Manchester

Manchester, the city that most Malaysians do talk about. I wonder why (konon). Basically the city is busier and definitely bigger than Southampton. I find the public transportation is very convenient BUT most buses are too sempit! Lutut pun kena backrest seat depan. Haiyayai. But anyway, as usual I will let the photos do the talking.



How to get there from Southampton :
Get a direct train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly train station. Approximately 4 hours due to the innumerable (ok, exaggerating) stops the train has to make.

Food :
Halal restaurant is available at The Trafford Centre. Argghhh I forgot the name but it is actually a chinese restaurant. You can even have Harry Ramsden's fish and chips. Well if you miss home cooked food, then bring some from home with you =)

Accommodation :
I stayed with my younger brother in a budget hotel, Hotel International, right in front of the Manchester Piccadilly train station. The beds were not comfortable at all. But they didn't cause us any severe back pain since we only stayed there for two nights and we did spend most of our time in the city and Old Trafford stadium.

Hotel International

Old Trafford Stadium

The city at night

Portsmouth – Gunwharf Quays

The Spinnaker Tower

Gunwharf Quays at Portsmouth Harbour is actually a cosy venue to shop. Personally we find that most of the goods available are affordable and definitely lower than the RRP.

Maybe it is the most convenient shopping place for those who live in Southampton City (for real??). Haha.

A few of the available shops/outlets are:

1. Ted Baker
2. Burberry
3. Karen Millen
4. Paul Smith
5. Cadbury
6. Villeroy and Boch
7. Fred Perry
8. Levis
9. Oakley
10. Crabtree & Evelyn
11. FCUK
12. Columbia
13. Denby

etc.

When you are tired of walking and browsing, you can have a doughnut and a cup of coffee at the Krispy Kreme!

Got a dozen of original glazed eyh!

Solat:

You can perform your prayer ( solat) in the Marks & Spencer fitting room or at the hidden walkway opposite Nandos on 1st floor.

How to get there from Soton:

Just get a train from Southampton Central for less than GBP8 (return). Will take you roughly 40mins. Depends on the services offered. Make sure you disembark at Portsmouth Harbour train station eyh.

Bicester Village – The Shopper’s Spa

Bicester Village situated somewhere in Oxford is a “village” where you could get good bargains on designers clothing and accessories.

Brands:

1. Bvlgari
2. Gucci
3. Versace
4. Tods
5. Jimmy Choo
6. Salvatore Ferragamo
7. Dunhill
8. Paul Smith
9. Ted Baker
10. Anya Hindmarch
11. Hobbs
12. Ermenegildo Zegna
13. Cerruti 1881

And the list goes on . . . Why we only named 13? Because we simply love the number 13

Transport:

We went there with our friends by a rented MPV. We did enjoy the journey and the time spent in the “village”.

Solat:

You can perform your prayer (solat) in Polo Ralph Lauren fitting rooms. Clean, comfortable and spacious.

At night . . just before they closed the main gate.

We were there for only 4 hours due to the terrible weather on the 23rd Dec 09.

More discounts/sale were given during boxing day 26th Dec but unfortunately we were in Portsmouth at that time. Looking forward for the next visit. Yeay!