Bogart Takes you to Wimbledon

Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam events in tennis. Wimbledon Tennis Champsionships (or the more politically correct term -The Championships, Wimbledon) is held every year for two weeks on the last week of June and frst week of July. Held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, this is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and considered the most prestigious. This is the only Grand slam event that is held on grass. I read from one of the posters while waiting at the queue that each grass is cut evenly at exactly 3mm long.

To go there, take the District line subway to Southfields and follow the POOL of people that are all there to watch the event. If you are not able to buy tickets ahead of time (like me) you will have to go to the WIMBLEDON QUEUE. Some people even camp out all night to be able to get in the following day. I went there twice and I had two hours waiting time (considerably shorter than camping out) for both days. Outside, there was a small walk-through of all the Caricatures of their past Champions showing the year they won and the legacy that they left.

The ticket to get inside the courts costs 20£ (approx 1750 php). Inside there are "free courts" where lesser important, I mean lower ranked players play. Dinara Safina used to play at these courts but look at her now! She's the current world number one (who knows how long though!)

There are two Main show courts inside - Court No. 1 and the Centre Court. I went to Court no. 1 twice and the First day was kind of bummer because Federer's game ended early and I wasn't able to see him play live. Good thing there was a big screen that shows what is happening inside the Centre Court. But I was lucky enough to watch on the second visit the Former World number one Ana Ivanovic (watch her crushed by her opponent J. Zheng). The game was followed by former US open and Australian open Champion Marat Safin (probably one of the most erratic tennis player in the league) against an Italian - Andreas Seppi

Be sure to enjoy the most popular food here at the Tournament - Strawberries and Cream. One small cup is priced £2.25 (190php) It will be the most expensive, ORDINARY tasting strawberries you will ever eat. But tradition is tradition!

In these Wimbledon event (2008) was played arguably the MOST EPIC tennis match of all time. The Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Wimbledon Finals. With both men trying to write history - Nadal to win French and Wimbledon back to back, Federer to win Wimbledon for six straight years. It was almost 5 hours of near perfect tennis between the two and no one was willing to give up what's on the line. In the end, the man with the smaller nose, I mean, stronger determination won!

VAMOS RAFA!

Maybe next year Fed!

Images from Skyports and Wordpress (I wasn't there live anymore hehe)

Bogart Takes you to London (part 2)

You may be able to have a good view of the Tower Bridge by walking along Thames walkway. Constructed in the late 1800’s, the Tower Bridge is one of the iconic and most recognizable landmarks of London. Connecting the old and the new world, Tower Bridge connects Borough to the heart of the City of London Financial District. You have two options going there – go down the London Bridge station in the northern line then cross the London Bridge and walk down the Thames Path. Shorter route will be on the Tower Hill station on the District and Circle line.

The Tower of London is already nearby the Tower Bridge. Functioning as a fortress, a royal palace, and a prison the Tower is also known to be the home to England’s Crown Jewels. I heard from one tv show that it is one of the most haunted buildings in England. Well if you torture and kill prisoner's here that wouldn't be such a surprise.

In the heart of the city is the Trafalgar square. Commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar, right in the middle of the square stands a tall monument that is called the Nelson’s Column. At the back side of this column is the stairway that leads you up to the National Gallery No picture taking inside the National Gallery but it’s just full of paintings (which includes the Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo Da Vinci as mention in the Da Vinci Code). The square is also notable for one activity – Pigeon Feeding (though it is illegal)

Also one of the most recognizable landmarks of London is the baroque designed St. Paul’s Cathedral. With a huge dome inspired by the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome it is quite impossible to miss this famous architectural masterpiece. Go down the St. Paul’s Station on the Central Line and walk to the left of the exit (I walked down the right so I had a little bit of detour after 2 blocks and no cathedral in sight)

So where does the rich and famous shop here in London? Where else but in Harrods! Located in Knightsbridge (go down Knightsbridge station in the Picadilly Line). From 1000 sterling fancy shoes to an 80 sterling shirt, to the 300 sterling per gram caviar this is where you can really burn your money. Pick up your Paul Smith and YSL exclusives on the 2nd floor! I once heard that their inventory was so extensive you can actually buy anything in this department store. There's a story going around that there was a certain president (can't remember the country) that tried to test how good can Harrods deliver to his demands. He asked if he can buy and elephant and the store manager asked him if would he be needing and AFRICAN or an INDIAN elephant. Take that Mr. President!

I had the privilage to visit the Philippine Embassy in Sufflok Street and was able to sneak a little picture while insde :D

Bogart Takes you to London (part 1)

London, the Capital of England and of the United Kingdom. I was so overwhelmed with my experience with this city I have to write a two part blog about it. The moment you land at Heathrow Airport (the busiest airport in the world in terms of air traffic), you already feel the immense diversity of culture that this city is known for. Everywhere you look you will see different race, culture and nationality. You will be surprised where is the person in front of you is from and how exactly did they get here. 7.5 Million people and over 300 languages spoken, how more diverse can it actually get. Funny story is when I first landed, the first person that I actually talked to is a Filipina - The Immigration officer! Conversation went like this

Immigration Officer (IO): Hi, how long will you intend to stay here?

