The Australian Government websites are much more useful than UK Government sites. Australian sites are easy to follow, gives out the information in simple, concise and easy to read manner
I know this has nothing to with traveling, but I noticed this while I was in UK. I was looking for some information and I never could find the relevant information in UK government website.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Do I really like flying?
I was walking home today and saw a passenger plane flying a bit low. I missed flying.
After enduring long haul in the cramped economy class, I was surprised I still missed flying.
But, when I thought about it, it's not the flying I miss. Because, I fly only when I am going on holidays, I identify flying synonymously with holidays. It's the holidays I miss.
After enduring long haul in the cramped economy class, I was surprised I still missed flying.
But, when I thought about it, it's not the flying I miss. Because, I fly only when I am going on holidays, I identify flying synonymously with holidays. It's the holidays I miss.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I forgot I am back in Melbourne...
I was walking towards the train station and when I was about 50 meters away, I saw the train to city just arriving at the station. Normally, I would have sprinted towards the station like Asafa Powell with a backpack. Today, I just didn't run. I casually walked to the station.
It only dawned on me that I am back in Melbourne -where we have an excuse for a public transport system-, when I heard the announcement, the next train -which is 15 minutes away- has been delayed by 5 minutes.
I just realised I was still on London mood. In London Tube, there is a train every 5 minutes. Actually that's an assumption. Because, only once, I had to wait for 5 minutes for a train, every other time I managed to catch a train within 2-3 minutes of stepping on to the platform. So, nobody actually runs to catch a train, even if they see their train pulling in to the station and nobody bothers checking the train time table. Because they know they will only have to wait for another few minutes.
It only dawned on me that I am back in Melbourne -where we have an excuse for a public transport system-, when I heard the announcement, the next train -which is 15 minutes away- has been delayed by 5 minutes.
I just realised I was still on London mood. In London Tube, there is a train every 5 minutes. Actually that's an assumption. Because, only once, I had to wait for 5 minutes for a train, every other time I managed to catch a train within 2-3 minutes of stepping on to the platform. So, nobody actually runs to catch a train, even if they see their train pulling in to the station and nobody bothers checking the train time table. Because they know they will only have to wait for another few minutes.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
3 thingds I hated about London
- The obvious, the weather.
- Driving in London means you have to forget the fact "the shortest distance between 2 points are a straight line". I got motion sickness couple of times when I was driven through the winding London streets and the constant stop-start due to the traffic.
- Coffee. May be I didn't know where to find it, but I never managed to find a good cup of coffee in the month I spent in London. Ironically, the only place I had a half decent cup of coffee was, in a place called The Three Bells in Heathrow Airport as I was flying out of London.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Taxi ride in Singapore
I caught a taxi to Changi Airport to catch the flight back to Melbourne. I was impressed with the professional attitude of the driver.
The taxi driver said the Singapore Airline flights leave from Terminal 3. As my ticket said I had to go to Terminal 2, I asked him to drop me off at T2. Taxi driver said "I really don't mean to contradict you. I will drop you off at Terminal 2, but I really must inform you that all Singapore Airline flights leave from T3. I just don't want to drop you off at T2 and drive off. If you miss the flight because you ended up in the wrong terminal it's not good for both of us". He agreed to drop me at T2 only after I assured him I know my way around Changi Airport, and I know how to catch the Sky Train from T2 to T3, if required.
He also knew about Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter and told me he was very upset when he heard about Steve Irwin's death. Has anyone around the world not heard of "The crocodile Hunter"?
The taxi driver said the Singapore Airline flights leave from Terminal 3. As my ticket said I had to go to Terminal 2, I asked him to drop me off at T2. Taxi driver said "I really don't mean to contradict you. I will drop you off at Terminal 2, but I really must inform you that all Singapore Airline flights leave from T3. I just don't want to drop you off at T2 and drive off. If you miss the flight because you ended up in the wrong terminal it's not good for both of us". He agreed to drop me at T2 only after I assured him I know my way around Changi Airport, and I know how to catch the Sky Train from T2 to T3, if required.
