A Short Weekend Trip To London – With A Mission

I was asked by a friend to accompany him to London.

Not a normal trip – not a shopping trip – not a weekend break trip and of course not a holiday or sightseeing trip. Its a London trip with a mission – to get something home.

So…me, wifey and him agree to fly in on Friday night..after work. So..quick arrangement and booking was made. We decided to fly in cheap using Easyjet – only 92Euro per person instead of 240Euro using Lufthansa.

So..at 5.10pm we board an ICE train from Frankfurt to Cologne Airport, then flew exactly at 9.00pm. Reached London Gatwick an hour or so later. Then take a shuttle to the city centre where we retired the nite.

The mission begin.

The next Saturday morning is freaking cold. It was minus 1 degree. But luckily, If we were in Frankfurt it will be much colder – a minus 4 degree and snowing.

After a few trains and bus – we reached our destination. Cargiant – the world’s largest used car dealer. There is thousands of cars to choose for and the price is reasonable for a good quality car.

Cargiant show room – just a small part of it.

The mission is to buy a car. Pay in cash and drive it back to Germany. That was the plan.

So.

My friends already did the arrangement beforehand. He first search his dream car on their website. Then make a query call and then make an appointment – that is today, Saturday 1st of December 2012. So we were greet by Mr. Abishek – an indian guy who originally from Mumbai. Not to be surprised that most of the salesman are an indian.

After 3 hours, a cash counting exercise and a few documentation later the car is officially his.

Just after he got the key.

Carefully parked at Willesdane Lane

We have a few hours to spend in London – before all the shops closed. So it might be a good idea to go for a quick shopping. So we did. I got a winter jacket, she got a lot of stuff (I dont know really) and he got nothing (since all the cash goes to the car). Then we went home and retired for the nite.

Xmas decoration at Regent Street

we against the Big Ben

I dont take much photos during this trips because its not a holiday trip, its freaking cold and my finger froze and my hand is full with shopping bag. So..not much chances to take photos.

The next morning – Sunday the 2nd we left London early in the morning. Driving a newly bought red Mini Cooper home. Its a long 8 hours journey crossing 3 countries – so we pray that everything would be fine.

At 7.00am we left London for Dover. It is 2 hour or so drive on M20 highway. Stop 15minutes by the hiway for a quick breakfast and continue to Dover and reached at 9.50am. After passed through customs, we check in the car at 10.00am and the ferry left Dover for Calais in France. The English Channel crossing would take 1 hour and 15 minutes. Just like taking a Penang Ferries…you parked your car downstairs then went up to get a drink or enjoying the view upstairs. The different is – this ferry is double the size and have 3 storey deck. Inside the deck you will find restaurants, cafes, free duty shops, playground and many more.

Approaching Dover Port

Dover is called the white cliff city. Wonder where she get the name?

Dover castle ontop of the cliff. The largest castle in England

Inside the ferry.

Inside the deck

Leaving Calais for Brussels

We arrived Calais at 11.30am – and the local time is 12.30.

From Calais we drove toward Brussels, Belgium. It took us 1 hour and 45minutes before reached Brussels. It was wet and  cold. The snow just end but the rain keep pouring. The sky is grey and the rain keep pouring more and more. We decided to stop at Brussels for our late lunch. Just like any other city in Europe where most of shops were closed on Sunday – but it never stops people (locals and tourist) to flock in this beautiful city. Brussels is a capital city of European Union.

approaching Belgium border

We decided to have lunch at Hard Rock Cafe – which situated in the Grand Palace. It was packed full and no empty table for 3. The waiting list for sitting is 45 minutes – but we decided to wait. Fortunately one of the waiter came to us a minute later and bring us to this empty seat for 3 – and we jump all the ques.

I dont bring the camera with me. Its too wet and cold to shoot pictures.

HRC Brussels. We sit on the right stools. Image by google.

After late lunch it was already 5.30pm. It is a total darkness when we start our journey home. The rain still pouring – waving goodbye to us.

The distance to Frankfurt from Brussels is 360km. We drove for 3 and half hour and safely reached home at 9.30pm. The total driving hours we made from London is about 7 hours.  And the total distance we cover is 760km.

It was a super awesome and a very tiring weekend we had. But..it was cool..it was fun.

It always good to be home.

It always good to shower in your own bath and sleep on your own bed.

How about you? Love hotel’s room more than your own? Entahlah..I dont Know…but i love mine better.