Canary Wharf & London Docks
Canary Wharf is just a station away from my temporary London residence. Despite the weariness from the flight and the hour-long Bolt ride, I forced myself out of the room and headed to the nearest shopping area. The walking distance to the station was around 10 minutes, but cool weather encouraged me to go forward.
Elizabeth Line
I remember the Custom House station back 7 years ago. The humble station had transformed into a modern two-storey infrastructure serving two train lines. The Elizabeth Line, launched at the beginning of the year, is the newest addition to the London Underground family. Hopping onto one train heading towards Paddington, I marveled at the contemporary look of the new Elizabeth Line train. The purple moquette seats set this tube service apart from its seniors, with this soft woven fabric supplies more comfortable seating.
The feeling of astonishment brought me back to my first Selangor MRT ride in 2016, when I was amazed at the windows with no cracks and seats that were free of stains and scratches.
Canary Wharf looked like Penang’s Straits Quay, with a waterfront shopping center and boat docks around the wharf. Walking along the River Thames, there was a sightly view of the ducks racing against the canoeists in the clear waters, vendors cooking their delicacies to attract passersby, and tourists snapping photos of the large triangular port cranes which had ceased to function.
Museum of London Docklands
Once a warehouse hoarding sugar and other goods, the famed West India Docks was revamped for commercial use. After it ceased to function, the warehouse became a harbor for restaurants and pubs. At the end of the warehouse was a free-entry museum to gain insight into the English history of exploration and ports.
Starting from the top of the building, the exhibitions explained the history of this warehouse and the success stories of the British trade expansions since 1600s. As a powerhouse in the marine history, the British Empire has made its exploration across the Pacific Ocean and the East. Along the way, they brought back many commercial goods such as silverware, muslins, and spices. As ships sailed into the River Thames, East London was the entrance to welcome these imported goods into the city. A little similar to Malacca, which was once a vital trading port in Southeast Asia for merchants from all over the world.
African slavery has a dark and ugly history, full of discrimination and cruelty. The London, Sugar, and Slavery exhibition displays a series of detailed descriptions, artifacts, and illustrations on the dehumanizing exploitations of Afro-Caribbean slaves for luxurious commodities like sugar. The abolishment of the African slave trade began with Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, who advocated to end slavery across the world.
The Industrial Revolution transformed London from the rising population to the emergence of factories. These factors eventually became the major causes of the Great Stink and cholera outbreaks in 1858, because of unfiltered human waste to industrial effluent into the River Thames. Many satire comics and posters depicted a Grimm reaper or a sewage monster dwelling in the polluted water. Solutions were made to ensure this long-term water supply stays clean for the city of London and its neighboring areas.
The tour came to a halt as my stomach rumbled. I soon remembered my purpose of visiting: food. Hence, I headed to the café on the ground-floor for some light snacks.
Shopping Time
Aside from office buildings, Canary Wharf harbors a 5 inter-connected shopping malls with over 300 shops. Walking through the malls was a similar experience to venture around the Bukit Bintang shopping area. There were some familiar and unfamiliar brands as I walked through the crowded lane.
I shopped in a pharmacy for sanitary products and daily necessities. Self-check-out kiosks were rare in Malaysia, but they were common in the UK. These kiosks were helpful if someone bought several items, but it could be nerve-wracking and awkward for those who would have to pay for multiple items while the line behind was getting longer.
Takeaway franchises in the UK are common, which people would buy sandwiches or salad bowls and eat in their home or offices. Pret a Manger is a UK sandwiches shop chain where people buy ready-made meal and coffee. I settled for a miso chicken salad bowl and one green tea drink as my early dinner. These two were enough to survive the night.
By the time I was writing this piece, the Buckingham Palace had released a statement on the passing of the 96 years old Queen Elizabeth II. It felt like yesterday when the United Kingdom was celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. The people must feel sorrowful for a prominent figure whose gaze had fallen on the people for 70 years.
Date of Visitation: 7 September 2022
Museum of London Docklands
Entry: Free of charge (with an optional 5 pound donation)
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm (daily)
Address: No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL
3 minutes' walk from West India Quay station (DLR)
5 minutes' walk from Canary Wharf (Elizabeth Line)