Join my latest adventure by reading this travel blog!
When you just got back from Vienna, but another city is already calling your name… Okay, jokes! No, I do understand if you are here like “hold on, you got back and are travelling again… how?”. I completely understand. But here is the thing, I couldn’t really travel for a year and half due to my name change, so I had enough time to save up. Also, I have been planning to see one of my closest friends for a very long time, and I am happy that we could make it possible while she went to do a course in London. So we met up at night and on the weekend, but during the day on weekdays I did the things I like to do solo.
Sunday, January 26
Little fun fact, I currently live in the countryside of the Netherlands in the middle of nowhere. Since I decided to travel by train and the Eurostar didn’t do customs in the Netherlands during the days I travelled, I thought it would be best to stay in a hotel in Brussels. Just to be sure I wouldn’t miss the train. If I can avoid stress, I always will. Even if it means my travels will take longer.
Monday, January 27
I made my way to a very rainy London where I arrived at noon. Luckily I could get into my Airbnb in Hammersmith early so I could warm up and relax before I met up with my friend A, the person for whom I made this trip! We have been friends for a very long time, ever since my first trip to Berlin back in the summer of 2016. In the afternoon she texted me saying that the group she follows the course with invited me to have dinner with them. How kind!?
In the late afternoon I stopped by the studio where the course is being held and I was amazed by what I saw, but of course not before my friend and I gave each other the biggest hug. The group was very kind and I had a fun night with them at Sodo Pizza.
Tuesday, January 28
Rise and shine! My first mission of the day: go to Harrods in hope of the exclusive Jellycats. Unfortunately, there were none left, but I found out the teapot (the one I want) will be for sale on the website soon. Nevertheless it was fun walking around in Harrods, since they also had events going on like the Arianna Grande x Swarovski.
My first trip of the day wasn’t very fruitful, but immediately after arrival in Soho I got my mojo back. I stopped at Boots to get my fave lipstick, had a look around at Popmart, before I went out for lunch at Neat, for all your vegan junk food cravings. The food was incredibly delicious, I seriously can’t wait to come back. The fries were perfectly crisped and seasoned, the burger was everything I hoped it would be.
After food I shopped around in the area, but found myself spending a lot of time in Forbidden Planet. Before I walked a longer distance to SOKOLLAB and because of all the walking I was in for a snack. I took a seat at OAKBERRY ACAI, and oh my, I get the hype now. The last stop in roughly the same area: Hamleys. After this I was so done with the rain, it had been pouring all day, so I made my way to Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush. I had a look around at HMV. They had a sale going on, and lucky for me… a lot of my favs were in the sale. I ended up with 7 CD’s. A met up with me in the mall, we had some food in the food court before we explored the mall.
Wednesday, January 29
In the morning I had some work to do on my laptop before I headed out for lunch at The Veg Box Cafe. The food and the drinks are so good overthere! I had lasagna for lunch and an iced coffee, after lunch I got a juice as well to accompany me on my walk. The weather started to look better and I wanted to make the most out of it. I went back to SOKOLLAB to buy a Japanese CD that I had my eye on. I did some more walking all the way to Royal Academy of Arts where I enjoyed the free exhibition. I had some time to kill before I would meetup with A. So I crossed the street to the big Waterstones. I was browsing until it was time to go to The Black Dog for my friend’s birthday dinner. Unfortunately it was closed for a private event. While on the tube I quickly made a reservation for Tofu Vegan. And oh my, the food there was incredible! It was for sure a highlight of my trip. We ended the night at the pub, Prince of Wales Townhouse. We had so much to catch up on. Even though we keep in touch frequently, some things are nicer to chat about in real life.
Thursday, January 30
Sunny day! I was so freaking happy about the weather that I decided to grab some bread from the supermarket and eat outside. Of course having food and coffee outside should be accompanied by an amazing view. So I made my way to London Bridge where I had my breakfast and coffee at the waterfront. The sun, the view of the city and Tower Bridge was so nice. After I crossed the bridge to get to Borough Market and Tate Modern. The blue sky was very inviting to be outside as much as possible, so I didn’t stay long at the museum. But I didn’t leave until I checked out the view of the city at Tate Modern Viewing Level. After I walked along the Thames. I was on a mission to walk to the London Eye and Big Ben.
