London Expat | Singaporean in London

Best viewing spots for Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant

2012-05-30T21:23:00.000+01:00

You probably wouldn't see another diamond jubilee again in your lifetime. The Queen ascended the throne in 1952 after the untimely demise of her father, King George VI. At 64, the heir to the throne, Prince Charles is unlikely to have a golden jubilee to his name, much less a diamond one.

The Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant with a huge flotilla of 1000 boats and barges will go down the river led by the 18 oarsman Royal Barge this coming Sunday. The spectacle, not seen since 350 years ago, is surely something to tell your grandchildren about.

The flotilla is the biggest ever deployment on the Thames. The 11km route starts from Battersea Bridge and ends at Tower Bridge. Travelling between four to six knots, the entire procession will take around 75min to pass any one point along the route ensuring that you have more than enough viewing time.

Where are the best spots to view the procession

The best spots to view the Thames Pageant without breaking the bank would be on the bridges across Thames. Of the thirteen bridges along the route, only five are open for public access. Below are the expected timings the flotilla will reach these bridges.

Battersea Bridge 2.25pm
Chelsea Bridge 3pm
Vauxhall Bridge 3.10pm
Waterloo Bridge 3.30pm
London Bridge 3.50pm

The action does not end at Tower Bridge. In act, boats with sails too tall to go under London Bridge will be stationed at the Avenue of Sail from London Bridge to beyond Tower Bridge. With the spectators from upstream congregating near the official end point, that's where the real party will be.

A point to note. The Met station has promised fair weather on the day. But given Met's track record, it's always wise to bring along a raincoat instead of a brolly. With an estimated number of spectators to cross the million mark, it's going to be a tight squeeze.

If you are in London specially for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, check out Covering the Best of London in One Day.

A jog along Regents Canal - slow and easy does it

2012-05-24T18:39:00.001+01:00

It all started as a passing remark. "You're growing sideways," Wife noted. I need not look down at my ever expanding girth - the tightness of my jeans is evident enough. I no longer need a belt to hold it up; nightly 150g packets of cheesy crisps made sure of that.

Summer's finally here and it did take its time. The English weather is said to be fickle for good reasons. Just last week we had hail in central London and this week we are bathing in 24C sunshine. Unlike say the Scottish weather (which is almost always cold), the English weather is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get.

Yesterday seems like a good time to go for a jog along Regents Canal. Apparently, others were thinking the same too. The path towards Broadway Market from Angel was packed with joggers, dog walkers, cyclists and even entire extended families with armies of toddlers in tow.

If you have been down the path before you would realise that it is at most three metres at its widest and less than half of that at its narrowest. Unsurprisingly, the chokepoints are the parts under the handful of bridges along the way. I try to keep away from the water edge when I'm under a bridge. That means having to crouch (and I'm not tall by any definition) to let cyclists bypass me on the water's edge. Clearly, having some moss in my hair (from the bridge's underside) is preferred to a dip in the murky waters. I'm not about to do a Boris any time soon.

Shoot me if you will but I do like the fact that summer is really short in England. That way, when the sun is out, you can really see the joy in people's faces. Back home where it's 30C throughout the year, people actually carry umbrellas for the sunlight. Over here in London, you'd get weird stares if you do that.

As I made my way down to Regents Canal, you can almost feel the cheer - kids were bouncing down the path, a bunch of canoeists were splashing at each other with their paddles, some couples prefer to cuddle on the side benches while others are contented with a novel. Needless to say, Towpath Cafe and Waterline Bar were packed too. As I got closer to Victoria Park, the murals (or grafitti if you prefer) on the bridges get bolder. That took the mundanity out from the run.

I don't think I'll ever get used to jogging on a circular track or a treadmill for the matter again. Well, one day when my knees give way, I might just have to. But right now, I'm perfectly happy pounding the pavement with the sun in my eyes and the breeze on my face.

p.s. If you are making your rounds along Regents Canal and happen to chance upon a Chinese guy who looks like he's struggling even at a snail's pace. Be kind to him and say hi.

8 common mistakes first time visitors to London make

2012-05-21T01:30:00.000+01:00

Despite the chill and the occasional hail, the calender dictates that summer has arrived. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and London 2012 Olympic Games, London will be swamped with visitors and I have no doubt many of whom are visiting London for the first time.

Assuming that they are able to get pass Heathrow unscathed, I'm sure London has much to offer. Even so, it always serves well to be more prepared. Here are 8 common mistakes made by the first time visitor to London.

1. Leichester Square or Lester Square?

The question 'where is Leichester Square?' would often get a puzzled look. Leicester Square, the second most famous square in London (most famous being Trafalgar Square) is often mispronounced by tourists. Can't blame them, who would expect Leicester Square to be pronounced with a silent 'c'; the correct pronunciation sounds more like 'Lester' Square.

2. Seeking out McDonalds and Burger Kings

London has the dubious reputation of being expensive though with the plunging pound, it's less so now. Even then, budget travelers to London often head straight to the nearest MacDonald's and Burger Kings.

I can very well see myself doing the same if I were to be in a city that I'm unfamiliar with and would like I have a fuss free meal. How far wrong an you get with a hamburger and fries? But London, being one of culinary capitals of the world has no short of eating places, even for the budget conscious (see five cheap eats in Leicester Square and London Cheap Eats guide). If all else fails, my personal favourite for grabbing a quick bite is Pret. It's infinitely healthier than the fast food chains.

3. Forgoing the Oyster Card

Always, always get a stored value Oyster card instead of going for a one trip ticket. That's even if you are going to take only a single trip. The Oyster card requires a refundable deposit of £5 (making it a rather expensive souvenir) and a trip using it costs just £2 compared to £4.30 for a one way ticket. For buses, it's £1.35 and £2.30 respectively. It's a no brainer really.

Frankly, I would advised against getting a travelcard. While it doesn't require a refundable deposit, you pay the daily cap of £8.40 upfront, which is a bad deal if you don't travel that much. For more fare information, visit Transport for London.

4. Keeping to the wrong side of the escalator

All British roads function on right hand drive (i.e. cars drive on the left side of the road) unlike most European continental countries. Yet, its escalators including those in the London Underground have their 'slow' lanes on their right. In other words, the escalators have it the other way round.

So the rule again: if you're driving slow, keep to the left, if you're walking slow, keep to the right. Forget this and face the wrath of Londoners, or rather the occasional 'tsk tsk'.

5. The big fuss about Big Ben and Tower Bridge

London is probably the only capital in the world that have its most iconic buildings' names mixed up. The clock tower at Westminster isn't called Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the big bell within the top of the clock tower.

The Tower Bridge with its twin towers, is often mistaken for London Bridge, which is comparatively mundane looking and lies further up River Thames. That said, you do get a good view of Tower Bridge if you stand on London Bridge on a clear day.

6. Giving Tower of London a miss

Aww, that's too expensive. Granted, an admission ticket with no concession to Tower of London cost just over £20, not exactly the cheapest tourist attractions around. But with nearly a thousand year of history as a backdrop, the Tower of London is bound to leave a deep impression.

Despite the reputation of the Tower, only a handful of the condemned had the privilege of being executed within its walls and away from the mob. Throw in the fact that it used to be an armoury, mint and zoo. Presently, it's the home to the British Crown Jewels. That with its infamous Beefeater tour, the Tower of London is not to be missed.

7. The deckchairs aren't free

When summer beckons, rows of deckchairs will appear in the parks in Central London. When I first arrived in London a couple of years ago, I often wondered why some would rather lay a groundsheet beside these deckchairs instead of plonking down onto them.

I quickly realised why when a chap with a ticket machine strapped to his waist approached me within minutes of me settling down on a deckchair. "That'd be two pounds please," he mumbled nonchalantly. Regardless, it is a small price to pay to stretch out a bit for a couple of hours when the sun is out. Funnily, I heard a couple protesting that they were "tourists" so do not know about the fee, yet refused to vacate the deckchairs. It takes all kind.

8. Missing the Changing of Guards

No first time visitor to London should miss the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace. Unless you're in town for just a couple of hours, you are almost certainly able to catch a glimpse of the most showy piece of pomp that British monarchy has come to known for. Taking place at 11.30am every summer morning (May till July) and every other morning for the rest of the year (see schedule here), thousands of visitors would line The Mall to ooh and aah at the procession.

The best spot to be? Definitely at the small roundabout where Queen Victoria's statue is just across the road in front of Buckingham Palace. But you have to be there a bit earlier to stake out a spot else you risk being run down by the household calvary should you decide to make a mad dash across the road later on.

These are the 8 most common mistakes made by a first time visitor to London. Have I missed any?

Windsor Legoland Theme Park and Hotel - your kids will adore you for this

2012-05-07T22:26:00.000+01:00

"Mummy, I never ever want to leave Legoland!" A boy clutched his Mother's arm while watching Ollie the dragon prancing around the stage on a catchy tune. I can safely assume that he spoke for all the mersmerised kids sitting round the mockup castle that is transformed into a stage every evening with its own music mixer tucked in one of the towers.

Legoland Hotel - making your visit more enjoyable

Previously, unless you have booked a room in a local hotel or B&B in Windsor, you would most likely be going on a day trip to Legoland Windsor. It's quite a rush considering that the park normally opens from 10am-6pm. With the opening of the Legoland Hotel at the edge of the theme park, you can easily access Legoland through a private entrance. To add icing to the cake, Legoland hotel guests are allowed into the park 30min before the rest so that they can probably squeeze in a couple of rides before the queues get long.

The hotel room itself comes with Pirates, Kingdom and Adventure themes. Other than a double bed, there's a kids' enclave, right across the room where the double bed is. With a three (!) bed bunker and its own TV (!!), the kids can entertain themselves to sleep they've not expended all their energy in the park earlier in the day.

Despite what Legoland's brochures say, this part of the world do get frequent drizzle. The good news is that all rides in Legoland will carry on functioning even when it pours (ponchos are for sale for under £4). It helps that a good number of the rides are wet anyway. Fortunately, there's a decent size water play pool with slides, water cannons and even a seesaw within the hotel for guests. If the adults fancy a swim, there's a 13m long pool lying alongside.

