Luckily
for me I occurred to fly from Delhi with Virgin Atlantic at a time when it is rejoicing
25 years of entertainment and for those who do not know Virgin Atlantic is the Virgin
airline to familiarize inflight entertainment, hence this year they are revelling
it with a period of film themed activity! In the shape up to being the authorized
airline of the new Harry Potter movie Fantastic Beasts and where to find them clearly
there were a few Harry potter film options on the entertainment system and I definitely
made the most of it in my premium economy seat. I was equally charged up and
excited to be attending a red carpet premiere at the London Film Festival of ‘Queen
of Katwe’, a new Disney movie and attending the Festival’s Gala ball. All in
all, Fly Virgin Atlantic premium economy which can give any Business class a
run for its money with world class amenities and service at affordable rates
and terrific timings and yes a great baggage allowance to stuff in all your
shopping.
CHECK IN
Athenaeum Hotel, 116 Piccadilly, London
W1J 7BJ
Nestled
in the heart of Mayfair lies this luxurious hotel where design meets elegance,
the staff welcome you so warmly as if you are a family member and the cocktails
are delightful. A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of staying here
while attending the BFI London Film festival and what a treat. On
arrival the legendary doorman, made me feel at home and led me to the desk
where I checked in. Locate in a good spot as it’s near all the galleries,
museums and opposite Buckingham palace. Which means you are close to all these
tourist attractions and don’t need to travel far. The hotel has a welcoming bar
and restaurant also all the rooms include WIFI which entices many people just
like me now a days!
DAY 1
IN HARRY POTTER LAND: 10:00 AM
Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Leavesden,
Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR
I
contemplate one of the things that mark the world of Harry Potter quite so
dreamlike is the facet that the whole thing in together the books and the
films contain. Every minute thing has been understood out to replicate this
unbelievable world! My favourite bit was the Platform 9 3/4, where I posed for
the mandatory ‘pushing the trolley through the wall’ photo, and I even stepped
inside the Hogwarts Express and saw the tiny compartments where Harry, Ron and
Hermione were often filmed in. Needless to add, I browsed the Railway
shop. I certainly feel it’s an unquestionably incredible place – since it’s
very infrequent you’re able to get up close and individual with movie magic –
bringing to life the books and films so many loves. You won’t regret a trip
there and whether you’re a diehard fan of Harry Potter or not, a great day is
guaranteed.
LUNCH AT THE HARRY POTTER STUDIO
CAFÉ: 1: 30 PM
Food
wise, there is a cafe in the main reception offering a variety of hot and cold food,
though the core port of call is the atelier cafe which is located in the mid of
the tour – providing a picture-perfect place to invigorate for the forthcoming
photo opportunities. I enjoyed my sandwich and coffee. Clearly in a place like
this, you can’t fine dining, because the emphasis is on the incredible things
on display. I also sampled the Wizarding world’s favourite butter beer, which I
have to say – be nice but a bit overpoweringly sweet. The liquid part is
dairy-free, but the shortbread flavour foam on top isn’t! I did attempt at a butter
beer moustache though which could definitely rivals Hermione’s!
RED CARPET GALA AT ODEON: 7:00 PM
24-26 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JY,
United Kingdom
You
never know what to presume from a Red Carpet, and I was so apprehensive to see
what it would be like this time as Disney premiered the Queen of Katwe in
London. Of course I knew would be stars and cameras and all of the attraction
and glitziness one would expect from a gala. However, the Queen of
Katwe red carpet premiere brought about so much more than can ever be
dressed and photographed. Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo were
the only recognized actors in the movie, with the vast mainstream of the cast containing
of native Ugandans, many from slighter villages, who could never have imagined
being in a film of this magnitude, much less walking a red carpet celebratory
their successes.
Queen Of Katwe is the real story of a young girl, Phiona
Mutesi vending corn on the roads of rustic Uganda whose realm speedily changes
when she is familiarized to the game of chess by Robert Katende a soccer player
turned missionary. As a consequence of the backing she obtains from her mother,
played by Nyong’o, her domestic and community, Phiona chases her dream of
becoming a universal chess champion. All in all, an inspiring story, engaged
with revelation and heart by Mira Nair and including performances of great profundity
and integrity. After the film there was an after party where of course I ate
and drank and made merry with my friends.
DAY 2
HERITAGE AT BLENHEIM PALACE: 10:00 AM
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
OX20 1PP
The
advent to the Palace is truly stunning; it’s such a gorgeous building and looks
so extraordinary from the outside. The interior is likewise as spectacular! We
were taken into the Palace bedrooms where Winston Churchill resided and learnt
a lot about the history of the rooms. We then joined The Untold Story which
outlined the heritage of the Churchill family and took us back in time to
the 1700s. The tour was a walk round event but each room had interactive
features including touch screen monitors, audio speakers and screen projectors.
The Pleasure Gardens are a few minutes’ walk from the Palace and is home to the
exotic butterfly house, model village, family maze and children’s play area. Blenheim
Palace has also hosted some of Hollywood’s most famous A-list superstars over
the years. Daniel Craig, Jack Black, Sean Connery, Tom Cruise, Kate Winslet,
Emily Blunt, and Madonna, are just a few of the stars performing in key motion
pictures counting 007 Spectre, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Cinderella,
A Little Chaos, Gulliver’s Travels and many more.
