LONDON –SWISS WINTER 2019 HOLIDAY
26 NOV- 6 DEC 2019
My year-end
holiday finally has arrived. Started
with 1 day London stay followed by 5 days/ 4 nights Switzerland trip and back to London, my favourite
city for another 4 days before returning to Kuala Lumpur.
Total
duration of journey around 11 days (including 2 days of travelling in the
flight). The journey started on the 26 November 2019 afternoon and taking the
midnight flight to London . I arrived in London around 6am, and started my
whole day program in London.
4 of us as travel buddies in Switzerland and solo traveler in London.
 |
| Gornegrat , Switzerland |
|
Breakfast
|
Morning
|
Lunch
|
Afternoon
|
Evening
|
Hotel
|
26/11
D1
|
|
|
|
Kch-KL
|
Dinner
@ Plaza Premium KLIA
KL-LHR
|
|
27/11
D2
|
|
Arrived
LHR
LHR-King
Cross(Hotel)
Breakfast
at Pret@Stephen Street
River
Thames Cruises
|
St
Thomas Hospital Cafe
|
St
Thomas Hospital Visit
|
Dinner
at Dishoom @ Granary Square
|
Belgrove Hotel
|
28/11
D3
|
Hotel
Breakfast
|
Train
to LHR
LHR-Zurich
|
LHR-Zurich
11.50am
|
Arrived
at Zurich @ 2.30pm
Train
to Zermatt
|
Arrived
at Zayetta Apt
Dinner
in the apt.
|
Zayetta Apartment, Zermatt.
|
29/11
D4
|
Breakfast
in apartment
|
Trip
to Gornegrat
|
Derby
Restaurant,
Zermatt
|
Leave
Zermatt to Lauterbrunnen.
|
Dinner
in Steinbock Hotel, Lauterbrunnen.
|
Steinbock Lauterbrunnen
|
30/11
D5
|
Breakfast
in Hotel
|
Interlaken
Town
|
|
Trip
to Murren Village
|
Dinner
in Steinbock Hotel
|
Steinbock Lauterbrunnen
|
1/12 D6
|
Breakfast
in Hotel
|
Walk
around Lauterbrunnen
|
|
Train
to zurich
|
Dinner
at Cuchi Swiss Zurich.
|
Wellenberg Hotel, Zurich.
|
2/12 D7
|
Breakfast
at Hotel
|
Train
to Zurich Airport
|
Lunch
at Air Cafe
|
Zurich-LHR
|
Check
in YHA
Dinner
at John Lewis
|
YHA St Pancras
|
3/12
D8
|
Breakfast
at YHA
|
Train
to Bicester Village
|
Itsu,
Bicester Village
|
Bicester
Village- Ldn
|
Winter
wonderland, Dinner at WWL
|
YHA St Pancras
|
4/12
D9
|
Breakfast
at Somers town Café Full English Breakfast
|
Shopping
at Oxfort Street
Primark,
Gap, Dorothy Perkin,
|
|
Train
to Kew Garden
Kew
Garden Visit
|
Diner
at Euston Flyer
|
YHA St Pancras
|
5/12
D10
|
Breakfast at YHA
|
UCL
Quad,
Gower
Street,
Waterstone
|
HRC
Lunch
|
Hard
Rock Merchandise shopping
2.30pm
Train to LHR
|
LHR
VAT
Check
in
Flight
LHR-KL
|
|
6/12
D11
|
|
|
|
|
Arrived
at KLIA 6.45pm
Flight
9.15pm to Kch.
|
|
26 Nov 2019
Plaza
Premium Lounge Experience, my favourite lounge at international departure KLIA.
Previously I utilized my Public Bank Visa Infinite to enter the lounge. PB Visa
only entitled to the named on the card, This time I used my BMW Privilege Card. BMW
Card allowed to bring extra guest for free, and subsequent guest more than 2
for 50% discount.
 |
| Bar at Plaza Premium Lounge |
Variety of food and drinks including alcoholic
drinks are served. Convenient shower room and changing room. The most
importantly very comfortable sofas and resting cocoon place while waiting for
flight departure. I normally will spend around 2-3 hours in the lounge before
the departure.
 |
| Dinner at Plaza Premium Lounge |
 |
| Relax at Plaza Premium Lounge |
27 Nov 2019
After a
good night rest in 13 and half hours flight, landed in London Heathrow Airport Terminal
4 around 6 am. Very fresh to start a day for London trip.
 |
| Terminal 4 LHR |
As usual,
I will take the most economical transportation to King’s Cross, which is underground
via Piccadilly line heading to Cockfoster.
