London to Amsterdam

May 23, 2005

From London, we headed to the White Cliffs of Dover, so-called because of its literal description. It was the magnificent scenery we had aboard the top deck of the ferry that took us from London to France. We crossed the Strait of Dover (called Pas de Calais in French), the shortest distance between the two countries, which is also part of the English Channel (La Manche).

The ferry reminded me of Titanic: cars were parked on the lower decks, and during the ride, we were free to socialize, shop, eat, or do whatever we pleased. This was when we first bonded as a group, and made new friends. We weren’t the only tour group that was aboard the ferry, and it was fun to see all these people from diverse nationalities having the time of their lives! The most amazing part of it all was: I was in it. =)

It was also unbelievable that one of the members from our tour group was a former classmate of my friend in the Philippines. Such a small world it is! =)

After docking in France, it was a long drive passing through Belgium to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Netherlands: the home of windmills and tulips! It is below sea level, so constant irrigation is necessary to avoid flooding, and for hygienic purposes as well. We stayed in a “Botel” which was a boat turned into a hotel. Surprisingly, it was a very comfortable and cozy place. I managed to memorize the maze connecting my room to my friends’. Navigation skill proved to be an asset, especially when you explore the city without the tour manager.

After dinner at the botel, we went for a cruise in the city, showcasing Amsterdam from the canals. Their canals were much wider than in Venice. We partied inside the boat while it drizzled outside, making the cruise more romantic than it already was… We saw Centraal Station (yes, with two A’s), Anne Frank’s house, the replica of Hong Kong’s floating restaurant, the seven identical arches of seven parallel bridges, and the “narrow bridge” where myth has it that whoever kisses while passing underneath will stay together forever.

After the cruise, we were brought to the Red Lights District for the real taste of Amsterdam. Now, that was unique! The green glowing building of The Grasshopper was overshadowed by the endless alleys of women in their lingeries seducing customers from their private rooms. It was very much like window-shopping, but kinky. After all, prostitution and drugs are legal in Amsterdam. XXX movie rentals and sex shops were rampant.

With regards to drugs, one should be aware of the difference between a coffee house and a coffee shop. The former is a place for coffee, while the latter is a bar or restaurant that includes a separate menu for drugs, which are quite affordable.

They also have public urinals, even for women, much like the ones they have in Manila.

We came to Netherlands in perfect time for the Tulip Festival. Ironically, the only tulips we saw were the ones sold in the market. It wasn’t until we arrived in Germany that we saw rows and rows of tulips.

Next stop, Germany!

Toronto to London

May 18, 2005

My excitement of going to Europe was intensified when my friends threw an unexpected despedida (farewell) party the night before I left. I never knew that they had the potential to be amazing chefs! =) Thanks guys!

I packed at the last minute (like most of the things I do… It’s starting to become a trademark now. Tsk, tsk!) However, I was able to pack all the things I needed <and more! Amazing, isn’t it? Hehehe… Seriously, it takes skill I had to sit on my luggage to zip it up.> then I was set to go. Thank God my flight wasn’t till the evening.

I liked Air Canada’s new terminal (Terminal 2), by the way. Although, I still prefer Chicago airport’s train shuttle than Pearson’s bus shuttle. Nonetheless, where else would you get ice cream for dessert in a plane? Air Canada. =) What ruined the flight for me was the incessant crying of a toddler (yes, for almost the entire flight!), whose mom seemed unaffected and didn’t even hush her child. I basically had about only two hours of sleep due to the time difference, as well as watching “After the Sunset” (teehee).

Europe proved to be everything that I imagined it would be. Everything as timeless, memorable, and breathtaking! We arrived London at 8:30am (England time), 5 timezones ahead of Toronto. From the Heathrow Airport, it wasn’t as complicated as I thought to ride the Underground/Tube to Russell Square. (A lot of people warned me about it. Seriously, after having been to New York’s subway, other subways seem less complex, or just about there.) The subway emerged from underground and there I was, beholding London! It was rainy, as London is most of the time. The houses looked just like the version of Privet Drive in Harry Potter movies! Nice =)

The hotel I was booked at was a short walk from Russell Square Station. After checking in my luggages, I rode the noted red doubledecker bus for a taste of an “Original Bus Tour.” It was a hop on/hop off bus tour where you can get off at a location you want, take pictures or what not, then catch the next one as you please. From the top of the bus, it looked like we were running over the pedestrians, or that we had countless near misses! The roads of London are really narrow, with only one lane going to each direction (and two at the most). No wonder they had small cars! (Or were their lanes narrow coz they had small cars? Kind of reminds you of the chicken-egg question, eh?) I particularly liked Peugeot and Audi cars, but I still see myself getting a Mini S Cooper hehehe… I still can’t appreciate the typical SmartCar model (the one that’s kinda box-typed), even in Canada. Anyway, it was a bit difficult to differentiate the normal public red doubledecker buses from the touring/ sightseeing buses. The small differences included the route sign of the public buses and a sign of the touring company of the sightseeing buses.

St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a sight to see, especially the interior, with the murals on the ceiling, the crypt in the basement, and the statues. It is the cathedral where Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana were wed. They were the second royals to be wed there, after Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur of Wales.

Buckingham Palace is stately, but not as lavish in the exterior as the Romanov Palace in my opinion. The gates had their golden emblem, and the guards in their uniforms (with the Bearskin Cap) remind me of The Nutcracker (hehehe). The palace is surrounded by spacious lawns and a courtyard, and at the front, a fountain is mounted where Queen Victoria sits.

I happened to see a horsedrawn carriage guided by 2 English men in their traditional coats, and I didn’t hesitate to take a picture of them. =) The famous London’s black cab was tailing it, so I snapped a picture as well.

West Minister Abbey is a good 15 to 30-minute walk from Buckingham Palace, depending on your pace, of course. Due to some event, however, it was closed for public viewing. =/

I also saw the Big Ben, the Parliament buildings, Trafalgar Square, Waterloo Station (which brings back memories of STC, thanks to Ms. Navarro’s narrative), the Marble Arch, and the Millenium Eye, that is an enormous ferris wheel that takes 28 minutes for a full revolution. Each car could hold about 25 people, and is actually an observatory.

The Tower of London is expansive, and it holds the exhibit of the Queen’s crown jewel. We also passed by London Bridge, which almost did not survive the great fire of London in 1666, wherefore sprang forth the nursery rhyme “London Bridge is falling down.”

We also had the opportunity to take the ferry along London River but the bus tour passed through more tourist spots. Maybe on my return to the city, I would try that, after visiting the Stonehenge. That means I definitely have to return to the city for that (hehehe), as well as the choral evensong in St. Paul’s Cathedral, among other things.

Meeting the rest of the group, as well as my roommate, at the night was a relief. The tour has just begun!