Once Great England

England was once considered the greatest nation on Earth, an empire upon which the sun never set. While those days of global dominance have long passed, the legacy of that era continues to resonate. England still proudly holds an impressive list of “firsts,” “mosts,” and “oldests” that continue to shape its global influence.

The country remains home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, which continue to attract scholars from around the globe. The Commonwealth Games, originally an initiative of the British Empire, is still regarded as second only to the Olympic Games in scale and stature. The UK’s Westminster system of parliamentary democracy has been adopted, admired, or adapted by numerous nations worldwide, serving as a benchmark for many emerging democracies.

In the world of sport, England hosts some of the greatest football clubs globally - Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and others - yet few believe the national team is likely to reclaim World Cup glory anytime soon. England’s sole World Cup victory was in 1966 - 48 years before our visit in 2014 - and remains a distant memory. Similarly, the Thomas Cup, established by the British and one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in badminton, is unlikely to return to British hands. Even in tennis, it took 77 years for a British player to win Wimbledon again, a drought finally ended by Andy Murray in 2013.

There is a lingering sense among some that England is in decline. Culturally and spiritually, significant shifts are underway. The British monarch has traditionally held the title “Defender of the Faith,” a role rooted in the nation’s Christian heritage. However, with Britain no longer a Christian-majority nation, this role is evolving. Prince Charles has previously expressed his wish to be known as “Defender of the Faiths,” reflecting a more pluralistic outlook. Some wonder if such changes signify a deeper transformation, or even decline, of national identity.

Yet despite these shifts, England remains a fascinating and rewarding country to visit. Its rich history, majestic architecture, scenic countryside, and remarkable cultural diversity continue to draw millions of visitors each year. I count myself fortunate to be among them.

We stayed at the Marriott London County Hall on our final night in the city before flying back to Singapore. This iconic hotel, once the headquarters of the London County Council and later the Greater London Council, has since been transformed into a luxury hotel after being sold to private investors. Steeped in history, the building retains much of its original grandeur, with elegant interiors that echo its civic past.

Located on the south bank of the River Thames, just beside Westminster Bridge, the hotel offers one of the most enviable views in all of London. From our room, we had front-row access to some of the city's most iconic landmarks. 

One of the highlights of our stay was the close proximity to the London Eye, which stands right next to the hotel. We took full advantage of the location, capturing stunning photos of the giant observation wheel - especially magical when illuminated at night, reflecting off the Thames. It was the perfect ending to our journey, combining historic charm with modern vibrancy in the heart of London.

Paris Food Culture

Before arriving in Paris, I had heard much about French cuisine and the deep cultural passion the French have for food. It’s often said that in France, eating is not just a necessity - it’s an art form. Of course, like in any major city, Paris offers a wide spectrum of dining options, from budget-friendly meals to exquisite fine dining experiences that cater to the most discerning palates.

One particularly interesting aspect we discovered was how the price of food can vary depending on how you choose to eat it - whether you sit down or stand. In many cafes and bistros, there’s a noticeable price difference between enjoying your meal at a table versus eating at the counter or taking it to go. Naturally, we were curious and tried both experiences. It was a small but fascinating glimpse into the local dining culture - where even the way you eat plays a role in the Parisian way of life.

Eating while standing under shaded area saves the "sitting charge".

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Upon the recommendation of the hotel staff, we dined at Au Port Du Salut, a charming restaurant not far from the Pantheon. Tucked away in a historic building, the restaurant exudes a quintessentially French ambiance - with warm lighting, rustic stone walls, and an inviting, intimate setting that immediately makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a classic Parisian dining experience.

Adding to the atmosphere was a live pianist, who not only played beautifully but also sang to entertain guests as they enjoyed their meals. It created a delightful and memorable backdrop to our evening. The staff were equally welcoming - friendly, attentive, and more than happy to help diners capture the moment with photographs. It was a perfect blend of good food, genuine hospitality, and old-world charm - a highlight of our Paris dining experience.

The Pantheon, Paris

Besides "Hunchback Notre Dame", Victor Hugo also wrote many other novels but none more well known than Les Miserables. Most admirers of this novel would admit they have either seen the movie or the musical rather than having read the actual novel itself.

Victor Hugo died in May 1885 and his remains is buried in the Pantheon, a mausoleum where distinguished French citizens are interred. His recognition as a giant in literature and a statesman could be seen from the outpouring of national grieve during his unprecedented funeral. Two million people lined the street from Arc de Triomphe to the Pantheon to join in the funeral procession.

Another surprise I discovered was the interment of Marie Curie in this mausoleum. She was born a Pole but later moved to France. For her research in Radioactivity, she was awarded the Nobel Price. She won the Nobel Price in Physics in 1903 and later the Nobel Price in Chemistry in 1911. Upon her death in 1934, she was buried along side her husband, Pierre Curie in a small place called Sceaux, about 10 Km south of Paris. Some 60 years later in 1995, both her remains as well as her husband's were transferred to the Pantheon. Marie Curie had many First's. The first woman to receive the Nobel Price, the first woman to receive Nobel Price twice and the first woman to be buried in the Pantheon.

Crypt where the deaths are interred.

Notre Dame de Paris

The fact that Notre Dame de Paris or commonly known as Notre Dame Cathedral has been preserved so well up to today, much credit should be given to Victor Hugo who wrote the novel, "Hunchback Notre-Dame". It was said that he wrote the story with the intention of drawing the attention of the French people to the value of French Gothic architecture which was very much neglected and unappreciated at that time.

The intricacy and framing of this building is best appreciated by looking at the model in display.

The Louvre, Paris

To me, the Louvre was something alien until the launch of the movie, The Da Vinci Code. It was almost overnight that everyone suddenly knew about the glass pyramid, a globally recognized icon. Unfortunately, the book also generated a lot of false information and untruth about the Louvre.

True to its claim, this 220 years old museum which opened on 10 August 1793  is truly massive. We spent half a day and could hardly cover one quarter of what's on display.

Left: Mona Lisa. Right: Venus de Milo.

Practically, everyone who came to this museum looked out for Mona Lisa. The crowd was just too massive and there was simply no time to pause and to appreciate it. Everyone just took snap shots from wherever position he or she could manage to reach. We were the more aggressive lot and we squeezed and were partly being carried along by the crowd behind to reach the front row. Some said that this painting was not the "Original" but who cared!

Surprisingly, the statue of Venus de Milo also attracted a massive crowd. I could only conclude that there are just no shortage of people who yearn for love and beauty - elements what Venus de Milo is supposed to represent.

Marble sculpture of Sleeping Hermaphroditus.