STONEHENGE
Wiki: "Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles (3 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Agemonuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.[1]
Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first stones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC,[2] whilst another theory suggests that bluestones may have been raised at the site as early as 3000 BC.[3][4][5]
The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury Henge. It is a national legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage, while the surrounding land is owned by theNational Trust.[6][7]
Archaeological evidence found by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2008 indicates that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings.[8] The dating of cremated remains found on the site indicate that deposits contain human bone from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug. Such deposits continued at Stonehenge for at least another 500 years.[9]"
In the midst of rolling hills.
Stonehenge is quite beautiful.
While some people said it is just a pile of stones, I'm quite glad to visit this 5000 years old formation.
I was imagining the people living the region 5,000 years ago, heading towards to place (as though a pilgrimage) for healing purposes. It should be very interesting. And Life should be really tough.
HARRODS
Wiki: " Harrods is an upmarket department store located on the Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London.
The store occupies a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site and has over one million square feet (90,000 m2) of selling space in over 330 departments making it the biggest department store in Europe.
Following denial that it was for sale, Harrods was sold to Qatar Holdings, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatarin May 2010. A fortnight previously, chairman of Harrods since 1985, Mohamed Al-Fayed, had stated that "People approach us from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Fair enough. But I put two fingers up to them. It is not for sale. This is not Marks and Spencer or Sainsbury's. It is a special place that gives people pleasure. There is only one Mecca."[10]
The sale was concluded in the early hours of 8 May, when Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thanicame to London to finalise the deal, saying that the acquisition of Harrods would add "much value" to the investment portfolio of Qatar Holdings while his deputy, Hussain Ali Al-Abdulla, called it a "landmark transaction".[9] A spokesman for Mohamed Al-Fayed said "in reaching the decision to retire, [Fayed] wished to ensure that the legacy and traditions that he has built up in Harrods would be continued."[9] Harrods was sold for £1.5 billion; half of the sale will be used to pay bank debts of £625 million."
This department store is worth £1.5 billion!!!
For simplicity:
Assuming that a P/E of 15X is given to this business, the net profit should be £100m.
Assuming a net profit margin of 5%, the revenue should be £2bn.
It means that it needs to generate a revenue of £5,500,000/day.
Which is around £60K/sqm/day of sales!!!
Interior
Iphone anyone?
Memorial for Lady Diana and her partner, Dodi Al Fayed.
REGENT STREET
Wiki: "Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in the West End of London, well known to tourists and locals alike and famous for its Christmas illuminations. It is named after the Prince Regent (later George IV) and is commonly associated with the architect John Nash, whose street layout survives, although all of his original buildings except All Souls Church have since been replaced.[1]
The street was completed in 1825 and was an early example of town planning in England, cutting through the 17th and 18th century street pattern through which it passes. It runs from the Regent's residence at Carlton House in St James's at the southern end, through Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, to All Souls Church. From there Langham Place and Portland Place continue the route toRegent's Park.
Every building in Regent Street is protected as a listed building with at least Grade II status, and together they form the Regent Street Conservation Area.[2]"
Beautiful Regent Street
A good mix of new and old.
Panorama view
WEST END MUSICAL - PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Watched Phantom of the Opera for the first time in London.
It was quite nice, even though I doze-off (due to jetlag).
It also reminded me of my teenage years when Phantom of the Opera Musical came to Singapore. I remembered my friends watching the musical, and I didn't watch it as I could not afford it. Another part of me felt that I could never appreciate musical.
Glad that I watched it. =)
No comments:
Post a Comment