Recap 27th or 28th Nov 2010

After spending almost a whole day of traveling to reach London, i didn't shower the 1st night. One, because it was freezing cold and 2nd, there's no heater in Clink261 hostel. I had to take a cold shower in the morning. It's a unisex bathroom with see through glass doors on the shower cubicles. I slept with my gloves & socks & snow cap on. All the room mates were already sleeping when i reached around 12midnight and all the lights were off. G said i smelled. Haha.. i don't care. I was cold.

The notice board at Clink261 Hostel, London

Last day in paris

I like Plug-Inn Hostel. Mainly because of the free internet in the lobby. I don't even have to wait for any seat to be vacant 'coz they normally were.

All the room mates Kenia (Brazil), Chika (Japan) & Maria (Spain) woke up early today 'coz every one of us are checking out today.

So, i was left alone again in my room. I am going to Gallery La Fayette later to get something there. It just started to light up outside.

Just enough time for me to go do a No.2 & continue with my walking.

Will be off to London again today and straight to Newcastle. Don't delay my coach. Please! Please! please!

In Case U are trying to find me

Here is the confirmed itinerary for my trip:-

27^th November 2010 (Saturday)

I will be taking Air Asia Flight No: D72008 from LCCT bound for Stansted Airport (London).

Departing at 2.30pm and scheduled to arrive at 8.30pm same day 27^th Nov 2010.

I will be staying at Clink261 Hostel at Gray’s Inn Road near King’s Cross Station for 3 days 2 nights in a hostel dorm with 10 other female & male travelers.  Phone no.: +44 (0)207 8339400.

-          Check in & check out time is 2.30pm

-          Breakfast is included ( Monday-Friday 7:30-9:30, Saturday- Sunday 8:00-10:00)

-          Linen is included

-           FREE luggage room storage
- FREE safety deposit for valuables
- FREE movies on big screen every night
- FREE travel information
- Fully equipped self-catering kitchen
- Lounge Area: play Wii or kick back and relax in our lounge area with it's huge plasma TV
- Chic internet room: write emails, talk via skype or share your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter!
- Laundry room
- Direct links to Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Victoria.
- 5 minute walk to St Pancras International - for catching an early train to Paris

I will be meeting with G here. .

28^th November 2010 (Sunday)

Start London tour

G go back Newcastle. Me still in London.

29^th November 2010 (Monday)

Me to Paris at 8.55am via St. Pancras. I have no idea about the seating arrangement. Just that I am booked in a carre seat Carrier 0019 train no. 9012 scheduled to arrive at 12.17noon.

I will be staying at Plug-Inn Hostel, 7 rue Aristide Bruant.

Ensuite in every room.....no need to run down the hall for your hot shower - bathrooms in every room!

We are tucked away in a calm street around the corner from the world-renowned Moulin Rouge, in the middle of the trendy Abbesses neighbourhood, on your way to the Sacré Coeur and its breathtaking view of Paris.

The rest of town is accessible on foot, or with the two metro lines (2 & 12) found on our doorstep.
Gare du Nord (for the airport or international trains) is a 5 minute trip away.

Get a real feel for Montmartre…the unique artist and cabaret neighbourhood.
If Picasso, Van Gogh, Cocteau, Satie, Toulouse Lautrec, Renoir….…and Amelie made it their home, why not you?

Feel the splendour of bygone cabarets, bohemian cafés and artists' ateliers…..the Montmartre village area is now home to over 240 bars, cafés, bistros and pubs.

EVERY room private bath/shower, and WC, plus;

FREE Sheets & Towel & Hair-Dryer
FREE Breakfast
FREE Internet in the lobby
FREE WiFi everywhere
FREE Kitchen
FREE Tours of Paris*
FREE Maps and brochures
FREE Great service..

 Check in at 3.30pm. Check out at 11am.

I will start to visit the area near here.

30^th November 2010 (Tuesday)

Start the tour of Paris.

1^st December 2010 (Wednesday)

Train to London at 11.13am train no. 9023. I am booked in a seat Carriers 0019.  Scheduled to arrive at 12.29noon.

I will be taking National Express Coach to Newcastle at 4pm scheduled to arrive at Newcastle Upon Tyne Coach station, St. James Boulevard, Tyne and Wear at 11.15PM.

Will be meeting with G at her hotel (hotel- pending)

2^nd December 2010 (Thursday)

Newcastle tour. 

3^rd December 2010 (Friday)

Newcastle tour.

4^th December 2010 (Saturday)

We will be taking the National Express East Anglia train (East Coast) to Edinburgh Scotland at 6.25am scheduled to arrive at 8.05am at Edinburgh Waverly.