Other than the many short rides in the park, the main attraction would have to be Legoland's Mini Land. With world's iconic buildings scaled down and constructed fully with Lego bricks, it's definitely something for both children and adults alike. Throw in moving trains, trucks and boats, it's an absolute deal clincher. Taking centre stage is of course Big Ben's clock tower, Westminster, London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Wembly Stadium and Buckingham Palace. Even Swiss Re's "Gherkin", One Canada Square and even the HSBC building is on show.

How much does it cost?

A one day pass to Legoland costs £43.20 for an adult and £34.20 for a child. For a bit more, you can extend your day pass by another day (see updated prices). As the queues for popular rides can be pretty long, you might want to take it easy and go for a two day pass instead. If so, I'd recommend staying a night at Legoland hotel, which currently include two day passes when you stay for a night. That itself is well worth the room rate.

How do I get to Windsor Legoland from London?

The fastest way to get to Windsor from London would be via train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central. The ride takes around half an hour and requires a change at Slough. Tickets can be booked at National Rail or purchased at the station ticket counter itself. At the time of writing, there is no discount for getting return tickets so you might wish to get the return ticket when you are actually coming back for maximum flexibility.

This 150 acre theme park that is located just a short distance away from Windsor Castle is easily accessible by buses or cars. A metered cab ride from Windsor Castle costs around £11 one way, if you were to call Windsor Radio Cars at +44(0)1753 677677, it'll costs just £7. The ride shouldn't take more than 10 min if there are no jams along the way. For more information, refer to Legoland's website.

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Inflatable Speedboat ride along Thames river - RIB Experience, a thrill ride to Thames Barrier

2012-05-02T23:13:00.000+01:00

Thames RIB Experience
Book your tickets
Or discounted tickets
Nearest Train station: EmbankmentThe tickets have been booked well in advance. Even though there was an earlier downpour, it had reduced to a drizzle. I was initially worried that we weren't exactly properly attired for the ride.

"Please wear clothes that can withstand wind and water" cautioned one of the points made in a two page full disclaimer that got printed together with our tickets. Suddenly, fleece seemed like a really bad idea.

Luckily for us, the staff at Thames Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) Experience had full sets of waterproof jacket and pants ready for us. There was no fuss about sizes for they all looked huge - Wife was practically swimming in hers. They reminded me of puffier ski wear.

There were eight of us on the twelve seater ride to Thames Barrier and back that afternoon. Tickets for the Thames RIB are highly sought after during weekends and I had to take a day off work just for this. Apparently, there are discounted tickets available if you turn up on the spot at Embankment Pier but you are taking your chances. Else check out Lastminute.com that sometimes have discounted tickets available.

After donning our waterproof suit, each of us was handed a inflatable life jacket. Apparently, there is a fee of £25 if we accidentally tug on its quick inflate cord. I take care where I rest my hands after hearing that.

The ride promises a thrill ride down Thames. Having walked up and down the stretch between Westminster and Tower of London countless times, I would have thought that I've seen it all. But the buildings and monuments look rather different from the middle of Thames; riding right up next to HMS Belfast permanently docked on the Southbank seems rather surreal. The ship feels much smaller than viewing it from the bank.

For some reason, people on bridges and river banks love to wave to those on the boats. They went crazy for if you're on a speedboat.

The real speeding is done only after we have well cleared Tower Bridge and beyond due to safety reasons. When the throttle was ramped up, we were basically sailing through air, all thanks to the choppy water. The captain threw in a couple of twists and turns for good measure. Nothing so much that would turn a stomach though.

Other than the 75min ride to Thames Barrier and back, there's a shorter 50min ride to and fro Canary Wharf. If you have been to Thames Barrier, the Canary Wharf ride would more than suffice. I would recommend checking out the weather forecast before booking. The last thing you want is to cower in your suit for the entire ride - having raindrops hitting you at when you are speeding over water is no joke at all.

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Countdown to London Olympics 2012 - Brits are doing it the way they know best

2012-04-20T22:49:00.000+01:00

Photo by Kevan Law

I recall marveling at Beijing's Olympics 2008's Closing Ceremony. With its neat formations made up of seemingly cloned performers, it seemed like a scene taken out from Jay Chou's Curse of the Golden Flower.

China has numbers on its side - both in terms of population and budget. An eye-watering $100 million was splashed out at just the Bejing 2008 Opening Ceremony alone, which 15,000 people took part in. Britain, on the other hand, have neither of this. In fact, to stand out in the matchup between London 2012 and Beijing 2008, Britain would rely on what it does best - the ability to laugh at itself.

Instead of being excited about London Olympics 2012, there seems to be a concerted effort to talk it down in the media. If indeed what gets reported in the news merely reflects what the general populace think, Londoners are bracing for the worse come July. It makes sense in a perverse way: if you expect the worse, things can only get better.

Betting that the Olympics will fail

The Brits aren't just talking down the Olympics, they're putting their money where their mouth is. Bettings shops across the UK are accepting bets on how London 2012 will fail in every conceivable way. There are odds provided for power cut during Opening Ceremony, Olympic torch failing to arrive on time, athletes late for their events. If you are going to grumble, you might as well earn something from that.

Health and Safety rules the day

It was meant to be a top secret plan to have a 170 rowers trireme, used in Athen's Olympics, carrying the Olympics flame down River Thames. Having refurbished the vessal and list of rowers drawn up, the London Olympics organising committee decided to scrape the event. The reason cited? Health and safety concerns as people might leap off bridges and river banks in a moment of frenzy.

A huge sand sculpture was put up at Weymouth Beach to celebrate 100 days to London 2012. It was meant to be a local family attraction. Instead, it was bulldozed almost immediately after the sculpture was finished and official photos taken. Was that simply a case of bad planning? Regardless, health and safety reasons meant that it had to be destroyed lest it "topple and injure someone".

Twenty Twelve - a satire

Only in Britain would you see a a TV satirical drama made just to laugh at the Olympics organising committee. Focusing on the absurd backroom dealings of the individuals, you can't help but think that it might very well be what is actually happening. To top it up, the show is narrated by none other than the former Doctor Who, David Tennant.

The Mayor who makes Londoners laugh

By his own admission, Ken Livingston, the main contender for London's Mayorship, the incumbent Mayor Boris Johnson's main appeal is that he makes people laugh. This is the man who walked down the red carpet at Beijing 2008's Closing Ceremony with his jacket unbuttoned in his trademark messy hair earning him the ire of the Chinese claiming him to be "disrespectful".

By all accounts, barring a low turnout that will distort the results, Boris Johnson will win the Mayorship challenge on 2 May and will be leading the charge at London 2012. If all else fails, we can all be assured of some laughs coming from the man himself.

London Olympics will fail, won't it?

In an interview with Mayor Johnson, BBC Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson asked with a straight face,"... tell us the truth, the Olympics is going to be a big flop, isn't it?". As if on cue, the Mayor leaned forward from the sofa and started his gesturing his hands wildly and protested to the audience laughter and delight "... of course not! It's going to be the most successful Games the world has ever seen!"

This interview probably would never had taken place if the Games are held in any other country. But you can count of the Brits when it calls for some self deprecating humour.

London Underground - best not to count on it

It was a gloomy day to begin with but I was blissfully unaware of it as I slipped into the DLR train at Bank towards Lewisham during the early morning hours on a weekday. The first signs of troubles came when the half empty train grounded to a halt just before Shadwell. The DLR staff of the train started to apologise citing signaling failure and having to steer the train manually. In the end, what could have take just fifteen minutes took over an hour instead. Reality ceases to exists in the DLR but this one takes the cake.

Besides my tips on how to survive on London Underground, take note: if the Tube staff sound bored when making announcements, you're probably fine. Be worried when they sound embarrassed. On that morning, the staff sounded like a student who forgot his homework, with a tinge of resignation.

Everyone turned up late at work that day. Everyone except a lady who cycles to work. "Wouldn't be surprised if I'm the only person at work during the Olympics. Ooh, I can't wait." She muttered later on.

Let's be honest, with the notoriously fickle English weather stack against us, the last thing we need is the hugely expensive London Underground, which is the main means of transporting millions of spectators across London for the Games, to fail on us. At least the cabbies will be taking it in, provided the main roads aren't sealed off for the Olympics officials and athletes.

One thing's for sure though. Whatever happens come July, Londoners will not be disappointed for they have imagined the worst.

Let the Games begin!

Check out tips for visiting London if you'd be in town for London 2012!

Why Asians love to buy London properties - they can't wait to get a piece of it

2012-04-13T06:13:00.003+01:00

During a recent trip back to Singapore, I couldn't help but notice a number of London properties being advertised on Straits Times (the local main newspaper). What I found interesting was that they are no longer properties in Greater London (often depicted with a view of Canary Wharf's One Canada Square). These are right smack in Central London.

Instead of being held at shopping malls, London properties launches are being held at glitzy hotel function rooms. With throngs of prospective investors, the sales people are often so certain that the properties will fly off the shelves that they no longer entertain those with a whole host of questions. With people, many of whom cash buyers, literally throwing them blank cheques to secure desirable units, they can hardly be blamed.

Previously, the London properties marketed in Singapore or China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia for that matter are those rejected by Londoners. There's no point selling them overseas if there is a local demand, is there? That's no longer true. With the myriad of London properties being launched overseas first, foreigners are having the first bite of the cherry. A property developer told me this of a King's Cross development - "There are 94 units in all, 70 units were sold in Hong Kong over a week (that's just five weekdays), 20 sold in Singapore over the weekend and the remaining four are then sold in London".

So why is there a mad dash to secure a London property? Here are four main reasons.

1. Low local interest rates

Viewed as financial safe havens, Singapore and Hong Kong are flooded with foreign capital. As a result, the interest rates are at an all time low with rates barely touching one percent for a one year fixed deposit. The same applies for unsecured loans - the main Singaporean banks are extending loans of £10k at less than a percent interest for those with excellent credit ratings.

