TRAVEL

It has been nigh on 20 years since I was last in London and my memory of that time was of a very expensive and dirty city. While it is still very expensive when converting the dollar – any dollar! – it is no longer a dirty old town.

Having decided to spend only two nights here – one full day – I was left wishing I had known of London’s newfound cleanliness. The streets are no longer littered with rubbish and blackened by soot from a multitude of coal fires. Even the Underground was a pleasant experience and I found I wasn’t blowing piles of black grunge out of my nostrils at the end of the day!

Staying near Hyde Park at the Pavilion Hotel (booked online at 100 pounds per night) and consisting of rooms themed to a glam fashion and rock ‘n’ roll style, it was cheap by UK standards. There were various ethnic restaurants and cafes within easy walking distance, a couple of authentic English pubs nearby, internet cafes and a laundromat around the corner. Even so, the room was small, hot and had no air conditioning. Thankfully, I was here at the start of summer.

But enough whinging, as I begin to sound more English than Kiwi! I felt safe and the staff were polite and helpful. It was also an easy walk to Kensington Palace, the last home of HRH the Princess of Wales (Diana for short). A beautiful summer’s morning materialised as the haze dissipated. I, along with many joggers, were treated to a clear yet crisp start to the day. The gardens were immaculately groomed and part of the Palace houses the Diana Memorial Exhibition. I was there at 8 am and as it didn’t open until 10 am, I decided on a stroll through Hyde Park, stopping at the Lido Café for coffee. Behind the café is the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain surrounded by a wrought iron fence. This was also closed this early and was being cleaned by men with high-powered water blasters – they love their People’s Princess here!

Continue to Page 2...

Eco Luxury in Malaysia

Best Photos By Destination