Post Wedding Party in London

Close friends & family gathered at Matt's dad's flat in Canary Wharf and went to an Italian restaurant just down the road called La Figa.

It is meant to be for those who could not make it to our wedding in Singapore. It was very nice to meet all my extended family.












Simon & Carol also joined us.
During the 4 days that we didn't see them, Carol had broken her wrist bone. She mis stepped and fell on her hand... ouch! Since this incident, I'm being careful. Like Carol, I never broke any bones and thought I'm doctor free... so. Never say never...


After the restaurant, we continued at the flat again, more merry drinking and talking.
Ginge, Kiwi, Jim & Vicky who came to our wedding in Singapore, nevertheless came to the after party as well.

It was a very cozy and nice party - Huge thank you for Terry & Jenny for oganizing this!




The next day early in the morning, we left to the airport...
The weather has been great while we were in England - many people were in T-shirts (in the afternoon) or putting their roof of the convertible cars down (but still wear coats).
Ironically, the weather forecast the cold rainy days to be back starting the day we leave...

Strange... is England asking us to come back?

Back to England

We went back to Horsham, East Sussex to the O'Leary's house for few days.
We went shopping, driving to Matt's old Secondary school, played Wii at home, ate at the local Fish & Chips place.

According to Matt - it is the Real fish & chips....















On the 3rd day we drove up to West London where Jim & Vicky lives and spent a night at their house.
We went to a posh restaurant that night and talked the night away...
In the morning, we went for a walk with their big dog called Scarlett (below picture) - he's only 7 months old.



















On the 4th day, we drove down to Arundel - 1 hour drive to South from Horsham - where there's Arundel Castel.
2 years ago when I first came to England, we came here before going to Matt's friend James & Jo's wedding.

The town is very small with reminiscence of the Medieval era. There are many Antique shops and used book shops - very charming.

We stayed in a B&B place that comes with Dinner. Room was also very nice. http://www.arundelhouseonline.com

For lunch, Terry & Jenny joined us at Arundel.





Here's a review Matt wrote back on the hotel: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186405-d586285-r26649369-Arundel_House_Restaurant_Rooms-Arundel_West_Sussex_England.html#REVIEWS

Barcelona Day 4 - Last day....

Montjuïc is translated as Hill of the Jews in the medieval Catalan language, a broad shallow hill with a relatively flat top overlooking the harbor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montju%C3%AFc


We started our sight seeing at 9am after breakfast at the market.

It was too early that the museums and cable cars were not operated yet... and we were the only souls in this beautiful spot....


































































The present Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau is a complex built between 1901 and 1930, designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Together with Palau de la Música Catalana, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is still a fully functional hospital. There have been discussions to convert this building to a museum sometime in the future. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospital_de_Sant_Pau



Near our hotel

























Last long lunch@Port Vell

Barcelona Day 4 - Parc Guell

Parc Güell is a garden complex designed by Antoni Gaudi.





















These mosaic tiles are featured on the ceiling which is about 10m high.






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parc_Guell












































































Inside the park, there's a house where Gaudi spent a lot of time in.
You can see a lot of his style in the interior as well as exterior. Even the toilet!

Barcelona Day 3 - Sagrada Familia & Gourmet

Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Familia was designed by Antoni Gaudi (1852–1926), who worked on the project for over 40 years. Gaudi devoted the last 15 years of his life entirely to the endeavor. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Familia





















The Ceiling is 21m high.




















Here's me listening to the Audio Tour Guide - very effective!

Because it is unfinished, it's like being part of the history in the making - and it feels very awkwardly nice.





















We got pretty hungry after all the looking up and walking down the steep stairs inside, so we went to a Tapas place called Ciutat Comtal.

I heard people in Spain eats small amount few times a day. There's even a culture to Restaurant/Bar hop, eating only 1 dish per bar.






We just ate til we were so full again...









They swore not to be an obvious Brits abroad.
And despised those Brits who hung out at English pubs when they are in Spain.
But they had to do it...

But please forgive them, because
England vs France Rugby game was on.
And it was St. Patrick's Day.

We left right after the game though.






That night we went to a restaurant called
4 Cats. The front page of the menu was painted by Picasso.