A Day In London
A ding! announced the Captain's pre-landing speech as we approached Heathrow airport. He solemnly informed us, as only an airplane pilot can, that the temperature in London was 6 degrees Celcius. The slight shiver that ran down my spine was scarcely tempered by his hasty addition that it was expected to get warmer later in the day.
Next up was the immigration mess. The surge of passengers was complicated by signs pointing to "visa/indefinate stay" lines and "Other passport" lines when there was in fact no difference. It was quite amusing to see the travellers get confused between the two lines and moving back and forth between then. At least we didn't run into any trouble at the immigration counter, which hopefully will remain the case in Latvia and Russia. A Tube ride later, we were greeted by Luke's family friend, Aunty Swee Keat. She drove us back to her house where we had a nuch needed reprive from travelling. She fed us with toast, butter, sugar, and sausages. =) However, she wasn't finished! We grabbed our jackets as proof against the cold and we bussed off to the Four Seasons restaurant at Queen's Way for some char siew duck rice! The rice
was a little cold but the char siew was excellent. I carefully savored the food, knowing that that it would be a while before I would catch a whiff of it again.
With a spoonful of rice halfway to my mouth, my meal was interrupted by the ringing of my phone, which prompty stopped when I reached for it. My initial puzzlement quickly turned to gladness when I heard some mischevious giggling from the direction of the door. It was Doen Xian and Doen En arriving at Four Seasons to meet me for lunch, claiming they could not recognize me since I was "shrivelled" and "shrunken". I hadn't met my dear friends Xian and En (sisters) since last summer when I went back to Malaysia. Xian was studying in London while En was visiting. I especially wanted to meet Xian since it was likely that we would not be able to meet up once I finally got back to Malaysia (27th July!! So long more...). The conversation with 6 of us at the table became rather awkward with varying degrees of familiarity with each other, but we survived. =)
After we had finished lunch, Aunty Swee Keat went back home so that we could go "gallivanting". And so with Xian as our guide to London, we set off to discover its wonders. After settling some business with travellers cheques and getting online at a cybercafe, we set off towards Chinatown. All the while, we were enjoying London's highly fickle weather, with sunny, cloudy and rainy conditions interchanging like tiles on a Mahjong table. Eventually, the weather decided to settle on slightly overcast and we had a tea of egg tarts and soya bean milk at Kowloon in Chinatown. Despite being terrifically overpriced (I won't list the prices here in order to maintain the privacy of my fellow travellers), the egg tarts were pretty good nonetheless.
After a quick visit to Trafalgar Square for the prerequiste touristy photos and pigeon chasing, it was time to part ways. After a tearful farewell (kind of... I was crying inside, OK!?), Andrew, Luke and myself returned to Aunty Swee Keat's place. Thank you so much, Xian and En for taking us around and just having fun. =)
On the bus back, the three of us were completely exhausted and kept falling asleep despite fears of missing our stop. Valiant efforts to fight off snoozing were rewarded by us getting off the at correct stop. A spot of supplies shopping at a supermarket later, we trooped off. Back at Aunty Swee Keat's place, we had a treat waiting for us : a wonderfully home-cooked meal of chicken curry (with potatoes) and lots of rice and veggies! It was truly yummy and we ate as much as we could take. After the amazing dinner we washed up and rested, but all too soon, it was time to go. Aunty Swee Keat drove us to Victoria Station, where we would take a bus to Stansted Airport, and said goodbye. Thank you so much Aunty Swee Keat! Even though I've only met you for a day, it was really fun hanging out with you and your hospitality was greatly apprieciated! I hope to meet you again soon!
Once we were at the airport, we broke out the sleeping bags and settled down in front of a closed tie shop (The Tie Rack...) for we had several hours till our flight at 6:05am to Riga, Latvia. So, for the first time ever, I slept (surprisingly well) on the floor of an airport. A few hours later, it was time to check-in and we were off!
