The new Oyster Card in London

Oyster is the cheapest way to pay for single journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London.

Travelling in London is convenient. You can travel easily, only you know where you want to go. North or South, East or West, it’s all in your hands. Oyster Card is really useful as you stay or travel around London. It’s like a touch-and-go card in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and many more. Well, sadly we don’t have those kinds of services in my state – Sabah, but still we have our heritage remain, which is the steam train. Anyways.

Back to Oyster Card. As I stayed in London for about a week, I decided to purchase the Oyster Card. Lucky enough, I got myself the limited edition Oyster Card which is the Jubilee version where you can see the Buckingham Palace, Horse guards, Thame River, Tower Bridge, Local delicacies and beautiful people. Well, there’s this open deal for anyone. You have a choice either to return your Oyster Card before you leave the country and get a refund, or you keep it. Of course, I brought it back with me to my home land for remembrance.

It’s also easy to purchase the Oyster Card every station has counters or machines. To top up the credits – “Top up as You Go”, this also can be done at the counter (but trust me lots of people there lining up), or top up at the machines. On the other hand, you can also top up online https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/link/0002.do or just visit their website at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

From London to Paris by EUROSTAR

Leaving home for Europe was a big decision to make. Plus, when we are on a trip, money is always the first issue and the second will be time. Or, maybe it’s the other way round. Well, depends.

So, as I am traveling all the way from Sabah, North Borneo, Malaysia to Europe, money will be the first issue due to the conversion; the exchange rates are crazy. To travel that far from home, most of us will think of the best way to travel, which is valuable.

There are few of my friends who have suggested EUROSTAR for me. It’s is the most convenient way to travel around Europe. But it’s not everywhere in Europe; just certain location such as to or from London, Paris, Brussels, etc.

I always love to enjoy sceneries and I found out this is the best way to travel too. Since we are traveling by train, I am able to see what’s outside. If I am boarding on a plane, I might not have the same experience as what I’m going to get on the train. It’s actually the fastest way to reach Paris. By the way, I am actually departed from London. Approximate 2 hours to reach my destination – Paris.

On that night, I stayed at a budget hotel (will feature this in my next post) nearby to St. Pancras, King Cross, so I can walk to the train station within 6 minutes. The problem is you will need to pull your luggage all the way from your hotel. No worries, it’s not a shame thing to do because everybody did that. Yes, you may not see that often in Malaysia but you just need to blend in. ;)

There are few things that make me comfortable by traveling with train:
1. Comfortable sitting arrangement

2. Luggage area prepared

3. No worries of transportation on ground; Arriving in the airport (expensive and time consuming)

4. Great sceneries

The only thing which I’m uncomfortable was the pressure. The train was moving too fast until I need to pop my ears constantly. Also, you might encounter with guests who will make lots of noise.

Well, I hope for those who read this, good luck on your journey!

Love,

Chloe Tiffany Lee

London & Paris

I believe most of you are preparing to go to work. Well, not for me. Now its 0000hrs in Paris. I just reached Paris by Eurostar today from St. Pancras International London to Gare du Nord Paris.

A day in London was great where I get to met my cousins and friends. Jimmy helps us a lot by fetching us from the airport and brought us to Westfield for shoppong and dinner around the location where you can find the Malaysia Embassy on the first day. In between, get to meet up with Jeanette where she taught us how to use the Underground and brought us to Oxford Street for shopping and Victoria Station to try out the Traditional English Tea at one of the hotel operates by Hilton. We get to find ur way back by using the tube just in time when Jimmy reached our hotel. After dinner, we took sometime to drive around the London Central where we saw the city night view. Wonderful architecture I could say. Brilliant and amazing work.

Today before we departed for Paris, mom and I get to meet up with one of my cousin which I never met before (but now I do and she's so pretty). Head down to Costa nearby King Cross station and we had a nice family chat. Nora had to rush after coffee. So I brought mom to Leicester Square earlier for a walk. Jackson was the last person to meet me today and it is great to meet up with him. He brought us for a short walk and passes by Museums, Monuments, etc nearby Covent Garden and China Town. We had Chinese Hong Kong cuisine for lunch. Jackson followed us to the hotel, accompany and helped us with our luggage until checking in to Eurostar. Love you dear!

And finally, reached Paris.. will continue tomorrow. Gonna sleep now and I am not sure did I mispelled anything. Lol. (「,「)