jorgn_craw

24 November / Monday

I was packed and showered by 8am and managed to check out by 9am. We left our luggage at the reception for pick up later on during the day then headed back down to King’s Cross Station. We ended up in Leicester Square to pay for our London Dungeon tickets.

Since we are in London, we should have English Breakfast! Our hunt for a good English Breakfast landed us at the Aberdeen Stake Houses just across the Trocadero in Coventry Street. The restaurant offering a sumptous English Brekkie which we really enjoyed! I can’t remember how much it costs per person but I remember myself saying “it cost just as much as a good breakfast in Auckland”.

A quick walk back to the Red Bus Station had me gasping for breath. The walk was not a problem but it was bitterly cold and I could feel my fingers starting to feel quite numb. Intent to save as much time as we can, we decided the bus was not the best option. With a day pass in hand, we took the tube and in just 5 minutes we found ourselves negotiating our way around the "Labyrinth of the Lost Souls" inside the London Dungeon.

Going through the passages reminds me of “Infinity” in the Gold Coast although I must say “Infinity” is quite superb! I figured out we have been going in circles for the third time and started to think the way I have negotiated “Infinity”...searching for exits.

While busy taking snapshots, I got behind the group I was with and in my effort to get back into the comfort of having others around me, I slammed full on hard onto the glass wall! This gave some of those behind me a license to let out a few giggles and some bold ones actually laughed at my predicament.

Then one of the actors opened a way out of the labyrinth and we are now transported to the days of “Jack the Ripper”! There is quite a lot to see and it is not just to scare kids or even older folks like me...but it gives visitors a good idea of the old London and I suppose the some parts of Europe. It is presented in a light drama/comic cum horror fashion that culminates into a six feet drop as each guests is sentenced and hanged for the crime/s committed... I had a good picture of this drop...so good I don’t want to show it to anyone...he he he!!!!

Coming out of the Dungeon and into the bright busy streets of London, I thought that was a good experience. It was fun, interesting and as always never as scary as they advertise it to be! But yes, I would say for fun seekers like me...I’d say it’s a good way to use 2 hours in London to break the monotony of busy and often noisy streets, the shopping and the shoppers especially at Christmas time and the grey wet weather outside.

After this it was time for a quick afternoon bite and little bit of shopping (or should I say window shopping) and then we were back on to the tube to pick up our luggage and be on time for our train to Gatwick Airport.

Gatwick International Airport is another Eye Opener for me. If you are checking in, forget looking for seats, there are none. If you get there in plenty of time before you are to check in... well, you’ll just have to toughen up and get your big lower bottom sink into the Airport floor! I thought I could not do it but after standing for so long and walking around trying to entertain myself (like checking the electronic

check-in kiosks...I must say AirNZ ones looks much better/modern?), I finally gave in. I was sitting on my butt just like a few other passengers. About 3-4 years ago this is probably something I will not be prepared to do. Sit on the floor of an International Airport munching a hamburger. But I have changed my way of thinking in the past couple of years. It pays to be natural and flexible. This goes better under my skin!

After watching EZY jet on TV for a few years and seing all the possible things that could go wrong, I was praying and asking the Lord to hold our flight in his hands! Remembering the series on TV, they are quite notorious with flight delays! I am hoping this isn't gonna be the case for us today! One more thing, EZY jet had no restrictions on the cabin allowance (I saw one lady with a cabin bag the size of a check-in baggage). Whether this was just a one off or not, I am not sure.

After negotiating the immigration (and yes they do ask you to take your shoes off...so no dirty/stinky socks here please); got to the shopping area and found out our flight is going to be delayed for more than an hour.

Did I not say...notorious for delays????

Instead of moaning I took advantage of my time and bought some postcards and stamps for my folks and friends back in NZ except I found out didn’t have all their addresses. Then the one hour delay became 2hours..so out I went again checking shops and just acquainting myself of the outlay of the airport. I might be of help to others flying in or via Gatwick one day, who knows?

