It’s Been One Year Since I Visited London!
Oh, it’s been one year since I visited London, and I miss it already! I have a video to share with you, something really short. Perhaps you will be able to see that the Underground gets packed, and the stops are very brief. Keep in mind that exiting passengers should be allowed to get off first, before new passengers board. Always remember to Mind The Gap!
I think we must have been on our way to see my favorite Bridge – Tower Bridge. I have to include at least one picture – so here it is.
Tower Bridge, London
I really wish I was in London. Sad, sad, sad!
Bajrangi Bhaijaan – A Must See!
I love to escape and enter the world of Bollywood, so I often wait for a really good movie recommendation from my daughter Niki and then off we go – usually together to Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. Niki recommended Bajrangi Bhaijaan, she already saw it last weekend in the Los Angeles area. However, she wanted to see it again. She said I would really like it. Niki’s a good judge of the types of movies that I like. So, I was curious, and as I said, I like to escape to Bollywood. This movie stars Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and little Harshaali Malhotra.
Sometimes, little Chandra comes along, and even though she doesn’t understand Hindi – she reads the subtitles. Well, I think Chandra was really happy that she came along to see this movie as it got to her just like it got to me, and Niki. We all cried, ever so much – it was such an emotional movie for us, and we absolutely loved it, even though we cried our eyes out!
Chandi (the nickname for Chandra) is 6 years old, just like the little girl in the movie. The girl in the movie was named Munni, even though her real name was Shahida. Just briefly, Munni (who can’t speak) got separated from her mother while on a train in Pakistan, and ends up in India all alone. Salman Khan ends up taking care of her. The basic premise of this movie, I think is that love conquers all. The two countries India and Pakistan share a lot of history, there can be much bitterness, mistrust, and hatred that can stop someone from belng allowed to even cross the border, but does a little child care about that? All she wants is to get back home.
Munni is so cute, just like my Chandi. Don’t you think Chandra resembles Munni? If you don’t know what Munni (Harshaali) looks like click here.
Chandra in Coronado
Anyway, I must get back to the movie. Well, how powerful! How fantastic! Salman Khan was brilliant, heroic, and wonderful! I cannot sing his praises enough. Kareena as Rasika was great, and saw all the good qualities in Pawan (Salman Khan).
One of the most tear-jerking parts was when Munni was trying to indicate that she didn’t want to go with the man who was supposed to be a travel agent entrusted with taking her back home to Pakistan. Munni must have had an instinct that the man was evil as he was really just an evil greedy human trafficker! Can you believe that awful evil people could even contemplate putting a six year old in this situation. Well……Pawan rescued her, and of course this part brought out so many tears from me, Chandra and Niki. Well done to the movie makers for including this as this atrocity happens way too often in real life, and it’s such a human rights violation, and so wrong.
Anyway, I better not let out any more about the movie. You have to go see it. Caution…..you will cry. But, you will love this movie. Absolutely fantastic, and a must-see!
Not Just A Garden – It’s Covent Garden!
I’m not sure why it’s called Covent Garden. One would expect to see flowers, and perhaps a fountain. However, I don’t think anyone visiting Covent Garden will ever be disappointed, as you will see more than just flowers.
You will see crowds and the wonderful red telephone booths
Covent Garden, London
You will see crowds, and they are forever entertained!
Covent Garden, London
You will see sights that you don’t know if you should even photograph, but then you will do it anyway!
You will see fantastic opportunities to take pictures of your little ones with amazing characters! Here’s my little girl Chandra – she will never be able to say I didn’t take enough pictures of her in London!
Covent Garden, London
You will see people just out for a walk, to not only get some fresh air, but to be entertained, to see, and therefore, to live.
Covent Garden, London
You will want to go into one of the main market areas to have a look at the goods for sale.
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Covent Garden, London
Covent Garden, London
Covent Garden, London
Covent Garden, London
Covent Garden, London
Covent Garden, London
Who said there weren’t any flowers?
Covent Garden, London
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Covent Garden, London
You will want to go see the architecture outside – it’s quite amazing!
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Covent Garden, London
I just noticed the London Transport Museum – from looking at my pictures! Must go here next time!
