First stop: Warner Bros. Studios (Harry Potter)

As I said, I’m back-la! Starting my chika in

3…

2..

1…

Pak!

We asked for a week leave since we originally planned to go to Spain (Ibiza sana) but, due to unforseeable ganaps, wit na siya na-i-push. So, instead of putting those days into waste, mega plan nalang ng roadtrip around England! Perfect timing nga kase we just got our Baby Kadjot a couple of months ago so perfect na mabinyagan siya sa long drive. We also devised a very specific tipid meal plan for the whole trip which consisted of adobo (day 1) adobo (day 2), and more adobo (day 3) for more chances of winning!

So, the route was, Warner Bros. Studios – overnight @ Cheltenham – Cotswolds the next half day – Bath (overnight) – Stonehenge – Home! I will make chika the rest of the places we went to but for now, let’s start with everyone’s favorite – H E R R Y P A H T A H R!

The tickets mga ateh, costs £35 each for adults (kung kuripot ka, medyo mahalia fuentes siya) and take note, you should book it in advance cause super benta siya to everyone and usually, they have a quota so everyone can enjoy the studio na walang natetegi sa stampede. Charot.

Actually since we first got here sa UK, matagal ko nang plan to go here, but everytime na I try check their site, fully booked na yung dates na bet ko. So yes, inabot ng two years and 8 months bago ko talaga siya na-avail ng bonggang bongga! Sulit naman ang wait mga teh. Super enjoy! Ang lakas maka fresh yung ganitong aura! Felt like a child again (naks!). It’s also amazing na di lang siya for kiddos. Take note, madami din yung tita and titos na super enjoy. And, from different parts of the world pa! Pang UN levels ang delegation.

At the queue, may mga pa-quotes naman si Auntie.

After the queue, they lead you into this room na may mga pa-film viewing churna churna bells. Then, ang paepek ng mga lola mo, biglang shosho-as ang screenabels and charaaaan! The giant door! Medyo nadisappoint lang ako kasi they ask from the crowd whoever’s celebrating their birthday para sila yung magoopen ng door. Magtataas sana ako ng kamay kaso baka hanapan ako ng birth certificate or proof of purchase, so give ko na saknila yun. Sayang, nagpula pa naman ako.

So the door leads you in here! Ahhhh!!!

These were the actual set, props and costumes na ginamit nila sa movie. Haaaay ang sarap maging bata ulet!

The studio was divided into different sections. After this first section, super naenjoy namin yung green screen section where you ride the broomstick and and umacting acting lang! Hahaha! Kebs na sa mga taong nanonood sayo, basta importante performance level!

Honestly, getting a copy of the video was a bit pricey (£25 each! Kaloka!) but since we had a great time, pikit mata nalang namin binili kasi sayang naman ang winning performance if we just let it go. With the amount you paid naman, you get an option if you want it in dvd or usb and since mas may potential na magmukang souvenir item si usb, siya nalang kinuha namen.

Nest section: Train Station! Plus the famous Platform 3/4!

Musn’t miss: BUTTERBER!!!!!

Third section!

Loool! Pak na pak! He was actually gonna sit there tapos biglang sinita kame ni ate girl!

Opo ate. Di na nga lang!

Naging photo dump na! Self explanatory na ang caption and here’s the next section!

And for the finale…

In a span of 4-5 hours, we had so much fun! Sulit!

PS. Here’s a compilation of my super excited ako snaps for that day. enjoy!

https://flipagram.com/f/vx346voSli

Aca-ntahan

I woke up like this

The 14-hour trip from the Philippines won’t stop me from seeing one of my life-pegs. Magkamatayan na. Ravan, ganern!

Backstory: I got back in UK around Saturday midnight and as expected, (jetlagged) only got some sleep around half past 3, only after buying the Yonce ticket. I failed to set any alarms since all my batteries were maxed out but I didn’t really think I would sleep till late afternoon.

