What a Wonderful World: Being a Londoner

London.
January 30th, 2018.
5°c - 8°c, Sunny, but windy still.
.

The sightseeing tour on Hop-on Hop-off bus ride on a day before helps me a lot on planning for this day's tour. Where should I start, where should I focus, which place is close to another attractions.. sort of.

That morning, I began my day by visiting the Buckingham Palace! Only 10-mins walk from St. James's Park station to the Palace, via St. James's Park. The plan was to watch/join the Changing Guard but.. unfortunately the tour is NOT available on Tuesday L. I should have check the schedule online. hmm
The Changing Guard is only available on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. My Hop-on Hop-off ticket is inclusive with the 90-mins changing guard tour, but since I only purchased for 48-hours, the ticket's validity is only until that day. maybe next time...

Queen Victoria Memorial & Horse Carriage in front of Buckingham Palace

From Buckingham Palace, I took a walk to the north-east, to The National Gallery & Trafalgar Square via 'The Mall' street for 15-mins only.

Inside the National Gallery, there's one painting has attracted my attention. It's a "Portrait of a Lady", painted by Giovanni Battista Moroni, from Italy. Honestly, I'm amazed with the paint & color used and the detailing. Amazing!

Since the admission to this National Gallery is FREE (other attractions are chargeable around £17-20 per entry). I spent couple minutes there until I went downstairs to grab something to eat at Peyton and Byrne Bakeries (£6); before I proceed to explore and enjoy the street art and street performances in front of the National Gallery.

Our Tourism Malaysia @ Trafalgar Square

Continue walk-down-the-street to Whitehall for the Horse Guard.

I've been walking 'all day long'. Thus, I took Hop-on Hop-off ride in front of the Whitehall / Downing Street / Horse Guards. When the bus stop at Coventry Street and the bus driver told me that he's gonna stop there for 10-mins; I decided to go to the nearby Chinatown. I found Rasa Sayang Restaurant at this Chinatown area. ~NOT so recommended~ (£17)

I rode again on Hop-on Hop-off from Coventry Street and get-off at Hyde Park Corner. Planned to see the Cavalry Marching at the Wellington Arch.

photo taken on Jan 29, 2018 - when I was on the coach

No luck that day.
Then, I was thinking to go to nearby Hard Rock Cafe afterwards (only 5-mins walk from Wellington Arch). But somehow... mother nature is calling... I need to go to the loo so badly. I saw from the Hyde Park map that there's a public toilet nearby (somewhere at Rose Garden area). Then I walked and walked and walked... until I almost reached to The Serpentine Lake, then only I found the toilet. Need to pay 20fence to enter the toilet. The toilet is clean, but the water was so cold.

The Serpentine Lake.. seems like better than Hard Rock.
There's cute lil squirrels, tame swans & ducks, and a various type of birds.

Still have one-month to go for the Spring Season. Ain't no flowers blooming yet. They are still working on it I guess cause there's few projects going on at most areas of the Hyde Park. I think they are putting the fertilizer for the upcoming Spring.

@ Hyde Park

It was 2pm and the weather was so nice. I continue with another self-walking tour that day. For 15-mins;

I walked from The Serpentine Lake to the famous Marble Arch.

And this Marble Arch.. is located very close to... Primark!!! @ Oxfort Street. Let's do some shopping here

I spent around £40 for some sweater, T-shirts, shawl, kid's clothes, purse and socks; and I'll get back £2 for the VAT refund. Here at Primark, you also can buy CHEAP jeans, shoes, accessories, make up, handbags, babies stuff and etc. 'From-head-to-toe' items are sold here.

I ended my day by having a dinner at Tuk Tuk Thai Restaurant at Queensway/Baywater. but, the food was lousy~ I don't like the taste of the fried rice and the coconut milk they used.