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The London Transport Museum at Covent Garden, London
Covent Garden, London
Did you know that Covent Garden is in central London, is a short walk from Trafalgar Square, and has it’s own tube station? Yes, Covent Garden tube station is on the Piccadilly line (the blue line). I hope you enjoyed my post on Covent Garden.
The View From The Trafalgar Hilton in London
The view from the Trafalgar Hilton in London is ever so fantastic! In fact, you might say it’s exceptional! I think I should have taken more pictures of the view from the Trafalgar Hilton when I was in London last year. This hotel is so central, and just across the road from Trafalgar Square – you can’t get better than that! In addition, it is walking distance to Green Park, St. James’ Park, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Victoria, and so much more! I highly recommend staying at the Trafalgar Hilton.
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View From Trafalgar Hilton
View From Trafalgar Hilton
View From Trafalgar Hilton
View From Trafalgar Hilton
View From Trafalgar Hilton
View From Trafalgar Hilton
View From Trafalgar Hilton
Punjabi Dance Party
You cannot stay still when you hear Punjabi music! Bet you! You will want to break out in bhangra, and why not! It’s definitely good exercise. Want to see a video that I made when I was in the UK? This video was made at a pre-wedding party, but I just called it Punjabi Dance Party.
I love the songs on the video, here’s a playlist. The timings are listed so that you can go forward and see certain songs without seeing the entire video – but why you would want to do that – I don’t know – you shouldn’t! The whole video is good!
Playlist
At 19 seconds into the video: Aaja Soniyeh from Foji ft Gurlej Akhtar – Mentah. I just called it Aaja Soniyeh as these words are in it, but not sure what the name of the song is (one of my favorites);
At 1:01 minutes into the video: Aaj Blue Hai Pani Pani from Yo Yo Honey Singh
At 1:55 minutes into the video: I love the song, but don’t know what it’s called or who is the singer, but the dance to it in this video that I made is rather wonderful. This is when the men get together and dance like crazy! The song refers to Jallandarh, a big city in the Punjab – where I have been just once when I was 14 years old.
At 3:30 minutes into the video: There is a ritual dance that is in honor of the groom who will be married the next day (yes this is the party that the boy’s side held). The girl’s side held their own party the same day at a different venue. We were invited to the boy’s side.
At 4:25 minutes into the video: There’s a song that I like to refer to as the “Snake Song”. It is the same music that there was a fabulous dance to in Bride and Prejudice, the “Cobra Dance” that had one of the sisters entertaining the guest Darcy as well as Mr. Khan who was visiting from Los Angeles. Aishwarya Rai was in this movie and played one of the sisters. This was a truly fabulous movie!
At 5:57 mintues into the video, it’s the women’s turn to dance! Again, I don’t know the name of the song, or the singer – but you should tune into to see how Punjabi women dance – they do a dance traditionally known as “giddah” – a traditional folk dance.
At 6:40 minutes into the video, there’s Moorni from Panjabi MC (one of my favorites);
At 6:59 minutes into the video, watch out for the men’s turn again as they dance to the Dhol, and do my favorite – bhangra!
At 8:43 minutes into the video, tune in for nightclub/disco like bhangra!
At 9:04 minutes into the video, tune in for Spanish Bhangra! That’s all I can call it as there is a song that I should know the name to, but don’t and it is Spanish I believe, also popular, and the men love dancing to it bhangra style!
At 9:45 minutes into the video, tune in for the Bhangra finale!
If you love the songs you hear in my video, and want to hear the full version, and see the corresponding video from the artist click on the song links below
Aaja Soniyeh from Foji ft Gurlej Akhtar – Mentah.
Aaj Blue Hai Pani Pani from Yo Yo Honey Singh
Moorni from Panjabi MC
Cobra Dance from Bride and Prejudice, and I know this is part of another Bollywood movie too
Don’t forget with a good Punjabi Dance Party, you need a nice cup of tea, and some Indian sweets, so here you go – just for you! I took the first two pictures below in the USA, but the rest are taken at the Punjabi Dance Party in the UK at Walsall Football Stadium.
chai (nice cup of Indian tea)
Jalebis
Punjabi Dance Party
Punjabi Dance Party
My daughter Niki took a selfie of us when we were in the car on the way to Walsall from Northern England.
