Winning Strategies for Life & Travel

London- a night at China White

China White is a members only club that only allows members or invited guests and VIPs in the door.  The Savoy had called to put us 'on the list', but after reading several on-line blogs, we weren't sure if we'd get in or not.  It seemed from what we had read, that it is common for people to be turned down even if their name is on the coveted list.

The club is located on a back street just off of Picadilly Circus.  It isn't marked, but is simply and unmarked door next to Cheers.  If you didn't know it was there, you would surely walk right past it.

We get there fairly early, about 10 PM and , lucky for us, the doorman lets us right in.  We enter a staircase and walk to the lower level.  It was 20 pounds a piece entrance fee.

The club is decorated in Asian garb.  Large wooden imperial chairs and beds surround the rather small club.  Most of the seating was reserved, so we sat at the bar to watch the crowd.  At 10 PM, the club was fairly empty.  By 11 PM, it turned into a hopping club with people everywhere.  You would never know if there were stars or starlettes here as the club becomes so packed, that even finding someone you know would be hard in here.

We start out by ordering 2 cosmopolitans.  The crowd is diverse, both in age and appearnace.  It draws a nice crowd of people, most dressed to the nines.

Over by the bathrooms sits another, however smaller, party rom.  We enter that room for awhile.  It feels like you are dancing with 100 of your closest friends.  I'm surprised the room still had oxygen in it.  One could envision the room filled with only carbon dioxide.  The drinks at the club were about 18 pounds for 2 drinks.  We sqeezed out of this room, and I do mean squeezed, to join the other room.

Wow, it was even more crowded than the VIP Room that we went to in Paris.  It was terrifying to think about a fire in this place, everyone would certainly never get out.

All in all, fun atmosphere, great party.  I"d go again.

London- more on Day 3

We slowly dragged out of bed today and entered the Charing Cross tube station.  We took the tube to the Euston station and walked by UCLH hospital.  Around the corner from the Portland Station stop is a cute little breakfast diner.  We buy 2 full breakfasts that have roasted tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, beans, toast, ham, sausage and a grilled egg.  It came to about 5 pounds each. 

After a fulfilling and scrumptious breakfast, we walked down to Oxford Street.  It was a hustle and bustle of pre Christmas activity.  The street was closed to cars so people could walk down the sidewalk or the street.  People were everywhere.  Michael was on the hunt for a store he shopped at last time he was in London.  He found it again, named Mad House.  They have great blue jean designs for as little as 8 or 10 pounds a piece.  Michael bought several pairs of blue jeans and a sweater.  I bought a pair of blue jeans with  jewels sewn into them and a short black mini skirt to wear to China White later today.

The street is lit up brightly with Christmas lights.  It is almost like a carnival.  There are santa suited people walking on stilts, jugglers, and street performers around each corner.  Free tasting trays around to get people into the fine dineries, and lots of activity everywhere.

We walk some more and I find a store called Special that I select a pair of pink pants and a jeweled top to wear for the evening.

At the Brookstone, we go up 2 flights to the Starbucks and sit at the window watching passerbyers whilest drinking a hot coffee.  The sun comes out and the weather is nice.  It is definitely coat weather, but it isn't freezing cold (as we hear it is in Dallas today).

It begins to get dark as early at 4:30 PM .  The streets light up with large banners for Christmas and the scenery is beautiful.  It is hard to believe that it gets dark 1 1/2 hours earlier here than where we live.

We tube it back to the hotel.  Since the Savoy is right by the theatres, all their restaurants fill up at theatre time. We wanted to eat where we did last night, but we were unable to find a restaurant in the hotel that could seat us.  So, we order room service.

London- day 3

Good morning! It is sunny and bright in London today, even though the forecast forecasted rain and drizzle.  The bright sun is shining into my well decorated, beautiful room at the Savoy.  My top floor suite is spacious.  I slept like a baby in the giant king size bed.  The pillows and comforter are so soft. 

I'm off to take the subway to the Euston Station to go back to the old stomping grounds.  More later

London- beginning of Day 2

Our subway exit is Chairing Cross.  We arrive soon after at the Savoy hotel.  The Savoy is a beautiful hotel.  It has both an old and a refreshed feel to it.  It was built in the late 1800s, I believe.  They gave us a beautiful suite on the top floor (floor 7) with a fabulous view of Big Ben, the London Eye, and the waterway.  It is still drizzling a bit, but the weather isn't too cold.  It is about 56 degrees.

I am sitting in this beautiful lobby of the hotel, listening to piano music being played live from the bar.  It is dreamy.  It is simply dreamy.

I am drinking a latte that I purchased down the street at Pret a Manger.  They always seem to have reasonably priced food and drinks.  The piano player just played Happy Birthday.  This couldn't be more perfect.  It does get easier finding your way around the tube and the city since we've been here so many times. 

I am only 2 subway stops from the IDX offices on Euston Road.  This is one of the few times that I have been to London and not had to work.  It is a very nice feeling.  The piano player is playing "the Weather Outside is Frightful".  He is very good with the ivory.

I should probably go wake Michael up from his mid day nap so that we can go exploring the city.  It is 3PM London time.  All for now.

B

Trip to London

November 30, 2006    Today it is icey on the roads in Dallas, which is unusual Dallas weather.  We leave for the airport and slide around on several overpasses and bridges before safely landing (thank God) at the airport.

We are departing from the International terminal at DFW.  This terminal is brand new and it is gorgeous.  The choices for eateries are far better than any other terminal in Dallas.  We boarded American Airlines flight #50 and are one of the few flights that depart almost on time today, except for the slight delay to de-ice the wings.  We boarded a 777.  WOW, this plane never ceases to amaze me after being stuck on so many of those darn MD80s.

I love going to sleep on a plane in the states and waking up in Europe.  There is something 'Hollywood' about it.  It feels like luxery.  Sincer our last major trip was Thailand, and it took 24 hours to get there, we quickly realize that 8 hours seems like nothing to us now.  Laugh.

We arrive in the London Gatwick airport at about 8AM London time (which is 2AM Dallas time).  The exchange rate is shocking!  Holy cow, Paul Martin, Bob Galin, and David Price- how have you afforded to live over here?  I hope they have been paying you in pounds, not dollars.  Grin.  On our first trip several years back, we remember a much different exchange rate.  On this trip it is .46.  So I get .46 pounds for every 1 US dollar.  Ugggghhhhhh.  Nothing like dividing your money in 'less than' half.  Luckily our hotel nights are free, so that will ease the pain.

We pay 14 pounds a piece to board the Gatwick express, a fast train that will speed us into the city.  It deposited us off at Victoria Station after a brief 30 minute ride.