With such low interest rates, it's no longer economical to hold cash. A piece of real estate in London, also deemed as another safe haven, is an attractive alternative. Further, with an expected gross return of around five percent, it's a no brainer.

2. Favourable exchange rate

The sterling pound has lost more than 30% of its value against most major Asian currencies since 2007. While things aren't looking bright for the UK's economy, there are indications that the slide has somewhat abated. Those looking to buy at "the bottom" would be jumping onto the bandwagon before the train leaves the station.

3. The pull of London Universities

UK universities no longer dominates worldwide university ranking tables. In fact, only Cambridge, Oxford and University College of London count among the top ten according to Times Higher Education. Even then, London universities including London School of Economics, University College of London and Imperial College of London still hold considerable pull. Even Oxford and Cambridge (the two favourites) are just over an hour's train ride away from London.

Getting a property in Central London is often viewed as an investment just so that their children wouldn't have to go through the hassle of hunting for accommodation with the rest of the other students every September when the term starts.

4. Length of leaseholds

Due to land scarcity, most if not all of the new developments in Singapore is sold on a 99 year leasehold. New London properties, on the other hand, are going for at least 125 years with some going up to 999 or even freehold. In fact, UK banks are often unwilling to finance mortgages on properties with less than 60 years of leasehold left so properties' values plummet once their leaseholds dip below 80 years. Although the context is different, the difference in leasehold terms is a key consideration.

Looking at the crowds attending London property launches held in Asia, the trend is likely to continue for some time. With huge influx of cash on easy credit, Londoners are feeling the squeeze not only when purchasing their own home but also when renting the accomodation (see London Accommodation Guide).

Did I miss out any points? Also check out the 5 common mistakes when buying London properties from overseas.

The Latin words on Admiralty Arch at The Mall - what do they mean exactly

2012-04-09T00:18:00.001+01:00

Unknown to many, Buckingham Palace's nineteen State Rooms, Ballroom and Garden are only open to the public only two months (August and September) of the year when the Queen visits Balmoral, her residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Tourists who descend onto London outside these two months would have to contend with the Changing of Guard, a must-see event that takes place daily during summer and every other day during the rest of the year at 11.30am. To better plan the visit, check Buckingham Palace's Changing of Guard schedule.

Immediately before and after the Changing of Guard takes place, the entire Mall (the straight road running from Buckingham Palace towards Trafalgar Square) will be closed to traffic. Take the chance to walk down The Mall from the Palace. Right at the northeastern end of The Mall lies the Admiralty Arch.

The massive Grade I listed building, which doubles up as the 'gate' to The Mall. Completed in 1912, there is a long Latin inscription at the top on the side facing Trafalgar Square.

ANNO DECIMO EDWARDI SEPTIMI REGIS VICTORIÆ REGINÆ CIVES GRATISSIMI MDCCCCX

I have often wondered what that means and did a search online. Apparently, in plain English, that would be "In the tenth year of King Edward VII, to Queen Victoria, from most grateful citizens, 1910".

King Edward VII, who is the first and the last British monarch to serve his entire reign under the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (his son - George V renamed it as House of Windsor after World War 1 broke out) unfortunately died in 1910 and did not live to see the completion of the monument that he had erected for his mother.

There you go, a small piece of history to impress your pals the next time you pass through the Admiralty Arch. For a list of other notable buildings in London, check out Five Hundred Buildings of London.

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Broadway Market Hackney London Markets - retaining East London spirit

2012-03-22T23:27:00.002Z

Broadway Market
Official website
Nearest Train station:
London FieldsWe made our almost weekly pilgrimage to Broadway Market over the weekend. With the weather getting milder as spring sets in, a short stroll along the bank of Regent's Canal due east from Angel can be rather pleasant. Sharing the path with some joggers with a couple of longboats sailing up and down the Regent's Canal, coupled with a burst of sunshine with a constant cool breeze, it was the perfect weekend outing.

Devoid of high street shops, Broadway Market is perhaps one of the last market street that consists wholly of independent businesses (well, almost). There was a fruit and vegetable market dated back to the late 20th century but that has been replaced by a farmers' food market that has a whiff of the major one at Borough Market opens every Saturday from 7.30am till 6pm since 2004.

How to get to Broadway Market?

Broadway Market is a good half an hour stroll from Angel, Islington along Regent's Canal. After ducking our heads under a couple of bridges (seven on the last count), two river locks and over two bridges, we finally reached the market. With Towpath Café and the newly opened Waterline serving as pitstops and shelters when the weather turns bad, the walk is way more pleasant than it sounds.

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So what's there?

Like Columbia Road Flower Market, the temporary food market at Broadway Market is just half the story. What's more interesting is the permanent shops along the street. Other than Market Café (south end of Broadway Market) that serves a mean steak pudding and Cat & Mutton (north end of the market) that we normally lunch at, there is also the renowned F.Cooke Pie & Mash, which has been there forever. Buen Ayre, an Argentinian grill restaurant comes highly recommended by Luiz at London Foodie as one of the his top Latin American restaurants in London is located there as well. To rest our weary legs, we would head to Gossip for a relaxing cup of tea.

To complete the picture, Broadway Market even come with its own independent bookstores (Broadway Bookshop and Donlon Books) film rental shop (Film Shop) and even a fishmonger (Fin & Flounder).

Wait, is that all?

The bit that I like best is that 31 acres London Fields that sits just north of Broadway Market (across the road from Cat & Mutton). There's a sizable children's playground, table tennis (with built in net no less), a bicycle path and ample grounds and shade. Expect sunbathers to flock to the area come summer.

Have you been to the Broadway Market? What's your favourite shop over there?

Taking Life in the UK test - tips on how to pass it easily

2012-03-18T02:33:00.001Z

Photo by Piotr Pawłowski

For those who are looking to get UK Permanent Resident status otherwise known as Settlement (or indefinite leave to remain), you will have to first pass the Life in the UK test before actually submitting the PR application to UK Border Agency (UKBA).

Generally, if you are employed within the UK, you would be looking to apply for permanent residency after five years from the date you started work. To find out whether you need to take the test, check out the official Life in the UK test website.

Once confirmed, I would suggest you go for the test at least a couple of months before the actual application. Since there is no expiry date of the test result, it's just one of the things to get over with. In any event, if your first attempt is unsuccessful, you can always try again - there is no limit to the number of times you can reattempt. The registration fee has risen to £50 so that would provide some incentive to pass it at the first go.

The good news is that the test is rather simple one with only twenty-four multiple choice questions. Regardless, for many of us, it has been quite some time since we last sat for a paper. And I have heard of people failing it.

That being said, the process of sitting through the paper need not be that stressful - here are five surefire way of passing the Life in the UK test with ease.

1. No point booking a slot way ahead

Unless you are running a tight schedule, there's really no need to register for a test way before. Once your registration at a particular test centre is confirmed (there are several, just choose one nearest to you), you will receive a confirmation email. However, there's no reminder email thereafter. The last thing you want is to be sunbathing in the Mediterranean and not turn up for the test.

I would recommend booking a test slot just a week before. Any earlier than that would just prolong the agony.

2. Skip the reading

Most would recommend the official textbook published by the Home Office. By all accounts, it is a thin book but an arduous read nevertheless. If you have to read, I suggest you go for the study guide, which is a condensed version of the official textbook. Other than focusing on the more important sections, this study guide provides a couple of full length (well twenty-four MCQs) towards the end with full answers. That should give you a feel of the actual test.

Here's the quick and dirty way. Skip the reading. Yes, just skip it and jump into the test questions directly. Give yourself more credit. You have been in the UK for near to five years now; you should be able to answer at least half of the questions with relative ease. Does the UK have a national football team? Are there more men in tertiary education than men? Does the UK have a written Constitution? You get the drift (the answers are all no by the way).

If you loath to be stuck with a book, head to a free Life in the UK test practice questions site. This site offers fifty-five full length practice tests. I can assure you that you would pass the actual test easily after going through at least forty of them. Don't be discourage when you fail a couple of practice tests, just reload the pages and go through them again till the answers are at your fingertips.

3. Don't forget your validation papers

The staff at the test centres are quite sticky about whether you are who you say you are. When you first register for the test, you are given the option of which identification you will be bringing along during the test day. Permissible ones include passport and driving licenses with photo identification. Just remember to bring the one that you have indicated.

Besides that, you will need another document that will verify your home address. Utility, credit card, council tax bills and bank account statements are some of them. Just make sure your full name is reflected on that document.

People have been rejected based on this and I know of one who has to run back home to retrieve his papers. Luckily for him, he just live round the corner. Not all of us are as fortunate as him.

4. No need to arrive way early

There is a note when you register requesting you to turn up at least thirty minutes in advance for identification validation. Half an hour prior is just about right. The identification process is pretty quick (probably three to four minutes per person); it's the queuing that delays. However, I am under the impression that they have to finish validating everyone before running the test anyway, so there's really no point you being the first in line and spend a long time just waiting for the rest and getting all worked up.

5. Get comfortable and check your work

After an initial round of identification, you will be given a set of four questions so that you can get used to the format. These wouldn't count towards the final score. Take some time to get comfortable with the layout.

The actual twenty-four MCQ will be presented after a second round of validation (I wasn't kidding when I said that they were stringent). You would be able to go through each question, skip or come back to any question at any point in time. With forty-five minutes provided, you have more than enough time.

The old adage your teachers tried drilling into you still applies: check your work. You can never imagine the silly mistakes that one does under immense pressure. Inevitably, there will be people who completed it under two minutes and walked out. Don't let that bother you. You can stay there for the entire forty-five minutes if you want (not that I suggest that you should).

After you are done, just informed the staff and leave the room. You will be told whether you passed or failed almost immediately after a third round of id check (see what I mean?).

It doesn't sound too bad, does it? Have you recently taken your Life in the UK test? How do you find it?