Punjabi Dance Party
Punjabi Dance Party
Punjabi Dance Party at Walsall Football Stadium
Here I am at the party before it got started.
Punjabi Dance Party
I hope you liked my video, and the pictures. Don’t forget to watch some of the other videos of the songs that I really like – they are some of the best, but mostly don’t forget to watch my video. Remember, there’s nothing like good Punjabi music, and especially bhangra!
Memorable London. Fitzroy Square Reminds Me Of The London Shown In The Oliver Twist Movie
I have many memories of London, but it all began when I arrived here age 18 (many years ago now) not knowing where I would stay. I actually arrived at Victoria Station, with one big suitcase, and asked the taxi driver to take me somewhere that is affordable, and he drove me to a bed and breakfast on Fitzroy Street.
Victoria Station, London
On my recent trip last July, I had to go seek it out. When I first arrived here at age 18, all alone – I was somehow mesmerized by this area.
Fitzroy Street, near Warren Street tube, London
On first glance when you look at the picture above, you may think this is not a really spectacular street, but look what is around the corner! Such beauty, such historical elegance and exquisite architecture! Such a magnificent sight of the most wonderful homes – oh, how I wish I could live in one of them right there
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Do you see how many famous people have lived here in these homes (look at some of my pictures below and you will see that Prime Ministers have lived here, so have writers, artists and architects.
Fitzroy Square area, London
I’m certainly not famous, but I can say I lived in one of the homes – well, it’s actually a bed and breakfast – for about 3 weeks! This place gave me such fond memories of London, that a few years later, I stayed here again, but this time sadly, I remember it for other reasons. I was staying on the very top floor, about two or three flights of stairs up. I opened the window, and unfortunately, it dropped down onto my finger that had a ring on it, and squashed my finger somewhat – the window also squashed my ring! I had to scream until some passers by heard my screams and alerted the hotel staff who finally came to my rescue, as I could not get the window back up or off my finger. I was in such pain, and had to then go to the hospital, where they cut my ring off in order to save my finger. What a horror story! But, true! You have to be really careful of windows I’ve learnt – please take note of this also, as some of London’s hotels are quite old, and you don’t want the same thing happening to you.
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41 Fitzroy St Hotel – bed and breakfast
Still, I have good memories of my first visit there at 41 Fitzroy St Hotel, and nothing can take that away. That is when I first fell in love with London. I was a stranger to this place and showed up without knowing where I would stay or what I would do. I remember thinking this area in particular reminded me of the Oliver Twist movie in the good part of the movie, (I say the good part of the movie, as I categorize it into two parts – the good part is when Oliver was happy and well looked after, and the bad part is when he was taught to pickpocket to line the pockets of Bill Sikes, and Fagin). In the good part of the movie, where he lived with the kind elderly gentleman in London, Oliver would look out of his bedroom window onto the streets below, and he saw Nancy in one of the songs (the movie is a musical, and the song I refer to is “Who Will Buy These Wonderful Roses” and Nancy is Bill Sikes’ girlfriend). I remember the London I saw in the movie, looks just like the London I know in the Fitzroy Square/Fitzroy Street area.
The hotel is not at all fancy, it is simple, but very central – in a great location! Who would not want to be in an Oliver Twist like setting?!! This is a bed and breakfast, and I’m sure they have fixed up the windows since that time. I remember they served a wonderful hot English breakfast, complete with bacon, eggs, sausage, toast and jam, as well as coffee and tea. Needless to say, I went in to the hotel on my visit to London last year, and took a few pictures. After all, this place is part of my history! This hotel used to be only something like £30 or £40 (pounds) per night for a single room, now I’m sure it’s more like £80 per night, and you may have to share a bathroom. I believe I shared a bathroom back when I first stayed there, probably even during my second visit.
41 Fitzroy Street Bed and Breakfast, near Warren St tube
41 Fitzroy Street Bed and Breakfast, near Warren St tube
41 Fitzroy Street Bed and Breakfast, near Warren St tube
41 Fitzroy Street Bed and Breakfast, near Warren St tube
It is quite notable to see that High Commissions, and Embassies also are in this very same area. If the signs weren’t on the buildings in such a visible way, you would never imagine that it could be a High Commission or an Embassy.