Mysterious brooding handsome visitor (ME): Will be staying for a couple of months then fly to Toronto

IO: And what exactly do you do?

ME: I, together with my business contacts here, are marketing real estate properties in the Philippines

IO: Where will you be staying for couple of months?

ME: Selbourne Rd, Wood Green

IO then Stamped my passport and visa, she then noticed my Philippine flag Adidas Jacket

IO: Wow, Suot mo ang bandila ng Pilipinas?!

ME: Ei marunong kayo magtagalog!!! (How cool was that, pinahirapan pa nya ako sa Ingles!)

IO: Hindi ka maniniwala kung sino ang nakita ko kanina! Si Tita Shawie!!! Mega pila siya dito sa harap ko. (I was trying hard not to laugh hard because the person behind me was starting to get annoyed that I am staying longer than usual and we are not exactly talking immigration stuff)

ME: Ay opo (oh yeah) mag ppromote ng movie nya na Caregiver! Have you seen it?

IO: Bukas, wala akong balak panoorin pero nung nakita ko siya manonood na ako...

That concludes my first 30 minutes in London. I see full of pleasant surprises ahead in this city.

One of the city's priced possessions runs several meters below the actual city – its underground system. The Tube (which it is often called) has several interconnecting lines and I believe is the oldest, longest and most expansive railway system in the world. The stations are all over the city you can actually walk from one station to the other – that’s how close each station is. Some of the lines are more maintained over the other but generally it’s old and dirty. I ride the Piccadilly line practically everyday. The busiest station is the Waterloo Station! Don't ride here during rush hours! hehe!

The Westminster is the concentration of most the historic and prestigious landmarks of London including the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, London eye and much of the West-End of London (Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circs, Leicester Square).

Buckingham palace is the official residence of the English monarch (sorry Charles I can’t play chess with you as I was really busy). They open it to the public once every year (can't remember when)

Westminster Abbey is a traditional gothic style church that has been the official place for both crowning and burying English monarch. The place where Big Ben strikes every hour everyday!

London eye is the world’s tallest observation wheel (it’s not a theme park ride!) and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK. It gives you a great view of the city (didn’t ride it though) and a good view of the Westminster Abbey from above.

Most of the best sights in London are in the West-End side. From it's world famous theatre's and sought after shops and stores, you can all find it here.

Piccadilly Circus (where The Cupid fountain is Located)

Leicester Square (Buy your Musical tickets here at half price)

Oxford Circus is London’s 5^th Avenue, it is where all the best retail shops are located. Biggest Burberry shop I have seen!

Bogart Takes you to Hong Kong

Hong Kong indeed is the nearest country that can give you the OUT OF THE COUNTRY feel when you travel outside the Philippines. With its very urbanized and New York-fast paced kind of lifestyle, Hong Kong will definetely deliver when you want to explore an urban jungle that has so much culture and character to offer. I still personally haven't been to all the places that Hong kong boasts which may be one of the reasons why you will always want to come back for more!

Being colonized by the British, Hong Kong actually is the nearest country that I can compare the urbanized Canary wharf of London with (but much cleaner though).The tall buildings, the maze of the subways, the posters along the escalators and the subway walkway, you can actually feel that there is a little touch of the Brits still intact with their modern architecture. You will also enjoy the ease of going around as almost all the signs and directions are written in both cantonese and english. So you don't have to worry about getting lost in this tourist friendly country.

Despite being returned to China not so long ago, Hong Kong hasn't lost its Chinese culture at all. In fact some people say this is the place where you can actually get the best Chinese Cuisine outside China. I think that's right on the money for that one. Fastfood are there for convenience (Maxims, Cafe de Corale, Yoshinoya...) but I say go for the Authentic Chinese cuisine along Causeway bay, TST and Mongkok markets. Word is, the more wierd it looks, the more authentic it is :D

They say that Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise. It can be true considering some of the outlet and discount stores are available all over the area. But in my past visit I am starting to feel that the prices are starting to go up and buying stuff in Manila isn't that much different anymore - unless you intend to buy for some electronics in which there's still quite a considerable difference

One of the things that I get to experience is going to Ocean park (I chose this over Disneyland when I visited). It houses one of the biggest indoor aquariums in Asia. It is one of the best marine theme parks that I have visited.

Not to be missed are the two places that can give you the best view of the Hong Kong City Skyline. The first one is on the Eye level view which is at the TST Avenue of Stars. It is like the Hollywood's Walk of fame and New York's Brooklyn Promenade rolled into one (smaller version of course). Be sure to catch at this site the Symphony of Lights every night (8pm).

Probably the best view of Hong Kong is at THE PEAK. Don't go here at broad daylight as it is quite anti climactic because it's best viewed at night. Go here around 6pm where the sun is beginning to set and see the magic of the HK skyline as the lights start to appear. While waiting for the sun to go down, you may be able to visit Madamme Tussauds Wax Museum which is also located in the Peak Mall.

It really doesn't matter how many times you visit Hong Kong. It's how much you have experienced every time you visit