siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

TRIP TO LONDON 1996

Upon returning from Guinea, the PERNEC delegation managed to squeeze  a 2 day 1 night trip to London on our own cost. They planned the trip while staying in Guinea. The trip certainly a pleasant one except for one incident. I don't have a complete note compared to other trips so I just jot down based on what I can recall.



infront of the entrance to subway



We stayed at a budget hotel but the cost was equivalent to RM400 a night. It was quite expensive considering a 4~5 star hotel in Malaysia cost only RM150 net at that time. There was only shower cubicle in the room. The toilet was located at the staircases. I shared the room with NoorAzizan.

With Rahmatullah at the Trafalgar Square

 

Big Ben

We spent the days visiting interesting places in London. The first place was the famous Oxford street. Although it was shopping area, we didn't shop at all except for the incident. Next, we took the opportunities other attractions in London. We visited Trafalgar square where there were the tame birds and other places; Big Ben, 10 Downing street (really?), the famous Thames river bridge. It was easy to move around using the subway. It was like rushing around from one place to another place. Unlike the business trips, we were like tourists. I bought souveniers from roadside kiosks. The price was not really bad. We moved quickly from one place to anothers that the memory didn't stick to my mind.

Others than these landmarks, double decker bus, London taxi, telephone booths and the subways were the icons of London .

There was an unforgetful incident. All of us got cheated a few hundred ringgit (in values) by a group of  cunning auctioner. I couldn't imagine this could happen in London. Initially, we were attracted by a large crowd in one of shop. There, an auction was taking place. They auctioned expensive items at low price. The auctioners were so shrewd dragging to raise hand and agree to purchase the auctioned items that no-one saw what was coming at the end. I couldn't remember exactly but we ended up paying a large sum of money for low cost products. Everyone got shocked!  





 

Not sure whether this is 10 Downing street

London is located in England. Together with 3 others countries, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island, they made up the United Kingdom. It is also known as Great Britain. These 4 countries shares the same Queen and Government. As such, the Prime Minister rules the 4 countries. The flag of "Union Jack" is a combination of flags from these 4 countries.  Within this Great Britain, the people from England is called English. Scottish for Scotland people, Irish and Welsh for Ireland and Wales. However, outside UK, they are known as British. All of them speak one language, English. When come to the sport, England is the dominant team whether in Football, cricket, athletics  and other popular games. Rugby is the only sport that other country can match England. I just get these actual facts only yesterday (10th Feb 2012) when my colleague from London, Drew Martin told me.  When come to European event, these 4 countries will participate individually.





 







Double decker bus in the background