The day in chronicles

Today was a great day! This will probably turn out to be one of those posts that simply describes how the day went, but it’s one of the best days I’ve had in London and deserves a happy post to itself.

So,

• Woke up before the alarm rang, whoohoo it’s great to wake up naturally and feel ready to start the day
• Rolled the blinds up and- cheers to blue sky! That instantly lifted my mood :)
• Enjoyed breakfast – 2 slices of wholemeal bread with strawberry jam and milo (so glad I brought it over, and I brought a lot/sufficient to last throughout the whole exchange haha), and did QT
• 10am came and I began the hour-long walk to Oxford Street
• Oxford Street is already pretty filled with people at 11am, wow
• Joined Andrew for his quick shopping, and there was time to spare so explored Selfridges and the Toy Emporium. I’m so impressed with the extensive decor! They must have spent a bomb on it. But it is really, really pretty. Commercially, Christmas is a really huge event here. Christmas shopping and whether it’s done becomes a pretty common part of everyday conversation now for the people here.
• Had Chirashi at Atariya and the ingredients were so fresh. It was so good.
• Very thankful for Andrew, and for Inspire. Thank God for a lovely church.
• Bid Andrew goodbye, then crossed Hyde Park on the way to the Natural History Museum, and Hyde Park was very pretty. There weren’t as many people as on Sunday, the weather was great and it was a very lovely stroll through the park. There were a couple of teenagers playing a ball game on the grass, and there were people walking their dogs. Hit the Serpentine and there were ducks swimming happily (I would think and I would hope!) on the still water.
• After arriving at Kensington area, felt like it’s yet another different part of London. Feels so different, more… posh? Quieter, cleaner, and that definitely made the area more pleasant.
• Imperial College London is located in such a lovely borough!
• Natural History Museum has cool exterior architecture. Stepped in and there it is – the dinosaur fossil! Is it the Night at the Museum one?? Not sure but seemed like and got a photo with it
• (Snippets of what I learnt) Q: What are dinosaurs? A: Dinosaurs were reptiles; Dinosaurs lived between 230 and 65 million years ago; Dinosaurs lived on land but could not fly; Dinosaurs walked on straight legs tucked underneath their bodies
• There were school kids touring the museum, and there were families with kids too. It felt very much like an experience at the Science Centre :) It was an educational experience too.
• Walked over to Harrods and it is another pretty building, especially at night. Strolled the levels and it’s all very posh! There was an ice-cream parlour selling and serving expensive ice cream that came with other expensive sides and that cost close to 20 pounds, upon peeking at the menu. There was a Disney store, there was a Disney cafe. There was an ‘Egyptian escalator’ – it’s an escalator that was beside Egyptian-themed walls.
• Had dinner at the nearby Pret, and Andrew was right – Pret’s soup is good.
• Tubed back and found out that the route I’m planning to take to Heathrow is wheelchair accessible, which is good news – luggage can go through!
• Bought bananas and apples at Sainsbury’s and headed back to my room.
• Am now snuggled comfortably in bed recounting and giving thanks for the great day

Crossing Hungerford Bridge, the familiar bridge that I often take to Chinatown,
my favourite place in London so far

Trafalgar Square looking one of its best

This photo doesn’t do the Selfridges decor justice – in real life, the leaves are gold and it lets off a shimmer, and there are actually golden, winged keys hanging from the branches and ceiling as well!

Exterior of Selfridges – the yellowish/gold dots on the green artificial trimmed hedges are Christmas lights! And there’s also a glimpse of the Oxford Street Christmas decor – the balls are silver and pretty at night

Hyde Park

Harrods

Thank God for the restful day.