Central London

2 weekends ago, there was a Dutch Trade Fair in Trafalgar Square. Since it was my day off and baby's too, we decided to go. To go with the theme, we wore our orange shirts of course.

it was a bit windy when we went out of the house, but when we got to the Square, it was very hot! We had to take our jumpers off for more ventilation.

Indeed it was a well attended event. Food, music, people, everything in Dutch. It felt like home for baby.

that same day, was the big game for our favorite team, Arsenal Gunners against Chelsea. We just had to watch it. Honey looked for pubs around the area that shows it but had a hard time finding any. So he decided to just go to the big Sports Bar nearby. It was absolutely massive. By the time we got in, we couldnt find seats anymore, so we stood up while watching the game. The guys to our front right were so loud! One time two men wrestled and they hit the man who stood just right next to me. Thanks to the man coz it would have been me. Silly immature men! Anyway, it was a good match but Arsenal lost. It just wasnt their day. Huhuhuh!

Since I havent been to Soho, my baby took me there. It was the gayest area of London. Everywhere you look they are there. I even saw men walking hand in hand. So sweet! We went into this gay shop and to my surprise, they have a DVD of "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros". Amazing! The shop had everything really even the really sexy ones, from videos to gadgets. All in there!

While walking on the streets, I had the shock of my life, when my baby suddenly gave me a kiss on the lips. It was public! I never thought he could do that. But he was so brave! It was the sweetest!

We got tired of walking, our stomach was complaining already. Baby said that we eat at Belgo, which was a Belgian restaurant in Covent Garden. When we got there, it was so full, the receptionist said that we have to wait for 30-45 minutes to get in. Since we really wanted it, we waited until they had seats for us. The entrance is very dramatic. It was like a bridge. And you have to go downstairs where the main restaurant was. We both had mussels and beer which were there house favorites. After the waitress got our order, I couldnt help myself, I almost broke down to tears. I was ever so grateful to baby for showing me the beautiful things in life. I would never ever have experienced all these things if it wasnt for him. I felt so blessed and at the same time special. He held my hand while tears fell on my eyes. I am just very amazed of how someone can make me feel something like this. So loved and wanted.

He's got so much effect on me, he managed to make me smile, especially when the food came. It was very very delicious. We enjoyed each of the mussels to bits. Hmmmm.... When he said that this was the best restaurant in London, I knew then what he was talking. And price wise, it aint that bad. It wasnt very expensive at all. We had desserts right after but again I couldnt finish mine because it was just a lot. Not that i dont like it, i just couldnt eat it anymore.

I had to work the next day, so we parted ways in Tottenham Court Road station. Another lovely weekend for us. Cheers baby!

Destination: Southwest UK

Definitely one of the most beautiful holiday I had. Thanks to the coach bum sale of national express we were able to go to Bath at a very cheap rate. Imagine only £4.50 for the two of us. Unbelievable!

Good Friday.

We got so caught up talking to our mums, we lost track of time and ended up racing to Rayners Lane tube station just to get the 4.08pm train to Uxbridge. God knows when the next train will be if we missed it. Had to chuck the lovely beef casserole that I prepared for lunch because we did not have the time to eat. Because of the fast walk and putting pressure to my legs, it did hurt but had to do it coz when we got down to the platform, the train just came in. Our luck did not stop there because when we got to Uxbridge, we did not have to wait, the bus just settled in the bus stop and we just hopped in.

me and baby in the bus

it was still 4.45pm when we got to Heathrow. Good time. We were still able to get some food for the trip. Sandwiches. Water. Chocolates. Mints. Fruits.

There were a lot of passengers in the bus that we were not able to sat together. We both sat on an aisle seat just across each other. Not too bad. I did some reading while on the bus but after a few minutes I felt dizzy. It was a good thing that we got the mints. At least it soothe me throughout the whole bus trip to Bath. When we reached Swindon, since there were people who got off, I suggested to Honey that we should move up and we can also sit together. He was hesitant at first but later he agreed. According to him, he wanted me to be happy. So sweet of my guy.

Usually for long trips, I am able to sleep on the bus but this one was different. It could be the seat that was not so comfortable or due to the amazement of the picturesque view outside. Could be both actually.

We got to Bath I think 7pm but still with so much light. Before we got off, we both decided to have seafood for dinner. Onefishtwofish was the destination which was in North Parade Avenue. The map in the book that we got was not updated that was why we got lost for some time. But because of teamwork, we were able to find our way to the restaurant which was a bottom flat. Interesting I thought!