Fitzroy Square area, London
This is Telecom Tower, as you head towards Tottenham Court Road tube station, which is also only a few minutes walk away.
Fitzroy Square area, London
The picture below reminds me of the scene from the song where Oliver looks out from his balcony. It probably was not this very street, but to me – this is what I remember or imagine it to be. I must watch the movie again – what a fantastic movie it was, and so memorable – just like London is to me. “Please sir, can I have some more porridge?” Then we all know what happened to Oliver, and how he was thrown out of the orphanage just for asking for more food!
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf both lived here.
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Robert Adam, the architect, lived here.
Fitzroy Square area, London
Of course, i had to take a picture of the Indian YMCA – also very close to Fitzroy Street, and I remember this being here years ago too.
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Just in case you are curious, “To Let” means to rent, and I’m sure you know that a flat is an apartment.
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
This is also nearby, but it is Bedford Square, just as pretty, but not quite as spectacular as Fitzroy Square. Bedford Square is shown in the next four pictures.
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Fitzroy Square area, London
Back to Fitzroy Square again.
Fitzroy Square area, London
Well, hopefully, you got a feel for one of my favorite areas of London – the Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy Square area – near the Warren Street tube station. It is also walking distance to Tottenham Court Road tube station. I hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane, plus the pictures that show the surrounding area. Also, did you get to see the clip from the Oliver Twist movie – to compare it to my pictures, click here – so what you do think? Is it the same place? Here’s to good memories of where ever your travels take you to. Happy summer!
Sometime – You Have To See The Amazing Antalya
Sometimes, you have to see the amazing Antalya, you have to sightsee and you will see things you would never see back home.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you have to take a second look, and think well, that looks like something I have seen at home.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you have to turn a corner in this new place, and you will see things you know you can’t see at home.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you have to wonder, and say is this Turkey or is it Rome? For parts of it are so similar to other places in Europe – don’t forget Turkey is partly in Asia, and partly in Europe.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you’ll have to question – is this Ireland or England? I see a pub! Then, you have to remember you are in a place that wants to cater to tourists and make you feel at home.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you will see what you will normally see in public, and it could be anywhere in the world.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes you will again think is this England, perhaps it is? But again, if you recollect and rack your brains, you will remember where you are and be happy to be in Antalya.
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, well let’s stop with the sometimes and give it a break while you look at more pictures
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you will wonder about the time, and this will give you an indication of the difference in hours of the places mentioned in the picture below
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you will want to believe that this is your home – isn’t it cozy? This is one of the small hotels near Hadrian’s Gate
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you might want to wish you have a rug like this. After all, aren’t Turkish rugs some of the best?
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Sometimes, you should be reminded of Hadrian’s Gate again…..
Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya, Turkey
Sometimes, you have to watch my video of Antalya…..perhaps now – would be a good time?!!
Sometime, you will have to see the amazing Antalya.
Turkish Delight and Turkish Spice
I never knew there were so many kinds of Turkish Delight, until my recent trip to Turkey. When I went to Antalya, I asked what these tempting things were and were told they were Turkish Delight.
Turkish Delight, Antalya
I had thought Turkish Delight just looked like this
Turkish Delight
Then I saw more that looked like this. Unfortunately, I did not get to try the kind shown in the first and third picture
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Here, there’s an assortment that looks similar to what I know Turkish Delight looks like, and did you know it also tastes as good as it looks – you might even say it’s delightful!
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Here is a whole display case (very close by to Hadrian’s Gate) full of Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Here’s two more delightful kinds of Turkish Delights
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
Growing up in England, I used to love eating Turkish Delight covered with chocolate, and since this is not a picture that I took – I will just include the website link so that you can see it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fry’s_Turkish_Delight
I did take boxes of Turkish delight back to the USA to give out as gifts to friends
Turkish Delight
Well, if you don’t like sweets, you might like spice? As the saying goes…..sugar and spice makes all things nice. I certainly enjoyed seeing both (and trying both), and when it comes to sugar and spice, I can’t choose. I like sweets, and I also like spicy dishes.
