Little BRITAIN
I must say that this trip is really a trip down memory lane. More than 1o yrs ago, i took my very first long haul flight and it was to London.Remembered vividly that i broke into silent tears when i first set sight on trafalgar square, a place that i got to know after reading an Enid Blyton story book when i was seven years old and i have been longing to be in London eversince. As i step out of Heathrow airport, memories invaded my somewhat vacant mind and as my eyes roamed the scenery in front of me, it felt as if i have come home.. Not that i have resided here before but, however, during my virgin trip there, i felt as though i was from there in my previous life, as much of the streets and buildings seemed extraordinarily familiar, i could almost tell whats at the next turn…. hmm..though this time is a working trip, i am very much looking to explore uk the second time round…Interestingly, i would be taking to the skies via the London eye (i have yet to try out the one at home though) and also a hot air balloon in Leeds, where the famous Leeds Castle awaits my exploration.Not forgetting portebello market, where i shall attempt to recapture the romantic essence of Notting hill and also to see if Jane Austen is right about bath, as she very much described while indulging in Persuasion.Nevertheless, the visit to uk would never be complete if i were not to head out to the farms, just to experience nature living…but, most importantly, to take in the sights of the river thames when it is now the time for swan marking.
Was delirious today when i saw a couple of bobbies strolling around..
was actually clapping my hands in glee when passing by selfridges..
such are the joy you experience when you are there,
in Destination: Most Wanted!
on July 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
i share the same sentiments as u when i made my first trip to uk in winter 99. The familiar street names, the city layout, my favorite stores hmv, tower records, even the gloomy weather.. all made me feel very at home. I have a hk friend who is so in love with london, i once asked him, so what’s fun in london? He replied me – it’s fun even if u just stand there and do nothing! It was not long after notting hill was shown then, like many others, i tried to find the familiar bookshop and blue door in the film.. The owner of the blue-door house must have been quite disturbed by the number of visitors taking photo at his door that he had it re-painted, but that didn’t give us any problem identifying it cos someone else had kindly sprayed paint on the wall next door that said “blue door” with a huge arrow pointing to the right direction, haha! I believe this must have been done by a fellow britain with a good sense of humour! When i finally arrived in cambridge, i even proudly told myself, hey i’ve got two certs associated with this world famous uni wor :p (so do most of us huh
) But then, it was a memorable yet also rather sad and lonely trip for me.. I remember my tears just rolled when i saw falling snow for the first time in my life at covent garden one evening, was so excited i wanted to call someone at home to share my joy, but due to the time difference, it was the middle of the night so there’s no one i could reach.. Plus it was just weeks away from christmas and the millenium countdown, everyone in the city was in a happy mood, so that made myself feel doubly more pitiful in contrast… Looking back, i think that was probably THE trip that suddenly made me hate travelling alone, which used to be something i enjoyed doing in the past… Well.. do have fun and enjoy the rest of ur stay there, send my regards to our friends daffyd, majorie, sebastian, vicky, carol, anne etc when u see them 
(btw, this is my first time posting a message with my mobile on the bus!)
on July 11th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Enjoy the trip! Wish I can be there too
on July 11th, 2008 at 9:54 am
i love london. bath is a nice place to visit. wonder if u will be visiting Jane austen’s museum? hehe enjoy ur europe trip. take care
on July 11th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hey Bryan!
Any plans to release a travelogue (book version)?
Your amount of traveling together with the beautiful pictures sure can be piled into 1 volume, I assume.
AtelierGal
http://blog.pixnet.net/AtelierGal
on July 11th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Sofa!? Wahaha… …
on July 12th, 2008 at 1:12 am
While reading thru all your postings all this while, I had started to envy you. The places you have been to, the things you seen, the pple you met, the food you ate, the air you had been breathing, etc. Although not sure if any of the ‘nt so happy’ things had even happened to you during this period. But I’m sure you are happy with the life now. Dunno! Mayb I’m wrong too. But juz had the feeling that you are really enjoying, relax, no worries… continue to stay that way if possible. ok? I wanted to but now seems nt able to. So help us to enjoy this feeling now. Hmm. Enjoy k?
on July 13th, 2008 at 12:49 am
oh!! i just got back on thur ..
had fun there
but not used to the slow pace there la
its quite cold tho its summer .. take care.
on July 13th, 2008 at 1:04 am
wow the way u describe it makes me want to see the place for myself!
if not.. can only be hoping for time to fly and reach the time when Destinations Most Wanted starts!
on July 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
hey bryan,
so happy tt u are able to travel the world, sth tt i really hope i can accomplish in this life.. looking forward to ur new show! when will it be screened? =)
on July 13th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I totally understand your feelings. I was like that when I first visited UK eons ago. I was so excited to see the signs on the tube, remembering my monopoly!!! I’ve bought those places and built hotels on them too. Pall Mall, Bond street, oxford street. Having lived here for 10 yrs now, the novelty has long been lost on me and actually I usually look forward to going to Canary Wharf coz it reminds me of Shenton Way at home
haha.