From the
arrival, take an elevator to level – 2 for underground. Got my oyster cqrd top
up. Unfortunately the convenient shop didn’t received debit card payment for the oyster
card, I got my GBP notes and topped up for GBP40. The train ride took almost 1
hour, stopped at around 20 stations before arrived at King’s Cross Station.
Ticket cost GBP 3.50
The other
option but faster and more expensive is
to take Heathrow Express which connecting LHR to Paddington Station . Ticket
cost GBP 25.
Arrived
at King’s Cross Station and exiting to Euston Road, my hotel was just 100 mtres
away from the exit. It was around 8am, still early for room check in.
 |
| Belgrove Hotel |
I refreshed
myself and changed, left my luggage. Made my way to Oxford Street for
Breakfast.
Organic
meal at Pret a’Manger is my favourite coffee and sandwich. I had black coffee and chicken ceaser with bacon.
 |
| Chicken Caeser with bacon and americano @ Pret |
After
very fulfilling breakfast, I made a quick stop at Trafalgar square and walked
to Westminster area, where I took a cruise ride. The earliest cruise service
started at 10am, I was just in nice timing for the first cruise.
 |
| Trafalgar Square |
 |
| Eye Of London |
Bought
ticket at Westminster Pier, bought a return ticket from Westminster Pier to
Greenwich and return, ticket Price GBP 11.80. The journey to Greenwich took
around 40 minutes, Stopped at Greenwich for about half an hour and returned to Westminster
Pier. Total journey took around 2 hours plus.
 |
| Tower Bridge |
From
Westminster Pier, I walked to St Thomas Hospital, just opposite Westminster
Building through Westminster Bridge.
 |
| Westminster |
 |
| St Thomas Hospital |
 |
| Evelina Children Hospital @ South Wing St Thomas |
Quick Visit to the children Hospital, Evelina
Children Hospital and had light refreshment and coffee, before heading back to
King’s cross. Around 3 pm, it was already started to get quite dark when I
arrived at King’s Cross station and went to my hotel room.
 |
| Renaissance Hotel St Pancras / King Cross |
 |
| KIng's Cross Station |
 |
| St Pancras Station |
Around
5pm, walked around King Cross Station and while waiting for my friend for
dinner. We walked toward Granary square for dinner at Dishoom Restaurant. I was
super delicious grilled lamb and chicken biryani.
 |
| Granary Square |
 |
| Chicken Biryani and Lamb |
I called
it a day around 9 something, back to hotel room.
28
November 2019
Breakfast
at Belgrove Hotel, English Breakfast,
Toast, Bacon, Egg, juice, milk, coffee and banana. Very fulfilling. I
took the 7.30am train to LHR Terminal 2 for my flight Swiss Air to Zurich. Piccadilly
Line for Terminal 1,2,3 and 5/4. The journey was about 1 hour. I was stil early
for my flight to Zurich.
 |
| Terminal 2 Departure LHR |
While at
Terminal 2, I got a value buy of Jo Malone Perfume and Kipling Luggage.
The
journey to Zurich took around 1hour 50
minutes, and reached Zurich around2.40pm. Thanks to Swiss Travel Pass which was
bought earlier via KLOOK to be used for public transpotation while in
Switzerand.
 |
| Zurich Airport |
 |
| Swiss Chocolate served in Swiss Air |
The next
journey was train to Zermatt, which took around 3 hours. Arrived at Zermatt and
it was already dark and the road was covered with thick snow. Zermatt is a car
free city and we walked to Zayetta Apartment, which is about 200 metres
from Zermatt train station. We had
dinner at the apartment, which had quite a complete cooking utensils for
cooking.
