Top 5 things to do in London

 So for London, this list could be endless, there is such a bunch of things you can do in this world city. This time I only had 4 days in London, and Madam Tussauds should be on the list, but we didn’t go there this year. This is my top 5 2012:

1. Go see a Musical or 5 – WICKEDIt is not a secret that my favorite musical of all time is Wicked, the story of what really happened during The Wizard of Oz. The music is fantastic, the costumes, the props, no musical will WOW! you more than the one about the blonde girl and the green witch. Tickets may be expensive, but it’s worth it and it will be a memory for life! Remember to bring your wand!

2. Wander along the River Thames
The Thames split London into two and on a day with great weather wandering by the river is a rather cozy experience. Walking from Millennium up to Tower Bridge is, for example, a rather nice walk on a sunny day.

3. St. James Park and other parks
St. James Park is the one in front of Buckingham Palace and here you can go for a walk, not feed the pelicans (I think there are 4), but you are free to feed everyone else and chase the squirrels. If you don’t fancy being so close to the palace, you also have the huge Hyde Park and beautiful Kensington Gardens.

4. Hamley’s
On Regent Street. 1 toystore. 6 floors. Teddies, Lego, cars, dolls and not to forget the Harry Potter noble collection! Just visiting the store, wandering around the toys was incredibly fun. Then I boght myself a wand. I’m such a kid… : )

5. Harry Potter Studio Tour

And while talking of wands, for all Harry Potter geeks, I have a very own post about it (insert link to post) The Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter. See the sets, props, costumes, get the inside information and the behind the scenes stuff. Get a digi guide and you’ll listen to Tom Felton for 2-3 hours. Love.

Mari Clémentine

A silent airport

Edinburgh – London Heathrow – Stansted – Home.

It’s not easy going home, but I think this might be the first time I’ve been a little homesick and as my mom said: “We’re arriving Stansted now,” and we went off the bus I felt delighted to be one step closer to home.
    What we saw when we came in was a sleeping airport. People lying on the benches, the floor, some with pillows, others without. Many looked like they had just fallen over and right now I guess I’m among them.

The adventures over for this summer, but I won’t stop writing yet, I think
Come back for more,
Mari Clémentine

Just like old times - Brighton

 The sun is shining! It’s a miracle! It’s a miracle! The wonderful sea-side city of Brighton is located only an hour from London by train and should be known as the capital of gays. Our destination for the day was a town I know very well indeed as I spent 3 weeks there in 2009 and it hadn’t really changed much.
    The burger-seller at Churchill Square still had the most wonderful burgers, W.H. Smith just inside could still tempt me as ever before and yes, I ended up buying a book, the one behind my favorite musical, Wicked.
    As we went to the pier I felt the nostalgia grip around me and I nearly expected my old roommates to be waiting for me by the Ghost House. They never showed up though, but I went on, past the Royal Pavillion and through the Lanes were we sat down for a coffee, watching the city, as alive as ever.

    Our day ended with a bus ride up to Hangleton and down again to see the street where I lived and the beautiful view of the city and the ocean. Though crowded, Brighton was just as I remembered it and even though we lost a precious day in London, I think it might was worth it.

Mari Clémentine

Dancing through life - Wicked

  "It's good to see me, isn't it? No need to answer, that was retorical."-Glinda

    Starbucks. I spilt my hot chocolate all over my lightblue jeans. I was on my way to a musical. So I ran. I ran to Zara, to the sales rack to pick up the first dress I found and it looked beautiful in a dark, twisted way and cost me only… well, to much. And I had to pair it with converse. But it was better than my jeans and it fitted the whole wicked witch theme going on, so why not?
    I discovered the musical Wicked four years ago and have been a fan ever since, even though I never saw it I knew the storyline and I listened to the music all the time. When writing.

    In 2009 when I last went to London I wanted to see it so badly, but there was no time, so this time it was a dream coming true. It truly was amazing. I started crying under the first song. Everything was so perfect. Glinda, Elphaba, the dialogue sounded even better in British, the dancers were the best and the scene, the props – I loved it all. I cried and I cried and I cried. It was worth the 50 pounds. It was worth more.

    If you’re in London, allow yourself to see one musical. If you can only allow yourself to see one musical, see Wicked. It’s spectacular!

Amen.

Mari Clémentine



A toystore in London

Oh, the smell of tea in the morning. Yeah, after travelling half the day, arriving at our hotel at 11 pm last night (after walking the wrong way 5 times), (it’s so charming, located in Holland Road, a couple of minutes’ walk from the Tube), we finally  made it to London.

London is something. It really is. From the moment I climbed the stairs up from Victoria to collect the tickets to my first West End Show. ‘til I came out from the Apollo Victoria with tears in my eyes. London really is something.

    “Excuse me! Are you mother and daughter?” The cute, princess-boy from the 5 star make up studio appeared out of nowhere and offered us a 90% discount on a full make-over, photoshoot and night out in London. “I love your hair!” I was sold when he said that, but we’re budget travelers, so we could not afford it. I loved him anyways.

    We went on to find Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace (and the squirrels in St. James Park) just waiting for us. Spotted: A group from Netherlands’ Olympic Team. Lunch: The Hard Rock Café. Our 10^th. In the shadow of Keith Richards guitar. London can be glamorous on a budget to. It’s all about investments and smart spending. Like sharing a sandwich at HRC. It will be enough for both of you.

     From Piccadilly Circus we went for a quick walk up Regent Street to what I believe is the biggest toystore I’ve ever visited in my whole life.  The walk was quick because it started raining, but I still recommend everyone, young or old to check it out. They have life size lego-figures of the Royal Family. They have giant teddybear guards. They have 6 floors!!! And I got lost in the Harry Potter noble collection part. Yes. I went shopping (on purpose) one place today and it was at Hamley’s. A toystore.

Mari Clémentine