Posts by : Izy Berry

West End Musical Shows are something you should not miss if you fly from Sydney to London as a person who is in love with the live theatres! The magical designs, amazing performances and the nice music- no matter where you see it the Lyceum Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre will surely make an unforgettable memory in your life. While there are hundreds of shows out there, below I have listed the best London Musical Shows for you to watch when you fly into London!

1. The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre

Directed by Julie Taymor, Walt Disney’s 1994 ‘The Lion King’ today runs as a spectacular theatrical musical show at the Lyceum Theatre in London. With the music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, Lion King features songs “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Be Prepared”,”Hakuna Matata, “The Circle of Life” and brings out the story of the lion prince Simba of Pride Lands. The story goes exactly as we know it- Simba the lion cub runs off from Pride Lands and meets two friends Timon and Pumba and makes his journey back to Pride Lands with the help of his love Nala. At the end he saves the Pride Lands from his evil uncle, Scar. But the play is 10 times more delightful than the movie with extra effects, incredible facial expressions, stunning costumes and vibrant background colors.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

2. Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked is one of the most popular musicals in the world, based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. It is a must-see musical show for anyone who visits London. The musical is narrated by the witches’ view in the Land of Oz, and it explores everything that happens in the Land of Oz before and Dorothy Gale there from Kansas. The musical focuses on the friendship between two witches- Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later known as Glinda the Good Witch). Wicked the musical has won over 100 international awards, and it is the 15^th longest running show in the history of West End Theatre.

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

3. Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre

Les Misérables was adapted from Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same name, and today it is the longest running musical in the West End’s Sondheim Theatre.  The story is set around a man named Jean Valjean, a French peasant who gets released from the jail after serving his time for 19 years. The musical shows each and every adventure that comes across this man, until the time of French Revolution. The story also features the songs “At the End of the Day”, “I Dreamed a Dream”, “Fantine’s Death: Come to Me”, “On My Own” to bring the true essence of the original play.

Duration: 3 hours

4. The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera was adapted from the French novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux, and it has been running in the West End Theatre for over three decades starting from 1986. Now it is run in the Her Majesty’s Theatre of London. The story revolves around an opera ghost living beneath the Paris Opera House, and how he becomes obsessed with a beautiful soprano named Christine Daaé. It includes appealing music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and features songs like “Think of Me”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You”. The Phantom of the Opera is the second longest running Musical in the West End Theatre, after Les Misérables.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

5. Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre

Matilda the Musical was adapted by Dennis Kelly, from the 1988 children’s novel of the same name written by Roald Dahl. So, if you loved Matilda as a child this is something you should not miss in London. The story revolves around a 5-year-old girl named Matilda who have been blessed with telekinesis. She loves reading but her family doesn’t want her to become a bookworm. She overcomes all the obstacles put forth by her family and helps her teacher too, to reclaim her life by the angry headmistress Trunchbull.

Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes

6. Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre

Seen by over 65 million people, Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia is known as the ‘feel good musical’ for a good reason! The musical has funny characters, hilarious moments and some amazing songs. Mamma Mia! has become one of the most popular musical shows since the opening in London in 1999. The story revolves around a girl named Sophie, and her single mom Donna. It is the wedding day of Sophie. It happens in a Greek island…all is well, until three men, Donna’s past lovers and that means three possible dads show up in her wedding to walk her up the aisle. The quest is to discover who is the real dad of Sophie. Mamma Mia features famous songs like “Lay All Your Love on Me”, “Dancing Queen”, “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, “Take a Chance on Me” and “Mamma Mia”.

Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes

Now, how are you going to book flights from Sydney to London? You can book online through Cathay Pacific. Team Cathay Pacific’s mission is to make the most out of your travels…so this applies when you fly into London too. You can book tickets on this website https://www.cathaypacific.com.

The beginning of a new year is always prime time for weather forecasters, predicting how the forecast will be wetter, colder, and more challenging for us to battle through on our daily commute. While many people struggle enough in January, combatting the post-festive blues, it’s also the beginning of the UK’s peak storm season. With many epic freezes on record, a chilly start to the year has happened a lot over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the most historic winter freezes in the UK and predict whether 2020 will follow suit.

