UK Day 6: Portobello Market, Miss Saigon and London Downtown

Day 6
2nd August 2014

Today is Saturday, and we've planned out a morning outing at Portobello Market before heading off to our musical at Prince Edward Theatre to catch Miss Saigon.

A daily affair... touch our Oyster cards here.  No attendants for the DLR lines so it's all based on trust.  

We arrived Portobello via tube.  I was excited, hoping to discover knick knacks and whatever that fancies, with still fresh memories of Camden Market in my mind.  But alas, Portobello is rather different.  Firstly I found the selection less than Camden's offering and consist of many shops rather than stalls.  It's probably a mental thing that I have that shops have less bargains whereas stalls will automatically catch my attention.  Anyway, we walked on... Dad was obviously uninterested as this was not his "thing."  I wouldn't mind going further eventhough as window shopping is still an activity I consider fun.

A decent properties around here cost between GBP1mil to a freaking GBP20mil for a 8-bedroom flat!!!

Left:  Headless man getting to know a boy, Right:  Stuff on sale

Top:  Colorful houses along the way and Bottom:  Dad couldn't resist this baby

Despite not buying much, we did discover a shop that sold souvenirs at below-market price, and I happily chose the designs I wanted.  Firstly, I loaded my basket with all the "mushroom heads" fridge magnets to add to my collection!

I enjoyed looking at the fresh produce sold at the open stalls along the street, snacks and cooked food.  There's always something to eye-opening and refreshing about going to the markets!  (Or maybe it's just the si-lai (housewife aka aunty) in me!)

Happiness is...

Sharing a large (but not cheap) crepe with Dad. I believe we wanted another filling but they ran out of it, so we settled for strawberries and fresh cream instead

Ohhhh, see the tomatoes!  There are soo many types of them and so, so fresh!  Even Cold Storage can't beat the freshness here!  

Breads and pastries!

We had a little discussion if we should just nibble on snacks and pass lunch, or nibble and still have lunch... these were just irresistible!  So since Dad wasn't sure of his tummy capacity, I bought only one to share

Dried lavender and all types of herbs and pickles

Dunno how to eat, just admire only!

Large portobello mushrooms!  I love mushrooms, by the way.. something about the smell, the texture, the sexiness of the gills

Seeing RED?  

Fresh carrots

There were many bars there but non open for lunch until 12noon.  After checking out a few, we picked on that was along the way and I settled for noodles, whilst Dad went for a smaller portion of duck egg with something.

After lunch we walked back to the tube station, taking note of the time.  We were not in a rush, but Dad reminded me if we stopped for long, we may be late.  I made a quick hop into Whittard's - a brand that I love since my student days because of their instant flavoured tea, which sadly they have discontinued now.  I remembered carrying back containers of different flavours when I graduated and left the UK, and how even the tea powder hardened I couldn't bring myself to throw them out.  

Ah well.  

Just look at how the crowd swelled after lunch... Glad we came here in the morning, otherwise it'd be even hard to get into Portobello.  So BIG NOTE to anyone who wants to visit Portobello (or any market, for the matter)... Go. In. The. Morning!  Be Kiasu!  

Next agenda - Miss Saigon musical at Prince Edward Theatre (PET).  I remembered when Dad was planning the itinerary, he asked me if there was anything else we'd like to do in London, and I thought of a musical.  Why not?  Afterall, we don't have to worry about children and it'd be so fun to experience a musical together.  So Dad bought our aisle seat tickets online.

When we got out of the tube station (I forgotten the name of it), we went around abit trying to locate Old Campton Street, where PET was located.  It seemed easy on the map, but somehow it didn't appear on the tourist maps along the streets.  Not wanting to waste time and energy going the wrong way, we asked a few people on the street.  Apparently it's very near SOHO or Leicester Square area.

Finally found it!

Our tickets!  Yippeee!!

This place was full house! 

We were not allowed any photography inside so the photo above was a quick shot.  I didn't want to take any risk during the musical and get kicked out... hehehe... All I can say is the musical is so, so worth it!  I was commenting to my Dad that if I stay in London (there I go, day dreaming again... talking about stuff that probably will not happen... but then again, who knows, maybe one of my kids will end up in London?? *pinch me please!*) I'd put on my TO-DO list to catch a musical once a quarter?  Dad responded, "What?  Only a quarter?"  OK, make that once every month then!  *hands out a hat for donation*

Before the show, I got to speak to Victoria and William on the phone for sometime.  The call was free with the dataplan.

Look, even Spiderman is here! If William was with us, he'd be so excited and I wouldn't hesitate to drop a coin in Spidey's bag for a photo.  Only, pennies are not allowed as you see here, Spidey was annoyed that someone put a 2pence coin in his bag.  Look, even superheroes shouldn't be paid peanuts ok?  Have some respect for Spidey, he's also trying to earn a living! ;P

Another shot of St Martin Church in the Fields.  They have concerts and orchestras here too, which I'd love to watch if only we had more time.  Next time, then!  

See the stalls behind?  This was at Trafalgar Square.  The authorities cordon off the Square for these Malaysian stalls to celebrate Eid... it was quite an eye-sore to be honest

The Union Jack flying proudly

And why not - a picture of the red double decker bus

We ate here at Garfunkel's.  At restaurants, we are expected to tip them, so the total bill including tips came up to GBP37 which was by far, the priciest meal we ever had.  But hey, we are at Trafalgar Square, alright.  

I decided on the steak pie (above right) and dad ordered their signature roast chicken.  It was indeed a hearty meal!  I'm keeping track on what I eat during this trip, so as not to double the same order (except for fish n chips) and to try as many traditional English food as possible

We went home after this... tired and me wishing there was a TV in our apartment.. Hehehe...