London Layover

When our connecting flight to Doha was abruptly cancelled, and a surprise layover in London? This was an intervention I was more than willing to accept.

My colleague, who frequents London, and I stayed at the Sofitel London Heathrow Terminal 5. However, we didn't linger in the room. Our check-in was fast and efficient, and we were on a mission. The sun was dipping, and there was a specific, monumental check-in I needed to make.

Took the tube, stepping out from Westminster Station, there it was: The Elizabeth Tower, home to the great bell known as Big Ben. Seeing it for the first time was, quite simply, worth the entire layover detour.  

It is a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture—all intricate stone carvings and monochromatic, cool-toned symmetry that deeply appeals to my personal aesthetic. It isn't just a clock; it is 800 years of resilience and history standing on the bank of the Thames. I stood there for a while, just absorbing as much as I could of the beauty of this place.  The wind was cold, and the night was perfectly wonderful.

Next, we headed toward West London. Our next stops: Bayswater Notting Hill, had our dinner and did some shopping.

Bayswater is a fascinating, diverse neighborhood known for its elegant mix of Victorian terraces and a vibrant, multicultural energy. Walking down the main strip of Queensway, you can see an endless array of international restaurants—from Cantonese and Persian grills to traditional Greek tavernas, Italian trattorias, and even Malaysian and Indonesian restaurants.

While we browsed a few curated boutiques, the real convenience was the abundance of grocery stores along the street. There is a Marks & Spencer Foodhall, a Waitrose, and the organic-focused Planet Organic, alongside smaller Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialty grocers.

I did some cookie shopping at M&S and also managed to find some classic London souvenirs, like pens and keychains, to bring back home. Taking photos at a classic London phone booth really completed my London visit in such a short timeframe.

London is not as scary as I saw on social media.  People are friendly, but don't take my words for it, coz I was there for only less than 24 hours.

Sofitel London Heathrow

When our connecting flight to Doha was abruptly cancelled, I tried to accept my fate without complaining (too much!). But honestly? A surprise layover in London is the kind of "intervention" I really appreciate.

We landed at Terminal 4,  checkout and immigration process was surprisingly smooth. I was traveling with a colleague who had just visited London a few months ago, which made the transition seamless.

To get to our stay, we took the train from Terminal 4, changed at Terminal 2, and headed toward Terminal 5. Our home for the night was the Sofitel London Heathrow.  The hotel is a short walk from the station. In fact, it is nearer than the Sama Sama Hotel in KLIA1.

The check-in was fast and efficient, which was a blessing because we were on a mission. I didn't take any photos of the hotel room or the lobby because we were rushing to catch a glimpse of London city. When you only have a few hours, every minute counts.

The breakfast at the Sofitel was definitely one of the highlights of the stay. The spread wasn't massive, but the quality was exceptional.

Of course, I couldn't leave without trying the famous Black Pudding (also known as blood sausage).  Black Pudding is a distinct type of regional blood sausage made from pork or beef blood, with pork fat, and a cereal, usually oatmeal, oat groats, or barley groats. It’s seasoned with herbs like pennyroyal to give it that deep, earthy flavor.  I’m glad I tried it for the experience, but it’s not for me. I’ll prefer the classic English meat sausage anytime.

A cancelled flight usually sounds like a nightmare, but this layover was a reminder that sometimes the best travel memories are the ones you didn't plan. From the smooth transit at Heathrow to that savory London breakfast, it was a detour worth taking.

When wanting is better than having

I want a beautiful backyard garden.  But I don’t think I will ever get it.

Sometimes I realize I don’t actually want the thing — I want the feeling of wanting it. The anticipation, the imagining, the version of life where everything still sparkles. Once it becomes real, ordinary, mine… the excitement quietly fades.

I can spend so much time dreaming about it, picturing how perfect it would feel. But when I finally have it, it just becomes another part of everyday life. Maybe I wasn’t chasing the thing — I was chasing the hope attached to it.

Funny how desire feels electric, but ownership feels calm… almost too calm. The dream had butterflies. Reality has maintenance, routine, and silence.

Sometimes the imagination is richer than reality. In my head, I can imagine everything is magical, effortless, beautiful. In real life, it’s still nice — just no longer thrilling.

Something is intoxicating about longing. Once you have what you longed for, it stops being a dream and starts being something you have to water, clean, protect, and maintain.

Maybe I don’t lose interest — maybe the excitement belonged to the journey, not the destination. The wanting gave me energy, gave me hope.

Sometimes I think we are not meant to collect things, but moments of anticipation. The waiting, the planning, the dreaming — that’s where the magic lives.

I dreamed of a beautiful backyard garden… not the watering schedule, the fallen leaves, the insects, the pruning, the upkeep. Turns out the fantasy was effortless; reality grows with responsibility.

Well, lucky me, I bought an apartment with a nice garden that I can enjoy and one that I don’t have to maintain.  That’s another story for another day.

Day Trip to Hallstatt, Austria

A Day Trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg.

Hallstatt had always been on my wish list, if I ever visited Europe, and in September 2025, we finally made it happen as a day trip from Salzburg. It was a long journey, but absolutely worth it.

We took two trains followed by a boat ride to reach the beautiful village, with a total travel time taking about three hours each way. Our train departed Salzburg Hauptbahnhof at 6:00 am, luckily, we stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the station. That alone made the early start much easier.

Before boarding, we picked up some fresh buns from the station. You can either buy from Anker Bakery or BackWerk, or from the SPAR, however this grocery store opens at 6am.  One of the things we loved about train travel in Austria is how convenient it is—you can bring your own food on board, and eat comfortably. We had also booked reserved seats, which meant all 4 of us could can sit together at a table. Small detail, big difference.

The journey was long, good thing was the train was spacious, clean, and very comfortable, with changing landscapes slowly unfolding outside the windows. It was the kind of travel that allows you to relax, chat, snack a little, and simply enjoy the experience rather than rush through it.

By the time we transferred to the boat, the excitement really kicked in. Gliding across the lake toward Hallstatt felt almost unreal— the water sound, scenic, and incredibly peaceful. It was the perfect introduction to a village that feels like it belongs in a postcard.

We had a great time at Hallstatt, great food, sweet, freshly baked pastries, lots of photos and videos.

We had lunch at Seehotel Grüner Baum, which features a beautiful lakeside terrace. It was truly a high-end experience. The hotel is more than just a place to stay; it is a landmark that has hosted Empress Sisi and many other famous figures. Although we hadn't made an advance booking, we walked in to reserve a table for lunch as soon as we reached the village. We tried the Reinanke, a must-eat in Hallstatt. This Alpine fish comes from the pristine, cold waters of Lake Hallstatt, which produce some of the most delicate and delicious freshwater fish in Europe. The fish was simply grilled with butter, lemon, and parsley.

Even with the early start and long travel hours, the day trip was absolutely worth it. Hallstatt was charming, serene, and unforgettable—and the journey itself became part of the experience.