29
November 2019
 |
| Good Morning from Zermatt Switzerland |
After
breakfast at the apartment, we made our first tour in Switzerland. We took
train from Zermatt to Gornegrat. The train journey took about 1 hour.
 |
| Zermatt Train Station |
 |
| Snowing in the morning at Zermatt |
 |
| Outside of the apartment at Zermatt |
Around 9 am, we reached Gornegrat. It is around 3010 metres above sea level, and covered with very thick snow. The journey to Gornergrat on good weather should able to see peak of Matterhorn.
 |
| Gornergrat |
 |
| Gornergrat |
 |
| Gornergrat |
 |
| Train Gornergrat - Zermatt |
After about 2
hours on the top of Gornergrat, we came down to Zermatt. Still snowing at
Zermatt around afternoon and we headed for lunch at nearby restaurant, because
strolled along Zermatt City to buy Zermatt souvenirs.
 |
| Zermatt town |
 |
| Lunch at Zermatt |
 |
| Zermatt train station |
 |
| Zermatt Town |
 |
| Gornegrat |
 |
| Zermatt Town |
 |
| Snow ploughing at Gornegrat |
 |
| back from Gornegrat |
 |
| Train Gornegrat- Zermatt |
 |
| Zermatt Town |
 |
| View along the way |
Around 3pm, we left
Zermatt on train to Lauterbrunnen. The journey also took around 3 hours. We
arrived at Interlaken Train station, it was already dark and got on bus to
Lauterbrunnen. The Boutique Hotel was located just across the bus stop.
It was
very cold, the temperature was around 1”C. We had dinner in the hotel and had
good rest.
 |
| Steinbock Lauterbrunnen |
30
November 2019
We are in
Lauterbrunnen, what a scenic Swiss Village located at the valley by the
mountainous Swiss. In the morning, after breakfast at the Boutique Hotel, we
had a low pace trip around Interlaken Town. Beautiful town surrounded my beautiful
mountain. The mountain was also covered with white snow.
 |
| Breakfast at Steinbock Hotel |
 |
| Interlaken Town |
 |
| Interlaken Town |
Spent around
the whole morning in scenic Interlaken Town (Interlaken Ost- and Interlaken
West). In the afternoon, we decided to venture on Cable Car ride from
Lauterbrunnen to Murren Village. The cable car ticket all included in the Swiss
Travel Pass. The journey took less than 1 hour, we able to see to Lauterbrunnen
Village from the cable car before we reached Murren Village.
 |
| Murren Village |
 |
| Murren |
 |
| Murren in action |
 |
| Murren view |
What a
great view from Murren Village. Peak of Swiss Mountain could be seen clearly on
the bright afternoon. We enjoyed the view and snow ploughing around the Murren
Village neighbourhood.
 |
| view from the train |
We came
down after 3 hours of freezing and phototaking at Murren Village via cable car
and had dinner at Hotel. What a great view and experience on the top of Murren
Village.
1
December 2019
Today,
relaxing day, tour around our Boutique Hotel at Lauterbrunnen. The View was
amazing. A typical Swiss Home, 3-storey wooden house with a front balcony and
decorated with beautiful flower.
 |
| Lauterbrunnen |
 |
| Lauterbrunnen , photo taken from hotel |
 |
| Lauterbrunnen, typical Swiss Home |
 |
| lauterbrunnen explorer |
 |
| Lauterbrunnen view |
 |
| 1st sunday of Advent, background Lauterbrunnen Church |
Spent around few hours, before we checked out
from the hotel and moved to our next destination, Zurich City. Bus ride and
train, we arrived at Central Train Station, and go on Tram to our Hotel in
Zurich.
 |
| Where's the Tram... |
It was an
an amazing view to see Zurich at night and beautifully lighted. A well-spent
evening along the Zurich lake and Zurich old Town.
 |
| Zurich Lake |
2
December 2019
We wake
up early, had our breakfast in the hotel and the food served was great too.
Checked out early from the hotel and made our way on tram to Zurich Airport. We
changed 1 tram station before taking direct tram to airport. Good to see Zurich
town in the bright morning on the way to airport. Surely memories in
Switzerland will cherished long till we
meet again.
 |
| Zurich Airport |
Taking
the English pride airline, British Airway back to London from Zurich Airport.
