Day 5: London/Copenhagen - Goodbye & Hello
I meant to go for a night walk last evening (like how I used to go for walks after dinner) but simply could not master the energy.So I thought I would be up early this morning to make up for it. Alas, I was up at 7am. Decided to freshen up for breakfast at 8am and check-out of the Hall before a last look at Bloomsbury.
Tavistock Square hasn't changed much - except they have erected a new Virginia Woolf statue and removed the dog-run area. I still recall waking up in the mornings to the sound of barks as nearby residents would bring their dogs here to run and play. It's amazing how small Tavistock Square and Gardens were associated with at least 3 historical figures - Mahatma Ghandhi was a law student at UCL, Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf used to have an apartment nearby (when she was part of the Bloomsbury Group), and she used to come to the Gardens for walks.
Last longing look at old room.
This used to be an enclosed space for dogs to run and play but it is gone now.
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It is amazing how many more famous people seemed to have lived and worked in Bloomsbury. I discovered these only on my last walkabout this morning.
I wonder why there is a Farmer's Market at Torrington Square. There used to be a book fair every Sunday at ULU though (selling mostly classics) and it was more interesting and relevant to us students.
One of the several vagrants found in London. They seem less common now though. There used to be a 'resident' vagrant outside Tesco Express opposite Russell Square station, and another one in Russell Square station. Perhaps the authorities chased them away or found them welfare homes to stay (hopefully). Otherwise, they would be selling Big Issue as part of a programme to give them work and some self esteem for earning their own keep.
Bedford Square - where the old ABRSM office issued all my pianoforte certificates. I knew this because in the old certificates, the address 14 Bedford Square was printed on them. I remember getting very excited the first time I saw the office. This was the real deal after seeing that address for so many years!
Finally, it was time to leave for the airport. I left the Hall at 10.15am, allowing more than enough time for my 2pm flight. I reached Heathrow Airport at 11.30am, walked through the long underground tunnel, and the Scandinavian Airline counter at Terminal 3 was easy to find. However, there were only check-in machines and no check-in counters. So for the first time in my life, I check in myself - scanned the passport, printed the label, tag my luggage, and then went off to drop my bag at the Bag Drop counter. As SAS is a Star Alliance partner airline, I found out I could check in 2 pieces of luggage afterall! Useful to know for my remaining SAS flights.
The gate was not assigned and will only be know at 1.35pm. So I went to the Krisflyer lounge for lunch and some rest. There was a final call for the SQ flight at 1pm and soon after, I found the whole lounge empty and I was the only passenger. Nice and quiet for a change! An attentive SQ staff later enquire if I was supposed to be on the SQ flight but I explained that I was on the SAS flight instead.
It was my first time on SAS. The flight was punctual and the service was efficient. But then again, it was only a barely 2 hour flight. The plane landed at Copenhagen promptly at 5pm.
Even though I knew I had to take the train to Central Station, it took me a while to figure out the system as all the signs are in Danish. But it wasn't difficult once you figure it out. The Danish people are patient and they all speak English, which helps alot!
I also found out to my dismay that I forgot to print out the maps with directions to my accommodation before I left home. Thankfully, I had them on my laptop and felt more assured how to get to CPH Downtown Hostel. I had book a private room as hotel options are just too costly. Denmark is a very very expensive place. The Hostel is centrally located and although it was advertised as a 10 minute walk away from Central Station, in reality it is closer to 20 minutes with luggage. The pavements are uneven and I took my time so as not to cause unnecessary stress or damage to my luggage wheels. One of it came off once when I was in Noumea and it was not funny lugging around a 20kg luggage on 3 wheels.
The Hostel reception is actually a counter at its restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, I arrived at a time where many people are waiting for their free dinners (the Hostel provides this to their guests but seats are very limited) so the place was very crowded. I had an ensuite room and interestingly, the shower head is right over the sink and you have to pull this thing on the tap at the sink to use the shower. Interesting danish design! I decided to take a quick shower. Even though that meant the toilet seat, sink, mirror would be dripping wet, it proved to be less of a problem than I imagined as the bathroom dries up pretty fast.