I like London, coz there’s always something to do, but I now live in rural Suffolk and London is too hectic for me. But enjoy your time in UK, lots of beautiful places to go, my favourites are Cornwall and Scotland!
on July 13th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I wish I could be there too! Thanks for sharing your trip!
on July 15th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Flying here and there must be super tiring..and, it seems like u’re working all day long..so try to spend some free time to do stuffs that u like..don’t tired urself too much.
Raining almost everyday in S’pore..i think UK should be much worse..so, wear thick clothes and don’t catch a cold(touchwood!)..have fun in UK.
on July 15th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
wow… you have been to so many countries! I guess its really an eye opener for you and a chance for you to rest i hope… through all the travelling experiences, i’m sure you learnt many things.
Take care!
on July 18th, 2008 at 12:56 am
first time came across your blog. wonderful travelling experiences you huv there. a tad envy here. anyway, i came to know you through the tv show named ‘home deco’. never fail to glu my ass on the couch to watch it. and now i’m totally in love with that show entitle ‘Honour and Passion’ (jing zhong wei guo) did i get the name right? haha. Anyway, smile always yea. i love your charming smile. it never fail to brighten up my day. Do take care!
oh yeaa. in the show ‘Honour and Passion’, whenever you and xiao nuo talked about the Allan David CD, there was a english song played along too. is that Allan David’s song? Can i know who’s the singer and the song title? Thanks!
Kelly
on July 20th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
It is always a joys to walk through memory lane. I always love those days in my childhood where we were having lots of fun and joys. Unfortunately time has changed and now living as a child is no longer like those days where we are more carefree and takes life a little better in finding happiness.
I really miss those days and those friends that I had lost contacts with.
Edward
http://www.yain.com
on July 20th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I wish i could be there too… Thanks for sharing all your travelling experience with us! I’ll never stop reading it and hope you have a safe and wonderful working trip. Be back to singapore soon! We miss you.
on July 21st, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Halo, I am juz passing by.
Wow, juz make me wanna go to visit London.
But, the exchange rate is just so….
As much as I want to go, it would be a very tight budget.(^^)
on July 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
nice sharing experience on ur trip? prob sharer too?
on July 28th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Hi
I watched mediacorp since i was small but didnt watch any shows fr mediacopr this 8 yrs after i came to Uk.
recently my sis sent me this blog and now i can confirm tat u r the one in Bath- Selly Lunn
on July 31st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Hello Bryan,
will ‘Destination Most Wanted’ bring you to Norway as well?
Recently watched a travel prog which introduced me to this country and realli got me so interested in gg there…
on August 2nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Hey Bryan,
we are the singaporeans that saw you at tower bridge when you were filming there! I think we were very lucky to have caught sight of the tower bridge opening. Hope you enjoyed London as much as we did. Anyway we were there for studies.
You were very lucky to be able to travel there. Honestly, the standard of living there is very high, it put us on a tight budget.
Nice to have met you in person!
Ling
on August 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
Hey Bryan…How lucky of you to travel to London….I really admire the different cultures you have come across while travelling to these countries… I totally agree with you on England is a beautiful country contrasted with greeneries and pleasant countryside.. though it’s always raining and cold in EnglandOh, since you are in England..you should visit Scotland as well…
Which part of England did you visit? And where is the next place you are going to visit; Australia??
Hope you have another question and answer time on the blog yeah? cos I miss out the last one…
on August 9th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Hello Bryan,
Just wanted to leave a msg cause my mom kept asking for u the past few days; and i told her i’ll leave a msg on her behalf.
Everytime we watch the tv she’ll be like.. “Wheres bryan ah! He act bao jia wei guo so handsome! Now he’s not acting or hosting. WHERE IS BRYAN. HE SO HANDSOME. (and the list goes on).”
Hehe. Hope ure doing good.
and my mom says if u need a fengshui master, you can come visit her. She’ll be more then willing to have a meet up with you. You can get her on my email. Just drop me an email only if u want to. (:
Otherwise, all the best and be safe in your trips.
Sincerely
J and Mom (:
P.s I’m not boasting but shes pretty good. Quite abit of ppl come look for her. Really no harm trying. hehe. (:
on August 9th, 2008 at 10:06 am
it been so long since u update.
Jiayou.
on August 11th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
yo bryan! hope you are doing fine and enjoying yourself still on the trip around the world! hope to see you soon…
on August 11th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi Bryan, how are you? Still having fun at The Great Britain? =P
It’s been quite ages since we last heard from you.
When are you returning to Singapore? =)
Warm Regards,
Alan
on August 11th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hi, Bryan,
i Come from Malaysia,
just want 2 say
“Jia You”
on May 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
You are such a great guy …. I love ya …