UK Trip Day 2

Friday 1st June 2012

     We woke up at 4am for Subuh by the birds chirping. We couldn’t go back to sleep due to jet lag. Eventhough it's cold we took turn to take short shower as there’s only 1 bathroom in a typical english home. We had English breakfast then Ayah, Afiq & Uncle Malek cycled to buy us a SIM card. It's very important so that we can contact our landlord in London in order to pick up our keys. And also to contact some of Mr's ex staffs who were still working in London.

     As we only have 1 day in Cambridge the only thing we did was walking through the city centre itself. We drove to city centre at around 10am. Malek showed the way in another car with his bro in law. We parked the car opposite a big field called Parker's Piece and walked towards the city centre. It’s a university town. Passed through Malek’s Judge Business School, formerly a children’s hospital opposite a museum called Fitzwilliam Museum. Took Sarah photo in front of Malek's School and told the children if they want to study here they need to work very hard.

    Cambridge Map

     As we walked through the city we saw a few colleges. It was exam period so we could not tour the college ground. We stopped at King’s College Chapel. I bought some souvenirs, the usuals eg. fridge magnet & post cards. The one thing that visitors must do when you are in Cam is to go punting. 

    A punt is a flat-bottomed boat which does not have a keel, and is propelled by means of a long pole. Punts were introduced as pleasure craft in Edwardian times, since then punting has become one of the most popular ways to see the famous bridges and colleges along the River Cam.

     Yeay... we are going punting. It was actually our 2nd punting experience excluding Sarah & Hannah. While waiting for our slot, we walked to the Market Square and bought our lunch at M&S. You can see the plastic bag Mr carried in the middle photo below. Heh...heh...rambang mata masuk M&S :-D

     We joined 4 Hongkies and walked to river Cam. Punt ride was about 1 hour. Punter’s name is Felix, still doing his A-level and hoping to get into Cambridge Uni. It was his 2^nd day on the job! From river Cam saw colleges and bridges. Felix explained the history relating to the colleges and bridges along the route. Interesting ones – cow as a prize for top marks, students getting big rooms for good grades, rivalry between Trinity vs St John College. St John’s eagle looked away from Trinity, while there are 3 Trinity cannons in the direction of St John.

      After punting we went back to Malek’s house as we will be joining his family for tea & scones. We went here http://www.orchard-grantchester.com/  

      After tea we sent the girls back to Malek’s house because Mr,Afiq & me need to do some grocery shopping at Asda at Beehive Centre. After groceries we went back to Malek’s house for a BBQ dinner. Afiq helped to grill the lamb & chicken. The weather was cold. We had dinner indoor, joined by Malek’s Chinese friend. Went to bed at 10.30pm. 

      What a tiring day but we are excited to continue our journey to London tomorrow...