Turkish Spice, Antalya
Turkish Spice, Antalya
Well, I certainly like how spices are displayed in the markets and stalls in Antalya.
Turkish Spice, Antalya
Hope you enjoy some sugar or spice every now and then.
Blast From The Past – Copenhagen & The Little Mermaid
I had a blast from the past, and my gosh – it was fast! There was just one picture from this place – Copenhagen in Denmark. I lived there for one and a half years, but don’t think I took too many pictures while I was there. That’s really too bad. Anyway, here is one that I have with me in it – visiting the statue of The Little Mermaid.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Can you tell that it looks cold? Do you see the ice? I can still remember how cold it was and the constant snow. However, Copenhagen is a very pretty place. I wish I had taken more pictures. Perhaps I might have more that may show up – I hope so.
Want to know something? I can never forget Denmark! I can remember the main street in Copenhagen – Vesterbrogade – and Tivoli – the touristy amusement and visitor park, opposite Burger King. I can remember going to the train station on Sunday morning to get a freshly fried doughnut – filled with jam, and a piping hot cup of coffee that would warm me up from the cold that I had escaped outside. I would read a British newspaper that I bought in the train station. I remember the smell of freshly made waffle cones, and the delicious Danish ice-cream.
I remember Danish! Jeg hedder Davinder, hvad hedder du? Jeg kommer fra England, and jeg boed i Danmark hal et ar. Excuse my basic Danish, but I still remember more of it than I do of French that I took for a year in England at school. I guess it helped because I lived there and spoke it, and listened to it every day.
Denmark, you will always have a special place in my heart, but I can say one thing…..I’m glad I escaped the cold!
Some Turkish Delight in Antalya
I must continue writing and sharing my pictures of Antalya. I was only in Antalya for 7 days, but have so many pictures that I took, and I was only in the Old City for about 4 hours, but also took more than enough pictures. But, can you ever get enough pictures? When you are into taking pictures, it’s never enough!
You might want to take a picture of a big beautiful boat (perhaps it’s a barge) like this, surrounded by other boats with the gorgeous backdrop of the Sea in Antalya.
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The Old City, Antalya
Then, you need to get the rocks centralized, and still get the boats in the picture.
The Old City, Antalya
Then, perhaps find an angle with buildings that will blend in and still give you a picture that has boats and the Sea in it.
The Old City, Antalya
Now, you get all that I described above in one picture.
The Old City, Antalya
Okay, and there I will stop. You get the picture, you just have to take lots of pictures as you don’t know when you might go back – if ever. The wish always of course is when you are there, that you will return. However, life gets in the way many a time, and return visits to certain places is not as possible as perhaps a visit to other places that you just have to go to because either a piece of your heart is there, like mine is in London, or because you have family there and that is somewhere you must go back to or you will lose yourself if you erase that part completely. I will never erase England from my memory, nor do I want to.
The Old City, Antalya
However, this post is about Turkey, and I feel that I have connected somewhat to Turkey – after all – I have vacationed here for a week this time, and been to Istanbul before (for about 8 hours only on a port visit during a cruise), and to Izmir (during the same cruise – but on a different day). Who knows, it seems like Turkey is part of my destiny in some ways – I feel I will return here again.
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
I love these colors, bright red against the green – with the splash of blue in the background – very pretty!
The Old City, Antalya
The picture below reminds me a little of Seaport Village in San Diego. Why am I seeing so much similarity or drifting off to other places during this post? Please forgive me. If you do view the San Diego post, I’m sure you will see some water with exactly the same color as in this one with the fountain.
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
Look at this, don’t you just love the Turkish teapots?
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
I really love this picture below and love that barge – yes I’m going to barge right in, and call it a barge!
The Old City, Antalya
One more thing, I was thinking about the title of this post and since I linked to other pieces that I wrote with Turkish Delight in the titles, I figured why not use these words again, and this time give you a picture or two of Turkish Delight since now I have more than enough pictures of this delicious Turkish treat. So, these two are just for you! By the way, they were delicious!
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
Well, I hope you enjoyed my pictures of Antalya. Next time, I might bring you more pictures of Antalya or more of London…..we’ll see. Until then, I hope you all have a terrific weekend, and for those of you in the USA – happy three day weekend!
luchanik 