He also knew about Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter and told me he was very upset when he heard about Steve Irwin's death. Has anyone around the world not heard of "The crocodile Hunter"?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Roaming around in Singapore
Had a busy day today....
Did some duty free shopping in Mustafa for my brother and a friend and had a heavy vegetarian lunch in Little India.
I had few options for the afternoon and I decided to visit Sentosa Island. Hopped on to the cable car at HarbourFront to Sentosa and immediately regretted not bringing my camera along, as the view from the cable car was spectacular. I missed Song of the Sea as it was sold out by the time I got to the counter, but went up the Sky Tower.
Finished the day off by having BBQ Stingray for dinner and washing it down with sugar cane and lime juice at Newton Circus.
Did some duty free shopping in Mustafa for my brother and a friend and had a heavy vegetarian lunch in Little India.
I had few options for the afternoon and I decided to visit Sentosa Island. Hopped on to the cable car at HarbourFront to Sentosa and immediately regretted not bringing my camera along, as the view from the cable car was spectacular. I missed Song of the Sea as it was sold out by the time I got to the counter, but went up the Sky Tower.
Finished the day off by having BBQ Stingray for dinner and washing it down with sugar cane and lime juice at Newton Circus.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Two days in Singapore
I am staying in Singapore for 2 days. I think I will probably end up spending most of today sleeping, as I didn't get any during the flight. So, I am going to have only one day for shopping and site seeing.
Thankfully -due to the cloud cover- it's not too hot .
Thankfully -due to the cloud cover- it's not too hot .
Friday, February 15, 2008
Mixed feelings about leaving London
Waiting to board the London to Singapore flight. I am having mixed feelings about leaving London, besides the obvious reason (which is, end of my vacation).
While I enjoyed the stay in London and thoroughly enjoyed the architecture and the character of the city, I am desperately missing the brightness and the cheerfulness of Melbourne. The gloomy and dull weather was slowly getting to me.
I will definitely miss London though. It just have so much history. What impressed me most about London is it's architecture, every building looks different and interesting. The intricate work of them are quite impressive. I am talking about the old buildings, not the ugly grey concrete structures such as Shell Centre.
While I enjoyed the stay in London and thoroughly enjoyed the architecture and the character of the city, I am desperately missing the brightness and the cheerfulness of Melbourne. The gloomy and dull weather was slowly getting to me.
I will definitely miss London though. It just have so much history. What impressed me most about London is it's architecture, every building looks different and interesting. The intricate work of them are quite impressive. I am talking about the old buildings, not the ugly grey concrete structures such as Shell Centre.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is the modern London. It's filled with modern glass & concrete buildings.
Canary Wharf Tube Station is quite impressive. The curved glass roof of the entrances, gave it a really futuristic look.
Had to change to the DLR at Canary Wharf to get to Greenwich.
Canary Wharf Tube Station is quite impressive. The curved glass roof of the entrances, gave it a really futuristic look.
Had to change to the DLR at Canary Wharf to get to Greenwich.
Greenwich & Wax Museum
Had a long day. Visited the Greenwich Royal Observatory where the famous Prime Meridian passes through. The meridian is marked by stainless steel strip in the courtyard and a Green Laser. I officially stood in the Eastern and Western Hemisphere at the same time :).
When I was returning from my trip to Cambridge, I noticed a Green Laser over London at night. At that time I was wondering about it. Only today I realised what I saw was the laser marking the prime meridian.
Other interesting items in the Observatory are the [confusing] 24 Hour Clock, Hyper Accurate Clock and the standards of measurement. View of London from the hill where the Observatory is located is quite good.
Had an entertaining evening at Madam Tussauds.
When I was returning from my trip to Cambridge, I noticed a Green Laser over London at night. At that time I was wondering about it. Only today I realised what I saw was the laser marking the prime meridian.
Other interesting items in the Observatory are the [confusing] 24 Hour Clock, Hyper Accurate Clock and the standards of measurement. View of London from the hill where the Observatory is located is quite good.
