The plane flew in over the English Channel. The terrain of the coastline of Holland was distinctive and it attracted my curiosity. I wondered how the terrain was formed. I'll read some books about the earth science later. The starboard side seats were free and I enjoyed the scenery moving back and forth between port side to starboard.
On the approach to the U.K., I noticed numerous wind turbines on the sea. They were a spectacular view. The U.K. declares to end dependence on fossil fuels, but is it possible? The plane was heading for London lowering its altitude in preparation for landing. I spent a gorgeous amusing time comparing the map and the actual scenery.
We landed at Heathrow Airport at 7:15 a.m. A boarding ramp was approaching and I assumed that we'd get off through this ramp, but it was for maintenance work for the plane itself. We were led to the usual front left door. When you are seated in the aftermost seat, you'll sometimes experience unusual things. I flew British Airways on the last trip to the U.K.. The crews' mutual chatting in the kitchen after turning off the light was too much for me. There seemed not to be any space, but a meal was placed directly on the floor. All items on the tray were covered and would be kept clean, but that's not acceptable for me.
By the way, I was going to use the Elizabeth Line of the tube, which was built a few years ago, but we got on the Heathrow Express. Both trains are designed to come in on the same platform and we got on the train which first came in. The fare seemed to be lower on the tube, according to my daughter.
We met my daughter and her boyfriend at Paddington station. They were supposed to guide us in London. We felt reassured. We checked in the Corus Hotel Hyde Park and deposited our luggage. The last picture shows the hotel. The Malaysian flag was raised along with the British one. It was because the owner of the hotel was Malaysian.
(Vocabulary)
fly in over ～の上空にさしかかる
boarding ramp タラップ（オランダ語のtrapが語源）
accommodation ladder （船のタラップ）
aftermost 一番後ろの
reassuring 安心させる, 心強い
飛行機は海上へ出た。オランダの海岸の特徴的な地形が印象的。席が空いているので右側へ行ったり左側へ行ったりと忙しい。イギリス本土へさしかかると海上の風力発電の風車が目立っていた。イギリスも脱化石燃料を謳っているが可能なのだろうか？高度を下げてロンドン上空へ向かっている。実際の景色と地図を見比べて楽しむ。
７時１５分ヒースロー国際空港に到着。窓の外にタラップが近づいてきた。地面へ降りるのかと思ったが、業務用のようだった。一番後ろの席にいると日頃経験しないことがある。前回乗ったBritish Airwaysでは嫌なこともあった。夜、消灯後のクルーのおしゃべりが聞こえてきて耳障りだったし、置くところが無かったからだろうが、食事を一時的に床に置いていた。完全に覆われている食事だから不潔では無いのだろうが、日本人ならまずしない。
さて、ヒースロー国際空港から、パディントン駅まで数年前に開業した地下鉄エリザベスラインを使うつもりだったが、地下鉄と従来の鉄道が同じホームに着く構造で、先に来たヒースローエクスプレスでパディントン駅へ到着。早く出発する方に乗ったのだが、地下鉄の方が安かったらしい。
パディントンで娘とその彼氏に会う。今日と明日、ロンドンを案内してくれることになっている。心強い。まずは宿泊予定のコーラスホテルハイドバークへチェックインし、荷物を預けた。最後の写真がホテル。イギリス国旗は当然として、更にマレーシアの国旗が掲げられており、尋ねるとホテルのオーナーがマレーシア人だからとのこと。
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