Tasterlab - Free things to do in London

2012-03-06T05:15:00.003Z

Photo by andrevanb

Group buy is the in thing now. It makes sense, doesn't it? If wholesaler can take advantage of economies of scale, why can't the end consumers find strength in numbers? The more people committing to buy, the lower the price will be. Brilliant.

What if I tell you that you are not just looking at a massive discount but actually getting something for free? Tasterlab does exactly that. Offering "taster" sessions, some for free and others at a steep discount, it marries the penchant for finding a new hobby and getting a great deal.

What's the deal?

The free sessions include lessons that range from contact sports such as kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, to ball games such as squash, racketball, badminton. Also featured are film rentals, language lessons, and private tutoring on musical instruments such as saxophone, guitar, violin, flute, trumpet, clarinet, drums, cello, just to name a few. There were a total of thirty-nine different free taster sessions on the last count.

While the rest of the activities are offered at a great discount, what's best is that you can actually attend them for free if you have enough 'points'. Points can be obtained in a variety of ways - registering, updating your personal profile, actually attending a taster session, introducing Tasterlab to your friends etc. It's just that easy.

Running out of things to do but don't wish to spend a small fortune? Check out Tasterlab, you might just discover something you love!

Haji: Journey to the Heart of Islam exhibition (British Museum)

2012-02-28T04:54:00.003Z

Haji: Journey to the Heart of Islam
till 15 Apr 2012
British Museum
Nearest Tube and DLR station: Russell Square
Book your tickets
Haji, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is regarded as a religious duty to all Muslim that they should undertake at least once in their lives if possible. The ritual, which takes place at Mecca and its vicinity spans over five to six days, can be traced back to 2000BC to the time of Abraham (Ibrahim) (source).

Since then, more than three million pilgrims from all over the world make the journey every year. Often, it is a journey of self discovery, an experience which profoundness can be felt listening to pilgrims' interviews at the end of the Haji: Journey to the Heart of Islam exhibition currently held at British Museum till 15 April.

The exhibition, divided into ten main sections, features the process of preparing for Haji, the rituals of Haji and the main routes to Mecca from Kufa, Cairo, Damascus and Jedda. Also included are decades old videos footages of past journeys made by pilgrims from India and Southeast Asia.

From the circling of Ka'ba in Tawaf, drinking from the well of Zamzam, the self reflection at Wuquf, gathering of pebbles at Muzdalifa and stoning of jamarat in Mina, and finally the Eid al-Adha, ritual cleansing and animal sacrifice, the Haji exhibition covers it all. Other than that, what stood out for me is the seven minute short film with narrated excepts from IMAX's Journey to Mecca. The short clip really brings the exhibition to life.

Like many religious rituals, Haji isn't spared by consumerism. A display case towards the end of the exhibition laid out the extensive souvenirs from Haji that pilgrims bring back to their loved ones. Cups, keychains, bowls, Zamzam water container and even hats, just to name a few.

Haji: Jouney to the Heart of Islam might not thrill those who are already familiar with the religious ritual. For the rest of us, we can count on it to be a brilliant introduction. Cater at least two hours for this if you plan to go through every display.
Book your tickets here.

Best short stay in London - where, what and why go for homestay

2012-02-04T23:26:00.006Z

Despite falling to the 18th down the list of the most expensive cities to live in 2011, London remains expensive for tourists. While there are ways of stretching your pound when looking for budget travelling in London, the main cost of accommodation remains. Unless you don't mind splashing out a bit, you are easily looking at over £200 per night in a hotel in Central London. For that, you get a tiny room, with breakfast thrown in if you are lucky.

If you are planning on a trip to London, why not forgo the deary hotels and take the less trodden path - live like the locals do, opt for a homestay instead. Now, get the image of the creepy host out of your mind, we are talking about people with rooms or even an entire property to spare for a limited period of time, and don't mind having a few quid for renting them out.

Like all things, there are pros and cons of homestays, and more importantly what to look out for.

Pros of homestay

Photo by squishband

1. Cheaper

This cannot be denied, pound for pound, homestay gives you more bang for your buck. Instead of being at the mercy of the hotel restaurant or having to hunt for a local diner, you have access to a kitchen. A simple meal or a full three course dinner - it's entirely up to you.

2. Own time own target

How many times have you deliberately wake up, drag yourself out of the bed only to find out that you've missed out on the hotel's breakfast timing? What about having to get out of the room in a hurry before the chambermaids arrive to clean up your room? True, a do-not-disturb sign would probably do the trick but you have already paid for that service and you do not really feel like losing out, do you? Having a place of your own rules all that out. You set your own schedule.

3. Lived in conditions

A number of the homestay properties are lived in - the owners actually live there themselves, only to vacate it for a couple of weeks when they have to do some travelling themselves. You would trust that you would be able to find what you need in the property. It's literally someone else's home.

4. The local feel

Live like the locals do! That is something that most tourists who chose to stay in a hotel will never get to experience. Most homestay properties are tucked in the heart of London's residential areas. If you are staying over for a couple of days, get acquainted with the people behind the tills at the local grocer and convenient store, which makes the travelling much more interesting.

Also, if you are just renting a room from the host, they are likely to invite you to dine with them. I'm sure you would be entertained by the dinner table conversations. Take the chance to ask them about local amenities, that beats hunting for the tourist information counter. Some kinder ones would even prepare something special - a family in Wales baked a small cake just for us when we were there.

5. Less tourists, less hustle and bustle

The only thing that tourists hate more than being stuck behind a long ticket queue is other tourists. Staying in a hotel right smack in the city central means that you would step right right out into the hustle and bustle, not to mention sharing the lobby with loads of weary looking tourists who are determined to cover more than what they did yesterday. It does takes the fun out of travelling and gets a bit draining after some time.

A homestay on the other hand is different ball game altogether. Most people don't live in the same area where the tourists do. That's a fact.

Cons of homestay

Photo by jojo 77

1. Host can be tiresome

It is a double edged sword really. A overly friendly host can be overbearing. Instead of merely pointing out where you should visit, they can 'insist' on bring you there. They are not content with small talk over dinner and prefer to revel you in their life stories, which in all honestly, isn't very interesting. But then again, this happens only when the hosts are around in the first place - in most cases, they aren't.

2. No one to complain to

What happens when the water heater isn't working very well? You would call the front desk at a hotel to demand a room change. You can't very well do the same in a homestay, can you? While some hosts would probably boil some water for you, it does feel a bit awkward. That said, if you got your homestay properties through a website portal, there is usually a number to call. The more established ones have a team of plumbers and electricians on standby for this sort of things.

3. Lack of transport links

Being away from the hustle and bustle of the city is all fine provided that the place that you are staying in is well connected by public transport to the main attractions, which is the main point really. The last thing you need is having to switch three buses every single time you visit the city centre. This is particularly true in London where the main tourist attractions are mostly congregated in central London.

4. Worn out furnishings

A home away from a home is taken to extreme when you have tears in the sofa or your sleep disrupted by a bed spring that went awry. As mentioned earlier, homestay properties are more likely to be lived in than not. If the owner chooses to live 'simply', tough luck. That is where the reviews come in handy.

5. No information desk

While some hosts would kindly leave brochures or local maps on the table for you, others would leave you to your own devices. Unlike in hotels where they have people employed just to answer your questions, the host is all you got, and that is if they are present in the first place. Sure, there's internet access but popping a question would be so much easier, wouldn't it?

What to look out when homestaying

Fine, homestaying isn't all hunky-dory but there are ways to ensure that your stay would be a pleasant one. Here're some.

Photo by gerlos

1. Reviews, reviews, reviews

If you are going for the cheaper option, do your due research at least. More so if you are getting only a room from the host. Check out the house rules if any. Given a choice between price and good reviews, always opt for the latter. If you are going to travel, make sure it's an enjoyable experience.

2. Got a question? Ask the host

Most homestay portals do a fair job describing the properties. However, you might have some concerns that are not addressed on the website. Fine, get the information directly from the horse's mouth - post a question to the host directly. Not all homestay websites have this option though. Otherwise, contact the website directly and they would route the question to the host. While you are at it, ask for any specific house rules (alcohol, curfew timings etc.).

Go to another site if they don't get back to you within a few days.

3. Check transport links

Having to travel a bit isn't a great problem if the public transport links to the central London is good. It's straightforward for the case of London - the best option would be to live near a London Underground (or Tube) station or at least a bus stop along the main service lines. To be sure, ask for the postal code of the property and check out how long it would take you to get to Westminster Tube station and Covent Garden Tube station using the Journey Planner at Transport for London.

4. Crime rates

This is one thing that is often neglected. Living in a residential area is fine, living in a dodgy one isn't. London, like any other major cities, has its fair share of petty crimes. One site that I rely on is Police.uk, another would be the site run by Metropolitan Police. Don't get too worried about the statistics though, most are anti-social behaviour, which can be something really trivial. Regardless, check out the area before committing to your stay.

Which homestay portal to go for?

Short of contacting the host directly through Gumtree, I recommend that you head to the following homestay specialist portals. Well, some are better than the others but take some time to go through them.

Photo by utnapistim

1. Wimdu

Wimdu prides itself for being all over the place. With 35,000 properties in 103 countries, it has good reason to. From single beds to entire properties, Wimdu has it all. If you can't find it here, you would be hardpressed to find it anywhere else. What makes Wimdu stand among competition is its clearly laid out property photos, availability by means of a calender, location on Google Map, list of amenities and House Rules.

The best thing of all, you can just type in your question to the host directly on the property page itself and click on the Contact Me button. Presto! It's that easy.

2. Crashpadder

While the layout is a tad less appealing than Wimdu, Crashpadder has thousands of "pads" in London. Unless I'm missing something, I can't seem to find means of contacting the hosts on Crashpadder's website though. That said, a quick search for London accommodation Crashpadder has no shortage of rooms that goes for less than £50 per night.

Right now, it even has an entire section dedicated to London Olympics 2012. Now we are talking!

