London
Saturday, August 1
We packed our luggage and Mary and Robert dropped us off at the Jerez airport. The night before, Robert gave us instructions on how to go around London to make the most of our time. He armed us with travel brochures, leaflets and maps.
The flight to London Stansted was ok. Since we didn’t have any checked-in luggage we zipped on out and down to the train station to catch the Stansted Express that will in turn take us to the Liverpool St. station where’ we’ll take the subway to our final destination – the Victoria Station. The Stansted Express took about 45 minutes. We passed by mostly country and rural areas. I was under the impression that the Stansted Express was a non-stop train ride but I think it stopped at about 3 or 4 stations.
I thought it was odd seeing a couple of naked elderly gentlemen picking berries on a field on the way!
When we got to the Liverpool St. station we asked around and found the ticket booths and got a couple of tickets to the Victoria Station. We weren’t too anxious when we got there because we’ve already pinpointed our hotel’s location on the map. It was a pretty short walk from the station, about a couple of blocks’ worth. We checked in and we were told the hotel was booked and that they’re going to send us to ‘another flat’ a short walk away. The guy at the counter accompanied us after he locked his office up and putting up a be-back-in-5-minutes sign. It was indeed a short walk away and was actually much closer to the Victoria train station. We took the same walk on our way to check in. He unlocked the place up, and showed us things like the bathroom and stuff then immediately walked out. I think he mentioned he’s going home and his reliever was coming. We did some unpacking and I stretched on the bed for a few minutes then we decided we’ll go out and explore. A few feet out on the street, I noticed my wallet was missing. We went back to the room and we couldn’t find it. So I thought the only place I could have left it was on the hotel counter so I practically ran over there to find there was another guy working. He said the other guy didn’t leave anything and didn’t think he would have taken it since he’s been working there for a long time. But since we haven’t gone anywhere there was nowhere else I could have left it and my pants had deep pockets and there was no way it could have slipped out. Donna immediately called the credit card company to report my missing card.
Checking on our map once in a while we walked towards Buckingham Palace, found it, took a bunch of pictures then we walked around St. James Park and took more pictures. Then we called high school classmate Ric Bondoc. No one answered his cell so I left a message, then we walked around some more. We went back to a Filipino restaurant named Kabayan on our way to Buckingham Palace but it was already closing down and we were told won’t open till 9 the morning after. We stopped by a small place selling sandwiches and we picked up some empanada looking things and got us a couple.
I called Ric again and got him this time. He said he’s at a baptismal party. He was the ninong of a friend’s kid and that he’s going to have Roland and a nephew pick us up. Roland was an old grade school friend of mine whom I haven’t seen since 1966. Ric said he’ll have them meet us at the Victoria station. Donna and I were waiting for them when I noticed an Oriental looking guy parked by the bus station on a Toyota not realizing at the time he was Erwin, Ric’s nephew while Roland was walking around looking for us. Finally, Roland and I found each other. He’s a bit older and taller but hasn’t really changed much after 41 years! Oh, and he’s missing some hair as well!
They drove us to the party being held on a hall several miles away from Central London. On the way, Roland and I were reminiscing about the good old days. Then he got a call on his cell from Ric saying he’s with Imelda and family on the way to the party as well. A few minutes after we arrived, we were on the sidewalk and here come a couple of taxis with all of them including Susan! Susan was so happy to see us and so were we. Imelda’s kids said their Mom is feeling much better and that they were on their way to Rome the morning after. Then they’ll fly back to the US after Rome.
We had dinner at the party and met a lot of Kapampangan’s over there. Then it was time for us to go back to our hotel. Lucy, another friend of Ric (I think she was related to Imelda’s husband Dan somehow) was going to accompany us on the bus along with Susan and the rest of the group. Ric and Roland were going to meet us at the station at around 10 the morning after.
Sunday, August 12
Donna and I woke up early to go to church. They’ve already shown us the night before where Westminster Cathedral was located so we walked and immediately found it. The mass was in English for a change. It was a nice church although it requires some badly needed maintenance especially the ceiling. We were told it needs almost 3000 pounds for its daily upkeep! We found out later it’s much smaller than its more famous cousin Westminster Abbey.
After church we went back to the Victoria station to meet with Ric and Roland. I saw Roland right away, and then Ric said we’ll have to wait for Susan. A few minutes later Susan arrives with a big smile on her face. She said she’s been working in London a while but has yet to actually see all the sites.
As usual, we’re short on time so it’s a whirlwind tour. Ric got us all day bus passes and our first stop was Trafalgar Square, then off to the Thames River boat cruise. Unfortunately midway to the cruise, it started to rain so we ran downstairs to avoid getting wet. By the time we got to our destination (by the Tower of London) the rain has stopped. We had a quick lunch at KFC then another bus ride towards Westminster Abbey where Sister Lita was waiting for us. We passed by Piccadilly Circus on the way, along with St. Paul’s Cathedral and a famous shopping avenue (whose name escapes me right now). One thing we noticed, there are A LOT OF PEOPLE, probably mostly tourists, in London.