The flight journey around 1 hour 50 minutes. Unlike Swiss Air, which serves
foods and drinks including alcoholic drink in the flight, British Airways sell
food and drink from Mark and Spencer fro the passengers on board. Anyway, it
was a great flight and landed in London Heathrow around 2pm and passed through
British immigration. I made my usual way to King’s Cross using underground
using my remaining balance in oyster card.
 |
| British Library at Euston Road |
 |
| Euston Road |
Arrived
at Youth Hotel Association, just across King Cross Station, was very
convenient. I book a private room and it really like a hotel, well equipped
with elevator to my room at 5th floor.
 |
| YHA reception |
 |
| YHA |
After
checked in to YHA, I made my way to Oxford Street for my early dinner, shopping
at Oxford Street and enjoying Christmas lightings along Oxford Street, Regent
Street and Bond Street.
 |
| Oxford Street from John Lewis 5th Floor |
 |
| Regent Street |
 |
| Regent Street |
 |
| Oxford Street |
One of my
favourite shopping mall at Oxford Street is John Lewis, which sells cosmetics,
make ups, bags, clothes, home appliances and delicious café on the 5th
floor. On early reservation also can go for roof top restaurant with ice rink.
This is one of my favourites during Christmas season in London to watch
Christmas lighting. The theme is year “Festive Feelings”. Last year was “London
is calling”.
 |
| Chicken Salad at John Lewis |
 |
| Edgar at John Lewis |
After 18000
steps of walking for a day, I called it a day and rest.
3
December 2019
Breakfast
at YHA, a continental breakfast which
was value for money. It was only GBP
4.99 per person buffet breakfast. They served good breads and coffee.
 |
| View from Breakfast place at YHA |
After
breakfast, I made my way to Marylebone Station for trip to Bicester Village. A
1-day pass to Bicester Village was bought from KLOOK website. It was a good buy
for only RM67 to get a return train
ticket to Bicester Village. The usual ticket bought at the Marylebone station
will cost around RM 200 for a return ticket to Bicester Village.
 |
Marylebone Station, London
Train Toward Oxford |
 |
| Bicester Village |
Bicester
village housed more than 200 branded outlets from Prada, LV, GUCCI, Polo, etc.
from handbags, to branded clothings , luggages and make ups. The price can be reduced
for more than 50% from the retail price in the city.
 |
| In one of the branded outlet |
 |
| No more shopping... |
After
hopping from shop to another at the Bicester Village, I had my lunch at Itsu restaurant
before going back to London.
 |
| Asian Meal at Itsu |
The journey back took around 1 hour to Marylebone
station.
Fun
rides, games, live performances, German sausages, mulled wine and beer usually
the highlight during this season. We
spent the whole evening at the winter wonderland. It was a great moment to
remember. I wish I could attend Winter Wonderland Hyde park every season.
4
December 2019
My last
full day in London before bid farewell London for 2019. I went for English
breakfast at Somers Town neighbourhood. Somers Town Coffee House.
 |
| Somers Town Neighbourhood |
 |
| English Breakfast |
Full English
breakfast includes Egg, Toast, sausage, bacon and baked bean. It is a high
calorie meal than could last you the whole day.
After
breakfast, went to another round of shopping at Oxford Street ie primark shop,
GAP, Dorothy Perkins, Clark, sketchers shoes. These branded good are generally
cheaper than in Malaysia and can get tax return for purchase more than GBP 35.
In the
afternoon, I made my way to Richmond Park to Kews Garden, a Royal Botanical
Garden. It was very serene place and housed various plant including tropical
trees eg palm.
 |
| Kew Palace |
 |
| Kew Neighboorhood |
 |
| Pine Trees |
 |
| KewGraden via District Line |
Came back
from kew Garden, We had a touch of British for Great British Fish and Chip at
Euston Flyer just opposite King Cross Station.
 |
| British PUB Euston Flyer |
 |
| Fish n Chips at Euston Flyer |
5
December 2019
Wake up
early Continental Breakfast overlooking British Library and King Cross Station.
Walked to UCL campus and got some UCL merchandise.
 |
| UCL Quad, Entrance |
 |
| UCL |
 |
| Gower Street |
 |
| Leicester Square |
Checked out
from YHA around 10am, and made another
walk in London around Gower street to Waterstone Bookstore. Got into bus ride
to Leicester Square to Hard Rock Picadilly Circus. Bought some Hard Rock
Picadilly Circus merchandise, the newly opened HRC outlet in London after Old
Park Lane HRC.
 |
| Leiscester Square |
 |
| China Town London |
 |
| Piccadilly Circus |
Return to
King Cross, took my luggage and big farewell to London City. Got into
underground Picadilly line to London Heathrow Airport terminal 4 for MAS.
Before check in, I claimed my VAT return at LHR. Around 5.30pm, the check in
counter opened for check in. After check in, proceeded to departure hall and more
duty free shop in the departure.
MH 001..
bye London 2019. See u again 2020.
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