Day 134 - Borough, Tate and farewell Kübra!

Now that my exams are finished, it's time for me to start clearing all the attractions in London. Yes, I haven't been to much attractions in London, cause when I was last free, it was dead in the middle of winter. Not wanting to become a huge block of ice in the streets of London, I've procrastinated until today.

Stop 1: Borough Market
This market was touted as the market that celebrates how Britains are beginning to enjoy quality food (and yet we still see loads of pre-cooked meals in supermarkets) and made more famous by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Singaporeans aren't the only ones using water-filled plastic bags to chase away flies.

Came on the right day as there isn't much of a crowd. Heard that it gets a lot more crowded (and pick-pocketer friendly) on Saturdays.

One of the many cooked-food stalls. Seems like there are more stalls selling cooked-food and raw food to me.

Vegetarian patties. The one nearer to us contains raisins. Seriously?

Speciality truffle chocolates.

I would say that Borough Market really celebrates quality food and produce. But it seems to be becoming rather touristy to me. Unlikely to come back again though.

Stop 2: Tate Modern
Pronounced as TAIT, not Tar-teh (which was how I used to pronounce it in my suaku-er days), Tate Modern is one of the more famous modern art museums in the world. It was converted from a old power station along the Thames river and was considered a successful example of re-using urban spaces as well.

The now defunct chimney.

Inside Tate Modern's foyer.

This drinking glass is so cute, I would have bought one if it wasn't so expensive. The designer was inspired by how people always say "I will be there once I finish this gulp". So he made measurement marks to show how many more sips and gulps the person has left, and on the other side, corresponding to how many more minutes and hours.

Arty? Spot the faded F.

The museum is arranged according to themes. Like this one, "Poetry and Dream", displaying works on Surrealism. I'm not a art person, so I can't really appreciate art other than saying that it is nice or not. But Tate Modern does a good job explaining what these different styles mean (like where does Surrealist works get their inspiration from, how is Expressionist different etc.)

I really love this display in Tate Modern. It pokes fun at how some Modern Art are just so totally random without meaning. They ask you to choose and object, and then choose an action......

Next, set up a location and viola! You've got art!

Spinning the wheels to decide what I should do to make my own modern art piece.

I need to get a brick, shrink it,......

......let it relak one corner lah brudder, and say "playful can be serious". Haha!

The wonderful timeline of modern art.

Names of key artists in different theme galleries.

I just love the interiors of Tate Modern, and how they made use of the spaces.

St Paul Cathedral, as I was walking back to my room.

Stumbled upon Old Bailey's, the Justice Court. Those who loved "V for Vendetta" would remember that the statue of Lady Justic on top of the building was the first thing V bombed.

Stop 3: Farewell Kübra

Our Turkish flatmate, Kübra, would be returning to Turkey tomorrow before starting her internship in the States next week. At 8pm, we've decided to take her out for a final meal together. Brought her to North Sea where we took out some food.

"Eh, don't take tak-glam pictures of me leh!" (obviously she didn't say that!)

Next she suggested that we chilled in Starbucks. As our China flatmate put it, never spend money without thinking so much before.

One last group photo