It was not just the location that was interesting, the food was absolutely delicious! The main course was filling enough that there was no room for dessert. The dinner started on a bad note for me, but ended extra special. I have to say one of the best that we ever had.

From there, we went straight to the railway station to go to Bristol Temple Meads where we booked our hotel. It was just a 10 minute train ride. Quick!


Bristol was stunning as well! I never thought it was that beautiful. It was like Cebu City. The lifestyle of a city but not as crowded and polluted as the capital. We walked to the hotel while enjoying the view. The hotel was cheap but it certainly was not of poor quality. It was rated four stars. Convenience wise, it was perfect. It was situated beside the harbour and just across bars and restaurants.

Saturday we went straight to Bath. The weather was very nice. It was sunny and was not very windy. We grabbed lunch at Sally Lunn's which was famous for its delicious buns. There was a queue on the entrance, which was a testament that its indeed a good one. The buns tasted absolutely good. It was big and tasty.

We planned to do the walk first and the Roman Bath later. But after arriving at Bath Abbey, there was a long line for the Roman Bath, so we decided to just do it all the way around.
It was a very amazing experience. I was in awe all the time we toured it. The remains were very well preserved. It was very defining having been able to see how they used to live back then. It was great! And to top it all up, we were able to taste the water itself. Of course this was treated already or else we will poison ourselves. As expected, it was warm.





Before ending our Roman Bath tour, I spotted a familiar face across the spring water. OMG! Joey De Leon! The actor-TV host! Who would have thought? I grabbed baby to get closer to them and I took the courage to ask him if I can have a picture with him; he politely agreed. I don't really watch his programs. I'm a certified Kapamilya, you see. But what the heck? He is one of the popular stars in the Philippines.


As what I have mentioned earlier, after the Roman Bath Tour, we were going to do the City of Bath walk. Take note: all by ourselves. Just armed with wit and maps. Believe it or not, it was the first time that I did something like this. Back home when we went to a foreign city, we sought the convenience of a tour guide. Made things easier for us. But what me and my baby did was very romantic. It was like those in the reality show, Amazing Race, the only difference was we were not in a race. Now I get the first hand experience that clashes of ideas in times like this are normal. But in an odd way, the whole thing in reminiscence, makes you value each other more as partners.

While we were walking, our favorite football team, Arsenal, was playing against Wigan, and just when we walked through Walcot Street, my favorite player, Theo Walcott, scored a goal! He must have got the inspiration from me. Or from us! Whoever, Arsenal never looked back then and won the match with a massive 4-1 lead.

Anyway, before we went to dinner, we dropped by a gay bar in Bath, Mandalays. Of course, there were not a lot of people since it was afternoon which was what we wanted. I had a big glass of San Miguel Beer while my baby had a Smirnoff Ice. I was already a little bit tipsy when we left and headed to Pinch for dinner.

We were the early birds in the restaurant. The manager said that they are quite full tonight but she squeezed us in. We got lucky again, we thought! Food was lovely. Again no room for dessert. We planned on catching up with the Magic Walk Tour but we stayed for awhile in the restaurant, we missed the tour. Well I suggested, we go back to our hotel, freshen up, and party in Bristol.

So we did get back to our hotel, watched some news to see what was happening, and to see how Arsenal won the game. Just few minutes, I fell asleep in my baby's arms. I was so comfortable. He was talking to me but I did not respond, later he realized he was just talking to himself because I was already in my dreams. He let me sleep and even if he was cheering hard for Arsenal, that did not wake me up.

Sunday was just the same day as yesterday. It was still sunny in the Southwest. But in London, it was gloomy. Weather was not nice at all. This was according to my friend, Zellah, when I talked to her. Our plan was just to stay in Bristol in the morning and go to the beach nearby in Weston-Supermare in the afternoon. Again we explored the place all by ourselves. We got confused once with directions but still managed to find our way.

Bristol's pride, the Clifton Suspension Bridge: WOW! Every angle of it was beautiful. It was deeper than the Tower Bridge in London. It was a bit scary for me because heights is one of my biggest fears. But it was not an ordinary bridge. More or less, from the bridge you can see the whole of Bristol.





Grabbed a bite in The Chocolat Store right after, and made our way to the Railway Station to go to the beach. Excited!

