Our long awaited holiday, honeymoon Part 2  – Baby moon ( yes i’m preggie with my our first baby – 5  months into pregnancy is the best period to travel for mums to be coz you have the energy and baby is much stable now )

It took me so long to update our trip on my blog now given we are finally relaxing at home – over 3 months after London.Some tippers about holidaying in London.

Preparation For Preggie Mum Before Travel

1. Gynae’s letter to certify you are safe to travel : A week before travelling – not 2 -3 weeks earlier as airlines need the letter to be as close to your travel date  (get you for a doctor’s certification you are ok to travel ,duration of pregnancy till date, as well as have single / twin pregnancy )
2. Pregnancy reports/ check-up status if any till date ( just in case of emergency )
3. List of hospitals you are entitled to seek medical treatment under your insurance plan , as well as name and contact details of your insurance agent
4. Ensure you inform your airline while booking or during check -in , share about your pregnancy to see what the airline can offer you – an empty seat beside you or special upgrades

Transport

1. Arrival > Heathrow Express To The Paddington > Take a London Cab if you are not travelling light
2. Travelling Around > Easier to travel around by bus than underground ( to avoid walking too much to your destination ) . Seek the buses that stop at where you stay and travel to ( They travel quite a distance and directly to most major tourist attractions and shopping belts )
3. Bus  Fares and Facts – Flat fee bus fare even for one stop – 2.40 pounds – Buy an Oyster Card or you need to buy the bus ticket at the bus stop before boarding the bus  )
4. Buses are non airconditioned and similarly for underground too.
5. Portobello Market ( Alight at Nottinghill Gate Tube, walk towards Pembridge Road and turn left @ Portbello Road )
6. Day Trip- Stonehenge ( Book in advance and travel by day tour.  Victoria bus station can be confusing as there are so many tour companies and coaches travelling to Bath & Stonehenge – remember to ask to ensure you are on the right tour package . Journey is about 2 hours one way )
7. Day Trip – Oxford University (Alight at  Marble Arch Underground and take coach Oxford Express – journey is about 45 minutes one way)

Food

Generally London is very cosmopolitan – from Japanese ramen , Vietnamese Pho ( not as good as the ones we have in Shanghai ) , Italian is one of the best – the pasta ( Victoria Station – beside Billy Elliot theatre).

Londoners today are health conscious these days and you see a lot of fast food ( even McDonald serve free range chicken burgers ), irresistable sandwich bars  (food are packed and made on actual day ) and supermarkets targeted at wellness and healthy eating ( Whole Foods being my favorite )  – from free range chicken, eggs, organic fresh vegetables, fresh juices from M&S –  they are  decently priced – 2.99 pounds for a 500 ml mixed juice and fresh cherries @ 2.99 pounds.

Recommended Eats :

1.  On The Go Breakfast or Lunch > Sandwich – Sushi – Soups – Salads from Pret A Manger / EAT – promotes real , whole, natural, handmade
2. Afternoon Tea ( Scones , clotted cream & jam are must – Ritz is good but must book in advance and can give Fortnam & Mason a miss. Book in advance. Remember to cancel in advance or they will charge you the full fare for no show! ( http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=3#booking)
3. Fish & Chip – generally good so no particular restuarant to recommend
4. Cantonese Food @ London Chinatown – one of the best i have eaten especially Cantonese food with good service – Recommended the wanton soup & fried rice w salted fish & diced chix
5. English Breakfast -Never had the chance to eat it as it is only available after 9am. Marmite Soldiers ( marmite on toast – too salty and not recommended for even the fanatic marmite fan like me !)
6. Steak & Ale Pie
7. Toby Carvery – Yorkshire pud, turkey, beef and pork skin. Hot desserts – Apple & Summer Crumble,Rubarb pudding and ginger lemon sponge are good too.

Portobello Road

UK_Visit

To Be Continued…France Here We Come !