IT'S funny, I never thought I'd be 40 and find myself in a hostel. Maybe one or the other, but not both at the same time - voluntarily. But here I am, 20 years after initially leaving home to see the big, wide world, I find myself back where it all began. London. For the next week I'll be exploring all my old favourite parts of London Town as it's affectionately known. 'So why a hostel?' you may ask. The South African-UK exchange rate. That's why. And because sleeping on a park bench in the UK's February temperatures is out of the question. When making my accommodation booking, I stumbled across Palmers Lodge in Swiss Cottage, northern London. 'Not too shabby,' I thought, looking at the pictures. An old Victorian mansion converted into a hostel, Palmers Lodge is not just another backpackers. From a delectable choice of fruits, mueslis, hot and cold breakfasts, to a limited dinner menu and bathrooms being cleaned multiple times a day, the place really is a step ahead of the rest. Or maybe this is how hostels have evolved since my backpacking days. And no need to feel out of place because Palmers Lodge is not only a temporary refuge to the 20-something traveller, but to oldies like me and even older, as well as families with young children. Some people even stay here long term while looking for a place to rent. Palmers Lodge is a 20 minute walk from Regents Park, another 20 or so minute walk in the other direction from Hampstead Heath, and about a three minute walk from Swiss Cottage tube station. Tomorrow, when the tube is back to normal running times, I shall set off for some sightseeing a bit closer to the Thames River. |
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