1836

One of the oldest cold snaps on record, the winter of 1836/37 sent a chill right through the core of the UK, with a hostile combination of sub-zero temperatures, snowstorms, and gale force winds. On Christmas Eve of 1836, the southern region of the UK was battered by a formidable deluge, as well as intense blizzards and high winds, resulting in serious snow drifts. By Boxing Day, there had been little to no relief from Mother Nature and the storm hit the town of Lewes, Sussex, near the Southern coastline. The north easterly winds swept up a deep layer of snow on Cliffe Hill, and it was reportedly near 20 feet deep. The overhang of show was fated to collapse onto a row of houses belonging to some of the poorest working people in the town, known as Boulder Row. The residents were advised to leave their homes but refused to do so, even after the snow drift partially collapsed and swept an entire timber yard close to the cottages into the nearby River Ouse. On the following day, the remaining snow drift fell, engulfing the cottages. Nowadays, the avalanche is commemorated by the Snowdrop Inn, a pub built on the former Boulder Row site.

1947

Post-war Britain was hit by a serious wintery snap in February 1947, and it was a freak event which certainly took the nation by surprise. The weather had followed the now modern trend of a mild January, only to experience blankets of snow in a sudden chill at the end of the month. This pattern has become a common trend ever since — making the 1947 freeze the origin of what we now know as the typical British winter. Since the snow started on the 23^rd January, it fell somewhere in the UK every day for 55 consecutive days after, and we’ve not experienced this since!

1962/63

Considered as the worst winter in recent history, 1962/63 was certainly a year the UK wrapped up warm and stayed indoors, as outside temperatures fell to a record -20°C in December 1962. In Glasgow, snow fell on Christmas Day for the first time since 1938, making for the ultimate festive postcard scene. Across Wales and in South West England, snow drifts were cutting communication off in towns and villages for days at a time. Lakes and rivers around the nation were transformed into icy spectacles, and the sea even froze over near harbours and ports. Newspaper headlines in Ireland read ‘More Snow Falls as Cut-Off Families Run Short of Food’, and images show groups of people pushing vintage cars out of deep snow. This freeze was the coldest to hit for over 200 years, and the country only began the upwards climb out of winter in March 1963.

2018

Throughout the ‘noughties’ we certainly experienced some particularly frosty periods, but the notorious cold snap which gripped the country from February 2018 onwards was undoubtedly one of the worst events in recent history. This wintery spell caused £1.2 billion in damages, with the lowest temperature of -14°C recorded in Cairn Gorm, and a shocking 17 UK casualties. The phrase ‘Beast from the East’ is used to describe cold and wintery conditions created by a polar continental air mass, happening typically when air pressure is high over Scandinavia. Across the continent in Europe, many countries experienced a similarly intense chill, with snow falling in Rome for the first time in six years and in Paris, metro stations were adorned with icicles hanging from the ceilings.

At home, UK residents were forced to prepare for the wintery influx and the MET office issued several weather warnings — reaching the highest recognised level, red. From the north of Scotland to the south of London, every corner of the UK was affected to some extent by chillingly low temperatures, black ice, and blizzard conditions leading to some power outages. This continued into March, with travel disruption from closed roads to cancelled trains and planes alike.

2020

What could be in store for this winter then? Meteorologists have taken a look at the patterns we experienced towards the end of 2019, and with this in mind, it seems like cold snaps will be short lived. But climate change scientists have forecasted that January and February will experience an average temperate of 3.9°C. This is 0.5°C below average for the time of year. These cold snaps might not be prolonged though, and there’s rain on the long range forecasts — nothing a birdcage umbrella can’t tackle! However, if this prediction is right, then winter 2020 could be the seventh coldest of the past 30 years.

As we move into February, time will tell on whether or not we will shiver long into March, welcoming spring with open arms!

The United States of America is a destination many people dream of visiting. Vast plains, diverse landscapes, a melting pot of cultures and both budget-friendly and luxurious holidays await those who traverse the globe to see the sights the USA has to offer. If the land of the free is calling to you, how do you ensure you enjoy a getaway which is as luxurious as it is exciting? Below you will find three ways to create the dream American vacation.

Travel in Style

This point may be an obvious one, but it’s one worth repeating. If you are spending hours in the air to reach America, why not do it in style and make it a journey to remember? Air travel doesn’t have to be a stressful affair, with screaming kids kicking the back of your seat for the duration of the journey. By splashing out a little bit extra, you can recline in First Class, ready to hop off the plane full of energy and excitement. Of course, you could always try and get a flight upgrade without paying the price, but these are few and far between, even if you’re celebrating a special occasion, such as a honeymoon! Luckily, for those traveling with little ones, there are no set rules which state children aren’t permitted to fly in First Class, so don’t hold back on purchasing those select tickets. 

