomach, I would have gotten malt milk tea with pearls (yuuumM!!) in a tall glass. In between eating, I did some shopping, mainlyfor things like face wash, toothpaste/brush, cream etc. Everything is so much cheaper in HK !

Okay, I better not type too long, because I have to leave the house in an hour for the Airport. Ahhhhhhh its with Qantas. Im not so happy with Qantas at the moment :( Actually, if you asked me yesterday night, I would have said, I hated Qantas. They are super stingy with baggage limits. I hear they are particularly stingy in the Australian airports, but are more relaxed in other airports. Anyways, I was over my baggage limit >.< I tried to explain that I was going to the UK to study for a year and hence I had a lot of luggage but it wasn't enough. So in the end I had to chuck a bag away :( !! (that bag was sentimental too - it was the bag I took on my first backpacking trip) and food (yes, the Tim Tams had to go too). I asked if the food would go to the homeless, and they replied saying left luggage are taken to good causes. I guess that is some comfort. Anyways, so in the end I checked in one bag and was left with the contents of the other - which I clumsily stuffed into various bags I had. I prefer Singapore Air where their limit is 25kg as opposed to the 20kg limit with Qantas. But with either, you can exceed up to 5kg.

Alrightyyy I had better get off. I now have an hour to re-pack stuff I brought. I got a new bag since my other bag got left at Melbourne Airport. I convinced my dad to let me buy a no-wheels one. I will probably regret it when I start backpacking with it in Europe. But it saves a lot of weight. Bags with wheels weigh a lot even when it is empty!

Oh, some good news is that I have temporary accommodation for the first month (up until Uni starts, and hopefully then I get UCL housing). My dad's friend's friend (I know, quite distant) has an apartment in Kings Cross!! How central is that?!!?!?! Its like walkable distance to UCL and to the head office of Save the Children. So Im really happy. The challenge tomorrow is getting to the apartment in one piece with my heavy heavy luggage. Oh, the downside to the apartment is that it is empty (but with hot water, electricity and phone). So Im really glad I brought a sleeping bag with me.

Well, I shall next update in London! byee

6:20 AM
Lura

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Ive been meaning to post what I have been up to lately, but every night I come home from my shift at Max Brenner and I am sooo tired. >.< I havent lifted a finger yet with clearing the things in my room. I need to get a move on. Looking around me, I realize I have accumulated a lot of junk over the past four years in Melbourne!

My flight has changed. Instead of flying via Tokyo to London, I am flying via Hong Kong which would make things a lot easier because that means I can stay with my dad. I had a lot of trouble booking a flight. Part of the reason was because I only booked my ticket a few days ago, and all the seats were booked out with Qantas. The flight agent searched seats going via Singapore, KL, HK, Bombay, Colombo, and even Los Angeles!! The flights were just so full. But she was able to find one seat from HK to London which flys on Sunday. So I will be leaving Melbourne this coming Friday night (flight 23:35) and arriving in HK (06:55) Saturday; then departing HK (13:00) Sunday and arriving in London in the evening.

Yayy Im excited about the flight itself. Lols. I know Im in the minority here, but I love flying.

But the best news yet is that I will be seeing my close buddy, Corie on the 29th in London! She is at the moment backpacking in Europe. And not only that, she has extended her ticket from the 31st to the 7th Sept and will be staying with me. Woo hoo! She has already booked me a a night at a hostel on the day I touch down in London, so yesss I will have shelter for the first night.

5:51 AM
Lura

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

meet my new blog :)

5:07 AM
Lura