Check In Hostel: Castle Rock Hostel

FREE tea and coffee

Free walking tour leaving every day from the hostel

Free historic walking tour Every Day at 10:30am
MacBackpackers TOURS pick-up and sales point
No hidden charges
Minutes from the bus and train (Waverly Station)
Open 24 hours every day of the year
Check-in 2pm
Hot and strong showers
Include Clean bed linen (with properly fitted sheets)

Sorry but …

Mixed Bathrooms
Breakfast £2
Laundry service £2.50

5^th December 2010 (Sunday)

Check Out.

Tour Edinburgh. Cont’

We will be taking the same train (East Coast) at Waverly at 7pm scheduled to arrive at 8.27pm at Newcastle.

6^th December 2010 (Monday)- 10^th December 2010 (Friday)

My own itinerary. 

11^th December 2010 (Saturday)

Saturday, 11 December 2010

Barclays Premier League

Newcastle v Liverpool, 17:30 

* Tickets might be expensive but hope it's still within our budget starting price 25.00pound  (home stand)

12^th December 2010 (Sunday)

Coach to Victoria 9.45am scheduled to arrive at 5.05pm at Victoria Coach Station.

National Express bus to Stansted Airport duration 2H 30M.

Flight to KL D72009 10pm scheduled to arrive at 7pm.

My Planned Itinerary

I am freaking out! But in a good way..

Been looking at places to stay in London once i touch down at 8.30pm London time. Seems like i can stay anywhere in London since all the hostels are connected by the many colorful train routes. Better to do early bookings to get my mind at ease.

But i am a little apprehensive on staying in a hostel alone with a bunch of strangers. I read a few hostel reviews and it scarred me a little- comments of shared moldy bathrooms, standing in long queue in the morning, the mediocre breakfast, the stinky bed smelly feet, the rude staffs, but i guess you only get what u paid for. All the check out time is 10am. The breakfast is very early, starting from 7am- no time to rest and sleep, n in some places the cleaners started to vacuum at 7am.

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ok here is what i have planned:-

27th Nov (Saturday) 8.30pm
- Arrived at Stansted Airport.
- Take the bus($) / train($) to the chosen hostel ($)following direction from the hostel's website.
- Check in before 12mn i hope.

28th Nov (Sunday) Morning
- Tour London w/ or w/o gale.. hehe...should i get the oyster card/ travel card?
- 2nd nite ($) in London

29th Nov (Monday)
- 10am Check out.
- Train (St. Pancras) to Paris.- Return tickets is BP 69.00+ BP 3.00 cdt card charges. Time: 12.30-15.50 (2h21m)
- Check in at a paris hostel- 2 Nights BP 50.00- BP 60.00 (from abundant hostel choices)

Paris Accommodation choices
1) Plug-Inn Hostel- EUR 50.00 or BP. 43.66 (2 nites room of 6 bedroom).Ensuit? All Female?
2) Woodstock Hostel- EUR 50.00 or BP. 43.66 (2 nites).Ensuit? All Female?
3) Regent Hostel- EUR 58.90 (2 nites) Incl: Breakfast at 7.30-10am (10.30weekends). Check in at 4pm.  Ensuit? All Female?
4) Lucky Youth Backpacker Apartment Hostel- BP53.96 (check in time 1pm-8pm) extra chargers for late check in. Check Out at 11am. Near Anvers Metro. Hostess will meet up at designated train station. Safe. Ensuit? All Female?

30th Nov (Tuesday)
- Tour Paris. Should i go to DisneyLand ? $
-2nd nite in Paris

1st Dec (Wednesday)
- 10am Check Out.
- Train to London Eurostar from Gare du Nord  Paris to St. Pancras London. Time: 12.13-13.28 (2h15m)
- Train to Liverpool from where? n $
- Overnite in Liverpool. Where

2nd Dec (Thursday)
-Check out. Tour Liverpool. Do they have train from Liverpool to Peterborough?
- Train to Peterborough (Cross Country Train) $, change train (East Coast Train) to Newcastle Upon Tyne $. But from  where?
- Meet up with Gale

3rd Dec (Friday)
Option 1
- Nite train to Edinburg? Am i to take EastCoast train $. (Return tix)
- Check in at Edinburg hostel $. Where.

Option 2
- Overnite/ Rest in Newcastle

4th Dec (Saturday)
- Train to Edinburg? Am i to take EastCoast train $.(Return tix)
- According to Cheryl, i need to go to Bolton to take a train to Scotland. which is half way between London & Newcastle.

- Tour Edinburg
-Check in at Edinburg hostel $ / return to Newcastle. Not sure how long is the round trip journey.

5th Dec (Sunday)
- Check out. Back to Newcastle.


6th- 11th Dec (Monday- Saturday)
- (6 days of full body rest & chillaxing in Newcastle) which translate into. I'm broke and only have enough cash to get back to Stansted airport.

12th Dec ( Sunday)
- Take East Coast Train to Peterborough From Newcastle Upon Tyne. $
- Take Cross Country Train to Stanstead. $
- Check In
- Done!