The office mates wanted to make sure we try some of the best food around the office before we go back and the first item on this weeks list was a Latin American place. I ordered churrasco queso, which is basically rump steak, melted cheese and tomatoes in chilean village bread. They also had amazing soups and apparently the best cheesecakes though I was too full to try them. Its not a big place, so come early before the lunch time crowd gets there. There is not much seating capacity, but its worth waiting for a seat if you really have to. Yum.

El Vergel
8 Lant Street,
London SE1 1QR,
England
T : +44 20 7357 0057
F : +44 20 7357 0058
W : http://www.elvergel.co.uk/index2.html

On a cold rainy Sunday morning in London, I had a whole lot of catching up to do, spending time with a few Malaysian friends. The first was my cell member brother Jeremy who was in town for a day while traveling on a business trip. We met up for lunch at Chinatown, in a restaurant called the Four Seasons and had some amazing duck rice It was nice just to have a time to chat and catch up with him. After lunch, we went for coffee in Covent Garden and then shopped for a while. I bought a new pair of Jeans and Jem bought some shoes and some clothes, and he then headed off to the airport to catch his flight home.

I proceeded to walk around a little bit more and then headed to Dominion theater which is home to the Musical , “We Will Rock You”, but more importantly on Sundays, its the home of Hillsongs London. There I met up with the usual suspects Mel and Corny, but to my joy and surprise I also bumped into a fellow GTian, Elsie Ooi, who is here on business We then went for dinner at a Vietnamese place not far from the church.  also met another Malaysian student named Jason Kang, who went to a GT Secondary cell years ago. Ah, having friends in London rocks

I was so excited on Tuesday! I left work exactly at 5:00pm and headed to Heathrow Terminal 3 via the tube, arriving at about 6:20pm. Sara’s flight was early, but it was still only going to land at 8:20pm. What to do with the time? I didn’t expect Heathrow Terminal 3 to be so boring! No fast food places, so few shops, so few facilities, but when your excited the time moves quickly. I called the Taxi company to inform them that the flight would be arriving earlier and my eyes were locked onto the screen. When it showed landed I was so excited! It took about 20 minutes for it to change status to “Luggage on belt” and then at 9:00pm, she was out and in my arms. We took the taxi back to Croydon and the taxi driver was a little scary! He kept texting while driving quickly on a rainy day not paying attention to the road. Finally I had enough and told him off for it. No tips for him man! Anyways, I am just glad baby is here She is not feeling so well today, and is in the apartment resting today. This weekend we shall go gallivanting

The Camden Markets are a number of adjoining large markets in Camden Town near the Hampstead Road Lock of the Regent’s Canal (which is usually called Camden Lock), often called collectively “Camden Market” or “Camden Lock”. The stalls sell crafts, clothing, bric-a-brac, fast food, and other things. It is the fourth most popular visitor attraction in London, attracting approximately 100,000 people each weekend. It began in its present form in 1974 when the Camden Lock crafts market was formed. There was a small local food market in Inverness Street long before that; as of 2008 this market retains only three fruit and vegetable stalls in addition to stalls like those in the other markets.

My guide book recommended two different markets besides Portobello market, the first was Camden town and the other was Brixton. We went to both on Saturday, but only one impressed us, the other was totally disappointing. Camden town market, obviously was the happening one. There was tons of great food places, and we even found a Malaysian family from Penang which had their own restaurant serving amazing Malaysian Chinese food! Yum. There were all kinds of unique clothing with stalls from all over the world. This place is a must, however forget about Brixton. Totally dodgy and not worth it at all.

I had such fun. I must admit I only saw a small fraction of what Scotland had to offer and there was so much more to see, but my main reason there was to spend some time with my brother and I am glad we did. We had a very good time of just talking and catching up. In this day and age where people live and work miles away from family, its nice to just see each other. I got my brother hooked up with skype and hopefully we will be able to chat more now :) 

On the Sunday, We didn’t really do anything. Joe and Allan had friends over for dinner and I met some of this friends, which was always fun. We talked and talked about all sorts of things, from Politics, Economy, Time Travel to Aliens, Ghosts and Religion.  

As the guest all left, I helped my brother do some internet stuff and then came the time to say goodbye. They dropped me off at the train station and I headed on the sleeper to London. I will see them next year for my wedding next

The train ride back to London was comfortable. I had gotten a sleeper and it was very different from the ones back in Malaysia. Even for normal economy, two passengers are given a room, and it was very comfy. I got the room to myself and fell asleep within minutes. I got up at 7:00am and was worried as the train was still moving! It was suppose to reach London at 6:45 and I thought I had missed the station. I quickly went outside and saw a fellow passanger to told me that the train would be delayed and only reach London at 10:00am! Wow, 4 hours delay. A train attended got all the passanger details and said they would issue a full refund Wow.. I was impressed. At 10am, reached and took a cab to the office End of Scotland journey, but I hope to return again.