Brushing our major bad luck with Big Ben and Westminister Abbey aside, we trudged on to Buckingham Palace. Most people know I'm vehemently against any form of exercise but I walk a lot more when I'm overseas. Maybe it's the fresher air, or colder climate, or maybe it's the fact that I enjoy more sights travelling by foot. Maybe it's a combination of all these factors with a tinge of thriftiness.


Here is Cheryl holding a bunch of things (including snacks from our hostel and Marks & Spencer that we had for lunch to save money) in a plastic bag because our bags were too small to fit everything in. This is what happens when you travel with two girls.






Haven't had the opportunity to witness cherry blossoms in Japan, but found happiness in some pink flowers in London anyway!


True to my bad luck magnet tendencies, Buckingham Palace was barricaded with a sea of people crowding around for an event I presume was happening that day.




The place was brimmed with tourists, each wanting to get their perfect shot of the royal palace. I wonder what's it like to live in a place that has turned into a major tourist attraction, and under constant scrutinisation from the public...




It takes talent to photograph Buckingham Palace as a serene place considering it was bustling with tourists. I think I did pretty decently, if I do say so myself.







Expectations VS reality of the situation at Buckingham Palace.

After Borough Market, we took a 50-minute walk to Westminster Bridge, a touristy district but one first-time visitors to London wouldn't miss out on.



Darted into Marks & Spencer to catch a whiff of those freshly baked pastries. I can't get over how cheap Marks & Spencer is in London compared to Singapore!



Pertaining to my bad luck streaks, I can only say that my bad luck follows wherever I go. Westminster Abbey, which is opened daily except for Sundays, was closed that day. Just another day in my bad luck life, what more can I say.

Good morning, London. I had no ideas how long sunlight could be in Spring till I got woken up at 7am by the sunlight peeking in. It was as bright as 12pm in Singapore already!


Hasty free breakfast at our hostel before we left. I grabbed a piece of salami as I've never tried it before and I thought since I was in a new country, I should try something new, right? Worst decision ever. I had food poisoning later in the day LOL.


Borough Market is located next to London Bridge station, near to our hostel so it was our first stop of the day.

I stayed at Destinations at The Rose & Crown, a short 5-miute walk away from London Bridge station for three nights in April 2018. Roads leading to the hostel are a little quiet but the hostel located above a pub, also named The Rose & Crown, so there would always be people around even if you're returning to the hostel late at night.

Room

We stayed in the 6 Bed Mixed Dorm. The room was clean throughout our stay there. Each bed came with a plug and there was a cage below our beds for our luggages or personal belongings. Padlocks aren't provided (and usually isn't throughout Europe) so remember to bring your own if you wish to utlise them.


Every room in Destinations at The Rose & Crown was named after London's tourist attractions, how cute!

Toilet

Destinations at The Rose & Crown has a shared toilet with two showers which, admittedly, isn't enough during peak season but we worked our way around it by waking up earlier and showering later so it didn't pose too much of a problem. The toilet was clean throughout our stay as well.

Common Area

Destinations at The Rose & Crown is situated atop a bar so it's pretty happening at night but in the morning, the space is converted into a common area with a wide array of breakfast items. Destinations at The Rose & Crown is one of the few hostels that provide free breakfast!




We made full use of the free breakfast everyday LOL.

Service

The owner attended to our worries and made small talk with us. I don't have anything to complain about.

Safety

I felt that Destinations at The Rose & Crown was located in a safe estate. Although it doubles up as a bar at night, we did not witness any uncontrollable drunkard or drunk fights.

Will I return to Destinations at The Rose & Crown?

Yes!

Destinations at The Rose & Crown

Address
65 Union Street, Borough, London, England

Contact
destinationshostels@hotmail.com  |  (44) 02074079717

Price
£22.40 (S$40.30) a night

Booking



I found and booked a room with Destinations at The Rose & Crown on Hostelworld. (Not a sponsored stay, in case you were wondering.)