More of ChinaTown

Josh was only here for about a week, during his half term holiday, but during that time, we ate out a lot, and most of time at Asian restaurants. I guess it's partially that I dont know where else to eat in London, for example, where a good Indian restaurant, or

even a good English restaurant is! Instead, I tend to gravitate to what I know best - Japanese food! We ate a lot of Katsu Curry and Gyudon, and even one night Josh convinced me to try an all you can eat Chinese Buffet. For some reason, we had trouble finding one (now I know there are tons and tons all around Chinatown - we just weren't looking in the right places!) and finally, we found one which looked good on Gerrard Street - also the "main" street

of Chinatown. We didnt have to wait long, and the food was pretty yummy too! I think I stuffed myself with all the food that was avaliable! Afterwards, I made Josh pose in front of the great big arches. While they aren't as ornate as the ones I became accustomed to in the Chinatowns in Yokohama, Kobe or Nagasaki, they are still really cool, and look best at nighttime, when they are all lit up and you can see the lanterns glowing. I love the hustle and bustle of Chinatown - it can sometimes feel really touristy - more so at night probably - but often times it just reminds me of being in Asia and how much I miss that!

Ed's 50's Diner

When I was a little kid, there was a great little 50's diner down in the West End, near to where Mama Mia played on the stage (not that I have any clue what plays at that theatre now). It serves classic Americana food, burgers and fries, and has great milkshakes and malts. Since then, I havent really been back to eat, just to

get milkshakes from time to time. Nowadays, there are a few Ed's chains all over town - they still are very 50's themed, just a little bigger nowadays. There is one right off the corner of Leicester Square, down near Picadilly Circus, so one evening, Josh and I went down there, after our dinner to get a nice after dinner Milkshake. The milkshakes there are really good - I am really fond of the peanut butter ones they had! We hung out there, talking with the owner, who was also from Florida for a while. My favourite part of the visit

was playing all the great 50s songs on the jukebox. I love jukeboxes - and for only 10 or 20 pence, you can have your favourite retro song piped throughout the restaurant! It was another nice childhood memory that I got to share with Josh while he was visiting me.

The Shard

This is one of my favourite shots of my new neighbourhood. Living underneath the Shard is great - you can always spot it, but sometimes you have to get away from it to see how great it really is from afar. I took this as Josh and I were walking home. It was so great being able to go out at night with him, and seeing so many beautiful sights all lit up.

Covent Garden at Night

Mummy and Daddy wanted to go to their favourite Mexican restaurant, Cantinda Loredo. It's kind of an upscale version of a taco place, and is off the main street near Covent Garden. They're really fmous for their made at the table guacamole. So we had that, and some other things, and then we walked to try and find some nice ice cream that Mummy likes. Well, in the end we walked all through the market at Covent garden, but couldn't find it, which was a shame. We did however, find Laduree macaroons, which were wonderful,

and had a good wander around a place that is so totally different in the dark than it is in the day. It was so empty, but lit up quite nice, and it had much more of a warehouse feel than normal.

St. Paul's in the Sunshine

St Pauls is actually really, really near my house, and I almost never go. When I was at Uni in Bristol, I used to stay at a youth hostel which was right next door, and wake up to it every morning I stayed there. It is beautiful at night, and one of my favourite walks in London has to be walking across the very snazzy Millenium Bridge, walking towards St. Pauls. It is so majectic, and big, and a little magical! Winter in London has perfect time of day, sometime in the afternoon, before the sun sets, where everything in town just looks magical, and is bathed in this pretty orange light.

To be honest, it doesn't happen often in London, but sometimes it does, and we were lucky enough to be able to catch the beautiful St Pauls at the right time of day. We didn't go in - but we did take some photos outside. Mummy and Daddy were staying at a hotel near there, so we walked over there and managed to get to see them in time for dinner. I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I had wished, because I was so busy with school, but I was glad that Josh had gotten to spend time with them!

Greenwich Park

Mummy came to visit London for a few days, taking Josh to different museums and places (especially scary places like the London Dungeon), while I was in school all day. I was so glad that he didn't have to be alone in London because sometimes that can be really boring, and everything seems a bit underwhelming. So one afternoon, after I finished with my classes, I met them in town, and then we headed out to Greenwich Park. Although Josh and I had just been there, I wanted Josh to see the park and go up to the prime meridian!

So that's what we did, and we took the DLR on the long trip there. The main hall was closed because they were filming a period drama there (I'm not sure which one there, although aparently it was from America), but we did get to go into the music hall and watch the end of a concert. That hall was really beautiful to see, so I can only imagine what the library looks like! Then we made the big trek up the hill to the Prime Meridian. Now, you have to pay for it, but it was so worth it to go and stand where

time starts! Josh and I and Mummy took lots of funny photos, as we do! And then we stood and admired they great view over Canary Wharf and the Marine College, which is one of my favourite views in all of London. It doesn't really feel like it still is London, but it was so great!

Dinner in Greenwich

We met my friend Dave for dinner at this great little pub right next to the Cutty Sark. It was a great dinner, and so nice to get to spend some time with Dave, and for Josh to finally meet some of my friends! Afterwards, the boys were really patient while I took a photo of Canary Wharf, which was all lit up across the river!