UK - Cambridge

This is the 1st time in my entire life that I've travelled so far to a land that I am not familiar with except what I've seen on TV.

At 9pm 11th Jan 2008, I boarded a plane which was to transit at Bangkok before arriving at London Heathrow airport. The transit was a drag. I had to wait 2hrs for the connecting flight. The smoking room there was like a gas chamber. The ventilation system is so damn poor. I only had 2 sticks before I had to evacuate from there. Then there was the baggage screening part. Over in SG, each individual gate has their own screening equipment & personnel. But it is not so in Bangkok airport. There is only like 3 counters for screening the entire gate category. I had to queue more than 30mins to clear it before heading for my gate. Basically, I only had a breather in the gas chamber while spending the rest of the time queueing for the screening.

The flight to London was nothing extraordinary. I spent most of the time sleeping. There wasn't much to do. Unlike SQ flights where you have ur own tv monitor. For TG flights that is only available if you are taking business class. I had to settle for the big projector screen which wasn't showing anything most of the time. Food wise, I'd say it is comparable to SQ. In fact, I like it more than SQ! The stewards & stewardesses are indeed friendlier & more approachable than SQ personnels.

Upon arriving at London Heathrow airport, clearing immigration was rather smooth, except for the queuing part. Now I fully understand why my better half don't like to check in luggages. I waited for almost 30 mins before I saw my violet Eminent sailing out of the conveyor belt. Then there was the journey to the underground. I have no idea where to take a train to Cambridge! But thank god everything is in english & the staff are helpful enough to point me in the right direction. I had to take a train from Heathrow to King Cross through the Piccadily Line before changing to the King Cross line & boarding another train to Cambridge. This journey took almost 3 hours. At Cambridge station, my first encounter with a local. He asked me for a stick of cigarette which I refused flatly by saying I'm having my last stick. I was about to throw the remaining away when he asked to have it. Well how to reject? I handed him whatever was left on my Viceroy & he looked so thankful. The cab ride to the guest house was ok. It was warm in the vehicle. The impression that Cambridge gives me is that it is a small & quiet town. The ride was £$7.20. That's like SGD$22 for a 5 min drive. Wow!

Hamden Guest House is a small place. Looks very cosy. The people here are very friendly & helpful. The owner is an Italian & he has been here well over 40 yrs. He kindly provided me with information on how to get around this place & eventually showed me to my room. Nice place except that I cannot smoke in the room. I have to put on my sweater & shoes, go outside & sit on the porch for a puff. Kinda troublesome but what's a little trouble for a true blue smoker like me? Hahaha!

It is 1pm here. I have no idea what to do for the rest of the time until Monday. Maybe I'll go walk about & check out the neighbourhood later in the afternoon. But for now, I'm still waiting for my darling to come online...