We passed by Westminster Abbey and we noticed Sister Lita sitting on its short steps. There was a lot of hugging and kissing when we got off the bus. I told Ric earlier I wanted to visit Abbey Road to experience the famous Beatles album cover. But first we had to take more pictures by Westminster Abbey and the Parliament Building with the famous Big Ben clock towers.
On the bus to Abbey Road, Sister Lita couldn’t help but laugh at my ‘obsession’ with Abbey Road after Donna explained it to her. All along she thought we’re on our way to visit some Beatles museum. Then Donna told her it was actually some pedestrian cross walk that I find the need to have my picture taken.
After quite a few back and forth walk and several pictures taken, I’m happy. Then we took the bus back to Leicester Square and we had a bite to eat at Burger King. Afterwards Sister Lita had to go back. She has a guest coming to meet at their place.
Susan left soon after as well. Ric and Roland showed me and Donna which bus to take. I have to admit we wouldn’t have been able to visit all those places in London without them. Ric said to stay at his place next time Donna and I visit.
I wanted to see London by night. Our bus passes were good till 4 the morning after but weren’t comfortable on which busses to take. And since we had to wake up really early for our morning flight to Germany, we decided against it. But before turning in we thought we’d try and make arrangements for our train/bus ride back to London Stansted airport. We found out the train station doesn’t open till 5 am so our best bet will be the 24 hour busses or a cab ride. Since we’re not too familiar with the bus routes we opted to take a cab which we’re told should only cost around 10 to 12 pounds, 14 at the most. I’ve already checked on line and found out the Stansted Express’ first ride out to the airport will be at 4:30 am.
Monday, August 13
Donna and I woke up at 3:30 am and we were at the Victoria station waiting for a cab by 4. We were warned to take a ‘legitimate’ black London taxi cab so that’s what we waited for. I told the driver our destination. It was early in the morning so there was hardly any traffic but I noticed he took us to side streets and alleys and when I saw his meter reading around 15 pounds, I asked him what time the Liverpool St. station opens. He said it’s still closed and that the Stansted Express doesn’t go until 5:30. I think he was trying to trick us into letting him drive us all the way to Stansted which is another 45 minutes which I imagine will cost a bundle. But we ignored him and got dropped off at the station after the meter finally read 22 pounds.
Contrary to what the cabbie told us, the station was already open. In fact there were some people like us waiting there already and there was one ticket booth open. I was going to find out what time and where the Stansted Express was leaving when an announcement on the PA system blared that it was leaving from platform 1 at 4:30. Then we noticed a lot of people came from nowhere towards the train!
We packed our luggage and Mary and Robert dropped us off at the Jerez airport. The night before, Robert gave us instructions on how to go around London to make the most of our time. He armed us with travel brochures, leaflets and maps.
The flight to London Stansted was ok. Since we didn’t have any checked-in luggage we zipped on out and down to the train station to catch the Stansted Express that will in turn take us to the Liverpool St. station where’ we’ll take the subway to our final destination – the Victoria Station. The Stansted Express took about 45 minutes. We passed by mostly country and rural areas. I was under the impression that the Stansted Express was a non-stop train ride but I think it stopped at about 3 or 4 stations.
I thought it was odd seeing a couple of naked elderly gentlemen picking berries on a field on the way!
When we got to the Liverpool St. station we asked around and found the ticket booths and got a couple of tickets to the Victoria Station. We weren’t too anxious when we got there because we’ve already pinpointed our hotel’s location on the map. It was a pretty short walk from the station, about a couple of blocks’ worth. We checked in and we were told the hotel was booked and that they’re going to send us to ‘another flat’ a short walk away. The guy at the counter accompanied us after he locked his office up and putting up a be-back-in-5-minutes sign. It was indeed a short walk away and was actually much closer to the Victoria train station. We took the same walk on our way to check in. He unlocked the place up, and showed us things like the bathroom and stuff then immediately walked out. I think he mentioned he’s going home and his reliever was coming. We did some unpacking and I stretched on the bed for a few minutes then we decided we’ll go out and explore. A few feet out on the street, I noticed my wallet was missing. We went back to the room and we couldn’t find it. So I thought the only place I could have left it was on the hotel counter so I practically ran over there to find there was another guy working. He said the other guy didn’t leave anything and didn’t think he would have taken it since he’s been working there for a long time. But since we haven’t gone anywhere there was nowhere else I could have left it and my pants had deep pockets and there was no way it could have slipped out. Donna immediately called the credit card company to report my missing card.
Checking on our map once in a while we walked towards Buckingham Palace, found it, took a bunch of pictures then we walked around St. James Park and took more pictures. Then we called high school classmate Ric Bondoc. No one answered his cell so I left a message, then we walked around some more. We went back to a Filipino restaurant named Kabayan on our way to Buckingham Palace but it was already closing down and we were told won’t open till 9 the morning after. We stopped by a small place selling sandwiches and we picked up some empanada looking things and got us a couple.
