London, the bustling
capital of the United Kingdom
To afford a traveling lifestyle and see the world, you do not need to be
working 60-80 hours a week for years on end or win the lottery. More and more
people are finding a way of earning a living from home or wherever their
travels take them. Working while traveling is an excellent way to make sure
your money stretches further; after all, there are always bills to pay, tickets
to buy and food to eat. As I
wrote a while back:
“Money can be earned by working. But the lessons I got on the road
makes me richer than anybody who has a multimillion bank account. Memories
are my treasure.”
You Won’t Be the Only Filipino in London
Over 250,000 Filipinos are living in the United Kingdom, with half of them
based in London. Many are working as sought-after nurses in the NHS and private
sectors or as valued nannies and housekeepers helping the busy London
households with their lifestyle choices. Others can be found in the hotel and
restaurant sector or in other service-related roles where they ensure the
smooth operation of everything London has to offer.
Typical Places to Visit
To get a better understanding of the city, one of the many open-top
sightseeing buses is an excellent option, especially if you are a first-time
visitor. Just next to the tube station at South Kensington are many of the more
popular museums, including the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the
Victoria and Albert Museum.
Other places attracting many visitors are the main shopping streets along
Oxford Street and Regent Street as well as department stores like Harvey
Nichols and Harrods. The former focuses on fashion while the latter offers some
of the best food halls.
Central London is Full of Green Areas
If you think London is only museums and concrete, think again! For everyone
craving green areas and an opportunity to relax with some peace and quiet, you
are never
far away from a park. The capital’s lovely centrally located parks include
Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s and Regent’s Park, all within an easy
walking distance from the typical tourist areas. They all have something to
offer no matter what time of the year you are visiting.
Hyde Park is probably the most well-known and is located next to the western
end of Oxford Street. In the summertime, the Lido, an outdoor swimming area in
the Serpentine, is worth a visit.
Ideas for the Little Ones
If you are traveling with little ones, you may enjoy the flowing water at
the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain or the memorial playground close
to Kensington High Street. At the Victoria and Albert Museum, there is a small
paddling pool open in the summer. Hamleys on Regent Street is bound to be a
favorite with the little ones but can be crowded during the latter parts of the
day. So, try to be there early.
Evenings in London
When the evening comes, there are plenty of shows to watch in the West End
Theatre District. You can buy tickets on the day, either at each venue or via
the official ticket vendors at Leicester Square.
London also boasts an array of casinos and is firmly in the Top 5 of casino
cities in the world, after the likes of Macau, Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.
Before you try playing any of the games at one of the casinos, make sure you
know the rules. But for Blackjack, the rules are simple: make a higher-scoring hand than the dealer,
and you won’t go wrong.
Don’t Get Caught Out – Get the Right Visa
The U.K. government has created a step-by-step
system so you can check if you need to apply for a visa, and if so, which
type you need. Keep in mind there are different types available for tourists,
workers or if you are visiting loved ones already living there.
Lasting Memories of London
By using a combination of
the iconic red double-decker buses, black cabs, walking and the on-street hire
bicycles, you can easily visit all the places mentioned above, without even
having to head underground to catch the tube. There is so much to do in London
that you’ll always feel that you should have stayed longer.
