The trip to London was a fulfilling one. Winning the Kempinski European Flair Special Prize meant I could go to any of the hotelier’s branches and stay for a full 5 days fully sponsored. London was my chosen destination as it has so much history and culture and it did not disappoint. The Architecture there was splendid beyond words. The temperature was about 15 Degrees Celsius and for a Singaporean, it was at a comfortable level that allows one to travel without sweating and fatigue and this was in Summer. The first day upon touchdown itself was tiring but welcoming ….. the staff at Stafford Hotel were obliging and helpful. Our room has a traditional Victorian style to it that has a very cottage or horse carriage feel to it. One cannot help falling in love with it. Situated just next to Green Park Station which features a park with a luscious green field where the locals chill out in on brightly striped beach chairs. We also visited Mexican restaurants and a boutique restaurant which has a ballet theme….. arghh, how I missed their steak.
Me and my fashion stylist Rachel were welcomed by multiple rainbows around the city while looking for a Chinese restuarant in Chinatown. It was raining a little but not heavy enough to be a hindrance ….. there are lots of small shops around the famed Picadilly Circus Area that will surprise you with quality souvenirs like dolls and shirts and even ornamental guitars.
We were also doing photo shoots for 3 days with Monika Godlewska, Olivia Janin and our fabulous MUA Silvia Ribera. We had a great time shooting within the hotel with great hospitality shown by Carsten Schubert and Ursula Vonplaten. We also shot at the beautiful Hampstead Heath.
We also paid a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum which I will feature in the next post. Now here is a place which one can spend the whole day….. the amount of art pieces and artifacts are so numerous and overwhelming that one can get lost in it.
We also visited Bond Street to visit the branded boutiques and their collections is just breath-taking. The Viviene Westwood shops were divided into 3 shops within walking distance of each other….. perhaps about 15 minutes walk apart. The Bridal and Couture branch at Davies Street has a unique charm with the wooden floor planks and thick carpets and a basement level where the staff goes to to check the stock. Feels so surreal ……. too bad I was budgeting so I can get souvenirs for my friends cos there are so many great designs here and all of which is cheaper than what we can get in Singapore.
Where ever you go in London, you see concert walls and performing art theatres …… wished I have had the time to catch a play or musical back than……. the London Underground subway trains are smaller but never as crowded as a MRT at any given time of the day. Traflgar Square was also an interesting place to be with the statues and fountains and a countdown clock to the Olympics running the background. There were also many performing artists and buskers around, all adding to a very carnival like feel to the place on a Sunday. It was crowded at times but always with room for personal space .
Definitely a place to recommend for those shopaholics out there but also for those who like Victorian Style Architecture and those looking to open up their minds and souls.
Megalomaniac Euphoria 