Read me like a book.: london

Saturday, March 9, 2013

London x Music Night

Was invited to the barristers' music night in Middle Temple, London by Szen who's the Bristol representative. Every few weeks the Bar students would have some sorta dinner and talk thing at their respective inns and this week was a special one with a music themed night.

Took the 7.40am bus to London and our first stop was Chinatown! Whole place was still decked in CNY decorations as it was still the CNY week. Was famished but the restaurants only started operating at 11pm? Had some dough fritters and egg tarts while walking around Leicester Square for time to pass. Went to M&M's world too though it was my second visit.

Chinatown decked in CNY deco

Look at that face..tsk tsk!

Trying out the personality test

Dimsum at Jade Garden

Lunch with the waiter. Heh.

Piccadilly Circus

Made our way to Portobello market after a loooooooooooong walk. But walking in London is different. You get to see all beautiful buildings and the roads aren't hilly like Bristol's. Portobello market's a English market with beautiful intricate things, antiques, flowers, food, freshly baked bread and fruits.

Very pretty china! Would love to buy one back.

Old skool!

Had to stop by Hummingbird bakery to try their cupcakes.

Opted for a red velvet one and it was good though the frosting's a lil tad sweet.

Stopped by this Malaysian cafe called 'Makan' for tea break. Teh tarik on a cold day is pure bliss! Just reminds me of home so much, especially mamak.

Tried their nasi lemak which's pretty good too.

Made our way to Middle Temple Inn after that. Was very much in awe by the design of it. It was as though I was in a Harry Potter movie setting. Love how all the decorations are all castle-like especially the huge ass paintings in the dining area.

The super long table

The event started off with a talk of "When East meets West" law stuff, and then food was served, finishing off with a mini orchestra performance and dancing. Guess who got invited to dance! :B Well after a few glasses of wine, my horrible dancing skills were portrayed ahahahaha.

Fillet of sole and salmon

Apple crumble with ice cream

View from above

Barrister-to-be in 6 months time, fingers crossed!

Went for a little walk by River Thames to kill time before our due coach as the event ended early. Such a beautiful river with a dining boat, boats, a view of the London Eye and the city lights.

Ending off with a picture that I really like :)

Thank you Szen for a wonderful experience! Would never get to have this opportunity if not for you. :D

Monday, January 21, 2013

New Year's Countdown 2012

Spent NYE in London, counting down to 2013 with the peeps. Took the Megabus, checked into our hotel at Zone 3, a pretty nice new hotel named Xanadu. It was pouring and dampened our moods and plan to go to Portobello Market. :(

Opted for Nando's, Jasmine's favourite instead before heading to Oxford street for some shopping.

Wild Herb was mehh. They had a lemon and herb one too.

Mine. Forgot to ask for breast :(

At Oxford Street

Headed over to Chinatown for dinner before going to the Embankment for the countdown.

Seriously overrated for their duck. KL's Grand Imperial's taste wayyyyyyy better.

Met up with their Malaysian friend, Claudius

Char siew and pork belly

Braised lamb

Tofu

Duck

Braised pork belly with yam

Overall the food was really disappointing, nothing to rave about. Loon Tao's was way much better. I think even Bristol's Mayflower wins them hands down!

Headed to the countdown area on Waterloo bridge cause the space would be closed if it was full. Reached there around 8.30pm and waited till 12am in the cold :( Toilet cubicles were provided and had to pee in the dark. Couldn't stand the cold and went to get coffee halfway.

River Thames

Poor girl was sick and sat there the whole night till the countdown

Hits were blasted and everyone started dancing!

And the countdown began...

Some pictures from Wendy's camera...

Was really overwhelmed when the spectacular fireworks were displayed and Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" was playing. Nearly teared cause it was a really beautiful sight and the whole of London was counting down together. However, we realised we were at the wrong spot. Vincent was at the other end with a better view!

Watch the video for my experience that night!

First time counting overseas and definitely the best one so far! Next up, NYC's ball drop? ;)

Heading back to the hotel was quite a task cause we had to walk pretty far for the next tube station as the closest one was really packed.

Checked out the next morning and decided to have Japanese for brunch only to find it closed after travelling to the place which was god damn far from where we were. Famished, we settled down for a Middle Eastern-like restaurant for brunch which had nice breakfast!