3. One Fine Stay

As the name suggests, One Fine Stay is for those who prefer to live in style. The word "Class" screams out loud as I surf through One Fine Stay website. A four bedroom Georgian Townhouse in the middle of Marylebone, a pied-a-terre in Mayfair or a designer one bedroom above the clubs in Leicester Square. Well, you get the idea.

4. Roomomara

Two things stand out for Roomomara: it allows express booking (immediate confirmation) for most properties and a long list of perks that Roomorama's members enjoy. These include handy discounts such as 10% off London Pass and 20% off The Original London Sightseeing Tour among others.

5. Couch Surfing

This is the one to go for if you are really looking to stretch your budget. You can't go cheaper than this 'cause it's free. Think of it as the Linux of the homestay universe - it's all about exchange of cultures, experiences and perspectives. You have hosts all over the whole who open up their house asking for nothing in return other than for the opportunity to meeting someone new.

However, while it sounds like a whole lot of fun, Couch Surfing also carries a certain element of risk. Just searching online for "Couch Surfing horror stories" for more on that.

Regardless of which option you go for, I'm almost certain that you would be in for quite an experience. If all goes well, homestaying can be rather addicting. Enjoy!

Did I miss out anything? I would love to hear your homestaying experiences!

7 Things to do in London if you have a wee bit more time

2012-01-28T23:35:00.003Z

Photo by bixentro

London's boring. You've been there, done that. Cathedrals all look the same after the first few. Museums? Blah, who'd fancy spending hours at one place? 10 things to do in London? Checked. Now what?

Cheer up, mate! There're loads more to do and here are a list of 7 things to do in London if you have a bit more time.

1. The Ghost Bus Tour

While you can still see some Routemaster plying the number 9 route across London, all have been replaced by larger and wider buses. The only reminder of the Routemaster's legacy is the trademark red colour. Even that, I suspect is more of a necessity (you can see red from a further distance) than not.

Regardless, Londoners will always have a soft spot for The Routemaster and everyone loves a good ghost story, so why not marry those two and give yourself a good scare on the o' bus while travelling around London when the night falls?

Photo by kenjonbro

The Ghost Bus Tours starts off near Trafalgar Square, go round City of London before heading to the West End and then south of Thames, and back again. Operating four days a week for most weeks, early bookings is advisable. That said, starting out at 7.30pm means that it would run right smack into London's peak night traffic. Expect some delays but rest assured that the bus crew have something up their sleeves.

2. Ripley's Believe It or Not

When you're tired of having scones and tea, and would like something more outlandish, check out Ripley's Believe It or Not. This global highly successful oddity franchise is filled with displays that dominate the Guinness Book of Records and much more. Think the world's tallest man, American Idol's Swarvoski crystals covered Mini Cooper, replica of Tower Bridge made of over 200,000 matchsticks, shrunken heads, well, you get the idea.

Photo by Cecil Lee

Located right at the heart of Piccadilly Circus, Ripley's Believe It or Not is one destination you can easily pack in if you're in London for only awhile.

3. Jack the Ripper Tour

The entrance of Tower Hill Tube station is always teeming with tourists in the evenings and with good reason too. That's when Jack the Ripper, the murderer that terrorised London in the late 1880s, comes alive again. Be led through the narrow streets of East London where the the women were slaughtered and then mutilated.

London Walk's Donald Rumbelow (author of The Complete Jack the Ripper) will thrill you with tales of the London in the late 19th century, much of it the Victorian England would prefer to forget. Expect blow by blow accounts of the Ripper going about his gruesome crimes, often within yards of unsuspecting passerby.

4. Underground Restaurant dining

Londoner just love eating out and the capital has got no lack of brilliant restaurants (see Top 10 Restaurants in London). But to be honest, restaurant dining does get a bit impersonal and monotonous at times.

Photo by Mark & Andrea Busse

In recent years, a host of underground kitchens have taken London by storm. There are test platforms for up and coming chefs (see The Loft Project), food writers who decided to put their money where their mouth are (see The Secret Larder) and food bloggers have joined in the fray (see Ms. Marmite Lover, author of the widely acclaimed Recipes and Notes from the Underground Restaurant), not to mention those who simply adore their food (see Plusixfive).

Expect great conversations and company. Great food pipping hot from the kitchen, friendly hosts, chatty fellow diners, cosy environment, what there not to love? This is something that a 12.5% service charge can't buy.

5. Thames RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) ride

Ever seen those large passenger ships plying up and down the Thames blaring introductions that goes "on your right is the Tower of London and you would see the Mayor's office on the left"? Those are fine if it's your first time in London and it's all clean fun, plus you do get quite a bit of information from those hilarious commentaries.

Photo by kenjonbro

But if you're gunning for something more exciting, Thames RIB Experience is the one to go for. Imagine cutting the waves down the Thames in a high powered speedboat with James Bond music pumping in the background. Get your discounted tickets from Lastminute.com. Expect to get very wet.

6. London City Farms

Fancy some quiet farm life but would irk to go too far out? Not to fret for there are a number of little farms (some just over a hectare) sprinkled all over London. It's almost intriguing how many farm animals can be packed into these minuscule "city farms" and yet have place to roam about.

Most of these farms come with lovely little cafes raise some much needed income for the farms' daily operations. Essential to the parents, they allow for the brief respite after running around with their little ones around the farm.

Set aside some time for a trip down one of the city farm if possible. It'd be perfect for the kids. Here are some of the London City Farms:

Freightliners City Farm - Islington
Surrey Dock City Farm - South Wharf
Mudchute Farm and Park - Isle of Dogs

7. Secret Cinema

I'm still fascinated about how much a movie ticket costs in central London these days. You're looking at more than a tenner, which is a small fortune considering that you can watch a full production play for a few quid more.

Launched in 2007, Secret Cinema has a following in the thousands, which is kind of odd considering that press reviews can't divulge which movies have been screened and more importantly where they were screened. Small wonder that Secret Cinema's tagline is Tell No One.

The tickets for the once a month screening are snapped up almost the moment they are released. The only way of knowing the next screening's location and time is through registering at its website. And you don't even know which movie would be playing till it is actually screened. I'm sure you'd agree that this is far more thrilling than going to the theatre.

This are just a couple of things that you can do if you've a bit of time on your hands. Have you been to any of these? How were they? Have you got any to add to the list?

A Century of Olympic Posters exhibition (Canary Wharf) - a picture is worth a thousand words

2012-01-21T07:53:00.001Z

A Century of Olympic Posters
till 2 Mar 2012
One Canada Square
Nearest Tube and DLR station: Canary Wharf
With Olympics 2012 less than 200 days away, Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum is holding A Century of Olympic Posters at Canary Wharf. This exhibition that will go on till 2 Mar 2012 is held at One Canada Square (the main building where Motor Expo was held last year).

While nations are transfix on the medal tally in the once every four year sporting event, it struck me that the Olympic posters themselves tell a more enduring story. Let's be honest, how many of us can remember how many medals (if at all) your country got in the 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona? One look at the Barcelona 1992 poster (symbol of a person leaping over the Olympic rings) brought me back to the time when I was fixed on the telly as a teenager, following the various sporting events that were held halfway across the planet.

One would expect V&A to line the posters according to their year of publication. Instead, they are categorised according to specific themes that include contemporary art, symbols, diversity and regeneration. In this exhibition, you would witness the different stories that the hosting cities were trying to convey, their aspirations and hopes for the future. Do drop by if you're in the area. Definitely a worthy lunchtime pursuit.

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Top 5 Casino Venues in London

2012-01-20T08:19:00.001Z

Photo by Jessie Hodge

Rebecca Bryant, a part time travel photographer and a casino gamer, shares her best pick of casinos on her travel to London.

There’s a long tradition of gambling in London (home to many of the top UK casinos so you won’t have any trouble finding a seat at the table, whether your game is blackjack, baccarat, or poker. Several of the top casinos are also located in entertainment districts such as Piccadilly Circus, giving you easy access to plenty of other entertainment and nightlife options if things don’t go so well at the tables.

Victoria Casino

Most gamblers simply call it “the Vic”, and the London Vic casino operates one of the best known and popular card rooms in town. The Vic has plenty of standard casino games but is better known for its poker, hosting some of the UK’s biggest cash games, which run from £1-£1 up to £10-£25 (and sometimes as high as £25-£50). Other gambling options include casino games such as slots, roulette, blackjack, and craps.

Playboy Club London

The Playboy Club London brings the world-famous Playboy brand to one of the world’s great cities, offering an intimate, private atmosphere in which to enjoy a wide range of games. This one is a private member’s club so you’ll need to fork over some cash (currently £1,300 for a one-year membership) if you want to step foot inside and get a taste. While the price of admission may be high it truly is a unique experience you can only find at a Playboy Club casino.

Casino at the Empire

Located in Leicester Square, Casino at the Empire is open 24/7 and offers a wide range of casino games as well as numerous daily poker tournaments and cash games (including some large international poker events). With the action spread out over 50,000 sq. ft. of gaming space over two levels you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy games such as slots, craps, blackjack, and roulette.

The Sportsmen

This West End casino offers a mix of classic casino style with a modern vibe, giving players a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a wide range of games. The Sportsmen also offers quality restaurants and bars for when it’s time to take a break from the tables, giving players a little bit of everything to enjoy.

The Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget is located in the heart of London’s entertainment district at Piccadilly Circus, serving up plenty of favorite casino games such as slots, roulette, blackjack, Punto Banco, and craps.

Have you checked out any of these venues before? How did you find them?

Chinese New Year 2012 - things to do in London

2012-01-15T01:00:00.003Z

Image by vpickering

Chinese New Year celebration, which is just round the corner, is always a busy affair. The entire preparation starts way before the actual day itself. As a kid, I was roped in at least two weeks before to do my share of 'spring cleaning', which is essentially tidying up the house and clearing out any unsightly clutter that has accumulated over the year. It's the thing about going into the new year with a fresh start. Given the state of my bedroom (one can hardly see the floor), it usually took me quite a while.