We had a few scares in London, like when I ran off without properly telling Andrew and Luke that I was going to check out the immigration lines or to visit the bathroom, but all was well in the end, with a lesson learned. Our first stop was quite successful and despite it only being a stopover in a highly developed English speaking country, I think it bodes well for our journey.
Next Stop : Riga, Latvia.
-kinyan
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
day 1
so the day starts after work at 3.30 pm, sunday afternoon. on a side note, i've been working as a wait staff for the catering service and this has resulted in me wearing a bowtie and a frilly shirt, which makes me look like a constipated penguin.
we had a bbq at alice hadler's (one of the senior profs) house in new haven. it's a very nice red house with a really great kitchen and an even nicer bench and table in the kitchen. andrew and I had to leave shortly as we were having dinner at abbott's in mystic seaport with cx and family. of which, I am really grateful for that taste of ocean brine and the springiness of fresh sweet succulent flesh of a certain clawed-sea bottom dwelling-oblong shaped creature.
the day (1+ am) followed with maniacal packing and the mumsy-like advocation of andrew to 'hurry up, pack, and you shouldn't be so last minute'. I really shouldn't be so last min. I promise not to procrastinate, next time. after sleeping for 5 hrs, it was a mad rush to get out of the dorm and to new haven to catch the 1250 train to jfk. many thanks to keithtankaixuan xiao3 pen2 you3 for the ride to new haven, and master chew kin yan for a healthy 200 calorie lunch.
the train ride was an experience. I think coming to america has made me too pampered. good thing I could start getting acquainted with mr discomfort during the train ride . it was hot. man. the aircon wasn't on and I could feel myself getting stickly moist (moistly sticky?). good thing I was wearing a quick dry shirt that prevented me from turning into a soggy potato chip.
a comfortable bus ride led us from grand central to jfk, where we checked in, spent our last remaining coins on coffee soup burgers fries and a bagel and had a quick talk on how to function happily as a group. uncle andrew, who was a naval ocifer, sat us on his lap (kidding!) and told us the story of THE ship. I wanted to stop the cleaner from clearing a perfectly uneaten breadstick from the table next to us... but I wasn't properly backpacking yet, so the situation did not call for such a measure.
the plane took more than an hour to take off. WAH LAU. kinyan and andrew would wake up and doze off and be surprised that the tarmac could still be seen. it was as if they were playing peekaboo with themselves.
plane food was good, mutton curry with ladies' fingers ( okra I think). the best part of the meal was the papad and the cardamon spiced noodle. and the gin and tonic. I nearly forgot to mention that the panel on the arm of the chair controls the light of the other person. and the amenities drawer in the bathroom contains some toothpicks and some used tissue paper, possibly containing snot. sick, eh?
I'm looking forward to landing in heathrow and getting our traveller's cheques and our hunger for dim sum and wong key settled. obviously, the jitters of the trip are present, but as I read the book on how lonely planet got started, I can't help but think of the many experiences that I will have. I look forward to watching grass sweep pass me, I look forward to sharing food with the passengers in 3rd class train carriages and I semi-look forward to the chafing the horse saddle will give me in mongolia. I really don't want to have my jewels affected (thanks ahmah for the thought, don't laugh so loudly when you read this). above all, before the real journey begins, I hope that I will be able to have a REAL experience and not some superficial plastic field trip.
-l
we had a bbq at alice hadler's (one of the senior profs) house in new haven. it's a very nice red house with a really great kitchen and an even nicer bench and table in the kitchen. andrew and I had to leave shortly as we were having dinner at abbott's in mystic seaport with cx and family. of which, I am really grateful for that taste of ocean brine and the springiness of fresh sweet succulent flesh of a certain clawed-sea bottom dwelling-oblong shaped creature.
the day (1+ am) followed with maniacal packing and the mumsy-like advocation of andrew to 'hurry up, pack, and you shouldn't be so last minute'. I really shouldn't be so last min. I promise not to procrastinate, next time. after sleeping for 5 hrs, it was a mad rush to get out of the dorm and to new haven to catch the 1250 train to jfk. many thanks to keithtankaixuan xiao3 pen2 you3 for the ride to new haven, and master chew kin yan for a healthy 200 calorie lunch.
