London: Part 1 (June 2023)

I took a solo trip to London back in June 2023 because everyone I knew either: had already gone to London before, or had no interest in London at all. Friends either loved it or hated it. Some said it’s just another city like New York. Some said the food was bland. I think it’s all about expectations, and it’s best to go without any at all. Everyone has different interests and tastes and want to see different things, and there’s no need to compare our experiences. All that to say… I LOVED London! So here it is, my experience, my story.

When I arrived at Gatwick Airport there was a huge line and crowd for the kiosks to buy train tickets. Then somebody started telling us that we can just tap our credit cards if we have that option, so I skipped the whole line and got on the Gatwick Express. SO EASY. I love that you can just tap everywhere on trains, buses, metro, etc.

As I walked to my hotel, I passed by Buckingham Palace and it just so happened to be time for the Changing of the Guards (I did not plan this but wow, perfect timing!) — of course I stayed to watch.

It was a spectacular performance. They even played “New York, New York” as if they knew I had just arrived (JK).

I went on to check in at my hotel, the Z hotel Piccadilly – it was centrally located for all the sights I wanted to see on this trip. Let me show you what’s around the hotel:

Of course I got a bubble tea. It was pretty hot in June! I got mango yakult with coconut jelly from Woo Tea, and it was pretty good. New York is still better at the bbt game.

I walked around for a bit and saw a lot of restaurants here — too bad I already had plans for food…

The National Gallery – free admissions! I had time before afternoon tea so I roamed around here, and it was such a nice place to walk around, sit, admire.

The reason why I came to London was to experience Afternoon Tea – so I made a reservation at Fortnam & Mason and it did not disappoint! It’s inside their store and you can also browse around for F&M merchandises while you’re there. Everything was teal green which I adore.

Their scones and clotted cream were AMAZING. FYI if you want to takeaway the scones, you can, but they won’t pack the clotted cream because of food safety issues. The clotted cream was the best part though.

Afternoon Tea for one

I had the “Coronation tea” which was special at that time because King Charles III had just been coronated.

You can order as many refills as you want at Afternoon Tea here, but I was so full I couldn’t eat anymore.

I walked around some more and everywhere I looked, there were flowers and beautiful sights.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve always lived in big cities (Hong Kong, New York), but I really appreciated how London was similar yet different – there was a vibrancy and sense of history here that was unique to it. It was posh yet gritty. And I loved that.

After my scheduled nap (yes, I schedule mid-day naps in my trips and they are amazing because now I’m ready to go!) I went out to get some fish & chips at Mayfair Chippy. There was a long line but since I was solo, I didn’t have to wait too long!

I got the classic fish and chips and it came with tartar sauce mushy peas, and a choice of curry sauce or gravy. I got the curry sauce and I loved it. The fish was done so well, the outside was crispy and perfect. It was a really big portion for me so I struggled to finish it even though I liked it a lot.

Headed over to Hyde Park, which is just a huge park like Central Park in NYC.

It felt so strange to sit on the grass and relax during travelling, because I was so used to going from one point to another, but I must say this was very therapeutic. I love that when you’re travelling by yourself, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want and don’t need to cater to other people.

As the sun went down, the city came alive.