It was just a good 10 minutes walk from Weston Train station and we were in the seafront. Again, Wow! This was exactly what I saw in the television and in films. Long shoreline, a pier, a fair. This was everything I expected! Except the white sand beaches because the sand was brown but very fine. We took our shoes off to feel the sand and enjoyed the beach just like little kids. It was so cool. I kept on running around that my feet got very dirty with mud. Well, that was part of the whole experience. It was still sunny, so we agreed to stay on for a little while and do sun bathing. We did and felt rested and went back to Bristol with smiles on our faces.

so sweet

That night was going to be dinner with my good friend, Angela. Dinner was supposed to be at 7pm but as usual Filipino time, both parties got late. Me and honey strolled around the harbour while trying to look for a nice restaurant. This time we wanted something not too loud but good food of course. Some people were on the streets drunk already, mostly young guys that very early at night. We walked round and round until we found this lovely bistro, SevernSHED, which was very near the bridge. The menu looks enticing. Me and baby went to the bar for some drinks while waiting for my friend. I thought she would take long, but she arrived just on time when our table was ready. God I missed her. We used to be really close on our 2nd year in college, we were inseperable together with our other friend, Tia. I missed those days. Although we had different close friends on our junior and senior year, we remained to be good with each other. It was really cool to catch up with her. And far away from the Philippines, who would have thought that we would meet here. It was just too sad that she had to work the next day early morning, so she had to go after the dinner.

After SevernSHED, me and baby agreed to walk around a little bit to see what was out there on the party scene. We were walking quietly when a drunk guy suddenly rested his arms around our shoulders. It was scary but good thing, the guy's friend was sober and helped his friend away from us. He wanted a lift he said. But who knows what else he wanted. When we finally head back to our hotel and got rid of the drunk guy, a very young guy was walking before us on the bridge when all of a sudden, he puked! As in a big one! It was so yuck!!!! That made us sick, we headed straight to our hotel room and called it a night.

Monday was the day that we had to return back to London. Huhhuhu! We woke up early, prepared our stuff, settled our bill, and headed to Bath, which was where we will be taking our bus. In the harbour area, there was a mexican restaurant which looked really posh. It was called, Las Iguanas. We were their first customers for that day. The food was absolutely gorgeous. So filling. Well, we really needed it because we planned to do some walking in Bath.

At around 2pm, we got to Bath city center. We had so little time left so we had to just visit Prior Park, eat dinner, and head to the bus station. Baby's very clever, he just looked at the map on the bus stop and we started walking. We thought it was near. Not to mention it was uphill. I complained while we were halfway through. But honey kept on pushing and that to never give up. It was a secluded part that is not in the city center but it was very beautiful when you get there because you have an overview of the whole city. Wonder what its like in the evening with the citylights. So romantic. If you wanted something quiet and rejuvenation, I think the park was perfect!

By the time we got to Bath city center, we looked for a restaurant to have a quick dinner because it will be a long way back to London. I would have wanted some Thai food but they were closed. We were so early for dinner, we realized. It was still 5pm and dinner is starting at 6pm. Good thing, there was a Moroccan restaurant open. I wasnt so sure about it at first but it turned out great! By the time we got to the bus station, we were very full. And we were just in time because the bus was boarding already. We thought we were lucky because the bus left early. But when it left, the bus driver said that the route will be all the way to London Victoria, no other stops, which is another hour travel to North Harrow, where we live. Anyway, we were there already, what can we do? True enough, we got home really late. If we would have got off in Heathrow, we would have been home earlier. But anyway, we got home safe. That's what's important.

It was officially our first holiday together and it was great! I would not spend it with anybody else. Exploring the cities together was very sweet and special. We both had a great time. We went back home with smiles painted on our faces. After all, that is what matters.

Next stop: AMSTERDAM.

SPACE

there is no place like home. in a busy life as in 'the london life', space is really important. at the end of each day, after a hard day's work, home is what you consider sanctuary.

well it doesnt hold truth to my baby's case. from the months that we have been together, i cant count how many complaints he has got. not that he overreacts or anything. but i can also attest that there are basis for his pleas. that is why i cant really blame him. not to mention that his flat has been burglared, lost his laptop and digital camera.

last tuesday, i went with him to his new flat which is not very far from his old one. 15 minute walking distance isnt that bad most especially in a nice weather.

cost wise, it is cheaper which is good for him. the flat is smaller than the previous one but who needs so much space. as long as you have the basic amenities, thats good enough. and also what i like about the new flat is the surrounding environment. it is very homey. the landlady was very welcoming. and most importantly, i dont see an issue of security.

up until now, we are slowly moving his things. little by little until he will be settled in. just before we go to Bath, UK for the Easter weekend which im so excited.

thats it for now. see you later.