London Biz Trip: 8-16 January 2011

Took Emirates airline to London. First time experience traveling using this airline - 7 hours of long journey only to Dubai..and then another 7 hours more to go to London! At least its better than a direct flight..so I can at least stretch myself by walking around in Dubai a while.
After 14+ hours of tiring journey...finally reached London Gatwick airport. The cab is so freaking expensive! $100 for a trip to London Kensington Hotel! *luckily I can claim it*
My hotel room for a week in here - Last room in the corridor on 7th floor.

It's $104++ for a night without internet connection! Although it's kinda small, but at least I can have the whole queen size bed myself :P
My working place for a week in here. I didn't really enjoy the TV as I have my own hong kong series. Internet connection was freaking expensive. For a 7-day internet connection package, it cost me $75!
Hotel room toilet. Kinda small but they provide Crabtree & Evelyn soap!
Westfield Shopping Centre nearby the hotel:
Shepherds Bush Overground Station (the nearest station from the hotel):
My mission the next day morning (Sunday morning - 9th Jan) is to explore the way to go office from the hotel!

Tried to capture the London Eye from the overground train.
Reached London Waterloo station
Outside the station and trying to find the right way to the Southbank IBM office
Saw London Eye while trying to find my way to the office.
Finally found IBM office. The location is so strategic - facing River Thames! Perfect view!
IBM United Kingdom Limited
76/78 Upper Ground
South Bank
London SE1 9PZ

IBM's South Bank building is located between the Royal National Theatre and the London Weekend Television Studios.
Some photos with colleagues in IBM UK:
My pre-paid card in IBM office to purchase food and drinks:
@Wagamama with Integrations team in UK:
With Delphine @Wagamama:
After found the way to get to office, I started my walking sightseeing journey from the office.

Nice view along River Thames:

The River Thames is a major river flowing through southern England.
London Eye - Too bad it's under maintenance on the week I was here :(
Big Ben:
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminter in London, and is generally extended to refer to the clock or the clock tower as well.
Met Charlie Chaplin on my walking journey :)
Houses of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom - the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Westminster Abbey:
St. Margaret's Church:
Standing as it does between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and commonly called "the parish church of the House of Commons", St Margaret's has witnessed many important events in the life of this country.
London sightseeing bus:
Nice buildings along my walking journey:
St. James Park:
St. James's Park is a 23 hectare (58 acre)park in Westminster, central London - the oldest of the Royal Parks of London. The park lies at the southernmost tip of the St. James's area, which was named after a leper hospital dedicated to St. James the Less.
Really love to walk in the park. How I wish KL have such nice and lovely park for me to spend my every weekends!
Victorial MemorialThe Victoria Memorial is a sculpture in London, placed at the centre of Queen's Gardens in front of Buckingham Palace.


Buckhingham Palace:
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality.
Then I walked to the Green Park.

Green Park
Green Park (officially The Green Park) is one of the Royal Parks of London. Covering 19 hectares (47 acres), it lies between London's Hyde Park and St. James's Park.
Canada Gate
The Canada Gate, an entrance to the Green Park (one of the four central London "Royal" parks, was presented to London by Canada (then the senior dominion of the British Empire) as part of a vast memorial scheme dedicated to Queen Victoria, who died in 1901.
From Green Park Station, took the underground to Piccadilly Circus.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is a busy plaza in the heart of London at the junction of five major streets: Regent street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly and Covent Street.

Shaftesbury memorial fountain
At the center of the Circus stands the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. It was built in 1893 to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury, a philanthropist known for his support of the poor.
The seminude statue on top of the fountain depicts the Angel of Christian Charity but was later renamed Eros after the Greek god of love and beauty. The fountain was made in bronze, but the statue is made of aluminum, at the time a novel and rare material.
More photos of Piccadilly Circus:
Ripley's Believe It Or Not:
London Telephone Booth:
Walked to the nearby Chinatown

Chinatown
My last day in London, I visited the Portobello Market with Rohaya and her family. It's great to have her companion and help for my one week visit in here.

Portobello Road is a street in the Notting Hill district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London, England. It runs almost the length of Notting Hill from south to north, roughly parallel with Ladbroke Grove. On Saturdays it is home to Portobello Road Market, one of London's notable street markets, known for its second-hand clothes and antiques

Portobello Market
Portobello Market in West London is one of the most famous street markets in the world. It is a popular destination for Londoners and tourists alike.
Some photos while transit in Dubai airport on the way back home from London: