I’ve finally reached London after a 12-hour flight, touched down in the wee hours of the morn but I am feeling as fresh as a daisy. That’s because I picked up some tips to prevent jet lag. Just make sure you get some shut-eye during the first four hours, try to keep awake for the next four and catch a nap again for the last four and you’ll be fine. Plus, I am going to dump my bags at the hotel, freshen up and then head straight for the sights and sounds of London city on a bright morning, what’s there not to be excited about?

Got to the hotel pretty quick, it’s called The Cumberland. It’s right next to the Marble Arch tube station, and a stone’s throw away from shopping meccas like Oxford Street and Bond Street, making it all the more easier for me to dump my shopping bags in the hotel before the next round of shopping. The art and design experience of the hotel begins the moment I entered the lobby. I was blown away by the cutting edge style, white spaces and contemporary art installations by UK’s best artists, including Sean Henry. It’s definitely a hotel for the design-savvy visitor. Within the hotel is restaurant Rhodes W1 owned by celebrity chef and restaurateur, Gary Rhodes.

Not wanting to waste any time, I freshened up and decided to take a walking tour as the weather was crisp and refreshing. Saw some people jogging and regretted that I didn’t pack my jogging shoes. Oh well, there’s always a next time!

Walked to Green Park, which is near Buckingham Palace and sat under a tree for a quick nibble from Pret a Manger. Saw a few squirrels running around, how charming! Green Park is just one of the many parks you can find in London and Londoners really do take every opportunity they can to enjoy them. I even saw a man decked out in a business suit taking his lunch there. How charming! Strolled over to the palace for a quick peek to see if the Queen was in. You can always tell if the Queen is in residence, look at the flagpole on top of the Palace, if the flag is flying then 'the Queen is at home'! Took a few quick snaps of the really grand palace and continued on my walking tour of the city. Missed the changing of the guards ceremony,, but managed to get a few pics of them through the fence. I can’t imagine how hot it must get for them under the collar during summer!

My next stop was the Big Ben, although I must say I heard it before I actually laid eyes on it. This is one of London’s icons and it looks it best at night when the clock faces are illuminated. Trust me, it’s a sight you don’t want to miss. It even tells you when parliament is in session by a light that shines above the clock face.