Glasgow

I was so glad to have arrived in Glasgow.. because the overnight Megabus ride sucked..
It was so cramped that i could have died from either Deep Vein Thrombosis or suffocation..

But the bad bus ride was quickly put aside once we checked into our Eurohostel.. We were in Scotland! The Glasgow that Chai Hwa loves so much and recommended =)

The view from outside Eurohostel.. Blue skies oh yeah

You know you're in Scotland when you see a kilts shop

Passed by this unknown building that looks quite nice =)

We weighed our options and decided to pay 7 pounds to get a 2 day pass on a open top tour bus .. which turned out to be an excellent investment.. Coz the attractions were not close enough to walk.. and we also used it as our public transport. We hopped on and off as we liked.. with audio intro of the places we passed by.. =)

Our first stop was the St Mungo Cathedral and Museum.. ended up spending 2 hrs there!

Second stop.. People's Palace.. a museum that features the life of everyday Glaswegians..

Scottish weather can be summarised using 3 words.. wet, windy, unpredictable. The blue skies disappeared and in came the dark clouds and brief showers.. but a little rain isn't gonna stop us!

The Clyde Arch, spanning the River Clyde

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC).. affectionately known as "the Armadillo" by the locals

The Glasgow Science Centre and Glasgow Tower across the river

The shops close really early since it was a saturday.. and so we followed Wikitravel's advice.. and went to the Horse Shoe Bar.. a really local place.. for traditional pub food and a pint..Steak in Pastry plus Fish Pie plus a beer.. 10 pounds.. in Helsinki it will cost you 30 Euros! Cheap and nice and local and rowdy.. =)

The next morning, we woke up really early to utilise the day pass on the bus to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.. It was a really good museum, and we're so glad we decided to go after considering our options..

On our way to the Museum, we passed by the Glasgow University.. Looks like Hogwarts from the outside =) But we didn't have time to go in!

The Museum was divided into many different areas.. like Scottish Life and Natural History for example.. And houses precious art pieces by Monet and Rembrant. But the museum itself is really pretty also.. =)

Another perpective of the Cross

Got my hands on some old skool weaponry.. which were really heavy!

We had planned to travel to Edinburgh early in the morning.. but Wei Sing met a Singaporean and a Vietnamese girl from NUS in her dorm (wow!).. and they recommended that we go to Stirling before Edinburgh.. and in the spirit of spontaneity and adventure.. we said Onz!

London

Looking back, i can safely say that my 10 day trip to the UK was probably the best trip i've ever had. Thanks Wei Sing for being such a wonderful spontaneous travel buddy =).. It's hard to capture all i've experienced in the subsequent blog entries.. but i shall try! I've decided to do it kinda chronologically again.. 1 entry per destination.. unless there's something especially significant that warrants a separate entry on its own..

I don't think i'll be able to finish blogging about the UK by tonight.. and since i'm leaving for Stockholm and Copenhagen tomorrow.. please gimme some time! Plus.. Yuan is here with me right now =) .. so i have less time to blog.. but here goes..

First up.. London!

We took a budget easyJet flight that wasn't really cheap, but at least it flew from Helsinki and not Tampere..

Arriving at abt 9+ meant we decided to sleep in the airport till the next morning =)

Our hostel is called "BESTPLACE" in Paddington.. near Edgeware Road Station..notice the BESTPLACE is in inverted commas.. =) But it wasn't too bad..clean place to sleep.. warm showers.. breakfast included.. with a 24hr bar downstairs plus friendly staff.. what more can a backpacker ask for?

After dropping off our stuff.. we went to Oxford Street to recce for the Gucci bag that Wei Sing's sister wanted (hi! i heard u read my blog as well? haha).. before heading to the Wellington Arch.. That was the meeting point for the Free Walking Tour of London (tips basis)..

Horses shit as they go along.. so ya..

Thats my guide in red! She's Irish.. and in the picture she seems to be saying.. "I dunno whats the big deal about Buckingham Palace!"

Poor guard.. like abt 2000 people were queuing up to take pictures with him..

We even managed to catch a ongoing protest.. something abt the killing in Sri Lanka..