LUNCH AT THE ORANGERY AT BLENHEIM PALACE:
1 2:30 PM
The
location is charming in itself, sitting comfortably right outside the palace;
it gorgeously stands among greenery, a chic café and patio. It certainly
doesn’t fail with its intriguing mix of traditional traveller’s fare and new
age cooking. The food is hearty, and is served with the most imaginative skill
without negotiating on the palate with emphasis being seasonal produce. My ‘Fennel
crusted ocean trout’ served with Jerusalem artichoke mash, balsamic tomatoes, samphire
and caper butter sauce on the side was finger looking good!! Desserts such
as Warm sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce and Duke’s ice cream, ‘Rhubarb
plus vanilla’ semifreddo with a rhubarb meringue, ‘elderflower sorbet’ and
candied lemon Verbena are all so gratifying that they should be shared. Simplicity
and balance are the buzzwords of this wonderful space, enriched by honest to
goodness flavours and fresh picked produce.
DRINKS AND DINNER AT TALLI JOE: 8 PM
Talli Joe, 152-156 Shaftesbury Avenue,
London, WC2H 8HL; Tel: 020-78365400
The
culinary essence is traditional and authentic regional Indian cuisine with a
strong creative element in cooking and presentations as well as in the
cocktails hand crafted by using seasonal Indian flavours and fresh ingredients
crafted by the in house mixologist. The buzzy bar spreads its charm to the
restaurant creating the perfect setting to relax and indulge in anything from a
hearty lunch to a romantic dinner. I started with a ‘Kerry Collins’ (a heady
concoction of vodka, raw mango puree, soda and lime) before heading for my
food!! A good attempt at proposing Indian food for the twenty first century as
it is indeed a unique marriage of beautiful ingredients and techniques with the
flavours and traditions of India.
Good examples of recipes with interesting combinations
enhanced by spices from Chef Sameer Taneja’s aesthetic creations are the ‘Gol
Baari Kosha Mangsho’ and ‘Kochi beef fry’. The crowning glory for me was the ‘Nihari
Nalli’; the marrow was cooked fairly melted in waves on the tongue topped on a
Kadak roti. Amongst the vegetarian the ‘Kale chaat’ is a highlight. All in all
behind every component is an honest process that is used to top dresser the
ingredients. There is nothing accidental on any of Taneja’s plates, nothing
there that serves to merely look glamorous; everything is on the plate for a
reason. The concept with its quarter plates is an inspirational treat for all
those who crave for good food with a difference. Chic, elegant and
contemporary, this is one of the few bars I feel will hold its own for a long
time…and as for me, I will go here each time I happen to be in London.
DAY 3
Our little group was met at the hotel by Mr Dewi Evans, Brit Movie Tour guide,
who took us on a two hour tour discovering central London locations that featured
in Bond, Harry Potter, Paddington,
Sherlock Holmes and more. Every movie buff knows how important the city of
London is in the film industry, being commonly used as both a film setting and
location. From bygone versions to starry-eyed amusements to law-breaking
thrillers, London has been vital for film directors, frequently being an
uppermost terminus for their movie sets. It was simply remarkable to set foot
on the London’s iconic streets to check out all of Bond’s assembly points
in Skyfall, and to witness landmarks such as Trafalgar Square that sent chills
down my spine as it reminded me of all the thrillers filmed there. The
flexibility of London as a film location is astounding. The ethnic history of
the city reckons it a seamless location for period movies dated amid
pre-Victorian times and the post-war era, but the avant-gardism of London also
makes it perfect for intersecting plots, such as the narratives of Love
Actually. The types of film and TV that use London as the setting is limitless,
drawing in anybody and everybody that relishes feature presentations on the
silver screen!
HOP ON HOP OFF WITH GOLDEN TOURS: 12
NOON
https://www.goldentours.com/hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-24-hour-ticket
Best
way to see London is booking a HOHO with Golden tours, 24 hours which comes
with an offer including additional 24hrs, walking tour and river cruise. Ascertain
all the majestic things, and all the imperative edifices that one would see on
a precise touristy trail. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, various museums,
Harrods, Westminster Abbey, the Thames River, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square,
Piccadilly Circus (which, by the way, is not a circus), St. James, Chinatown,
various theatres, Bloomsbury, the Tower or London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, etc.
Later just taka a cruise on the River Thames…delightful! Also go to the lovely
Covent Garden market. It will be a great shopping experience. A ride on the
London eye would give you a bird’s view of the city. I used my ticket on Day 4
morning as well since it had additional 24 hours for free and my flight back
home was in the evening!
AFTERNOON TEA AT DAWAAT: 4: 30 PM
Dawaat, 372 Strand, London, WC2R 0JJ,
Tel: +44 207 379 4737
Head
Chef Asharaf Valappil does an alternative take on the teatime
classic, with the full flavoured Daawat Indian Afternoon Tea, which is one of
London’s most unique partaking experiences. Chef’s assortment of lightly
enlivened canapés includes Bombay Burgers, Lamb Samosas and sweet
Indian pastries and the Chocolate samosa. The traditional English scones
with clotted cream and strawberry jam are also inclusive…Wash it down with a
hot cup of yummy Masala chai and you are sorted! You could come back for a
lunch or dinner too; the chef does some of the best South Indian preparations
in the city!!
KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL: 7:30 PM
Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London WC2R 0NS
This
show is tremendously entertaining, some of the maximum enjoyable time that I
have ever had seeing a show. Kinky Boots is stunningly designed. The Picturesque
designer forays a significant equilibrium between the elegant
gala that is Lola’s nightclub and the dreary shoe factory. The set is
extremely mobile and deceivingly simple. If you blink, you could miss a set
change. I have never seen a show changeover from scene to scene so swiftly and effortlessly.
While wearing a diversity of glamorous costumes, they do splits, cartwheels and
even turn up in the Northampton factory to pageant on the conveyor belt as a
prologue to their climactic catwalk display. It won me over through the
excellence of the principal performances, the vitality of its dramatization and
its conviction, in its fetishist worship of thigh-high boots, that there’s no
business like SHOE business!!
My
story first published in TLF
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