Yet another tour to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium. If not for Fathan, a die-hard Chelsea fan, I’d probably not re-visit this stadium for the second time! And particularly knowing that I’m not a Chelsea fan.
Fathan couldn’t hide his excitement; his smiling face, sparkling eyes throughout the tour was very obvious. He always wanted to be at forefront in any tour site. I couldn’t help feeling happier to see him.
Late posting from last year’s trip to Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford. Initially we thought of arranging the tour ourselves and we have meticulously planed all details but then we changed the plan due to time constraints. We then chose Golden Tour (on Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria Station) to cover Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford in one day.
Here what the tour covered:
Windsor Castle
It’s hard to believe that the imposing Windsor Castle is a working residence, but pay a visit to this lavish fortress and you’ll soon discover why it’s still the Queen’s favourite weekend home! Overlooking the Thames and a stone’s throw away from Windsor town, the castle has been a fixture on the landscape for almost 1000 years. During this visit you will be able to peek inside the luxurious State Apartments, where 39 monarchs have lived over the years since the castle was built. Keep your eyes open for priceless artwork on the walls by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt!
You will also see the Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a beautiful model royal home that features electricity, running water and working lifts – every young Queen’s dream!
Stonehenge
Spy the mysterious Stonehenge as you approach Salisbury Plain – you’ll be able to get up close to the 5,000 year old monument during this visit to the stones. Sitting strikingly on the landscape, Stonehenge’s origins have puzzled experts for hundreds of years, so make up your own mind and solve the mystery yourself!
Walking Tour of Oxford
Stroll through quaint cobbled streets and get a real feel for the historic city of Oxford during this guided walking tour. Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and gifted alumni include T S Eliot, Hugh Grant and Bill Clinton! You’ll see the famous 17th century Bodleian Library, a huge library packed with research and literature. Continue your history lesson with a wander through the college courtyards – these charming squares can be found dotted throughout the city!
Windsor
First stop. We decided not to go inside the castle and rather took a detour to The Long Walk. Not to be missed is a guard change ceremony.
Stonehenge
Oxford
How do you describe London?
.: noise, cosmopolitan, crowded, underground, cold rainy, world leaders, rusting, historic, overpriced, grim, tourists, extravagance :. the list can go on and on…
In London we spent 4-night 5-day trip to close our four-UK capital tour.
The following pictures summarize (should I you summarise to follow British English? 🙂 ) all those days in London except our stadium tour to Stamford Bridge and a day trip to Oxford, Stonehenge and Windsor.
Once we reached London Paddington station we headed to Wisma Siswa Merdeka on 44 Dartmouth Road, Willesden. This is basically an Indonesian Embassy-owned student-managed housing. The two-storey building has four rooms to book with homy feeling, simple breakfast, microwave and kitchen to use and very affordable rate (to say very cheap: 17.5 pounds per person per night). The closest station is Willesden Green (600m).
London is huge; and even though we have 3 days effective on hand we haven’t covered all must-see places. That said, we managed to visit:
Enjoy the pictures!
Cardiff (Welsh: Caerdydd) is the capital and largest city in Wales. Don’t know yet? How about Gareth Bale or Ryan Giggs?
We arrived at Cardiff Central station after 3hr35m first class train trip from Manchester Piccadilly. We exited the station, walked 2min and here we were at Sleeperz, a budget hotel with awesome location.
We then had a quick check-in, settled, and hit the road. Early morning tomorrow we have to depart for London. We walked up West Gate street leading to Cardiff Castle, passing by Millennium Stadium. Rather than headed to the castle, we walked around the castle, by traversing Bute Park.
The side walking path of Bute Park leads us to Cardiff Crown Court, Alexandra Gardens and Cardiff University.
We then returned to our hotel after making a good shopping walk in Queen Street & The Hayes area.
Just before sunset, we took a taxi to Cardiff Bay and enjoyed the scenery there prior to making a trip back to central Cardiff for our dinner on Caroline Street which lined with many halal restaurant (about 4% of Cardiff’s population is Muslim).
