London · Day 5
I didn’t have too much time in London after getting back from Scotland.
Covent Garden, a vibrant district in London with a lively atmosphere and a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options
Hakkasan, an acclaimed Michelin one-star Chinese restaurant with a twist of contemporary flavors
𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕡: ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝔾𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕟
On the last day in London, I arrived from Edinburgh by train in the afternoon, and after checking in at the renowned Apex Duck Hotel, I hurriedly made my way to Covent Garden! Originally, I had planned to visit Covent Garden to buy Whittard Tea as souvenirs for my family and friends, but I was unknowingly captivated by the festive Jubilee decorations here! I still remember on my first day in London, a friend told me on Instagram that he had been exploring Soho and Covent Garden during his stay in London, and now I finally understand why. Covent Garden is a bustling marketplace with a wide range of artisan shops and luxury boutiques (it made me contemplate settling down in London once again). Covent Garden is a perfect place to spend a few hours, strolling around and enjoying the delightful atmosphere. On weekends, there are live musical performances to enjoy too!
I must recommend Whittard Tea while I'm here, as it is truly the best-tasting English tea I've ever had! I wasn't much of a fan of English tea before (even the highly praised TWG tea didn't impress me), but Whittard Tea has truly opened my eyes. Every variety is incredibly delicious (my favorite is English Rose) ❤ Whittard Tea also makes a great souvenir from London. I spent over £150 on tea here, mostly to bring back as gifts. If you're planning to buy their tea, I suggest checking the airport shops. It was only when I was leaving Gatwick Airport that I realized they sold this brand there. I wish I had known earlier, so I wouldn't have bought so much!
𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕡: ℍ𝕒𝕜𝕜𝕒𝕤𝕒𝕟
Since the third day of our trip, my friend has been telling me that on the last day in London, we must have a fantastic meal, ha! We made a reservation for tonight's dinner on the train, and it's at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Hakkasan! When we traveled together to Las Vegas last time, we really wanted to try Hakkasan, and now we finally crossed half the globe to experience it.
Hakkasan is a Chinese restaurant with a fusion of Western cooking styles (Asian fusion), and it's also a chain of Michelin-starred restaurants (they even have their own nightclub in Las Vegas). The restaurant is located in Hanway Place, London, with a discreet brown entrance that's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. I initially thought Hakkasan would be a relatively quiet restaurant, but it turned out to be quite lively inside. Even at 5:30 p.m., there were already a few people dining there. After observing for a while, it seemed like most of them were colleagues having dinner after work.
The restaurant offers several different tasting menus, and we chose the Pearl menu (the one with caviar on Peking duck). It costs £148 per person (excluding beverages).
The Supreme Dim Sum dish below is the best Chinese dim sum I've ever had, and each dumpling is meticulously crafted. The exquisite appearance and flavors truly reflect the Michelin standard. Whether you order à la carte or go for the tasting menu, the Supreme Dim Sum is a must-try dish.
On the last night in London, instead of going to any bars, my friend and I decided to take a break in the VIP lounge downstairs at the Apex hotel. I grabbed a glass of diet coke, while my friend opened a bottle of beer with an unknown flavor. In the same lounge, there was another gentleman with a Scottish accent engaged in conversation. He mentioned that his train had been canceled, so he and his family had to stay an extra night in London. We casually chatted with each other, discussing various topics.
Throughout the entire journey, one of the things I was most looking forward to was having conversations with strangers. I was curious about the kind of lives they were leading in this country.
The next morning, I quickly went down from the hotel room to the lobby to grab a quick latte. Upon returning to the hotel, my friend was already awake. Today, he was going to take a train to Paris.
After bidding farewell to my friend, I dragged my suitcases and walked to the Thameslink train station. The sunlight was splendid that day, and I wondered if the rainy season was finally coming to an end. There weren't many pedestrians on the road, mostly people rushing to work or school. I entered the train station, unable to resist turning around for one last glimpse of London.
By the time I arrived at London Gatwick Airport, it was already after 8 o'clock in the morning. I quickly bought a bottle of Scottish Whiskey and a Shake Shack burger from the duty-free shop, then headed towards the boarding gate. I devoured the burger while waiting in line to board; it was small enough to finish in about five bites.
This trip was the most unforgettable in my life:
The first time travelling to Europe with a friend
The first time (and perhaps the only time in my life) being a guest in a castle and hunting for ghosts at night
While writing this blog post, it felt like I was reliving the trip once again. Just like the journey itself, I felt a hint of reluctance as I reached the end of the travelogue. Throughout my life, I have visited quite a few countries, but London is definitely a city to fall for.
Farewell for now, London! We will meet again someday.