After some time, I woke up. Walked to where I charged my phone and saw it was already half past 6. Double checked with the watches beside it which bore the same time. Instantly, my brain panicked! I felt my world whirled around me and suddenly felt dizzy and tripped going to the bathroom. I cursed and rushed and cursed again, thinking I was so late. I even thought of not taking a bath anymore and just head out which is literally tempting and kept whispering myself I could pass up with the tagline: I woke up like this. Anyway, I did a wuick bath and changed and then, my housemate messaged me, asking if I had a spare charger. So I said yes, and brought it to the next room. While I was handing it to her, I asked her:

Me: ate, umaga ba ngayon or gabi na? (Take note, I was already dressed and ready to go at this time)

Ais: umaga palang. Nagtataka nga ako sayo bat ang aga mo naligo, nagready hahahahaha

Me: 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

Shengeneh! Wow Mali! Hahahahah. Okay, so I totally panicked for no reason. On the good side, I still had loads of time to kill.

Fast forward to: W E M B L E Y!

I wanted to get the pitch standing tickets but considering my height vs the Brits, and the amount of people who will prolly watch, I saved myself the hassle of neck stretching, tip toeing and got a seat instead. My spot’s not that bad though.

I wish I could show you more pictures, or videos but as I do in most concerts I’ve been, I try to have the full experience sans the camera/phone on my hands. But I’m telling you, she was just phenomenal. The energy is unbelievable. Not even a trace of heavy breathing from the singing and awesome dancing. I just can’t even.

On her last song, (Halo) as much as I’d hate to admit, I was actually crying. It was an unbelievable experience (who would’ve thought this probinsyana would see her idol) + an inspiring song (damang dama ko ang bawat lyrics teh! Hugot to the max!)

I’m still on a yoncè-high. My heart is smiling.
A.

Blabbermouth

Welcome to UK, Justin!

It’s not everyday that you would get the chance to meet an old friend again so when we heard that one of Gelo’s college classmates was going to visit, we made sure to give him the warmest welcome (despite the branded “typical English weather”).

It was my first time to meet him and I’m pretty sure we blended well enough cause were from the similar “berdeng bloodline” (wink, wink sabay kembot).

We met at Hotel Strand around 1400H, which is roughly 5-10 minutes walk from the iconic places in London. From there on, we started our mini tour with a cruise around Thames (despite the normal pouring, which we kept on saying happens most of the time) and where I gave them time to catch up and enjoy the view as it was also my first time to try the cruise. I pre-booked for the London Eye+River Cruise package which costs £28.80 per person which is a better deal than buying individual tickets for each attraction. If you visit their site (https://www.londoneye.com) they have other deals that would better suit your taste especially if you have little kiddos. (Oh di ba!? Nagpromote!?)

Since there was still daylight when we finished with the cruise, we decided to stroll around before going for the Eye. We went to Westminster Abbey, walked till we reached St. James Park then of course, the famous Buckingham Palace.

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It was a good decision to go sightseeing first and wait till it got dark cause we had spectacular views while we were up the Eye. I would highly recommend night rides to enjoy these city lights.

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Of course, we also had to show him everyone’s favorite spot

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After the walkathon, we headed back to his hotel to freshen up since our next agenda is dinner @ Jamie Oliver’s (Covent Garden) and the most looked forward to- SOHO! #booking #alamna

Day 2!

We started early at the famous 9 3/4 quarters and we were lucky cause the was no queue! So, grab the opportunity!

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We asked Justin if he had any specific places he wanted to see and one on his list was Borough Market – perfect timing cause we were already starving! While we were there, we also had the chance to make him experience an authentic full english breakfast + ireland’s clonakilty black pudding. (Sorry, no pictures taken, we obviously prioritised getting our tummies full).

Next on his list was Tate Modern. Oh, Art! <3

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We didn’t bother entering the other galleries (kasi may pa-entrance hahaha) so we went straight to our next appointment. Here’s the millenium bridge exiting at St. Paul’s.

Above anything else, never forget…

Another ticket I had to book was for the Sky Garden. It was free this time but they only have limited number of people going in so good thing there slots available for this certain day. And–the sun came out! Wohoooo!

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Last stop– the famous Tower Bridge which is often mistaken as the London Bridge.

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We ended the day with 3 bottles of wine at this nice bar called the Alchemist found at Aldgate. Bid our goodbyes, and made our draft plan for our next adventure next year!

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‘Twas really nice to meet a new friend and thank you for 2 wonderful days Justin! See you again SOON! :)

PS. Thank you for getting this and bringin it to UK Justin! I superrrr loooove them! Brought me back to my ballerina days