Warm regards from Chilly London

We've just got back from our short trip to Europe. By now it supposed to be spring time there. However global warming shed all the weather forecast away. We experience a day with -1 degree, or another day bright and shinny with 8 degree which later on drop to -2 degree by lunch time. Our last day in London was cold, the chilly wind took the weather up to 3 degree, so it was awfully cold there !

However, despite the weather madness, I always love traveling to Europe. It has always been beautiful all season. We have been amazed by sophisticated Germany, captured by Parisian beauty or even mesmerized by busy street in London waiting to unravel its surprises.

We visited Frankfurt briefly and move to Munich the next day, where we took Omar to the zoo (Der Tier park Hellabrunn). It's a huge park where they claimed as the oldest geo-zoo in the world. Omar was absolutely fascinated, he refused to go back to the hotel until we drag him bounce and off. He loves the kinder park where small children could pat a baby sheep, a deer or a little goat. Though our feet sore from walking through the landscape, we're going home feeling delighted and high spirited after enjoying such beautiful scenery in that zoo.

In Paris, we definitely stop by and say "Hi" to Monalisa at Musee de Louvre. We took a city tour bus which ends at the Eiffel Tower. We didn't got a chance to go up the tower, but we did go to Trocadero to have our picture taken with the background of Eiffel Tower (it's a must !). Paris beyond words is soo pretty, we had in lunch in one of the Thai resto in St. Michel street and late afternoon we walked along the Seine river where the tree branches colored with orange-yellow leaves. It was sooo romantic, my husband and I tried to memorize all the things that we saw in our heads locked carefully in our heart.

As for London, is well known as a heaven for book lovers. While other people catching London Eye or strolling the SoHo for a shopping spree. I was looking for a bit different directions. I'm searching for a local independent book shop which I know London have abundantly. Forget about borders or other big book store ! What I'm looking is a book shop with personality in it. Book shop that offers warmth to their customer not a fancy discount. There was a lot of second hand bookshop or a specific bookshop with specific books in it. From Earls court, to great russell street, to Tottenham court road, to what else than the famous Notting Hill Gate. I had my peace after that. Yes I have seen what I wanted to see.

We came home one day later than we planned, but it's all worth it. One grand thing about traveling on vacation is that you will coming home feeling uplifted and relieved knowing there's a home to come to, where your bed is tidy and free of charge, where everything is affordable (hehe, yes we went bankrupt in 10 days !) and food is tasty and you don't have to think twice on how you should dress warm enough to go out of the house. It's what you called home sweet home.
Jakarta, April 21, 2008