Cardiff, a land we never imagined to step on, gave us a short enjoyable visit. Had a long reputation as an industrial city, Cardiff has been gaining popularity as a tourist hot spot. With its concentrated tourist area, easy access, and affordable, no wonder that Cardiff is flourishing in tourism. The only thing that made us puzzled is how they live with that consonant-laden words: gwydr, fyddwch, unrhyw?
Late post from our trip to UK in April 2014. Whoao that’s almost one year ago!
We landed at Liverpool’s John Lennon International Airport , from Belfast, leaving behind the birthplace of Titanic to the city that never enjoyed the sight of the Titanic steaming up the Mersey although it was designed here.
One prominent landmark at John Lennon International Airport is “Yellow Submarine” inspired by a song written by the Beatles in 1966. Remember the song?
We actually just transited in Liverpool before continuing to Manchester and staying there for two days. Liverpool had our 6-hour visit this time though (I’ve been here in 2012 for the first time).
So here how it were. Took a taxi to Lime Street Station, dropped our luggage to Left Luggage, took another taxi to Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium, then headed to The Wheel of Liverpool at Albert Dock. We spent a good time in Albert Dock including its Liverpool Museum before returning to Lime Street Station through Liverpool One with a stop at Cavern Quarter for the Beatles. We had our lunch at one of the halal restaurants close to the station before embarking a 50-min trip to Manchester.
Manchester
It’s the same Manchester as one I visited in 2012: multicultural, creative hive, football prowess, music history (Oasis, anyone?)
Manchester Piccadilly station welcomed us that evening with its comforting cold weather. Walking about 400m from the station we arrived at SACO Apartment, centrally located in the heart of Manchester, few minutes walk from Piccadilly Garden and Central Manchester.
During this 2-night stay in Manchester we covered: Market Street (shopping area), Manchester Cathedral, National Football Museum, Hard Rock Cafe (a must!), Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (tour), and Museum of Science and Industry (should I say a must again?)
Check our pictures from these two cities.
From Edinburgh we flew easyjet to Belfast International Airport, an almost one-hour flying with a ticket as low as 30 GBP one-way. The airport is located about 30km northwest of Belfast from which we took a taxi to Premier Inn Belfast City Cathedral Quarter. The strategic location of the hotel means that we are basically within walking distances to many of the Belfast point of interests such as Belfast City Hall, Albert Memorial Clock, The Big Fish, Cathedral Quarter and Victoria Square Shopping Centre. Belfast City Sightseeing Bus Tour starting point is also located within 300m from the hotel.
Although we checked-in quite early (around 9am), the hotel could accommodate us hence we could start early exploring Belfast. Within minutes we’re already onboard the sightseeing bus. The first stop is Titanic Belfast located at Titanic Quarter. Home to Titanic Museum, Titanic Belfast is also sited very close to launching site of Titanic, back in 1912.
As time is limited, we did not opt to visit the museum but instead checking surroundings, and then heading to Titanic’s Dock and Pump-house, passing Samson and Goliath Cranes and Titanic Drawing Offices. A visit to bottom of Titanic’s Dock gave us dramatic impressions on sheer size of Titanic when it was built and last sat on dry ground.
Continuing on the bus tour, guided by a humorous yet knowledgeable guide, we visited or passed through many areas of Belfast, from Parliament Buildings, George Best Belfast City Airport, conflict areas (between Nationalist and Unionist), troubled past scenes, the one-and-only bullet proof CCTV, universities, touristic areas to Belfast City Hall.
After quick nap in our hotel, we continued exploring the city by walking around the hotel, starting from Cathedral Quarter, Albert Memorial Clock, to the Big Fish and finishing at Victoria Square. That afternoon/evening walk concluded our short visit to Belfast, a city we had never imagined we would step on it.
This capital city of Northern Ireland, the birthplace of Titanic, keeps the scars of Belfast’s troubled past (1969 – 1997), while starts celebrating awakening moment as an intriguing destination. The friendly people we met also adds easy justification why a visit to Belfat might be a rewarding one.
Late post from our all-four UK capitals-trip back in April 2014. First, Edinburgh and Glasgow. As usual, a crash tour was employed 🙂
We flew British Airways, promo tickets from Doha to London then Edinburgh with transit in Bahrain. It costs us (3 adults 1 children) nearly 10K QR for this leg plus London – Doha on the way back.
