Moments

Dec 2, we was supposed to meet Dr. F at the downstair of our hotel by 10am. First of all, we totally overslept. Since we arrived late last night (the reception was gone by the time we got back to the hotel), we could not arrange for wake up call. Also, I was woke up by phone call from office 3am in the morning, we could not wake up. On top of it, I did not realize that Germany and London is one hour ahead. By the time we get downstair, Dr. F and his wife went to the restaurant. We thought that they went to breakfast. So, we walked around, and took some pictures around this very cute, charming hotels. Houses here are very, very cute. Dr. F. soon came back, and insisted that we should have breakfast in the hotel. So, we did. By the time we left for the Strasbourg Cathedral, it was about 11am. So, by the time we got to the Cathedral, it was past noon. We did not make it to see how the astronomical clock move. Well, I am sure we will come back again. The Strasbourg market i...

We checked out of Marriott at Grosvernor and checked in to the Hilton at Notting Hill on Dec 1st. They upgrade us to executive suite. Lo went to the conference for his presentation. I stayed at the hotel business center, surfing the Hilton website, and planning out our next trip with the kids. There are so many places to see. About 11:30am, Lo came back. He had a really good talk. He was happy, relieved. Then, off we go to the Tower of London. By the time we got to the Tower of London, it was about 1pm already. Lo was really hungry, so we had a little meal at KFC. By 1:30p, we were at the entrance of the Tower, joining the tour. The guide was really funny. We had a great time. He toured us to the Church, tell us stories about prisoners at the White Tower, including the innocent brothers and their uncle Richard III, Elizabeth I's imprisonment, and quite a few others, which I could not remember. Also, the Traitor's gate (which was called Watergate originally), Tho...

The Queen's Gallery, November 2004 I was all set to go St. Paul's Cathedral this morning. I knew I was taking a chance since we took a bus tour last night, and saw that the building seems to be blocked up for renovation. Also, I read last night that the church is going to hold a memorial for Sir Winston Churchill, which would make him one of the three non-royal Britons to be honoured, like Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, with a state funeral. Nevertheless, I thought I would give it a trial. Well, the church actually was closed in the morning for special service. Of course, they did not tell anyone about the service. I only knew because I read the news online. It actually was not even mentioned on the TV, strange. However, the church would be open for visitor in the afternoon. Disappointed, I took some photos around the cathedral, checked out Londonwalk, got advance tickets for Tower of London for tomorrow... Then, I decided that I will spend sometime in M...

We had a great day in London. There is so much, so much history to touch and to feel in London. We pretty much spent our entire day in the Parliament area. We first took a guided tour in the Westminister Abbey. It is a beautiful abbey, and it was such an experience at present with all the great people, kings and queens, who we read about... Now, we can actually touched their tombs, or walk on their burial ground. You felt so much connected to these very special historical figures, felt so much being part of history, and a living history rather than one you read from the books. It was such an experience. After the memorable Westminister Abbey visit, we went across the street, and queued up for a tour at House of Commons. We waited in line for an hour and a half, then waited inside for another hour. Lo did not wear enough clothes. He was freezing waiting in the line. It was a long wait. But, it was really worthwhile. After a sitting at the House of Commons, we sat at the...

The trip was not really long, but tiring. It was a red eye. I did not sleep on the plane. Instead, I watched a movie, and caught up on trip planning. The night before, I did not really sleep until well past 5am either. I got Dad iPod and speaker for his 70th years birthday gift. I spend the whole morning try to organize my song, set up his iPod, and transfer songs to his iPod. So, this was a tiring plane ride. Since Lo did not successfully get the foreign exchange from the bank, first thing we did when we got off the plane was to get some foreign exchange. The rate was much higher right outside of the gate. I got 100 pounds anyway, since we need that to get to the hotel. Then, by the luggage claim, there was an American Express, with better rate than the one before. I was going to get more pounds and euro. Well, I probably did not set up the cash advance for American Express, they would not let the transaction through. Well, it was actually for the better anyway. We realized later ...

We are living in such an electronic dependent era, it is amazing how many chargers one suddenly discovered one needs when you have to go a different country. I traveled a lot, domestically. I go to HK and China a bit too. Every time, I lived with the fact that I have to bring many chargers, charger for my laptop of course, charger for my camera, charger for my iPod, charger for my cell phones (yes, I have been carrying a couple of them over the past year, one for work, one is a test phone for wireless products), and charger for my blackberry. Sometimes, if we go on to trip with the family, then we need to bring charger for our camcorder too, and for my husband's shaver. It was annoying, but not as much so when I travel domestically, since at least, you know that the power voltage will be fine. There is no compatible issues with electric outlets. Going to HK, I always feel resourceful, since HK practically has everything readily accessible. You will always be able to buy...

I am getting ready. I seldom start packing so soon. But I am getting ready. Right now, my biggest problem is that I can't find the charger for my digital camera. Also, I have to check out what kind of electrical plugs do London and Germany use. I also need to get foreign exchange, pounds for London and Euro for Germany. Oh, I just checked weather, high 40, low 30, not too bad. I am probably going to have rainy days every day. Well, that changes all my packing strategy. Definitely cannot wear fur, or nice leather coat. Lots to do to get ready for the trip... (

I am working late again... organizing my photo files, checking out picasa and hello software. I love Picasa. I was actually very excited about it can search all my photos, just like iTune. Hello is kind of confusing. When I am at blogger, it told me that i can get my photo hosted for free. But then, I really cannot figure out how to do that... pretty disappointing. but, i shall figure out...

Biltmore, Florida July 2004 It was a great hotel, beautiful, elegant. My husband and my kid had a great time there. Will I go again? Probably not. There were ghost stories circulating in the hotel. So, despite the fact that the hotel is really beautiful, and lovely, I have to say that having the opportunity of staying there once is good enough for me :)

Shanghai, China. July 2004 Contempory living in very old building. It almost made me feel like I was in a movie, or stepped back in history. Looking back, history is romantic and beautiful. Would I give up all the comfort and luxury of the contempory living and back to the primitive, simple and hard living?