the train ride was an experience. I think coming to america has made me too pampered. good thing I could start getting acquainted with mr discomfort during the train ride . it was hot. man. the aircon wasn't on and I could feel myself getting stickly moist (moistly sticky?). good thing I was wearing a quick dry shirt that prevented me from turning into a soggy potato chip.
a comfortable bus ride led us from grand central to jfk, where we checked in, spent our last remaining coins on coffee soup burgers fries and a bagel and had a quick talk on how to function happily as a group. uncle andrew, who was a naval ocifer, sat us on his lap (kidding!) and told us the story of THE ship. I wanted to stop the cleaner from clearing a perfectly uneaten breadstick from the table next to us... but I wasn't properly backpacking yet, so the situation did not call for such a measure.
the plane took more than an hour to take off. WAH LAU. kinyan and andrew would wake up and doze off and be surprised that the tarmac could still be seen. it was as if they were playing peekaboo with themselves.
plane food was good, mutton curry with ladies' fingers ( okra I think). the best part of the meal was the papad and the cardamon spiced noodle. and the gin and tonic. I nearly forgot to mention that the panel on the arm of the chair controls the light of the other person. and the amenities drawer in the bathroom contains some toothpicks and some used tissue paper, possibly containing snot. sick, eh?
I'm looking forward to landing in heathrow and getting our traveller's cheques and our hunger for dim sum and wong key settled. obviously, the jitters of the trip are present, but as I read the book on how lonely planet got started, I can't help but think of the many experiences that I will have. I look forward to watching grass sweep pass me, I look forward to sharing food with the passengers in 3rd class train carriages and I semi-look forward to the chafing the horse saddle will give me in mongolia. I really don't want to have my jewels affected (thanks ahmah for the thought, don't laugh so loudly when you read this). above all, before the real journey begins, I hope that I will be able to have a REAL experience and not some superficial plastic field trip.
-l
First Stop - New York (kind of)
28th May
I'm not sure if New York counts as a 'first stop' but I guess since I've got some time to spend I might as well get into the habit of writing.
As expected, I didn't pack my backpack quite right, resulting in my back aching as we waited outside Grand Central for our bus to JFK International Airport. Just minutes before, we had said our farewells to Anand, the last Wesleyan student that we'll meet until we reach China.
We're headed to JFK to catch our (cheap) flight to London on Air India. We'll be there for a day before catching another (cheap) flight to Latvia. Fortunately, Luke has an aunt in London that will take care of us for a bit, and I'm hoping to meet friends in London as well.
I know my tone sounds rather melancholy, probably due to my tiredness after attending commencement the day before and sleeping at 5 after cleaning up the house and stuffing assorted items into my backpack. My shoulders hurt and my neck is complaining...and all this before I've even left the country! Phew... what will happen to me?
Looking at the signs from the bus to JFK, I note that everything is, of course, in English. While this will (hopefully) also be the case in London, once we leave the land of Her Majesty the Queen, language will be major problem. Luke has a spanking new Russian phrasebook tucked away in hs bag and I suspect that it will be our only hope as we venture into the middle of Russia.
But first, next stop : London!
-kinyan
Monday, May 28, 2007
The Night Before
I have never packed a hiking backpack before. Stuffing in shoes and battery chargers alongside fat compression bags at 3am before our trip is a ... tiring ... experience. Hopefully it'll hold and I won't have too much trouble during the trip and my packing decisions won't come back to haunt me halfway when I realize I have no space for new, fun, exotic items that we'll pick up along the way.
Tomorrow, Andrew, Luke and myself will depart for London, and then to Latvia and St. Petersburg. As usual, last minute preparations are the order of the day (or rather, the night).
Oh well. What's new? I guess the trip is off to a rather good start. =)
Farewell Middletown, Connecticut!
-kinyan
Tomorrow, Andrew, Luke and myself will depart for London, and then to Latvia and St. Petersburg. As usual, last minute preparations are the order of the day (or rather, the night).