There was no let up when that was done for it's time to put up the decorations. Red stripes of auspicious couplets printed on them in gold paint were purchased from Chinatown and pasted all over the house together with knick knacks (usually small lanterns, mock firecrackers and gold painted plastic coins) hung around them. From a young age and after tagging along with Dad, I've learnt two things about buying these Chinese New Year decorations: never buy from the first stall on the street (they're usually the most expensive) and always wait till the last possible moment (usually on Chinese New Year's eve) to buy them at rock bottom prices. These might seem like common sense but to a seven year old, it was a revelation.

Mum will usually get down to preparing the Chinese New Year eve's dinner a week before. It is usually a mad rush for fresh groceries during then. Fish and pork is always in short supplies during then. It is almost mandatory to have a fish for dinner on the eve. Interestingly, no matter how small the fish is, Mum would always forbade us to finish it. Should leave some for the new year, she would say as she kept the leftover in the fridge. The Chinese know this as 年年有余 (nian nian you yu), literally translating to "having surpluses every year". By playing on the rhyme between 鱼 (fish) and 余 (surplus), the fish usually gets only half eaten.

There is usually a huge hotpot in the middle of the table for the Chinese New Year eve's dinner. Hotpots are handy in the sense that minimal cooking beforehand is required. For some, the preparation of the soup base is a tricky affair, which requires hours of boiling pork or chicken bones. For us, it was usually boiling water; the sliced meat, seafood and vegetables that we would chuck into the pot later on will take care of its taste. Even now, I would do the same in London though getting a portable hob is a bit tricky over here. In many ways, having a hotpot in the midst of winter makes more sense than doing the same in the hot tropical heat back home. Although some would prefer to eat out these days (see recommended Chinese restaurants in London), but nothing beats having a quiet dinner with your family in the comforts of your home. Incidentally, this dinner is also known as 团员饭 (tuan yuan fan) or Reunion Dinner , would see scores of Chinese rushing back to their families just so that they can spend some time together.

For the rest of us, there are tons to do in London to usher in the Year of the Dragon in 2012. Here are five things to do to usher in the Chinese New Year.

Image by DG Jones

1. Chinese New Year celebrations on Trafalgar Square

Chinese New Year celebration seldom gets any noisier than this. The main celebrations in London usually takes place the first Sunday after the Chinese New Year day itself (23rd Jan for 2012). The main show is going to be held in Trafalgar Square on 29th Jan. Expect lion and dragon dances, firecrackers and dance displays and loads of food stalls (also check out London Chinatown cheap eats).

2. Chinese film screenings at BFI Southbank

This is a lifeline for the movie buffs. In conjunction of the Chinese New Year, BFI Southbank in London is screening four notable Chinese movies and documentaries from 4th Feb till 25th Feb. Confucius, A Simple Life, Unseen China and Woman Basketball Player No. 5.

3. Lion dances while you feast

Lion and dragon dances are certainly the crowd pleasers during Chinese New Year celebrations. Instantly recognisable, the clanging of cymbals and thumping of drums usher in the new year with a bang. Traditionally, these dances are to ward off evil and bring in the luck, and businesses will bring in dance troupes to give them an auspicious start to the new year.

While most dance troupes would be travelling along streets at Chinatown and Bayswater, and would be invited for impromptu performances, some Chinese restaurants would schedule lion dance performances. Bookings for these time slots are usually snapped up pretty fast. Here are some scheduled performances (list to be updated as more information become available, please drop me a comment if there is any listing that I have missed)

Shanghai Blues
23rd Jan 8.30pm
Read review

Phoenix Palace
22nd Jan 7.30pm
Read review

4. Family activities at Museum of London Docklands

The Museum of London Docklands in my opinion is one of the most underrated museum in London. Tucked in the heart of Canary Wharf, its main visitors are groups of schoolchildren and the occasional tourists who got lost. The galleries in the Museum include exhibits on the stories of Docklands and the role it played in making Britain's trading empire. It also include the award winning London Sugar Slavery Gallery.

Children are not left out at the Chinese New Year celebrations at Museum of London Docklands, which will host a whole series of activities that include mask making, storytelling and watercolour painting on 21st and 22nd Jan. For more details, refer to its website.

Since you are there, why not complete the experience by having a sumptuous dim sum lunch at Royal China and Lotus?

5. Workshops at National Maritime Museum

This gem at Greenwich is not letting up on the festival. This year, it's hosting a giant dragon installation, a flag making workshop, a tea accessories appreciate workshop and a film screening of The Chinese Feast. For more details, refer to the official website.

How will you be celebrating Chinese New Year? Did I miss anything other events in London during this festival? I would love to hear from you.

Charing Cross Chinese Library - largest Chinese books collection in London

2012-01-11T07:17:00.003Z

Charing Cross Library
4 Charing Cross Road
London WC2H 0HF
Nearest Tube station: Leicester Square
Tel: 020 7641 1300If you find yourself hanging around Leicester Square with some time to spare, instead of languishing in a cafe, why not check out the Westminster's Charing Cross Library?

It's probably one of the few public libraries in London that is open seven days a week (other than Bank Holidays of course). More importantly, it houses one of the largest Chinese book collection in London alongside a healthy English catalog.

You would be glad to know that membership is open for anyone who has a permanent address in the UK. Also, with a team of Chinese speaking staff, help is at hand if you require any translation whatsoever.

In case you're looking for a read on your commute back home, there's also a small room on the first floor selling excess library stock with paperbacks going for 30p each.

Opening Hours

Monday 9.30 - 8
Tuesday 9.30 - 7
Wednesday 10 - 7
Thursday 9.30 - 7
Friday 9.30 - 7
Saturday 10.30 - 2
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British Museum top ten exhibits - the must see items if you are in a hurry

2012-01-08T00:33:00.001Z

British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
Nearest Tube station:
Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road
British Museum, in my opinion, is one of the most misunderstood attractions in London. If you are into history of London, it's clearly isn't the best place to go and you would have more luck at the Museum of London. Neither does it have any direct ties to the Royalty (check out Clarence House, Buckingham Palace or Tower of London for that). Neither is it instantly recognisable like the Tower Bridge and Westminster. The tourists will head straight to the mummies in the Museum after having their photos taken in front of the main stairs, while the Greeks will probably never going to step into it unless the Parthenon sculptures are returned to Athens.

Despite visiting it countless times over the last couple of years, I was never able to properly cover the entire exhibit floor - I was either mesmerised by the majestic Egyptian sculptures, the intricate china cherished by the Chinese courts centuries ago or even the Assyrian reliefs. Time flashes past whenever I'm at the British Museum.

This time round, I decided to be a bit more disciplined. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, I'll seek out the most notable items in the Museum. Thankfully, there is already a prepared list of must see exhibits on the British Museum brochure with their locations mapped out. If you are in a bit of a hurry, these are the 10 must see items at the British Museum.

1. The Lewis Chessmen

In Room 40 (level 3) lie the most famous chess set in the world. Discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland (thus their name) in 1831, these 12th century chess pieces are thought to be made in Norway. Carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth, they were in surprisingly good condition when found. All in all, 78 pieces which include 8 kings, 8 queens, 16 bishops, 15 knights, 12 rooks and 19 pawns were found - more than enough for just one chess set. Because of their good condition and odd numbers, they are thought to be stock pieces for replacing those lost or broken.

Check out the famed Beserkers (the rook piece) with his teeth on his shield as well as the forlorn Queen with her hand on the face tilting to her side.

2. Oxus Treasure

In Room 50 (level 3) is a hoard of gold and silver metalwork (dating back to the 5th century B.C.) found by the the Oxus River in the 19th century. Their makers, the Persians, were known to be skillful metalworkers.

The main pieces on the display include a griffin headed bracelet and a horse chariot complete with riders.

3. The Royal Game of Ur

Photo by Julio Marteniz

In Room 56 (level 3) is an popular pastime in ancient Sumer. The game (also known as the Game of Twenty Squares) that dates back to 2600 B.C. is apparently still being played in present day Iraq. Interestingly, the game, which is played with two sets of markers and a tetrahedral dice, can be seen scratched out on the base of one of the Assyrian guardian figure (presumably by bored Assyrian guards) in the British Museum.

4. The Portland Vase

In Room 70 (level 3) is a fine example of a Roman cameo glass vase. Made by etching into several layers of glass fused together, the vase dates back back to 5 A.D. The piece on display in the British Museum was there since 1810 and is claimed to be the original inspiration to the many Wedgewood design.

Note that the vase was smashed onto the floor by a drunken student in 1845 and was severely damaged as a result. Proper piecing it back began only in 1987 when a suitable epoxy resin was found. To be honest, you can't really see where the cracks are - a proof that the restorers have done an excellent job.

5. Samurai armour

Few ventured up to level 5 of the Museum and if you do, you would be rewarded with an extensive display of samurai armour (in Room 93) - a raw display of the military might in medieval Japan. Even after centuries, the armour (with its whiskers and all) still looks rather intimidating. Check out for the accompanying samurai swords and daggers, as well as the history behind the making of the weapons.

6. Cloisonné jars

Head down to level 1 (Room 33) for some marvelous porcelain pieces that once resided in the Chinese imperial courts. The Chinese having mastered the cloisonné enamel in the 15th century adorned the jars, pots and vases with auspicious objects and figurines. The many pieces on display include motifs of dragons, kirins and lotuses.

7. Easter Island statue Hao Hakabanai'a

You can't possibly miss this colossal figure (Room 24 on Ground floor) from a lost Polynesian civilisation. Dating back to 1250, this imposing monolithic human figure (or moai) is one of 887 found. It was said that the obsession to produce them is one of reason for the depletion of much needed resources, which led to the eventual demise of their creators.

8. The Rosetta Stone

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs has always baffled scholars with its pictorial characters. Like all languages, there is certainly a pattern behind it but the key to that is only fully unlocked with the discovery of the Rosetta Stone (Room 4 on Ground floor) in 1799 in the French expedition to Egypt. It was then brought under British possession when they defeated the French in Egypt in 1801 and brought to the British Museum in 1802.

