London
If you are a desi, whether from India or Pakistan, muslim or hindu, and you are asked about your one fave travel destination in the world, it got to be London.
London is everyone’s fave for several reasons. The top one being the ease of mobility thru a well laid public transport system whether its trains, tubes, buses or for that matter even cabs, it doesn’t take a lot to understand how to get around. That is why many older people, including my mom, find London as a very tourist friendly city.
Over the years, I have been to London many times, covering the fun attractions with “The Merlin Pass” and then of course the infamous London Southbank . Not to forget the many renowned markets like Spitalfield, Camden and many others which a foodie like me can never overlook. The museums in London are famous like none other because the art, culture and history they ooze goes deep in your soul, taking you through the eras of british glories, like no other place. Then Harrods, the high street fashion houses and the designer street have been checked out religiously every trip to update our european fashion palette. So having been there done that, must say, London is still a magical mystery with many avenues to explore and that is just what I did this time when I went for my mom’s surprise birthday party at my sister’s house in London.
So here is what you do in London when you want to satisfy both your nostalgia for some of the best old attractions as well as curiosity to explore new:
I am a travel addict on the road to recovery, just kidding, I am on the road to the airport.
Day 1
No visit to London is complete without a quick run to Marks and Spencer M&S and grabbing something typically european as a souvenir for your good self. After that I insisted that we take a trip to British Museum because that is one museum, I can never get enough of. To be honest, I love their cafe as well. The organic sandwiches are highly recommended, not to forget the divinity of sipping tea discussing our fave parts of the museum is one of my fondest memories from there. However, if you are not too tired, it would be worth it to go to the beautiful Chinatown, london from there to grab a bite. In the evening my sister and I took a quick hop to Regent street to check out one shoe I needed. Coming home to family ready with warm food and hot game of cards was just the perfect way to end the evening.
Day 2
Next Morning, I asked my sister I want to have puri Halwa and guess where we headed to Tooting Broadway to a restaurant called Dawat. The food was outstanding and bathrooms really clean. I came out a happy soldier, battling with my cravings, giving in to the best (Halwapuri) and curbing others because of my exploding belly. I also had the opportunity to browse some very interesting markets there while my sister went grocery shopping. Also there is a huge Primark in that area, my haven for kids night suits. I grabbed a “Friends” sweatshirt from there. By the time we got home, all the calories had already burnt and we were ready to go again. So then our big fat desi family headed out to “Nandos”, it’s so fascinating to see that London has so many good Halal restaurants, including this one.
Day 3
Next morning, we grabbed our Oyster cards and headed to St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s the most iconic dome and one of the most famous cathedrals in London. We didn’t go inside since I had many things on my list that day. But you can take the famous telephone booth photos here alongside the one next to the cathedral. As you walk in front of the cathedral, you will find yourself standing in front of the London Fire monument which instantly takes you through the history of the misfortunate events. Further down is the world famous Millenium bridge where you can stand and see all the other bridges in both directions. Also remember the death eaters from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, this is the filming site of an attack.
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.
Saint Augustine
Then we headed to another destination, I hadn’t been before”the graffiti tunnel”. It is so funny that my sister has lived there for so many decades but still comes across new places with her guests. On the way, guess what caught our eye the London Eye”. Of Course another photo op, not to be missed. The Graffiti tunnel was above and beyond our expectations, a place where new and budding artists could breathe life into the walls and ceilings as they pleased. New artists got opportunities almost every week to come with their supplies and express themselves to feel actualized.
They even had a few restaurants and a star bar kinda place where they gave opportunities for other forms of art like singing and acting as well. We had so much fun there and came out laughing, giggling and hungry. So we had a samosa and chai break at one of the local restaurants called chilli chutney.
Day 4
The next day we woke up to a rainy morning as usual. Of Course that didn’t stop us from taking pics with each and every statues in the park near Westminster Abbey, the houses of parliament and the supreme court. We had a lunch reservation at the famous “the Cinnamon Club” that day, it is one of the best indian restaurants in Forbes. Since there was still time to our lunch booking and we were cold after the drizzling walk, so we stepped in the supreme court to experience a live session and then coffee in the cafe. It was quite interesting. And then “The cinnamon cLub”. this restaurant is built in one of the old libraries of Westminster Abbey, which is a gorgeous 700 year old building with folds of mesmerising history surrounding all around. The three course meal was outstanding, the place magical, the vibe all literary and sophisticated. My brother, who is a phd in Law, could spot many distinguished people of his field, sitting all around us.
The evening is not over yet and we had to rush to kings cross station to pick the cake from Patisserie Valerie … calorie time ( not that we have been off this timer at all). Again if you are a harry potter fan, there is Platform 9 ¾ here. Although I have been to the wizarding world of harry potter billions of times in Universal studios, florida yet I could not fight the pull. It was only after the long line of waiting people there that I backed out of the idea of taking another photo with the legendary luggage cart. Also the cake was a big motivator in rushing me home. Thereafter my moms bday was as sweet as could be with the marvelous cake and mommy jokes.
She wasn’t bored just restless between adventures.
Day 5
London Victoria Station was our next morning stop because you know why…Peggy Porschen Cakes. Of course you cannot come to London and not have a nice tea with baked goodies. My brother was a little uncomfortable in the beginning seeing the pink cafe but warmed up very well after trying the yummies and seeing other boys enjoying with their girl companions.
After that we headed to islington to a Turkish kitchen called Terrace turkish restaurant, London. The food and service is outstanding here and it has become quite a custom for us to visit this place at least once every time we visit London.
(First Time London comers FYI: If all the odds are in your favour then you should get to this area around 10:30, walk to Buckimgham Palace by 10:50 to catch the changing of the guards ceremony, happening every day in summer and every other in winter. Walk to the South Bank is a must if you haven’t done it before and that too through Piccadilly Circus with all the flashing billboards and vibrant atmosphere, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square with famous Nelson’s column in the middle. Going on to the Big Ben and the London Eye. The other famous buildings in London are the shard, the Gherkin and the cheese grater building. The tower bridge, the tower of London, Covent Garden, Neals yard. More noteworthy things to do here are the West end Brodway shows Harrods, Hyde Park, Marble Arch and Museums Shoreditch and Kensington Palace and River Thames Cruise).
The more I stay at more, the more homeless I look.
This trip to London will always have a special place with me because it was thoroughly soulful for mind, body and belly.
Please share your best experience in London in comments to enhance the scope of the journey I shared with you.
What do you think?