Find Luxurious Accommodation 

What does luxurious accommodation look like to you and your travel companions? For some, it may be a Manhattan apartment, overlooking Central Park, with a concierge ready to assist you any way they can. For others, it’s a sprawling log cabin, hidden away in a forest, where you don’t see (or hear!) another soul for miles around. To choose the right accommodation for you, which will offer both luxury and comfort, think carefully about the kind of getaway you are planning. If you are traveling with a family, a penthouse apartment may be a dream come true but not offer the necessary kid-friendly features you need. If you are planning a trip for you and your significant other, a luxury hotel suite may tick all the boxes.   

Plan Exciting Activities 

Getting to America and finding somewhere incredible to stay is only half the battle of planning a luxurious getaway. The other half is filling your time with fun things to do, exciting activities you can’t find anywhere else. As mentioned before, America is a melting pot of cultures, so whatever you want to do, see, or eat, you will find it here. 

One great American pastime which you simply can’t miss when in the country is seeing a live production at a theatre. If your children have never witnessed this before, you can be sure they will be blown away as they see their Disney favorites, for example, take to the stage in front of their eyes and sing those all-too-familiar songs. To ensure you don’t arrive at the theater to find there aren’t any tickets left, buy ahead of time at ticketsales.com. 

For some families, visiting America is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see incredible destinations in real life, that were previously only viewed through a TV screen. From the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls to Hollywood and New York City, wherever you choose to lay your head in the USA, make sure you plan a luxurious getaway, with activities the whole family will love. After all, this is your chance to make memories that will live on forever. 

Are you bored of travelling to the same couple of holiday destinations every year? Most people travel to the same short-haul destinations on a yearly basis, enjoying the familiarity and stress-free nature of a short-haul, return trip. However, if you want to start to spice your holidays up, you should read on for a comprehensive guide on some of the best long-haul destinations in the new year.

Are you uncertain whether long haul destinations are right for you? 

Long haul destinations can set your creativity alight and help you to stay inspired and in love with the world around you. What’s more, they are endlessly educational, and there is nothing like experiencing a culture or visiting a historical monument to keep you learning and open-minded throughout the rest of the year. 

Now, where should you travel to?

Due to the location of New Zealand, you may struggle to find manageable, long-haul flights around the world. However, there are plenty of exciting and exotic locations that can inspire you throughout the year. 

South America

South America is full of gems for every single traveller, and that includes those from New Zealand. Whether you want to explore the rainforests of Costa Rica in order to spot unique wildlife such as tapirs and sloths, or enjoy the art and wine of Argentina, the continent is definitely worth the long trip from New Zealand. If you want to see as much of South America as possible in a limited time, you should consider booking a tour with Exoticca, who specialise in exotic vacations such as trips to Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

Europe

Although you might not associate Europe with some of the most exotic locales in the world, countries such as Turkey can help to open your eyes to completely new cultures that differ from your own. Visit Istanbul and enjoy Byzantine relics such as the Galata Tower and the Dolmabahce Palace. You can also step into historical delights such as the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia for an insight into the traditions of Turkey. 

Not only this, but if you want to lounge on beach islands as well as experience the long and varied history of Europe, travel to the East in order to visit countries such as Croatia, where you can both enjoy the natural attractions of Plitvice Lakes National Park and explore the old town in Dubrovnik. 

The Caribbean 

Although a trip to the Caribbean may take as long as 23 hours from New Zealand, the Caribbean has long been known as the first stop for people in search of an island paradise. One of the most popular destinations is the Bahamas, where you can enjoy warm summer temperatures. Not only can you soak up the rays in locations such as Pig Beach, but why wouldn’t you want to travel to a beach resort called Paradise Island?

Africa

From Marrakesh in Morocco to Cape Town in South Africa, there are endless destinations in Africa that should appeal to you if you are looking for a long-haul flight that you will remember forever. See the spectacular sight of the pyramids in Giza, Egypt, or go on a safari in Kenya to see the Big Five. Whether you see the real city behind the Hollywood glitz and glamour in Casablanca or indulge on tropical islands such as Mauritius, there is a sparkling array of destinations to add to any long-haul bucket list.

Christmas Day is the most popular day of the year for couples to get engaged – that’s according to a survey by Wedding Wire. Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve all follow closely behind, meaning that the festive period is a hit for romantics – but planning the perfect proposal can be stressful, especially when it comes to picking out the perfect location. If you’re in need of some inspiration, Angelic Diamonds have put together this guide to the top locations for an unforgettable Christmas proposal.

1.      An Ice-Skating Adventure at The Natural History Museum

Unless your partner has two left feet on the ice, proposing at an ice rink is one of the most romantic things you could do this Christmas. With a Christmas tree in the centre, the Natural History Museum’s ice rink is enveloped in trees illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights. A romantic atmosphere is set with the 12^th century gothic Natural History Museum as the backdrop to your question. Day or night, your partner is bound to be in awe of the location.