Inscribed on the stone is the decree issued by King Ptolemy V in 196 B.C. But the fascinating thing is that the decree was inscribed in three languages - ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Demotic script and ancient Greek. Call it a tri-language dictionary if you will, the link proves to be the key to unlock our understanding of the Egyptian hieroglyphs.

There is a constant crowd around this exhibit. For some reason, the light around the dark coloured stone is dimmer than I would prefer so you might have to squint your eyes a bit to catch the inscriptions.

9. Assyrian Lion Hunt reliefs

On the way to the Parthenon sculptures, you'll pass by the two intimidating Assyrian guardian figures (depicted with a bull or lion's body, eagle's wings, and human's head) on your left. Just behind these figures in Room 10 (Ground floor) lie reliefs of Assyrian Lion Hunts featuring hunts led by King Assurbanipal, one of the last great neo-Assyrian kings of the 6th century B.C. These reliefs, excavated from Nineveh, show the King triumphing over lions - a symbol of the King's ability to guard the nation.

10. Parthenon sculptures

One of the most controversial exhibits in the British Museum tucks right at its western end. In Room 18 (Ground floor) lie the Parthenon sculptures, which once adorned the Parthenon in Athens, a temple built nearly 2,500 years ago for the Greek goddess Athena. The sculptures were damaged over years of neglect as the temple was converted to other uses. The final straw came in 1687 when the former temple was used as a gunpowder storage as city was besieged by the Venetian - it blew up, bringing the entire roof down.

Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire brought part of the surviving sculptures back to Britain in 1801 and sold it to the British Museum in 1816. These sculptures have been in the public view ever since.

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If you have only an hour or so to spend at the British Museum, be sure not to miss out on the above must see exhibits as recommended by the British Museum. The Museum also run some special exhibition in its Reading Room (check) all year round. They can get rather popular and most operate on a timed entry basis so do book your tickets online to beat the queue and avoid disappointment.

You might like to check out the Museum shop for some souvenirs (your Lewis Chess set etc.) on your way out. Otherwise, there's always the British Museum online shop if you missed out anything.

Like most other established museums in London, the British Museum does not charge an entrance fee. Although the institution receives funding from the government, it still requires additional funds for its daily operations, maintaining its exhibits while acquiring new items and visitors' (that means you) donations would go into this. If you like what you've seen, do contribute a bit in any of the various donation bins around the Museum. Every bit helps!

What's your favourite exhibit?

Which exhibit created an impression on you the last time you visited the British Museum? Are they one of the above? If not, I would love hear from you.

Goodbye 2011 - 8 things that I have come to appreciate

2011-12-31T08:03:00.000Z

With 2011 coming to an end, it's the usual time for repentance for the past year and resolutions for the year ahead. I shan't do that for this time round. After spending the last couple of years in London, it's easy to overlook the things that I have come to appreciate. After much pondering, here's the list of top eight things that thankful for.

1. Mr Brown

Mr Brown, the public persona of Lee Kim Mun (or Kim-Mun Lee in this part of the world) first achieve mainstream recognition when his column on Today, the equivalent of London's Evening Standard, was taken off (by Today's editoral) after he publicly criticised a government healthcare policy. There was widespread sympathy among Singaporean netizens. The irony is that he was able to capitalise on this and relaunched MrBrown.com, a social and political satirical site.

Perhaps what he didn't expect is that MrBrown.com has become rather popular to overseas Singaporeans and it is the first site I turn to whenever I miss home and would like some cheering up.

2. The NHS

I've never heard of the National Health Service (NHS) until our former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was furious that his wife wasn't able to jump the queue (read article). It was big news in Singapore back then - mainly pointing out the deficiencies of the NHS. The common consensus is that if you don't have to pay for something (like the NHS), it can't be good.

The truth is that we have to pay for the NHS - a sizable chunk of the taxes that we pay on a monthly basis goes into funding the system and that's true whether you use it or not. Truth to be told, other than its maternity wards, I have quite a fair experience with the NHS thus far. The best thing about the NHS is that they give priority to young children and you are almost certain to get same day appointment if your child is ill. While there are complaints about how level of service depends on where you live (i.e. postcode lottery), we've had a rather good experience with our local GP. For that, I'm willing to pay into the NHS.

3. Cooking

Perhaps one of the best thing that happened to us when we came over to London is that we learn how to cook. Instant noodles, which was all what I did back home, doesn't count. That's merely boiling. For starters, I now know the difference between rosemary and thyme (go on, laugh).

Once cheap hawker fare is taken out of the equation, we are forced to experiment with new recipes. We realise that there is a recipe for anything and everything online. Some of which that we always refer to include the BBC Food Recipes, Rasa Malaysia and fellow food blogger Ann's Pig Pig's Corner.

However, our best recipes actually come from books. Markus Warering's How to Cook Perfect and Heston Blumenthal at Home. The best of the lot have to be Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Everyday, which recipes consistently turns out quite well (his baked chicken curry is foolproof and to die for).

Also, for all those salted duck eggs lovers out there, preparing them on your own is much simpler than you think. Just immerse fresh duck eggs in saturated salt solution for three weeks before hardboiling them. Can get simpler than that, can it?

4. Blogging and Social Media

Prior to coming to London, I've always viewed blogging as a frivolous pastime and a poor substitute for mainstream media. London Expat was started to document what I have experienced in London and was meant to be a pseudo diary when we return to Singapore (I originally plan to stay just for six months).

One thing led to another, we stayed on and I just kept writing. A year on, the food posts spun (check) off into London Chow, which name was chosen because LondonRestaurantReviews.com was already taken and I wasn't able to come up with a better name at 3am in the morning (I'm the impatient sort).

Besides blogging, I can also be found on Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and Facebook. So do drop me a message every now and then, will you?

5. The greatest attractions on Earth

You would be surprised at how many Londoners have yet to visit Westminster, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace - all steeped in history and monuments in their own right. Living in central London also means that these attractions are either within walking distance or a short bus ride away. That immediately gives me an edge over the throngs of tourists who fly halfway across the world just for that.

Recently, I've just gotten Christopher Winn's I Never Knew that About London. I'm a sucker for trivia. Which is the oldest church in London? Britain's first paid police force? The first yacht race the world had ever witnessed? This hardcover will be my constant companion well into the new year. Hmm...

6. Lying on open grass

Be it on the slopes of Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park or Hampstead Heath, just lying there on your back with a pair of shades staring at the clouds above is probably one of the most therapeutic activities I can think of. This is one thing that I look forward to every summer (spring and autumn too if I'm dressed warmly enough).

7. Having Europe at my doorstep

With most of Europe within two hours flight from London's airports, I can easily do a weekend trip to any European cities in short notice. With Eurostar, one can dine at the quaint little cafes at the foot of Paris' Sacre Coeur (see tips on travelling from London to Paris) or take boat ride around the heart of Bruges and be back in time for dinner. How about that?

8. West End and the Museums

An abundant of plays in London also mean that a discounted theatre ticket is often cheaper than a trip to the cinema (which a ticket cost £13 upwards at Leicester Square) for the latest blockbuster. If you are fortunate enough to have a local theatre, you're in for a treat. The Almeida Theatre, which is a mere five minutes walk from Angel Tube station, routinely offers £8 tickets for high quality production. Try beating that.

The best things in life is free and by that I mean the museums and galleries in London. My favourite among these being The National Gallery and British Museum. Just the other day, I was on my way to Chinatown to pick up some roast meats for dinner. It turned out that they were still being prepared. No worries, I popped into The National Gallery for some Rembrandt and van Gogh in the meantime. That's something that I can get used to.

Wherever you are, take a look around you, is there something that you are thankful for?

London Boxing Day Sales survival tips - keeping a sane mind and enjoying it

2011-12-23T05:28:00.000Z

It's time of the year again. Just after we are being stuffed of turkey and nursing a severe hangover, London's high street shops open in full force for the Boxing Day sales. This is the one day when madness descended on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Knightsbridge - traffic come to a standstill with throngs of shoppers literally raiding the stores. It's not uncommon that some retail shops actually do not make any profits for the entire year until after Boxing Day.

But for the rest of us who would prefer to feel our stuff before making that purchase instead of shopping online, braving the crowds is a necessary evil. Here are 5 tips on surviving Boxing Day sales in one piece.

1. Plan your route

It's a cruel joke that the biggest sale of the year falls on one of the days with the shortest daylight (probably by design too), so it's prudent to cover as much as possible when the sun is up. We tend to be more calm and prudent when there's ample sunlight - the last thing you want is to go on a irrational spending spree during a sale.

Planning your route is the key. Instead of going by the map, plan your route using the tube lines instead. Cutting down travelling times is the priority here - take the tube even if it's just a single stop. Instead of spending your time on the streets, spend that in the shops instead. To find out the best route to the shops just enter your start point and destination at Transport for London (TFL).

Of course, London's Tube system isn't as reliable as before. Other than frequent service disruptions in the aging network, it has to contend with drivers' strikes. Make sure you check out TFL's website for the most updated news at least a week before and make adjustments to your route.

2. Keep up the calorie intake

All that running around takes quite a bit out of you. With the pumped up adrenaline, you probably wouldn't notice. But once fatigue sets in, it will hit you hard. It's not just about getting the best bargains here but also to make the process enjoyable, there's really not much point of going through the day combatting both the madding crowds and hunger pangs, is there?

Pack a light sandwich, a couple of fruits (marathon runners start the run with bananas so go figure) and a small 500ml bottle with water for the day. Don't worry about the weight, it'll diminish as they are being consumed throughout the day.

3. Don't hesitate

This advice came from a seasoned Boxing Day shopper. Being a prudent shopper, you are likely to put purchases on hold in view that you may come across a better deal in the next shop. His advice? When you come across something that catches your fancy, buy it or at least hang on to it. Otherwise, there's a good chance it will no longer be there when you come round again later on that day.

