Hyde And Seek

Dear ________,
The second day in London started with breakfast in the Executive Lounge located on the 9th floor - 2 level below our room. Funnily enough that brainless hussy was still on duty at the front desk. We just waltzed into the Lounge without acknowledging her presence when she suddenly called out to us and asked for our room number. My husband muttered something to the effect that we're from Room So-And-So, the one asking food to be warmed up for the baby....In slow response, her eyes just glazed over - either from lack of sleep or total ignorance. Oh well, you can't teach an old dog new trick.

Following breakfast, we packed our 'family' wallet, baby necessities, and snacks into hubby's slingbag and thereon strolled to the nearby riverbank area to snap some photos with the Tower Bridge and Tower of London in the background.




With visiting Harrods and Hyde Park foremost on the itinerary lists, we proceeded down the riverbank pavements towards the tube. On the way, we stumbled on Hay's Galleria, a magnificent 'alfresco' shopping alcove on Tooley Street, boasting some UK-based stores, a few specialty shops, restaurants and pubs.

We took the customary Jubilee Line to Green Park and changed on the Piccadily Line for Knightsbridge stop. Harrods, spanning an area of about five acres on five floors, is London's premier and opulent departmental store. I had wanted to bring hubby to the great Food Hall that I had the pleasure of eating with my family years ago. Unfortunately, the so-called Hall has ceased to exist and replaced with a diverse choice of cafes, restaurants, bars and anything in between! Each has its own theme, decor and cuisine. We opted for Cafe Harrods on the 2nd floor, specialising on sandwiches and the traditional afternoon tea. Sadia's antsiness with her new surroundings also prompted us to select the next available eatery, that being Cafe Harrods. My hubby ordered the famous crab cake with mango salad while I chose scone with jam and clotted cream. Simply divine!


Gauging from Sadia's mood barometer, we couldn't bear to stay any longer inside the maze-like interiors of Harrods. After purchasing Harrods' emblematic shopping bags as souvenir, we walked outdoors and perched ourselves on a makeshift cement bench to quell Sadia's disquieting tantrums. As usual, she was sleepy but refused to doze off in view of the fascinating external stimuli all around her. We placed our bets on Hyde Park to provide all of us the sanctuary and peace from London's pedestrian traffic. Amid the confusion in getting to the Park, Sadia drifted off to sleep inside the baby carrier.

Thanks to the kind direction of a staff of a currency exchange booth, we sighed a huge relief upon seeing the breathtaking panorama of Hyde Park. We found a shady spot under a willowy tree overlooking the man-made, 40-acre Serpentine Lake. Loving the prospect of quiet solitude, I helped myself to a lawn deckchair, one of many stacked (almost) randomly on the grass. Unbeknownst to me however, the chair was NOT free. A guy, with a manual receipt issuance machine hanging by his neck, came by to collect money for the chair. We had to part with 1.50Pounds for a two-hour use! My auntie chuckled when I later told her the price, saying during her days it only cost 20 pence!

Nevertheless, we were gratified by the solitary refuge that Hyde Park has to offer. Sadia also got a chance to nap longer in the afternoon. Hyde Park is by far, the highlight of our trip to London. No rushing from here to there, no pollution of noise or smoke, and most importantly, no stress.









After more than one and half hour sitting idle by the lake, we got up to our feet in search for a public toilet. Sadia finally woke up as hubby went to see a man about a dog. We fed Sadia a late lunch of muffin and milk on the expansive, rolling lawn. This being her virgin step on the grass, Sadia was afraid to move an inch and let out a cry when we moved away from her stationary position. It was a funny sight, nonetheless!





After the failed attempt to persuade her to walk on the grass, we headed back towards the sea of pedestrians on the streets outside Hyde Park. Next stop - Trafalgar Square to see a swarm of rock pigeons!

Hugs from London,
Eleez