By the time I was all settled down, it was nearly 8pm and I debated whether to go out for a walk. As it was still light outside, I decided not to waste my short time in Copenhagen and took the Stroget approach to Nyhavn.
Good night World!
Tavistock Square hasn't changed much - except they have erected a new Virginia Woolf statue and removed the dog-run area. I still recall waking up in the mornings to the sound of barks as nearby residents would bring their dogs here to run and play. It's amazing how small Tavistock Square and Gardens were associated with at least 3 historical figures - Mahatma Ghandhi was a law student at UCL, Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf used to have an apartment nearby (when she was part of the Bloomsbury Group), and she used to come to the Gardens for walks.
Last longing look at old room.
This used to be an enclosed space for dogs to run and play but it is gone now.
It is amazing how many more famous people seemed to have lived and worked in Bloomsbury. I discovered these only on my last walkabout this morning.
One of the several vagrants found in London. They seem less common now though. There used to be a 'resident' vagrant outside Tesco Express opposite Russell Square station, and another one in Russell Square station. Perhaps the authorities chased them away or found them welfare homes to stay (hopefully). Otherwise, they would be selling Big Issue as part of a programme to give them work and some self esteem for earning their own keep.
Bedford Square - where the old ABRSM office issued all my pianoforte certificates. I knew this because in the old certificates, the address 14 Bedford Square was printed on them. I remember getting very excited the first time I saw the office. This was the real deal after seeing that address for so many years!
Finally, it was time to leave for the airport. I left the Hall at 10.15am, allowing more than enough time for my 2pm flight. I reached Heathrow Airport at 11.30am, walked through the long underground tunnel, and the Scandinavian Airline counter at Terminal 3 was easy to find. However, there were only check-in machines and no check-in counters. So for the first time in my life, I check in myself - scanned the passport, printed the label, tag my luggage, and then went off to drop my bag at the Bag Drop counter. As SAS is a Star Alliance partner airline, I found out I could check in 2 pieces of luggage afterall! Useful to know for my remaining SAS flights.
The gate was not assigned and will only be know at 1.35pm. So I went to the Krisflyer lounge for lunch and some rest. There was a final call for the SQ flight at 1pm and soon after, I found the whole lounge empty and I was the only passenger. Nice and quiet for a change! An attentive SQ staff later enquire if I was supposed to be on the SQ flight but I explained that I was on the SAS flight instead.
It was my first time on SAS. The flight was punctual and the service was efficient. But then again, it was only a barely 2 hour flight. The plane landed at Copenhagen promptly at 5pm.
Even though I knew I had to take the train to Central Station, it took me a while to figure out the system as all the signs are in Danish. But it wasn't difficult once you figure it out. The Danish people are patient and they all speak English, which helps alot!
I also found out to my dismay that I forgot to print out the maps with directions to my accommodation before I left home. Thankfully, I had them on my laptop and felt more assured how to get to CPH Downtown Hostel. I had book a private room as hotel options are just too costly. Denmark is a very very expensive place. The Hostel is centrally located and although it was advertised as a 10 minute walk away from Central Station, in reality it is closer to 20 minutes with luggage. The pavements are uneven and I took my time so as not to cause unnecessary stress or damage to my luggage wheels. One of it came off once when I was in Noumea and it was not funny lugging around a 20kg luggage on 3 wheels.
The Hostel reception is actually a counter at its restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, I arrived at a time where many people are waiting for their free dinners (the Hostel provides this to their guests but seats are very limited) so the place was very crowded. I had an ensuite room and interestingly, the shower head is right over the sink and you have to pull this thing on the tap at the sink to use the shower. Interesting danish design! I decided to take a quick shower. Even though that meant the toilet seat, sink, mirror would be dripping wet, it proved to be less of a problem than I imagined as the bathroom dries up pretty fast.
By the time I was all settled down, it was nearly 8pm and I debated whether to go out for a walk. As it was still light outside, I decided not to waste my short time in Copenhagen and took the Stroget approach to Nyhavn.
Good night World!
posted by Lonoxon at 3:21 am
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