ALEXA HOTEL,73 Lexham Gardens,
London, W.8.
12th July 1958
Our Loving Children,
LONDON, Sunday 6th July, Raja Redzuan and his wife who is the half-sister of H.H the Sultan of Selangor came to our Hotel and we went on chatting till about noon. We went out later in the afternoon to HYDE PARK CORNER. As we walked along the SERPENTINE - a lake in the Park - we met Che' Yusof who was Asst. State Secretary before he joined the Diplomatic Service. He was strolling along with his European wife. She is a Swiss.
Monday, 7th July After sorting out a few things in town we had lunch with Dato' Shamsuddin and his wife. Later we went to his Hotel - quite near ours - we talked and talked and had tea. At about 5 o'clock they walked with us to our Hotel and continued with our yarns. They went back to their Hotel and we joined them again for dinner.
I forgot to mention that in the morning before we went out, Pa' Shairi rang up (I wrote to him on Saturday) and asked how you all and the other close relations were getting on. He then promised to ring us up again tomorrow to let us know if he could come tomorrow afternoon.
Tuesday 8th July: We went to see pictures at a News Theatre. These theartres show only news reels, with some short cartoons and 'shorts' of general interest. One of the shorts we saw was one called "Nature's Half Acre". I thought it was a wonderful film showing the activities and the beauty of insects, reptiles and plants during spring, summer, autumn and their inactivities during winter. It was a coloured film. It also depicted life where it was a question of survival of the fittest. "Some must die to permit others to live". What a lucky world we humans are living in. We survive in the world of "Live and Let Live".
In the afternoon we went to Hyde Park and while we were listening to "soap-box orater" we met the daughter of Mr. CL Majeed (we couldn't remember his name - she is the sister-in-law of Dr. Syed Mahmud) who was in London for a course. I might explain that at one end of HYDE PARK freedom of gathering and of speech is really practised. Anyone could come here and make speeches on all subjects as long as they would not cause any trouble. The origin of the term "soap-box orater" followed the practice in the past of speakers standing on soap boxes (as a small platform) whilst making their speeches.
When we went back we found the Pa' Shairi looked us up at 7pm - when we had gone out and missed us. Very disappointing. He promised to ring up first but didn't!
Wednesday, 9th July: We made a full day tour of WINDSOR. We first visited HAMPTON COURT PALACE. This Palace was originally built by CARDINAL WOLSEY in the early 16th century and it was his ambition to enlarge and beautify it until he possessed the finest private residence in England. But his royal master HENRY VIII took a fancy to it and you know that when HENRY VIII took a liking for any thing there would be no trying to stop him. When it was less than ten years old Wolsey handed it over to his King. This Palace remained a royal residence until the death of George II in 1760. Now it is being used as a Museum and has a beautiful gardens attached and overlooking the river THAMES.
From there we went to WINDSOR and after a nice lunch we went up to see WINDSOR CASTLE. This Castle is overlooking the THAMES. and also overlooking a very beautiful country scenery. The Queen comes here on occasion and she has her own Chapel called St. George's Chapel. This Chapel is used on official occasions for installing KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER. This is a very high honour and the award is limited to 25 only.
We went round to the state apartments - of course, we were not allowed to see the Queen's private rooms - where exhibits of old heraldry and also gifts to past Kings and Queens were shown.
We then went to look around ETON COLLEGE.
This College is a Public School. The description may be misleading. Our idea of a Public School is a school run by Government but here the school is a private one. It is a very expensive school attended by rich people's and dignitaries sons. Some sort of Malay College of the old. It has produced many Prime Ministers, statesmen and politicians. In fact, at this moment, there is a controversy as to the pros and cons of carrying on with such institutions.
On our way back we stopped at a place called STOKE POGES where we visited GRAY'S ELEGY which was built in honour of poet (?) Gray. We got back at 6 pm.
Thursday, 10th July: We had nothing in particular to do and went to a big department store (shop) called SELFRIDGES which was having a Summer Sale -- so many things to buy but unfortunately our pocket was very restricted. Had lunch at the same place. We were rather tired walking and went back by bus. This was our second time going by bus. Going by bus could be difficult. One must know the right bus to take. During the last few days we had been travelling by tube (underground train). This was comparatively easier though rather intriguing. Mak is an expert now going by escalators as she has to do this very often if we go by tube.
After resting awhile, we went to dinner at PAKISTANI and INDIA RESTAURANT. We faced a rather embarrassing situation. After I got the bill, I found that I did not have my purse with me and just had small change in my pocket. Indeed cold sweat went down my neck. Oh, no money to pay for our food while I had $50 in my purse! What an irony!! I took out all my change and so did Mak. After counting every penny on our persons we just managed to pay our bill. Pooh! What a great relief. We rushed back to the hotel to see if my purse was there. As I opened the room door, there we saw the purse lying innocently on the table. Another feeling of relief! To "cool down" we went for a stroll!!
Friday, 11th July: We moved into another room in the same hotel this morning. The first room had creaking floor boards and that was causing us some disturbance and disturbing our peace of mind. The former room was looking out into the street but our present room which we considered was better had a view on the back garden. As you know, Mak has always been fond of flowers and this view attracted her. Although it was just a question of moving from one room to another it took us the whole morning.
In the afternoon we again went to SELFRIDGES for a few purchases - not much; we couldn't afford it! We had dinner again at PAKISTANI and INDIA Restaurant.
This time I made sure that my purse was tucked in safely in my pocket. We got into conversation with two of the waiters and they were very happy to learn that we were Muslims. They were too. They greeted us "Assalamu'alaikum" when we left.
Oh, dear Children! I have not received any news from you all for some time now. The last letter we received was when we were in Paris. Every morning when we went down to breakfast and when we came back from town we went straight to find out if there were letters for us. We are very anxiously waiting now. When we found no letters waiting for us we always said "Never mind, one will come tomorrow morning" to console ourselves. I believe one is on the way. We indeed long for news from you all now. Do write - all of you - oftener, now that we are in London.
Please!!
We are thinking so much of you all. Heaps of love and kisses from us to Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntum, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid and Yong. God Bless You All. Sembah salam to Tah and salam to the others.
Yours longingly,
Mak & Bapak
P.S. Some more photos herewith.