4. Go minimal

Wear sensibly. The temperature during Boxing Day is likely to drop below 10C if not lower. That said, you are likely to spend most of the time indoors so leave that thick coat at home. Lighter clothing also makes it easier if you are looking to try out that shirt, which you have been eyeing for some time.

Bring a brolly if you really have to but it's unlikely to make a difference if the wind acts up. Last of all, leave your huge purses or wallets at home as pickpockets is known to prowl the streets looking for easy targets during Boxing Day sales. Besides, you would probably only need two cards on that day - your Oyster card and a credit card (maybe two).

5. Claim VAT whenever possible

London's Boxing Day sales is known for having some of the best deals around and people are known to fly into London just for this. Other than capitalizing on the weak pound, you can save considerably on VAT refund (up to 20%) if you are from outside the EU or planning to leave the EU within twelve months from the time of purchase.

To claim VAT refund, look out for the "Tax Free Shopping" label on the store front before making the purchase. The store would hand over a refund form upon request at the counter. I know that Selfridges has a department that would help you fill it up as well. You'd need to submit that form to the customs officials at the airport to claim VAT refund. For more, refer to HMRC's site on How to Claim your VAT refund in UK.

Have a great time shopping! Let me know if I've missed anything. Also, check out 5 best online shopping websites

London Olympics 2012 Opening Ceremony - making Britain great again?

2011-12-13T19:37:00.000Z

There was a huge uproar about a shortfall of £40 million pounds announced by the London 2012 Olympics organizing committee. And that's on the opening and closing ceremonies alone. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson justifies that by promising to show the "best of Britain" in the "once-in-a-generation" opportunity.

I'm more sanguine about that. Even though a recent poll shows 80% of its inhabitants say that they are proud to be a Londoner, Londoners are notorious for putting their city down. Tube is horrible especially during peak hours, the weather's bleak and costs of living is skyrocketing. But deep down, we love the city for its quirks and all, we know that, given a choice, we rather be here than anywhere else in the world.

I can still remember the furor when Mayor Boris Johnson stumbled his way through Beijing 2008 Olympics Closing Ceremony. But that was precisely why Londoners voted him into the office in the first place. If Londoners want a no nonsense person, Putin would be asked to lead London instead - a proposition he might just take up as his presidency is in doubt.

A word of caution for the people behind London 2012. Don't even attempt to emulate Beijing because there is absolutely no way London can match up to that spectacle of 2008. Also, there is no fun having 10,000 men of exactly the same height donning the same costume doing a massive display formation. Londoners (or Brits for that matter) come in all shapes and sizes. Celebrate that instead.

The greatness of a city (fine, the country as well) isn't really about how steep in history or the size of its monuments. It's the people from all walks of life that make up the city's soul. A simple smile, a helpful gesture extended from each Londoner to a foreign visitor come summer next year would do what the £40 million can't - to make Britain great. Enjoy the Games, my friends! Well, I'm counting down to it.

London guide for international students - having a good time on a budget

2011-12-10T00:00:00.002Z

This article is provided by Steve Harris on behalf of Middlesex University, which teach 35,000 students worldwide in locations including London, Dubai and Mauritius.

Whether you’re new to our country’s capital or an expat returning to undertake postgrad courses, London can seem an intimidating place, especially to students. First and foremost there’s the tube to deal with or if you’re feeling especially brave the buses. Then there’s the cost of living. It’s no secret London is an expensive place to stay, and when trying to do that on a student budget the task can seem nigh on impossible. Luckily we’re here to give you some tips on the most cost effective places to eat, shop and party.

Museum

Photo by MarineBugs

Science Museum
Where – South Kensington, London
Cost - Free
First opened in 1857, the Science Museum has 40 galleries for visitors to experience some of science’s biggest breakthroughs over the past 300 years. These include Glimpses of Medical History, Exploring Space, Psychology: Mind Your Head and Who Am I? A unique chance to explore the science behind who you are. The Science Museum also has its very own IMAX Cinema but viewing the films cost extra, however they are well worth seeing, especially Hubble 3D - a fascinating look at distant galaxies as the Hubble telescope is serviced.

Eating

Photo by Kake Pugh

M Manze
Where – Bermondsey
London has got plenty of good-value places to eat, but as you’re new to London we though it’d be ideal for you to get acquainted with some good old English food! M.Manze on Tower Bridge Road is London’s oldest pie and mash shop (jellied eels are also available if you’re feeling really adventurous). It’s rare that you’ll be spending less than a fiver on food with such great surroundings as here, so get on it.

Shopping

Photo by Timeout

The Pattern Market
Where - Kingsland Road
Tucked away on the corner of Kingsland Road, this vintage store is a joint collective of vendors peddling everything from furniture to books to bags to art. And rails and rails of clothes of course. You’re bound to grab a bargain here and don’t be afraid to barter!

Nightlife

Photo by Ewan-M

The Old Blue Last
Where – Great Eastern Street
This venue is owned by Vice magazine and has a nice bar, decent sound system and plenty of space. The pub regularly has live music upstairs (much of it free) and has even been known to have the occasional secret shows from high profile acts as diverse as Arctic Monkeys and Steel Panther. You never know, you might get lucky when you check it out!

Have you got any more suggestions on where to have a good time without burning a hole in your pocket?

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park - the biggest Christmas Market in London

2011-12-07T06:00:00.002Z

Christmas is just round the corner and it's the perfect excuse to fly to continental Europe for their Christmas markets especially with the cheap flights available. I can't help but notice that the vast majority of the European Christmas markets are about Christmas decorations, crafts, beer and warm hearty food. But if you would rather stay closer to home, there's a huge Christmas market right at your doorstep.

Forget about crafts at the biggest Christmas market in London, it's a big excuse for having fun, stuffing your face with bratwursts and downing that with gallons of mull wine. The Winter Wonderland at London's Hyde Park has become a great affair to the build up of Christmas.

Someone told me that he has totally forgotten about it until he saw a huge part of Hyde Park being lit up in the middle of the night while his plane was approaching Heathrow Airport. So it's not my imagination that Hyde Park's Christmas fair is getting bigger by the year.

A couple of years' back, it mostly about the ice skating rink. Back then, the rectangular rink was kind of awkward as people don't tend to skate in rectangles, do they? This time round, the rink is a huge squarish one with a live band in the centre stage. So you can be excused for thinking that the crowds surrounding the rink was actually watching the band and not waiting for you to fall on your butt.

While there is the Haunted House and House of Mirrors, the thrill rides are clearly the main deal at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. Expect rides that would spin you round right up to 60 metres in the sky before dropping you right back to the ground, not something that you would like to try immediately after a heavy meal. There's even one entire section (bouncy castle, carousel, train ride, the whole works) dedicated for kids, tamer but by no means less fun.

If you are flying into London for its Boxing Day sales, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, which is right smacked between Oxford Street (Selfridges, Primark, John Lewis etc.) and Harrods at Knightsbridge, is the perfect place to chill out and take a breather. Check out easytobook.com for some great deals for London hotels.

How to get to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

The best way would be to approach from Hyde Park Corner Tube station (exit to Hyde Park) on the Piccadilly Line. You can just about see the main entrance to Winter Wonderland when you come to the surface.

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Have you been to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland? How did you find it?

How to get to Bicester Village outlet - it's closer to London than you think

2011-12-02T22:00:00.006Z

Photo by babasteve

Unlike most major cities in United States, there seem to be a dearth of discount outlet stores in London. Other than the smaller discount outlets that is found dotted all around London (see Paul Smith discount outlet), the only major one that comes to mind is the Burberry discount outlet at Hackney Central (more on that later). But there's nothing like the ones that often boost more than fifty major brands found in the States. When it comes to shopping on the cheap, no one beats the Americans.

Enter Bicester Village

That said, if you are in London and have some time to spare, you can take a trip out of London to the designer discount outlet at Bicester in Oxfordshire. This 'village' has over 130 stores that include the likes of Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Dior, Prada, Bally, Acquascutum, Armani, Superdry, Thomas Pink, the list just go on and on.

Unlike the ones at States, the mandatory huge car park (free parking) is on one end of the village and the shops are lined along both sides of a pedestrian path, thus the village feel. For those who would like to catch a breather before carrying on to spur the economy, there are cafes and eateries at both ends of the village, even Jamie Oliver has joined the fray with his Fabulous Feast.

Opening hours are from 10am - 8pm everyday (except on Sundays, till 7pm) so you can shop to your heart's content.

Photo by Lloyd-Davis

How to get to Bicester Villlage

There are two main ways to get there from London: by train or a luxury coach.

Getting there by coach

The full size coach (£23 per adult return) picks you up at Marble Arch and Victoria. Tickets have to be bought 24hrs in advance online here. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be picked up directly from your hotel (check out available pick up points here), you would have to get the tickets directly from Golden Tour's office at Golden Tours Office, 156 Cromwell Rd, Kensington, SW7 or 4 Fountain Square, 123 - 151 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1.

The entire roundabout (you know how it works with coaches) will take you just under 2hrs to get to Bicester Village. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend that.

Getting there by train

What's better to start off your shopping spree with a ride on the great British railway? Bicester Village is served by the Bicester North Station, which is just under a 45min train ride (frequency of around 15min) from London's Marylebone Station (linked to Marylebone Tube Station on the Bakerloo line), followed by a 10min shuttle bus service (regular intervals).

Tickets can be obtained directly from Marylebone train station. Tell the ticket counter that you are heading to Bicester Village and the shuttle bus ticket would be included. It should cost around £30 for a return trip. Alternatively, you can get the tickets online at MyTrainTicket (from £25 return - search from London to Bicester North) and pay for the shuttle only when you get to Bicester North Station at £2.20 each way.

You don't really need a number of outlet malls, just one good one will do. I'm sure you'd find what you're looking for at Bicester Village. With the cheap flights to London, why not? Enjoy the shopping!

Have you been to Bicester Village? How did you find it?