From Edinburgh Airport, we took Airlink bus to Waverley Station. The bus terminates at Waverley Bridge. From here, our hotel, Destiny Scotland – St. Andrews Square Apartments, is only 200m away, walking back the street and crossing Princes St. to St. Andrews Street.
Once we arrived at Waverley, the crash program started. Soon after we loaded our luggage in our room, we’re back to Waverley Station, ready to depart to Glasgow, an hour train ride.
Once in Glasgow, we managed to have a quick 3-hour walking tour around the city center before returning to Edinburgh.
The following day was Edinburgh day. Amid cold rain (down to 2 C), we visited Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, Princes Garden and Princes Street, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Mosque, and The Royal Mile.
We checked out early morning to take Airlink bus to Edinburgh Airport that saw us flying to the second UK capital to visit: Belfast, Northern Ireland.
UPDATE 16 June 2014: Based on this news from Gulf Times, the center has moved to Jaidah Square on Airport Road, specifically on Al Mansoura St Intersection located between C-Ring Road Intersection and B-Road Intersection on Airport Road. It’s about 800m northwest of the old center.
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I’ve just made a UK visa application (general visitor visa) this Feb. Here is the updated process.
UK Visa application is managed/ processed by a visa application center (VFS Global) in Doha, not by direct application to UK Embassy.
1. Understand if you need a visa
UK Border Agency http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ and https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa are the first starting points to know which visa needed for certain type of visit (Visit, Study, Work, Join Family, or Transit). This page in UKBA website ask 3 questions to let you know the type of visa for your visit:
Why do you want to come to UK? – What passport do you hold? – Where do you currently live?
Answer respectively with: Visit – Indonesia – Qatar, for my case, shows that Yes, I need a visa to visit UK.
2. Understand the type of visa
Another page in UKBA http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/ describes the different categories of visitor to the UK and helps choose which visa category is the most suitable.
If you want to visit the UK as a tourist, for an example, or to stay with friends in the UK, you should apply to come to the UK as a general visitor (or as a child visitor if you are under 18).
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. UKBA strongly advise not to confirm your travel arrangements until you have received your visa. To find out how long the visa processing time, visit this page
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/processing-times/
When I made a general visitor visa in February 2014, the standard processing time is 12-15 working days.
Reality: I submitted my application on the 2nd of February 2014, afternoon and received my visa on 19 Feb 2014. A total of 12 working days (as 11 Feb is a national sports day).
By the way, If you’re in hurry and can afford paying another 567QAR per passport, visa will be ready in 2-3 days.
If their visa processing service is experiencing delays, they will publish a news story on their website to explain what is happening (see right tab on the website)
3. Prepare Required Documentation
Details of requirements, documentations can be found by clicking the respective visa categories on the same page. For general visitor: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/general-visit-visa
Typical documentation requirements are basically categorized into:
4. Complete and Submit Visa Application Online.
You must complete and submit the application form online through this page:
https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/
You need to register an account first that will give you access to the Visa4UK system and online application forms.
It is suggested that your supporting documentation come handy to facilitate completing the application form online. Even better, print application form, fill it and complete on hard copy, and you just copy what you have written.
Supporting Documentation:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/customs-travel/beforetravel/documents/
FAQ:
https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/Home/ViewFAQ
Application form for:
General Visitor:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/visas/vaf1a.pdf
Guidance Notes General Visitors:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/visas/vaf1-guidance.pdf
Business Visitor: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/VAF1B
You will need to print out and sign your completed form. If you do not have access to a printer when you apply, you will be able to log in and print out the form later. When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number (also known as a ‘GWF reference’). Please make a note of this number.
5. Pay Online
The following page explain how much your visa application will cost.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/qatar/fees/?langname=UK%20English
From 6 February 2012 you can only pay the visa application fee online in US dollars by Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. They cannot accept any other types of credit or debit cards. When your online payment has been taken, you will receive a confirmation email from their payment provider WorldPay. You must submit a printout of this email as proof of payment when you submit your application at the visa application center.