Later in the afternoon it got really cold. Not even the sun could help it. But it was going to be a minute before my friend and I would meet and I just wanted to warm up. So I decided to get back by tube to London Bridge for a quick Pandora shop visit. I got over here my London exclusive charms. The day before my friend and I wanted to make sure we would have a spot at The Black Dog, so we had a reservation for Thursday. We had a delicious dinner before we settled back at the pub, Prince of Wales Townhouse.
Friday, January 31
When I travel I make sure to listen carefully to my body and my body said it was tired. I decided it was best to have a chill morning at the Airbnb and watch the latest Jennie mv. Around noon I made my way to Soho for some (window) shopping. For dinner I ended up once again at Neat. Today was the last day that the course group came together for dinner and they invited me for drinks. I made my way to Thatched House and had so much fun meeting the group again. After my friend and I made our game plan for the next day.
Saturday, February 1
A and I met up at the tubestation and travelled to Selfridges for the Jellycat pop-up. A week before I got us time slots and you have no idea how excited I was! Honestly it was even a surprise to me that my friend also loves Jellycats as much as me. This is what you get from being long distance friends, haha. We were one of the first ones in line and had the time of our lives with Jellycat. Besides our London exclusives we both also got other Jellycats.
After we walked around in Selfridges since there is so much to explore. I can’t believe I have been to London so many times, but never been to Selfridges! We crossed the street to get my friend her first Pandora. In case you are in London and want to get Pandora yourself, the shop on Oxford Street is truly the most beautiful one.
There is so much to explore on Oxford Street. Before it was time for lunch we also made our way to Uniqlo and Boots, to settle for lunch at M&S Cafe. I was amazed by the food over there, the amount of (vegan) choice and the cakes were devine. My friend had never been to Daunt Books so of course we had to change that. It is such a beautiful bookshop with a cosy atmosphere and I love how the books are arranged by country. We made a quick stop at The Veg Box Cafe for drinks before we made our way to Portobello Road Market. It was our plan to eat somewhere closeby, but it was crazy busy in town and there were also a few tubes so busy that we would have at least a 45 minute delay, but then I figured out we could make it to Westfield without a delay. So we got some food at the foodcourt and did some shopping at the shops after. Of course we went back to the pub, Prince of Wales Townhouse. We chilled with the live music and our drinks since we both were floored by the amount of steps we walked that day.
Sunday, February 2
A and I both met up with our own friends from London during the day. I met up with my friend and old colleague of FirstGens at 31 Below, a delightful breakfast bar with a pink cosy vibe. After we said our goodbyes, I went back to Oxford street to shop at a different HMV, and yes I bought more CD’s. I also went back to Selfridges, cause there was something I wanted to check out but I forgot the day before. Last stop of the day before I met up again with A was Hatchards. I bought the book of the month and it was even signed by the author. I got back at my Airbnb to drop off my shopping bags (I also did some grocery shopping for my travels) and to start packing a bit.
In the late afternoon I met up with my friend at the pub where she stays to walk together to Thatched House for our last dinner of this trip. It was lovely to have one last chat before our ways would separate again for who knows how long. Our goodbyes were bittersweet, but I am so grateful that we could meet and see each other for a prolonged time.
Monday
From Hammersmith I found my way back to St Pancras, where I had to wait for my train back to the European mainland. I stayed in a different hotel in Brussels for the night.
Tuesday
For this day I actually had a first class ticket and honestly that was the best thing! I had the chance to lounge in the big chairs and fully relax. This was an amazing trip with lots of sightseeing, shopping and meeting friends. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.
Not done reading or do you want to explore my adventure by video? Here you go!:
- 10 years after the biggest ripple effect of my career
- Having the time of my life in London & haul (Jellycat, HMV, K-pop, books) | Travel Vlog
Love,
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