If you contact your local ice rink, they’re usually happy to help you plan the engagement and may even offer special discounts and treats. Hiring professional flashmob ice skaters is a fun way to surprise the person you’re proposing to, turning fellow ice skaters from strangers on the rink to a unique event dedicated to him or her. And chances are, they won’t be expecting it at all.

2.      A Cosy Lake District Getaway

You could plan a cosy Christmas getaway for you and your loved one this year. If you both love the outdoors, the Lake District offers plenty of scenic winter walks to embark on together, during which you could pop the question against a backdrop of magnificent mountains and frost-coated trees. Afterwards, nothing beats relaxing in a snug cottage with a roaring fire to keep you warm and toasty.

The Lake District also offers plenty of Christmas events throughout the month of December. From Carlisle Christmas market, to the Keswick Proms. For a more luxurious proposal experience, Lake District Country Hotels are offering a three-night Christmas package, where you can enjoy mulled wine and gourmet food.

So, there we have some of the best Christmas settings to pop the question this year, check out Christmas events at cities near you for more inspiration.

3.      Your Local Christmas Tree Farm

If you think your partner would prefer more of a low-key proposal, an understated yet traditionally festive location such as a Christmas Tree Farm could be what you need. This is also an excellent way to catch them off guard whilst in the midst of a festive activity.

It’s worth getting in contact with your local Christmas tree farm and asking if there’s a secluded area where you can decorate, and maybe even hire a photographer to hide and snap pics of the unforgettable, private moment. You could even take the Christmas tree you got engaged next to home!

4.      A Christmas Market or Christmas Carol Concert

Christmas Markets are now in almost every city, so you don’t have to travel too far to find one. To make this engagement extra special, you could plant small, thoughtful gifts at different stalls, commemorating your relationship together — these could be inside jokes, things you know they love. Make your way around the stalls until you get to a Christmas tree where you can drop to one knee and ask those special words, ‘will you marry me?’

You could also take your partner to a Christmas Carol Concert. If they’re a fan of taking part in traditional Christmas songs, you could check out local events and surprise them during one of their favourite carols.

Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant city in Malaysia, full of stunning sights, delicious cuisine and rich culture. Whether you go with your family, friends or solo, you’ll find plenty of things that everyone will love.

The people of Kuala Lumpur are quite friendly and open and you will have no problem communicating with them, as their English is excellent. What’s more, it’s easy to get around due to a superb public transit system, including metro, uses and even a monorail.

So what should you do during your holiday in Kuala Lumpur? Well, keep reading and find out about the five things you truly can’t miss experiencing.

Petronas Towers

The Petronas Towers are twin skyscrapers, holding rank as the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. During your visit, you can participate in interactive displays and learn all about the history of how they were built, from start to finish.

It’s especially cool to go during the night, because they are lit-up resulting in a stunning display of hundreds of lights, and the water fountain out front dances to music and colourful hues.

And you definitely can’t miss the opportunity to walk across the world’s highest bridge, that is, the sky bridge that connects the two towers.

Next to the towers you’ll find a spacious, landscaped park where you’ll find walking paths, a jogging path, the water fountain mentioned above and a wading pool for children for those hot summer days.

You can also head to the Petronas Art Gallery, or the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The Science Centre is also nearby, a great place to learn all about the petroleum industry if that’s your kind of thing.

The Petronas Towers are also located in the centre of the city so they are conveniently located near many hotels in KualaLumpur.

Street food

Kuala Lumpur is known for its varied and super tasty street food, especially in Jalan Alor in the Bukit Bintang area. This area features a night market bursting with stall-owners selling a diverse range of food and drinks from various parts of Asia. You can wander around sampling food as you go, all the while enjoying the amazing and intermingling smells of fare from Japan, Thailand, China and India. Some of the best-loved Asian dishes that you’ll be able to find include:

• Ramen (it is nothing like the ramen you ate in college)
• Coconut ice cream
• Crispy chicken wings
• Durian fruit

Perdana Botanical Gardens

Take a break from the bustle of the city and escape to a natural oasis. The Perdana Botanical Gardens make up the largest park in Kuala Lumpur, and were established in 1888. During your visit, you’ll find a sweeping lake, quant bridges and a multitude of flowers, including a very special orchid garden. The orchid garden is strewn throughout with charming walking paths, enchanting fountains, a pergola and a rock garden. Plus, there are over 800 species of orchids!