As indicative:
6. Make an Appointment
Once you’ve done with completing and submitting visa application online, you need to book an appointment at visa processing center to submit visa application form and any supporting documentation. Submission timing is 08.00 – 15.00hrs and working days: Sunday – Thursday
You can book an appointment in 1 of the 3 following ways:
VFS website: http://www.vfs-uk.com.qa/ under “Book an Appointment” sidetab
https://www.vfs.firm.in/qt-apptsystem/appscheduling/appwelcome.aspx
2. Telephone: +974 4 4626291 (VFS operate contact centre).
3. Email: info.ukqa@vfshelpline.com
If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family or group must make an individual appointment. For example, if you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children, you must make 4 individual appointments.
There are three types of appointments that you can opt for:
7. Visit visa application center NOT EMBASSY to submit the application
VFS Global is UK visa application center. I found out that they also provide services for Australian Visa application.
Please arrive at the Visa application center not earlier than 10 minutes before the given time.
Please remember to carry: your current and previous passport if any, a completed and signed online visa application form, the right specification of your photograph, supporting documentation based on the visa category, payment receipt (payment for additional services is only in cash at the visa application center).
Location:
Sherif Building, 5th Floor,
Toyota Signals (C-Ring Road – Airport Road Intersection), Behind KEO Building
Doha, Qatar
Map: http://www.vfs-uk.com.qa/images/qatar.gif
Please note that sealed packages and all battery operated gadgets are not permitted such as cameras, mp3 players, laptops.
There are 6 desks to serve applicant with 2 biometric counters. An applicant aged above 5 years must come in person to complete their biometric which is a 10 digit finger scan and a digital photograph at the visa application center.
Once done, you will receive reference slip that can be used to track the status of your application.
8. Track Your Application
You can track your application on the VFS website http://www.vfs-uk.com.qa (under “Track Your Application” sidetab) using the reference number DOH/xxxxxx/xxxxxx/x, which is on your original receipt, and your date of birth.
The center offers sms tracking service (at 8 QAR) to track the application. You may inquire from them.
9. Collect passport
Once you check that your passport ready you may collect it from the center at 15:00-16:00hrs. Please check if your visa information is correct and your previous passport (if submitted) returned, before leaving the center.
Belated post. Some pictures from summer visit to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium (with museum and stadium tour) and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (no tour).
Chelsea.
Information on the stadium tour can be obtained from here: http://www.chelseafc.com/stadium-tours. Stamford Bridge Stadium is easily accessible by tube. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway station, 200m from the stadium. The museum and stadium tour costs GBP18 and lasts for one hour plus museum visit. Tour is held every half an hour starting from 10am to 3pm. Time saving tips is that you should visit museum first then follow guided-tour otherwise you need to go back to museum from the megastore as far as half-stadium distance. Allow 15-20 minutes for the museum unless you are a big fan of Chelsea.
As usual, the tour takes visitors to the external of stadium, the pitch, home dressing room, visiting team dressing room, press conference room, fans zone beneath the stadium and the tunnel leading to the pitch. And expectedly ended at the club megastore. It was a good tour except that Chelsea run the tour directly to the pitch, not saving the most dramatic moment of seeing the pitch at the end.
ARSENAL
Due to limited time, a visit to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium was without a guided stadium tour. I visited the stadium external only. Emirates Stadium is easily accessible from Arsenal station (Piccadilly line), a three minute walk. Other stations like Finsbury Park (Victoria, Piccadilly Lines and Great Northern rail) and Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line, North London Line and Great Northern rail) stations are around a 10-minute walk. Emirates Stadium is a modern stadium with modern architecture. Arsenal legends such as Henry, Tony Adams are honored with statues and big posters across stadium whereas fans from all part of the world honored on fans wall. As it is famously known as The Gunner, Arsenal marks its significance with two big guns placed near ticketing counters and megastore, not-to-be-missed photo opportunity.
London in black and white pictures. Taken on 30 June and 1 July 2012, last transit before flying back to Doha.
See also Chelsea stadium tour and Emirates Stadium [still in the oven 🙂 ]
CGK-DOH 