Oh well. What's new? I guess the trip is off to a rather good start. =)
Farewell Middletown, Connecticut!
-kinyan
Sunday, May 20, 2007
sunday d -8
kinyan andrew and luke are the main characters of this um, blog.
After having a big dinner at kari, a malaysian place about 30 mins off campus, i am reading a book called unlikely destinations, the lonely planet story. it's a story about how lonely planet got set up, by a british and a irish husband and wife team. and they met by sitting upon opposite ends of a bench, in Regent Park. Hmm. Anyhow, i am looking forward to the trip. (obviously!) Although, we still need to iron out some details, such as how much currency to bring over, whether we should get travellers cheques etc. And i definitely have to go and check up on wiring money to a certain Tatiana in russia (no, not a mail bride...) for train tickets from Ulan Ude to Ulan Bator. shite.
The trip starts like this: 28th of may, we leave middletown, connecticut, US of A, and take a series of trains to get to JFK airport in New York. Our flight, air india, leaves for london at 755pm and reaches london at 740am. we'll spend about a day in london, take a train to stanstead airport by 7pm and sleep over to take a flight the next morning to riga, latvia at 6am. we'll roam about riga for 2 days before taking a bus (18hrs long) to st petersburg. 5 days after, we'll reach moscow, and 5 days after, we'll stop by a few more cities. we'll be in irkutsk for 7 days or so, ulan ude for 2 days, then ulan bator for about 2 weeks to catch the nadaam festival. We'll be in beijing by the 15th of july (cheeaaaapcheaaaaaaapfoooooooood. like peking duck. wowwowweewow.) and then qingdao, shanghai and then finally hongkong on the 25th or 26th.
we'll all part ways on the 27th from macau, kinyan for malaysia, andrew for singapore and i for thailand. koh samet calls me.
- l
btw, i am really just relaxing the days away on campus, now that the finals have ended. just today, i spent a very fruitful 20 minutes reading the lonely planet book in the car with kings of convenience playing, while i stuck my feet out of the window to give it a breather. just to let you know what i'm doing nowadays. heh.
After having a big dinner at kari, a malaysian place about 30 mins off campus, i am reading a book called unlikely destinations, the lonely planet story. it's a story about how lonely planet got set up, by a british and a irish husband and wife team. and they met by sitting upon opposite ends of a bench, in Regent Park. Hmm. Anyhow, i am looking forward to the trip. (obviously!) Although, we still need to iron out some details, such as how much currency to bring over, whether we should get travellers cheques etc. And i definitely have to go and check up on wiring money to a certain Tatiana in russia (no, not a mail bride...) for train tickets from Ulan Ude to Ulan Bator. shite.
The trip starts like this: 28th of may, we leave middletown, connecticut, US of A, and take a series of trains to get to JFK airport in New York. Our flight, air india, leaves for london at 755pm and reaches london at 740am. we'll spend about a day in london, take a train to stanstead airport by 7pm and sleep over to take a flight the next morning to riga, latvia at 6am. we'll roam about riga for 2 days before taking a bus (18hrs long) to st petersburg. 5 days after, we'll reach moscow, and 5 days after, we'll stop by a few more cities. we'll be in irkutsk for 7 days or so, ulan ude for 2 days, then ulan bator for about 2 weeks to catch the nadaam festival. We'll be in beijing by the 15th of july (cheeaaaapcheaaaaaaapfoooooooood. like peking duck. wowwowweewow.) and then qingdao, shanghai and then finally hongkong on the 25th or 26th.
we'll all part ways on the 27th from macau, kinyan for malaysia, andrew for singapore and i for thailand. koh samet calls me.
- l
btw, i am really just relaxing the days away on campus, now that the finals have ended. just today, i spent a very fruitful 20 minutes reading the lonely planet book in the car with kings of convenience playing, while i stuck my feet out of the window to give it a breather. just to let you know what i'm doing nowadays. heh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
