MY FAVOURITE THINGS My favourite things

My name is Prachee Jha and I am originally from India. For the last 43 years I have lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore and arrived in London in April 534:.

Your best advice to someone just arriving in the UK? What is London’s take advantage of the location, travel as much as you can in Europe, but best kept secret? travel within the UK too, amazing spots and gorgeous locations are Chelsea Physic Garden, waiting to be explored. one of the oldest gardens The best place to meet people? of alpine trees, and Little FOCUS - its seminars and events. Good place to connect and also try Venice. meet up groups according to your interests. London offers a variety of The best spot to people opportunities, have a look at events at Olympia too. watch? Your preferred pub, bar and/or restaurant? Hyde Park in any season. Gymkhana, Mayfair. Your favourite place to Your favourite place for a shop for the home? UK weekend away? Peter Jones, Sloane Square, Cotswolds (Bibury, Stow-on-the Wold). Cotswold Company, Loaf. The highlight of your Your favourite museum UK adventure so far? or gallery? Hiking Skiddaw in the Science Museum. Lake District. The best place to take The best ice-cream/ out-of-town guests? coffee shop? Walk around Covent Garden and markets Amorino, Soho. I love the (Camden, Spitalfields, gelato shops at South Borough Market). Kensington station like Venchi. The best children’s shop? Hamleys. Your most watched Your favourite park? British TV show? Richmond Park in any weather is gorgeous. I particularly love autumn. the Crown, Black Mirror. Your favourite neighbourhood or area to explore? Your favourite Chelsea and Shoreditch. expression you have adopted since being here? Your favourite place to walk? “Not too bad, eh?!!” Along the thames, Holland Park and Battersea Power Station. Your preferred mode of transport? Best thing about London in the spring? Walking to most places, or else the buses for shorter distances. I Sitting in the garden with a jug of Pimm’s, flower don’t mind the tube in winter, but really avoid it in summer. shows and the general upbeat mood and smiles of everyone on the street. Your first memory of arriving in the UK? tired after a 13hr flight, the barren trees a stark Your favourite way to spend a contrast from the tropical Singapore but oh so Sunday afternoon? lovely cooling temperatures. Sit and read a book in the park, or a stroll along the river. The best breakfast/brunch/ afternoon tea spot? Favourite places Fenchurch terrace sky garden, gorgeous views. to explore? Borough Market. We love The ultimate gourmet food or exploring various food trucks in wine shop? and around Camden Market. Whole Foods and Borough Market apart from Exploring flower market is a treat the local farmer’s markets. throughout the year starting from Your favourite location for tulip season, spring until autumn.

Sushi Samba a “date night”? Sushi Samba.

36 FOCUS The Magazine March/April 2018 www.focus-info.org