Westminster Abbey, where parliament meets =).. this is also where the tour ended.. and i gave 5 pounds to the Irish guide.. i actually dunno if i'm being generous or kiam siap.. coz i dunno the market rate

And yes of course.. the Big Ben.. apparently the big ben is referring to the bell inside.. who cares that the clock tower actually has a name when u have a big bell inside called the Big Ben? =)

So Wei Sing and i continued our exploration of London.. we decided to go back to places we covered in the tour where we didn't get the opportunity to spend more time.. and of coz also find some food.. But of coz.. we took the scenic route.. by the Embankment.. The London Eye... The Singapore Flyer's older cousin..

How can i resist taking a photo with a red phone booth

After lunch.. the walk continues.. Trafalgar Square.. The tall thing being Nelson's Column.. Commemorating Lord Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar

We took turns to climb up and to fool around with 1 of the 4 huge lion sculptures..

After Trafalgar Square.. walked towards Covent Garden.. and saw breakers on the street..

And were just in time for the Les Miserables.. which was fantastic =)

The show ended abt 10+.. and we once again took a walk by the Embankment to see the lights. =)


End of day 1.. another busy day awaits!

We checked out early in the morning.. coz we're kiasu Singaporeans.. and we want to be right in front for the Change of Guards Ceremony at the Buckingham Palace =).. It wasn't a big thing with horses and all.. but a nice one nonetheless..

After the parade we planned to be at Tower Hill Station by 4 to catch the other tour.. so we had time to spare.. =)

So we went shopping.. at Harrods.. bought a tiny box of chocolates.. that's all i can afford there

And of course we went to Kings Cross Station.. Platform 9 3/4

We arrived at abt 4.10.. and we see no tour guides! We'll just have to explore by ourselves =) And so we walked down towards the Tower of London.. and the Tower Bridge. By now the weather is becoming really nice and with the sun setting it was a really pretty sigh

Continued our own tour.. and came to St Paul's Cathedral.. which was really pretty.. too bad we couldn't go in..

The Millenium Bridge in the evening..

Bag piper playing Amazing Grace.. awesome..

Our bus to Glasgow was at 11.. so we had time.. and decided to walk to around Leicester Sq in search of cheap tickets.. 20 pounds for an entertaining performance.. Stomp!

London is so full of energy and life.. a really happening place that doesn't sleep.. We still had our shopping to do.. but we were leaving that for the last day when we're back in London.. =)..

I only bought 1 pair of Fred Perry shoes.. nothing else! =)

back!

I'm back from the UK!
I had the most amazing experience..

stay tuned.. for stories and pictures.. of Lively London, scenic Scotland and Awesome Anfield!

i took about 2000 photos.. haha so i'll need some time to edit and sort etc.. can't wait to share my experiences!

Plans for the next 2 weeks

Finnish exam is over! It was pretty manageable.. only 2 printed sides.. i think i should be able to pass even though i left a few blanks due to my substandard Finnish vocabulary..

Hyvä! (which means good).. coz it means that my post exam trip is here!
In fact.. i'm leaving tonite!
Let me updating update u guys about my plan.. =) i think i'll do this before i leave for any trip ..
This is a rough outline of where i'll be on each day..
stay tuned for more pictures when i return!

Trip to the UK...

3th March:
Evening flight to London Gatwick Airport
Stay overnight at the airport

4th March:
Take a 0640 bus from Airport to the city centre
Check-in to our hostel at Edgware Road
The London adventure begins!

5th March:
London adventure continues!
Depart from Victoria Coach Station at 2345

6th March:
Arrive at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station at 0750
Check in at Euro Hostel, Clyde Street
The Glasgow Adventure begins!

7th March:
Leave Glasgow for Edinburgh (~1 hr journey)
Arrive by 1400
The Edinburgh adventure begins!

8th March:
The Edinburgh adventure continues!
Night train (National Rail to Liverpool)

9th March:
Arrive in Liverpool in the morning
Settle in at Uncle Cogan's place..
The Liverpool adventure begins!

10th March:
the big day.. Liverpool vs Real Madrid at Anfield!

11th March:
Manchester (tbc)

12th March:
no plans as yet.. perhaps Chester or other places nearby

13th March:
Back to London
Finish up shopping
Stay overnight at airport

14th March:
Early morning flight back to Helsinki

15th March:
Yuan arrives! =)

You're my sunshine!

You're in KL now.. i'll be in the UK.. then i'll be back.. then u'll be here!
Helsinki needs a bit more sunshine =)