After you ogle the orchids, head over to the hibiscus garden, as after all, the hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia. In the hibiscus building you can have tea and read all about the history of the hibiscus flower in Malaysia.

There is also a deer park where the deer roam around freely!

You should consider not going in the middle of summer, because it can get pretty hot in the gardens, and make sure you bring some water with you to carry around.

Islamic Arts Museum

You don’t even have to look at the displays to be utterly impressed by the Islamic Arts Museum. The building itself is a grand showcase of Islamic art traditions from Kuala Lumpur, with ornate arabesque carved into the bright white domes.

But if you go, you should definitely take a look at the galleries as well. You’ll find replicas from world-famous mosques and ancient Islamic manuscripts. And you’ll also be able to see Chinese scrolls and textiles that also were influenced by Islamic culture. And what’s more, children under 5 get in for free, so if you bought your budget tickets on Airasia Airlines, and are looking for more ways to save money, this is a great option!

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Here’s a good activity to try right after you visit the Perdana Botanical Gardens. That’s because the bird bark is right next to the gardens, and is a great place to take families with children. (Adults can totally on their own too and have a great time).

What will you see while you’re there? 200 species of Asian birds, sheltered by a vast treetop canopy.

You might want to make sure you’re there for feeding times, which happen throughout the day, or during the bird shows which happen from 12:30 to 15:30—the opportunity to see super smart birds performing super cool tricks.

You can eat there too, there’s a wonderful restaurant there with an outdoor patio and a children’s playground if you need some time to just sit.

If you’re going on holiday in Kuala Lumpur, you’re sure to be absolutely blown away. You’ll enjoy the buzz of a modern and vibrant city, love the convenience of the train and monorail and you’ll get to eat some of the best food you’ve ever tasted. Go there alone or with the family—you’re sure to have a great time.

Buildings often get used for many different things over their lifetimes and even the most iconic buildings have had to adapt and change to stand the test of time. Here we look at the stories behind some of Scotland’s most iconic buildings and the different things they have been used for.

From private townhouse to a hotel: Cairn Hotel Edinburgh

Designed by William H. Playfair in 1822, the building that now serves as an Edinburgh hotel was originally envisioned as a set of private townhouses along all of Windsor Street. The houses formed Playfair’s Eastern New Town scheme, so the Cairn Hotel in Edinburgh has some fantastic examples of the architect’s style in a rare domestic setting.

Playfair, famous for designing the National Monument and the National Gallery, embedded a number of his trademark features within the townhouses, like wrought iron balconies with a trellis pattern and Greek key border. Playfair was well-known as a catalyst for the Grecian-style revival throughout Edinburgh in his day, hence Edinburgh’s nickname as the ‘Athens in the North’.

From a place of worship to a place of spirit: Òran Mór

Whether you’re visiting Glasgow or living there, it’s difficult to avoid the neon lights of the Òran Mór. Situated at the head of Byres Road, this famous whisky bar — offering over 280 malts — and events venue doesn’t hide its original purpose at all.

Built in 1862, the Òran Mór was built to serve the local residents as a much-needed place of worship. The church building to this day features 11 carved heads within the arches of the main hall, which now serves as an auditorium. The heads are symbols of prominent church figures from the time of the building’s creation.

From costumes to fine dining: Timberyard

With a name like ‘Timberyard’, assuming this now-restaurant building in Edinburgh started as a timber work yard would be forgivable. The restaurant does make use of the timber-theme, with chopped-log décor throughout. Indeed, the site has been used by timber company, Lawson’s, in the past, but this was its second purpose along the road. It was originally built to be a props and costumes warehouse back in the 19^th century.

Nowadays, the site consists of two spaces: the main restaurant, Timberyard, and a smaller-capacity, bare-brick outhouse to cater up to 10 guests. The restaurant serves up fresh food made with foraged ingredients and home-grown herbs and their own filtered, bottled water.

From a church to a centre of arts: St Andrews in the Square

This former 18^th century church began life in 1754 as a place of worship in Glasgow. It stayed that way until as recently as 1990, until it was hampered by increasingly expensive maintenance costs. Due to this, the category-A listed building was sold for just £1 in 1993 to the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.

In order to keep the building useful for future generations to come, the church was given a new lease of life as a performing arts centre. The building now boasts a café, dressing rooms, toilets, and plenty of space as an events venue, able to serve up to 250 guests at a time.

Instead of letting old building fall into disrepair, we clearly have a lot to gain by repurposing them to fit modern lifestyle needs. Not only does this add more facilities for people to enjoy, but it also helps towards maintaining and enjoying these historic buildings.