Saturday 20 September 2008

Mayor Thames Festival 2008

The Mayor Thames Festival was a 2 day or 2 night festivities along the River Thames. It's an open and free for all celebration of London's most famous river. The bridges and roads around the city centre were closed off to motorists. Activity booths, concert stages and food stalls were lined up from Westminster bridge to the Tower Bridge for familes and tourists to enjoy. There were also carnivals and exhibitions that people could participate.

I went there with my friend Gaurav and met a shivering Jukey (bakit naman kasi nag shorts lang he he) at the Scoop for dinner at a French restaurant. And like most of the people who attended the festival, we waited for the fireworks that attempted to put a grand end to the festival. The fireworks was a bit disappointing... not only because it started way late than what they published in the brochure but the pyrotechnics were not as jaw-dropping like those I had enjoyed in Japan ages ago. I really want to see a Japan-quality like fireworks extravaganza again, like their famous hanami or just the "usual" fireworks in Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea. I want to see fireworks that form into Hello Kitty, gazillions of Sakura, Mickey Mouse, Pikachu, whatever basta may form! By the way, 1999 na lang from Manila to Osaka (see http://www.cebupacificair.com/)... and there's Ria in Tokyo for a free board.. hmmm....

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Monday 1 September 2008

Weekend in Wales (Saturday: Llandudno)

Jukey dragged Michy and I to Wales. Though it is another country, it is still a part of the United Kingdom so we did not have to apply for another visa. We stayed at Llandudno – the largest seaside resort in Conwy, Wales. It is quite a picture of tranquillity. We noticed right away that there were many oldies just lounging away at the Llandudno promenade or having tea with their friends at the high street. It is favourite place for retirement perhaps.

It also provides attractions for the families and young at heart. There’s a carnival for the kids at the Llandudno pier every summer. Tourist can also visit the Great Orme via the cable operated tramway (built since 1902) or the cabin lif. We tried both! The Great Orme has an artificial ski slope, which has the longest toboggan runs in the UK.

It was a very tight budget trip. I for one limited myself to only spend £100 as I just vacationed to Oxford the weekend before. We booked for the cheapest train, which had us squat and literally sleep at one station (Birmingham New Street) while waiting for the next train to arrive from 2AM to 5AM! Instead of staying in a hotel or B&B in Llandudno, we opted for a hostel instead, where we had to share the room & toilet with 3 other guests. But I still missed my £100 target though...

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