I called Ric again and got him this time. He said he’s at a baptismal party. He was the ninong of a friend’s kid and that he’s going to have Roland and a nephew pick us up. Roland was an old grade school friend of mine whom I haven’t seen since 1966. Ric said he’ll have them meet us at the Victoria station. Donna and I were waiting for them when I noticed an Oriental looking guy parked by the bus station on a Toyota not realizing at the time he was Erwin, Ric’s nephew while Roland was walking around looking for us. Finally, Roland and I found each other. He’s a bit older and taller but hasn’t really changed much after 41 years! Oh, and he’s missing some hair as well!
They drove us to the party being held on a hall several miles away from Central London. On the way, Roland and I were reminiscing about the good old days. Then he got a call on his cell from Ric saying he’s with Imelda and family on the way to the party as well. A few minutes after we arrived, we were on the sidewalk and here come a couple of taxis with all of them including Susan! Susan was so happy to see us and so were we. Imelda’s kids said their Mom is feeling much better and that they were on their way to Rome the morning after. Then they’ll fly back to the US after Rome.
We had dinner at the party and met a lot of Kapampangan’s over there. Then it was time for us to go back to our hotel. Lucy, another friend of Ric (I think she was related to Imelda’s husband Dan somehow) was going to accompany us on the bus along with Susan and the rest of the group. Ric and Roland were going to meet us at the station at around 10 the morning after.
Sunday, August 12
Donna and I woke up early to go to church. They’ve already shown us the night before where Westminster Cathedral was located so we walked and immediately found it. The mass was in English for a change. It was a nice church although it requires some badly needed maintenance especially the ceiling. We were told it needs almost 3000 pounds for its daily upkeep! We found out later it’s much smaller than its more famous cousin Westminster Abbey.
After church we went back to the Victoria station to meet with Ric and Roland. I saw Roland right away, and then Ric said we’ll have to wait for Susan. A few minutes later Susan arrives with a big smile on her face. She said she’s been working in London a while but has yet to actually see all the sites.
As usual, we’re short on time so it’s a whirlwind tour. Ric got us all day bus passes and our first stop was Trafalgar Square, then off to the Thames River boat cruise. Unfortunately midway to the cruise, it started to rain so we ran downstairs to avoid getting wet. By the time we got to our destination (by the Tower of London) the rain has stopped. We had a quick lunch at KFC then another bus ride towards Westminster Abbey where Sister Lita was waiting for us. We passed by Piccadilly Circus on the way, along with St. Paul’s Cathedral and a famous shopping avenue (whose name escapes me right now). One thing we noticed, there are A LOT OF PEOPLE, probably mostly tourists, in London.
We passed by Westminster Abbey and we noticed Sister Lita sitting on its short steps. There was a lot of hugging and kissing when we got off the bus. I told Ric earlier I wanted to visit Abbey Road to experience the famous Beatles album cover. But first we had to take more pictures by Westminster Abbey and the Parliament Building with the famous Big Ben clock towers.
On the bus to Abbey Road, Sister Lita couldn’t help but laugh at my ‘obsession’ with Abbey Road after Donna explained it to her. All along she thought we’re on our way to visit some Beatles museum. Then Donna told her it was actually some pedestrian cross walk that I find the need to have my picture taken.
After quite a few back and forth walk and several pictures taken, I’m happy. Then we took the bus back to Leicester Square and we had a bite to eat at Burger King. Afterwards Sister Lita had to go back. She has a guest coming to meet at their place.
Susan left soon after as well. Ric and Roland showed me and Donna which bus to take. I have to admit we wouldn’t have been able to visit all those places in London without them. Ric said to stay at his place next time Donna and I visit.
I wanted to see London by night. Our bus passes were good till 4 the morning after but weren’t comfortable on which busses to take. And since we had to wake up really early for our morning flight to Germany, we decided against it. But before turning in we thought we’d try and make arrangements for our train/bus ride back to London Stansted airport. We found out the train station doesn’t open till 5 am so our best bet will be the 24 hour busses or a cab ride. Since we’re not too familiar with the bus routes we opted to take a cab which we’re told should only cost around 10 to 12 pounds, 14 at the most. I’ve already checked on line and found out the Stansted Express’ first ride out to the airport will be at 4:30 am.
Monday, August 13
Donna and I woke up at 3:30 am and we were at the Victoria station waiting for a cab by 4. We were warned to take a ‘legitimate’ black London taxi cab so that’s what we waited for. I told the driver our destination. It was early in the morning so there was hardly any traffic but I noticed he took us to side streets and alleys and when I saw his meter reading around 15 pounds, I asked him what time the Liverpool St. station opens. He said it’s still closed and that the Stansted Express doesn’t go until 5:30. I think he was trying to trick us into letting him drive us all the way to Stansted which is another 45 minutes which I imagine will cost a bundle. But we ignored him and got dropped off at the station after the meter finally read 22 pounds.
Contrary to what the cabbie told us, the station was already open. In fact there were some people like us waiting there already and there was one ticket booth open. I was going to find out what time and where the Stansted Express was leaving when an announcement on the PA system blared that it was leaving from platform 1 at 4:30. Then we noticed a lot of people came from nowhere towards the train!
posted by reyjay @ 6:33 AM
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