Monday, May 10th, election day for both my mother and adopted country. Sadly, I didn't vote, but managed to return to Oxford before going home on Sunday, via the Oxford Tube.
Arriving at 1045, I hopped off at Christ Church and stopped at George & Danver to have a vegetarian & mozzarella bagel & tea for breakfast. G&D's are well-known for their home-made, natural ice cream with insane flavours (you can even request your own flavour, along with 30 supporters, George will give it a go!), as well as their unique pizza bagels. Sadly, for someone who only slept 5 hrs, my head was spinning and didn't really bother thinking of what to eat.
Afterwards, I toured Christ Church. Please do not call it Christ Church College, because it has a cathedral. Christ Church is the proper name to it. The tour will cost £6 for adults, and lower for students and seniors (upon ID presentation). One can still see the cloistered halls, with the old library opposite to it (by the way, the library is still being used by students), leading to the dining hall where great men have dined-- Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey. Also, this is where the Harry Potter films were shot. The tradition lives on, according to the old male custodian who said: the students and the officials dine here, 3 times a day, 7 days a week, and they will have to wear the gown during dinners.
He was telling us, the visitors, to take a look at the menu, which is now served fast-food style. Yet, he was hurrying us too, since they will be serving lunch at 12nn, as he needs to shut the hall.
This lead me to the quadrangle, where one can see the statue of Cardinal Wolsey on top of the college, just as you exit the hall, where you can see Christ Church at its grandeur, leading to the Christ Church Cathedral, where the renowned Cathedral Choir performs, coupled with the rich history of the place itself, its a must see!
Walking further, you will be lead to the back with more student halls, a new library, and the Picture Gallery that charges £1.50 for a self tour of the pre-Raphaelite artists aka the Old Masters and their works. However, they do have a short guided tour as well, but that starts on 1430, and I was rushing to see other museums that day, so I didn't.
Headed to the Ashmolean Museum, I found it closed, thinking that it was having some function or a break.
Finally, I asked a man, who said, the shop is open, but the museum is closed (as majority of them are on Mondays). I had a 10 minute glimpse of it last Saturday, but wasn't able to finish my tour of the ground floor as the lady told me, they will be closing in 5 minutes.
So, I walked further and decided to see the Pitt Rivers Museum. Yes! They were open but had to close some sections as new items were being placed. However, I got to see the civilization area last Saturday, so pretty much, I was able to cover the whole museum.
More walking, lead me to the Covered Market, where I bought Moo-Moo's cookie and banana milkshake! Gosh! That's the best tasting milkshake I've ever had! Pure indulgence with rich scoops of vanilla ice cream, cookies and banana. Moreover, there was no milk added so you can just imagine how thick the shake is! Even had to dilute it with a bit of water during the middle part to be able to sip the shake.
After my beloved milkshake, I headed to the Sheldonian Theatre, where a tour will cost you £2.50, with the Cupola, which give you a top view of Oxford City. The theatre holds degree ceremonies of the university and other important events. However, what makes the graduation so special is that the rites are done in Latin, the graduates choose their own schedule (date and time),
and have to 'graduate' twice, 1st as undergraduate or postgraduate, then as an official graduate, based on his final exams. Fun!
1520, I was getting a bit tired and headed to White Horse pub, in front of the Sheldonian Theatre. It's a small narrow, one-room pub, but excellent service from an Aussie barmaid, who said that their beef dishes are her fave. However, I wanted something not heavy, and chose fish and chips, which says: The best fish and chips in town.
For 8 quid, I'd agree that its the best-tasting fish and chips I've tasted in the whole of UK.
It's crispy, not oily, and huge! I think its best to share it, along with a couple of lagers, but I opted for water instead.
After walking around some more, I called it quits at 18-1830, as the colleges and shops have closed. I hopped on the next Oxford Tube and headed back to London.
I really love Oxford- historically, academically, architecturally and romantically. Truly the City of Dreaming Spires!
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