**a LiFe without close sOuls**CoLoUrS oF LiFe???

Friday, September 15, 2006

mAiDen vOyaGe on Queen Elizabeth 2's gRouNd

10th September 06 marks the day i finally step foot on UK's 'solid' ground: London,Capital of United Kingdom

Despite being honoured to have numerous chances to be on traveling trips with my family,relatives and friends,I have not gotten a chance to "land my foot" on UK's grounds.This academic journey I landed myself in is an exciting expedition, knowing the fact that i know nuts on its culture,lifestyle,people,etc.Living on
unfamiliar grounds was full of mixed feelings of excitement and fearness.Nonetheless,I am here to embrace its "natural essence".

To those peeps that I've been grumbling to: I am gonna survive it! Zank Q Beri Muchie for those strengths and encouragements given and those positive vibes that you emit to me virtually!

Tossing aside those school work stress and mountains of reading materials,Sin Gang headed up north from Surrey to Queen's ground: London!!!!

Presenting to you the Tour Guides of the Day

Mr. Terrence & Mr. Jacky

Singaporeans who have stayed in UK for years enuff to bring us around!

We started off our whole journey from Buckingham Palace, The Queen's official residence.We were pretty lucky that very day as the England's Flag was raised full rise,which signifies that the Queen's in the palace itself.We rushed to be there by 11.30am as it was the ceremony for the Guards Change!The Queen's guard changes everyday @ 11.30am during summer and every alternate day during winter.

The guards are usually accompanied by a band and horseguards throughout the whole march from Wellington Barracks to the forefront of the palace.Its an event thats constantly filled with people crowding around the surroundings of the palace to just have a glimpse of the whole process. Being a Kaypo Sin Gang,how can we missed out on such an opportunity!!!

40mins later, when the whole parade was over, everyone disperse and headed for probably a nice afternoon tea session under the basking sun in an alfresco area for a chill-out chat.Sin gang then headed to the next destination,Big Band via St. James Park.A very peaceful garden with families and couples sitting by the grass patch having a picnic whilst looking at ducks,swarms,squirrels,etc.

In St.James Park,there's a memorial walk to commemorate Diana,Princess of Wales. However,despite dying in a tragic accident, its known that she's a disgrace to the royal family. Thus the logo was mounted on the concrete floor whereby millions/billions of passer-by will be stepping on/across it day after day. I felt for her,as she's known to me as a very great lost not only to England but to we human,esp those in need. She's forever an angel in my eyes, putting aside how she's gotten herself in a love-tangle.

Arriving at Big Ben after a long walk.Apparently,in chinese saying,they call it the "Da Ben Zhong".haha.what a laugh!Its just a HUGE clock to me!Haha.Nothing in spectacular.Big Ben is London's best-known landmarks.Its minutely regulated with a stack of coin placed on the huge pendulum.Its an excellent timekeeper which has rarely stopped.Apparently, the name Big Ben is not the name of the town clock itself, but the 13 ton bell hung within.The bell was named after the first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall.

Surprisingly, there are cells within Big Ben,whereby members of parliarment can be imprisoned for a breach of parliarmentary privilege, though it's rare.

London Eye: British Airways Millennium Observation Wheel!Cant resist myself from the yummylicious Nutela Crepe by the road side!

Westminster Abbey is a historical building which is a Place of Worship House of Kings. Its is also the place whereby the royal gets married. Its said that the public protested against allowing Prince Charles to marry Camellia Parker Bowles in Westminster Abbey as they are still not ready to accept her.

Along the way to Downing Street,residence of Going-to-be Ex-Prime Minister, Tony Blaire, is the horseguard ground whereby Janice and I cant resist taking a quick shot with the suave horseguard in his full-uni!At Downing Street,the police security guards are all WOMEN!!!Woohoo~~~Who says only men can guard the ministers and the powerful?Hahahaha.

To Commemorate those Brave Women who made huge sacrifices during World War 2!

Trafalgar Square!The junction of the busiest streets:The Strand,Tha Mall,Whitehall & Charing Cross Road.The main attraction would be the National Gallery whereby world famous artists' paintings can be found!

Ended our expedition @ World's Famous London Bridge and Tower Bridge!We arrived at the "scene" changing period whereby the sun was about to set,thus there's a difference in the pictoral effects of Tower Bridge. Both our tour guide was dead tired,as u can see, they even treat a standing egg-shell like sculpture as their bed.Haha.In matter of fact,the black thingy is a Full Stop....for no reason....its named as a Full Stop!

3:26 am;