2024 UK Trip (Part 2 - London Day 1 and 2)

I had been suffering from Achilles Tendonitis since February, likely caused by carrying a whole box of bottled water for two kilometers in Sydney and then driving the entire day. During the acute period, my right heel felt severely torn. Although I managed to control it by wearing running shoes like Asics Kayano and getting plenty of rest, it unfortunately recurred just before my trip to the UK. This might have been exacerbated by psychological factors, like phantom pain, but I didn’t feel well before starting the trip.

Day 1 - Heathrow Airport

The first day in the UK was extremely painful. I had an extra cushion on my right foot to reduce the (phantom) pain from Achilles Tendonitis. By the time I arrived, it was almost midnight in Australia, and I desperately needed sleep rather than exploring the city. I had reserved a hotel within walking distance from Heathrow Terminal 4: Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4.

Finding the hotel was easy, and check-in was smooth. The room was, well, worth the price I paid. For a solo, non-reimbursable trip, a budget hotel (compared to others near the airport) was the best option.

Standard Room, Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4

Dinner and breakfast were classic British style — nothing new, but I definitely felt the effects of inflation.

Dinner at Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4

Breakfast at Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4

After a hot shower, I fell asleep…

Day 2 - Paddington and London Bridge

Surprisingly, the pain was alleviated after a good night’s sleep.

I checked out and traveled to the city via the Heathrow Express.

My destination was Paddington Station, which reminded me of Southern Cross Station in Melbourne, a transit hub for trains. The hotel I had reserved for my stay in London was not far from here. While it wasn’t in the central area of London, it was convenient for taking the metro to different parts of the city.

This hotel was more expensive than the one at the airport but offered extremely limited space. Well, this is London - you can’t expect a spacious room on a limited budget. It brought back memories of my undergraduate days - the bed was nearly the same width as the one I had in my dormitory.

Single Room at Paddington London

However, I did have a view of Wembley Stadium from the hotel window. Unfortunately, I remembered that the Euro Cup 2024 was being held in Germany. What a pity…

Anyway, I needed to pick up a document from the post office before it closed, which was the main purpose of my visit. So, I headed out and took the metro.

Baker Street Station, probably the only street name I knew in London, was within walking distance of my hotel.

Baker Street Station

…

With my work done, I realized that the London Bridge wasn’t far from the post office.

It was interesting to see landmarks I had only read about in books.

London Bridge

On my way back, I noticed that the UEFA Champions League final was just two days away, and the stadium was:

Wembley Stadium.

This was a big surprise. Even though the tickets were sold out, it was exciting to be close to the event in London.

UEFA Champions League 2024 Final at Wembley Stadium

I returned to the hotel and lost the battle with jet lag…

To be continued…