Had an entertaining evening at Madam Tussauds.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Buckingham Palace
Last couple of day the weather has been really good. Today was no exception. The sky was clear and the sun was out the temperature was mild.
Decided to go for a walk. Got off at Green Park Tube station and walked through Green Park towards Buckingham Palace. After the obligatory photos, I walked along the palace towards Hyde Park and Wellington Arch and then to Harrods.
Caught the train home from Knightsbridge Tube Station. Bumped in to few Australians in the crowded tube, who were singing expletive laden version of Waltzing Matilda. I don't think anybody found it amusing, including myself.
Decided to go for a walk. Got off at Green Park Tube station and walked through Green Park towards Buckingham Palace. After the obligatory photos, I walked along the palace towards Hyde Park and Wellington Arch and then to Harrods.
Caught the train home from Knightsbridge Tube Station. Bumped in to few Australians in the crowded tube, who were singing expletive laden version of Waltzing Matilda. I don't think anybody found it amusing, including myself.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Medival England's capitol is pretty cool place
Yesterday, visited Winchester, England's ancient capital. I was luck enough to stay there overnight. The place I stayed was a little bit away from the Winchester city centre and had the real English country feeling.
In the morning walked all the way to the city centre along Andover Road. Thorough out the day visited Winchester Castle, Winchester Cathedral and walked along Winchester College.
Winchester is pretty nice place and has so much history behind it. The photos are available here.
In the morning walked all the way to the city centre along Andover Road. Thorough out the day visited Winchester Castle, Winchester Cathedral and walked along Winchester College.
Winchester is pretty nice place and has so much history behind it. The photos are available here.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Slough
Visited my cousin who lives in Slough yesterday. Slough is about 22.5 Miles West of London.
Took the tube to Paddington and caught an overground express train to Slough.
Took the tube to Paddington and caught an overground express train to Slough.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Cambridge is amazing
Visited Cambridge University yesterday. It is an amazing place. I don't know how anyone studies there? If I was there I would spend all my time admiring the amazing architecture, finding out the history behind each and every building (not to mention each bridge) and soak up the atmosphere.
Cambridge is about 2 hours bus trip away from London. The trip it self is pretty pleasant as the motorway goes through pretty English country side.
The pictures of Cambridge are available here.
The couple of sour points of the trips, apart from the pretty bad traffic in London which took 1 hour -out of 2 hour trip- to navigate, are:
Cambridge is about 2 hours bus trip away from London. The trip it self is pretty pleasant as the motorway goes through pretty English country side.
The pictures of Cambridge are available here.
The couple of sour points of the trips, apart from the pretty bad traffic in London which took 1 hour -out of 2 hour trip- to navigate, are:
- On our way to Cambridge some loud South Americans decided to play their preferred music via the speakers of their MP3 player-rather than the head phones, and have a loud conversation, while rest of the passengers tried to enjoy the scenery.
- We almost missed the bus back to London as the bus company website and the bus driver (who drove us to Cambridge) gave us wrong information about where to catch the return bus from.
Friday, February 1, 2008
St. Pauls Cathedral
Visited St. Paul's Cathedral today. What an amazing place.
I climbed all 530 steps up to the top of the Dome. In the Whispering Gallery, I could really hear the whispers uttered against the opposite wall. Unfortunately I had to rush off to Golden Gallery, instead of Stone Gallery as the weather was getting pretty bad and the Golden Gallery was going to be closed. The 360 degree view of the City of London is quite impressive from the Golden Gallery.
Also, earlier in the day, walked along the Wembley Stadium as well.
I climbed all 530 steps up to the top of the Dome. In the Whispering Gallery, I could really hear the whispers uttered against the opposite wall. Unfortunately I had to rush off to Golden Gallery, instead of Stone Gallery as the weather was getting pretty bad and the Golden Gallery was going to be closed. The 360 degree view of the City of London is quite impressive from the Golden Gallery.
Also, earlier in the day, walked along the Wembley Stadium as well.
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