From here there is about 20 minutes walk to the boarding gates. One more important thing (there are no seat allocations with EZYJet) everyone rushes in like mad to get the best seats. Without my buddy Marven, I am sure I would have survived but I would have had no clue on any of these. Our flight, except for being late for more than 2 hours, was fine and the crew were great. Settled into my seat and almost gave in to a comfortable sleep but had to fight it off so as not to put my friend in an embarrassing state. Most of the passengers were drinking a lot of beer, in particular was a man and a young girl in the same row as ours. They got a bit carried away and was talking to each other as if they were on their own. HHHmmm!!!

BERLIN

The aircraft touched down quite safely into the runway of Schonefield Airport in Berlin! Getting off the plane and even with a very quick dash into the waiting shuttle bus to the airport, I was enveloped with an icy air and I gasped and struggled to find my gloves inside my hand bag.

This time I made sure I lined up to the non-European queue at the immigration. When it was my turn, the officer looked at my passport...turned it around and back again. Looked at me and saw him shaking his head. I was hoping he talks to me...normally they asked you questions...but he just kept flapping the pages of my dear passport shaking his head but remaining silent. The other officer asked him something (in German of course) and he said something back... but that didn't seem to help him. I was getting a bit fidgety and was concerned at the line behind me. Eventually a phone call was made...still turning the pages of my passport. I stood there stupefied...hello?....I just came out of London and I came from a country with a visa waiver to enter Europe...but I can’t speak German! Then the phone rang back and I heard him say...Jah!..Aso! (don’t know if I spelled that right)...puts the phone down and stamped my passport. I thanked him and gave him a very warm smile. Really...I could have told him everything he needed if only he asked me questions.

Marven has collected our luggage and was pointing to the door. I waived at the guy standing by the big glass doors in spite of not being so sure if it was his dad or his brother. Another look and realized it was Dr H, his brother. It was kind of him to come pick us up in the middle of the night! He ushered us into his new sports BMmer.

Feeling unsure of the right behavior towards a Deutsche GP, I decided to just do it the Kiwi way...plain and simple and told him I like his car (if I was talking to my son I would have just said...cool Bmmer mate!). The drive to Potsdam was much longer than I thought but Henry and Marven made some friendly I guess funny remarks as he (Henry) showed me some buttons that warms up the seat...and they called it the "p - - - - warmer" which in normal terms they really just meant "seat warmer". I kind off relaxed after that. I have been warned by my Community Evening School Tutor that Germans are quite formal.

My thoughts of London? Wonderful city to visit especially for history buffs and those interested with the Royalty. The bloodline of the city ...the tube allows you to be anywhere in just a few minutes. As bad as the traffic is, the city is kept alive and moving by its interlaced underground tube! For any one who appreciates the beauty of the old interspersed with the new, London is the place to go. And though it is expensive, one can survive London with just a few bucks. I have not spent half of my budget. I am totally amazed and proud of myself...in saying all these... I’ll take Auckland over London anytime!

written by

jorgn_craw on November 23, 2008 from London, United Kingdom

from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008

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Hong Kong International Airport:

Xmas tree at Hong Kong Int'l

Currently sitting (on the floor) at Hong Kong International Airport, congregating with a few others connected to a power outlet for their notebooks. We are boarding in fifteen minutes and from this point on it is uncharted grounds to old me! Sun is shining now.

It was almost 18 years ago when last come to Lantau Island with friends before the airport was built. I was quite surprised, impressed I guess is a better word for it, last year when I first came back to HKG. The old soggy paddies with mosquitoes and flies hovering around us while picnicking are gone. This is a totally different world! The only thing that is constant I suppose is the smog coming from China. The air is never clear...makes me appreciate NZ a lot more!

Back to seat 66D, plane is looking a bit fuller but quite thankful to find out that the seat next to me is still free. Flight is long but it is plain sailing. I noticed a slight difference in the degree of warmth or friendliness of the crew, could be due to more pax and they need to work faster/quicker? But that would not be living up to what AirNZ stands for: the best service possible by a carrier. It's a name the company wants to create and should keep.

view from the plane

Wee hours before reaching LHR, the captain announced us passing through the Netherlands. I took this chance to get up and went for a walk about and later on congregated with a few moms (and dads possibly) by the window next to the lavatories. Managed to take a quick snap of the view below us. From the right side of the plane and looking down at the many white dots that covered quite a vast expanse of the land made me realize these are WINDMILLS ...

