Author: Elna

West End Eating

Restaurant 92 at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel West End isn’t a place where you’d find boisterous tourists and their molls come to eat and drink and force others to sigh over the noxious behavior of globetrotters. This is a very quiet and peaceful place where top executives from nearby multinational corporate offices come and dine all toffed up in their business outfits speaking softly and low, almost whispering that you couldn’t even read their lips and you’re left guessing what they’re up to.   Continue reading “West End Eating” →

by Elna Categories: Tea Rooms & Restaurants

A Quintessential English Village

Over a week ago we were in Datchworth, a quaint little village in Hertfordshire, just 40 minutes away by train from central London. Before Datchworth became a civil parish it is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon charter dated 969 during the time of King Edgar, and it is recorded as an agricultural village with over 1500 acres of arable land and 200 acres of pasture. Continue reading “A Quintessential English Village” →

by Elna Categories: History & Travel

Just A Normal Day in London

London might not be renowned for good weather but every once in a while, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the grass are green, and we go out and enjoy the day! 🙂 The days are getting longer; it doesn’t get dark until after eight o’clock in the evening and it enables me to do more outdoor activities even late at night.  Continue reading “Just A Normal Day in London” →

by Elna Categories: Health & Fitness, Up Close and Personal

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill

There is a great difference between surviving and succeeding. Those who work to live, and those who live to work. Many people are satisfied to survive on the scraps of earnings yet they have goals that extend beyond their workplace and see their occupation as only “a means to an end.” Others are more focused on their profession and are goal-oriented people and who give their life to their end purpose. Continue reading ““We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill” →

by Elna Categories: Up Close and Personal

Hero or Villain?

With the upcoming elections in the Philippines, the USA, and here in the UK, every time I open my device it is flooded with astonishing election related pundits. It seems like there is some type of ‘social-media-war’ going on. Every statement by an avid supporter is filled with anguish and hatred; a lot of times the contents of their commentaries are created out of sheer ignorance that makes me burst into laughter. Continue reading “Hero or Villain?” →

by Elna Categories: Up Close and Personal

Romulo Cafe, London

A non-Filipino walking into Romulo Cafe could be forgiven for asking who are the people on the framed photographs hanging on the walls of the restaurant. It is partly the look of the place that piques people’s curiosity as to why it is adorned with memorabilia, and play an elaborate game of excuse-me. Partly, it is sheer pedigree: Rowena Romulo. It is the essence of this restaurant. Rowena, the granddaughter of Carlos P. Romulo, notable Filipino diplomat, decided to quit her job in the banking industry and recently opened the first outpost of her family’s restaurant in one of London’s posh neighbourhood. Continue reading “Romulo Cafe, London” →

by Elna Categories: Tea Rooms & Restaurants

The Bank of England Museum

In January I came up with a list of museums and galleries I wanted to visit this year, some of them I’ve already visited in the past but others haven’t. Over three weeks ago we visited The Bank of England Museum and after posting a picture on Instagram and Facebook, a lot of my friends were surprised that such a museum exists. I had no idea that not very many people, even local residents, are aware that The Bank of England has a museum. Although not very large, the museum is laid out in such a way that it leads the visitors through the narrow corridors and rooms and takes them on a journey through the history of the bank. I found it so interesting, and yes, fun as well. Continue reading “The Bank of England Museum” →

by Elna Categories: Museums & Galleries

Handel’s House Museum

We visited Handel’s House Museum for the first time a couple of weeks ago prior to watching the Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall. The house looks pretty much like it would have been in Handel’s day with some period furnitures that’s either donated and/or loaned to the museum by the V&A Museum, Royal Collection and other patrons. The very first thing that caught my attention as soon as we walked into the first room called the ‘composing room’ was the creaky wooden floorboards. Continue reading “Handel’s House Museum” →

by Elna Categories: Museums & Galleries