THINGS TO DO – Page 13

October 25, 2013 by: Sunny London

Battersea Park, without a Boris bike, on a sunny London day

I had the courage to move to another country, but I still don’t have the courage to rent a Boris Bike.

For readers not yet familiar with this term…Voila!

Meet the Boris Bike, affectionately nicknamed after London’s Mayor Boris Johnson.

This bike sharing scheme began in 2010 and is a popular mode of transportation for Londoners. Well, except this one, who seriously lacks athletic coordination and the ability to maneuver a bike through crooked streets with high speed European drivers and big, big busses!

Since biking it isn’t an option for me on a Sunny in London day, I choose to explore and get exercise on foot. It’s much safer for everyone.

Many times I have gone for a jog through Regent’s Park or Hyde Park, because London’s parks offer such an invigorating experience, especially when the sun is in full force. On this particular day, I wanted to venture south of the Thames to see Battersea Park. Since I’ve only lived in Central London and North London, I have much to learn about what’s south of the river.

I took the Tube to Sloane Square, walked leisurely along the Chelsea Embankment and crossed the Albert Bridge to Battersea Park.

The Victorian park opened in 1858 and it’s most noteworthy landmark is the Peace Pagoda.

It’s too far for me to travel each day for a run, but for those who are closer, I learned the Carriage Drive Circuit is 2.8km and the Park “Boundary” route (Riverside Terrace and Street Pavements) is 3.5km.

However, strolling through the park and absorbing the scenery and serenity was well worth the journey. An extra special treat for this Sunny in London day was a lunch in the beer garden at the Prince of Wales Pub, a gorgeous Victorian pub which is one of the many Faucet Inn locations I have enjoyed since moving to London.

October 15, 2013 by: Sunny London

Icebar by Icehotel: A super chill venue

Would you ever believe that one of the best experiences this Florida girl has had so far in London involved paying to be in subzero temperatures for 40 minutes?

The ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL offers a truly unique entertainment experience. Located on Heddon Street, one of Central London’s most vibrant side streets, the ICEBAR London is perfect for an exhilarating date night or a large party. We were lucky enough to know that it required an advance reservation and made it weeks ahead of time.

I was a bit nervous before the adventure, because I was not sure if I would enjoy being in a bar made of ice for 40 minutes.

A pre-game drink in the lounge to melt the jitters solved that problem!

As our reservation time got closer, we joined the queue of people who seemed equally as curious and excited about taking the plunge. Once we approached the entrance to the bar, I could see staff members quickly preparing each guest. When it was my turn, a friendly staff member threw a designer thermal cape with hood and attached gloves over me.

“Off you go!”

It was true. The walls, bar and tables were entirely made of pure ice.

After the initial shock of the temperature, we quickly ordered our first drink that, yes, came in a glass made of ice.

The bartender advised us to make sure we rotated the glass as we sipped. Within minutes, it was obvious why. The glasses began melting around the rims.

Next, all the people who received their drinks began going mad with photos, including me.

After a few minutes, we needed to put our gloves back on our freezing hands, so we decided it was time a great time to order a second round.

The bartender made excellent suggestions that were personalized for us both.

He also offered to take a few pictures for us so we could avoid those hideous misaligned selfies. His photographic savvy showed quickly when he suggested how we should stage ourselves and drinks for fabulous photos.

The 40 minutes zipped by, and despite the Arctic temperature, I was never too uncomfortable. Most likely, it was the dancing and excitement that made the frigid air warm and exhilarating.

On this busy, fully-booked Friday night, I also didn’t feel too crowded, because the establishment was keen to monitor the bookings and ensured the experience was top quality for everyone.

Once our time ended, we did stay to have dinner in the belowzero restaurant + lounge, and the meal was fabulous.

The ICEBAR is an excellent venue for both Londoners and tourists to have a hot night on Heddon Street.

October 12, 2013 by: Sunny London

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Covent Garden

The first time I lived in London, I was interning with NBC News and sharing a flat with four girls in Bloomsbury on Great Russell Street next to the British Museum. Even though the Covent Garden Piazza was only a half mile south of my flat, it took me a month to figure out how to walk there and back without getting incredibly lost. I blame the halfway point- the Seven Dials.

Each time I made it to the Seven Dials, I felt like Dorothy staring at the Scarecrow and wondering which road to take. They all seemed paved with yellow bricks leading to Oz. The combination of side streets I could choose was endless, and each one was lined with specialty stores, restaurants, spas and entertainment venues. It also didn’t help that there was a pub blurring my vision every 20 meters.

In 2012 I was planning for my second move to London when a colleague, a British expat in America, gave me sacred advice. She felt that for a permanent international move, a person should find a location in the foreign city that serves as a “happy place.” On days when I felt homesick, defeated or in need of motivation, I should have a location that provided inspiration and a reminder of why I made the choice to live as an expat.

I chose Covent Garden.

It’s the place where, regardless of the weather, I always feel sunshine.

Covent Garden Piazza

Battersea Park, without a Boris bike, on a sunny London day

Icebar by Icehotel: A super chill venue

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Covent Garden

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