White Christmas...

Checked the left side of the plane and all I can see is a blanket of white...reality kicks in I guess and the moment the word SNOW...lots of SNOW is formed in my brain...next questions is.. “Oh dear...Will I be warm enough?” Checking the photos I just took I suddenly put two and two together (in this case one and one really) and figured the snow is only on one side because the windmills, hundreds of windmills were on the other side.

Looking at the flight plan showed we were passing my final destination, Germany. It is another hour or so to LHR. Sun was out and once we touched down, I breezed through immigration (although I could have spent a bit more time checking which queue I should have gone to avoid looking like a dork and being told “this queue is for European passport holders only)...to my embarrassment! But lucky enough there were no queues. Once I have collected all check in luggage, I took the trouble of taking out the Kiwi bone carvings with a bit of a feather in it (my pressie for my host) for the purpose of declaring it. I went through the red line but I was surprised and almost feel disappointed to find no one there at the counter. Just a quick turn to my left, I joined the others going through the exit doors into the airport's arrival lobby.

Found my Dot2Dot airport transfer and was told to wait for a few minutes. The drive from the airport was a good introduction for me. With my eyes wide open I noticed the contrast London has with Auckland. Although the city is widespread as Auckland is, especially out in the suburbs...the difference is the colors. Being swallowed into a sea of all shades of browns gives a feeling of warmth and a welcoming spirit!

There were only 3 of us in the shuttle yet I did not get to my hotel until 3 hours later. I was starting to feel very tired but the driver was quite friendly and advised (once the 2 other pax were dropped off) that since it is my first time in London, he will show me around. The service took so long and for people who know their way around in London, the Heathrow Express would be better. But I do not like the idea of pushing or dragging 2 suitcases plus my hand carry in the middle of crowded train. So the shuttle worked better for me this time and the driver was kind enough to actually carry my suitcases to the reception.
The only downside was the long wait at the airport but I guess that is something that can’t be helped as they can’t run the shuttle with not enough pax.

Ibis London City Reception

Got to IBIS London City only to find that everyone on the reception are immigrants (I think from Russia) and didn’t understand my KIWI accent. Room is small but quite clean and the bathroom most especially. It is about a hundred meters away from/to the Aldgate Station which served very handy for us. It is also just a block or two away from the London Tower/Tower Bridge.

While inside the airport shuttle I felt quite tired and all I wanted was to drop dead as soon as I reach my hotel bed and sleep for a few hours to recover. But after a quick warm shower I was fine and dandy so we decided to go out.

my first time in the London Tube

After all I am only gonna be in London for a couple of nights and every hour counts.

the right sign, wrong place

I saw this sign at the Victoria Station. I was actually looking for food, I gave up the idea after this.

Few eye openers for me tonight:

Auckland’s streets get crowded but nothing compared to here. I see a lot of people tugging along suitcases in different shapes colors and sizes all over the train, streets and everywhere. Rubbish was everywhere. Walking along one of the main shopping area near Hyde Park, I realized that with the massive number of people the city has to cope with, it is hard to keep everything under control.

Well lit streets

People rushes around like mad and there are rubbish everywhere on the streets, on pavements...

I even found a shopping cart just across Hyde Park full of rubbish and just left on the side road!

Just a few more photos I took during my first night. This one is at Hyde Park Christmas Market

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park

Well lit streets

Taken at one of the main shopping area not far from Hyde Park. And this one is somewhere in Soho..

Street Deco and lights in Soho District

Marven kept reminding me..."Kathy look after your bag please...you are not in NZ!" Hearing this from him, I remember telling the shuttle driver... "I have just been a few hours in London and I miss NZ already!" We are not lucky in NZ, we are blessed and we don’t even realize it. Yes, even if life can be hard at times back home...the space, the freedom, the surroundings, the friendly people, the simple things in life... I can’t ask for more!

written by

jorgn_craw on November 22, 2008 from Hong Kong, Hong Kong

from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008

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