Sounds Silly, I know...

...as to why we have to travel.

Yes. Am flying off to London with H next Thursday.

Have to travel in order to KEEP H's Krisflyer Elite Gold card valid.... 

Have to travel to Europe at least.

Have to travel by end-Feb. 

Otherwise, he will have to start accumulating points all over again, and it's tough to do it from the start....especially so as he doesn't travel as frequently as before.  Initially, he thought his recent trip to the States would have been sufficient. But he made a mistake when checking his statement....looking at the mileage points instead of the Elite points. 

I know it seems silly to travel all the way to London just to keep card. But it does allow for quite a bit of privileges like Lounge Access, Priority Waitlist, extra 10 kg baggage, Priority check-in and boarding, and possibility of upgrades (remember the upgraded seat for our flight from Melbourne to Singapore?)... 

Actually, H and I had scheduled a trip to London over the New Year holidays...but I urged him to cancel due to the scary financial turmoil plus some other issues. Guessed it is in my stars that I must make the trip to London anyways.... Of course, H could go on his own...but silly man said that if he were to go alone, he's going to have a meal after arrival, and take the next flight out back. Gila.... 

As for hotel rooms.... So many 4* hotel rooms for about GBP 85/nite. So many choices...donno which to select. Was deciding Gloucestor Road/South Ken  vs. High Street Ken vs. Paddington areas. These areas were shortlisted because they were my "thei tau" when I was living in London. :-)

Gloucestor Road/South Ken - My OLD college is located here....plus the Natural History, Science and V&A Museums are all located in this area. And also served by the  Piccadilly line...very convenient if taking tube from Heathrow, or when going to Harrods or ChinaTown. 

Paddington - Used to live near Chilworth Mews about 300 metres  from Paddington BR. Convenient if taking the fast rail from Heathrow... Otherwise nothing much here...

High Street Ken - Only has Circle/District lines. So not exactly the best....but I used to walk from my old flat on Lexham Gardens to High Street Ken and then through Kensington Gardens to Bayswater. Alot of pleasant memories. So decided to stay in this area. Plus there's a Marks&Spencer, Safeway, lots of cafes etc in the area...  We've booked into the Copthorne Tara. Very good rates.... less than GBP 75/nite (incl. VAT). We'll be staying for 4 nites. Thereafter, H leaves to come home first. I will be staying an additional two days, thus will stay over at my sister's house.

Now..got to go check out what musicals are on...