Europe Day 10

So this post is way way overdue because now that the pace at work has picked up, I barely have the energy beyond doing more essential things such as spending time with family and friends, pilates, treasuring dates with the bae, on top of reading/playing the guitar/online window-shopping, and the list goes on.

Oh, and I've recently begun to learn French using the Duolingo app. I try to keep at it consistently so that I can speak the language decently the next time I go to Paris :)

At the present, I'm battling an old enemy and it is so damn hard to leave my itchy skin be. It stings and the itch has woken me up mid-slumber for two nights in a row now. While it is really frustrating, I have no choice but to keep calm. If I start freaking out or despairing, the condition only gets worse. I swear the last time it felt this bad was when I was chickenpox.

It feels like so long ago that I went to Europe, when it's been only close to... three months? Sigh. The memories are slipping away from me. I'll have to finish this while I can still recall some inkling.

On Day 2 of London, our first stop was the renowned Borough Market!

The appeal of this gigantic-ass wok of Paella 🤤

Instead, I treated myself to a serving of scallops. They were alright. Reminded me of Taiwanese teppanyaki style.

Not very sure but I think this was wild boar meat?

This raclette machine...

... makes such mouthwatering melted cheese over potatoes! Comes with pickles to balance the tastebuds

After the hearty breakfast, I headed off solo for my full day of shopping to myself. Figured I'd be much happier just roaming on my own, eating whatever I wanted, go sightseeing when shopping got tiring...

Found this Converse baby but it was a tad hard when I fitted it. Decided to give it a pass.

Settled on Itsu, a Japanese casual dining place! Taste-wise, it's not exactly Japanese but still quite satisfying for a quick meal.

Think this was the first stop? MY FAVOURITE STORE IN ALL OF LONDON 😍 omg check out that super cute smiley face bag in the bottom left corner. A minor pity I didn't get that ...

Me feelin' tres cool with this cute cookie of a cap. Got it in the end :D

The basement level is so so cosy (spot the purple beanbag in the corner ;) Those wood panels with different sized holes in them remind me of cheese! And that giant pink teddy adds a very appropriate childish vibe to the place.

Also considered this cap but didn't think I'd wear denim as much. The rainbow letters are love though.

And here, is the first main floor. Filled with all the goodies I want them aalllll~

AKA the coolest street you won't find in Singapore. Buildings in brick with white windows... greenery growing on the porch... teal and violet painted walls. Good vibes all around

Found these extra staircase railings in Monki, where I also walked out of with a random grey T-shirt with Mona (??) the pink naked woman printed on it.

I like how there can be funky street lights in a random side street.

SO COLOURFUL YISS. Not your typical city souvenir store.

No prizes for guessing which store this is. Had to queue outside before entering. Supreme in-store crowd control is very stringent. Oh, and they make you put your shopping bags at the ground floor before you can make your way down.

How you know you in Chinatown 😂

Oxford Circus if I'm not mistaken. Such picturesque architecture! Goshhh

And this here is...

Trafalgar Square.

Not a bad photo considering I captured the entire tall structure.

Admiralty Arch

After all that urban exploration, it's time for some fresh air and the greenery! Cut through the park on my way to Buckingham Palace.

Finally I'm here! Took me such a long walk haha. But it's all worth it. And I walked at my own pace.

After that, I walked to Westminster Abbey. Couldn't enter for some reason, but admiring it from the outside was nice too.

This is where I had a whole Margherita Pizza to myself. Damn shiok really. For the non-Singaporeans, 'shiok' means extremely satisfying.

Finally, before it got dark, I made my way back to the Airbnb hostel to regroup with my travel buddies. It was truly a satisfying day filled with 'me-time'. Note to self: I shall have to do this again someday!