“Colchester Nepalese Society's Memorable Trip to London - 4 August 2024”

On Sunday, 4 August 2024, the Colchester Nepalese Society embarked on an eagerly anticipated excursion to London. This year's trip was meticulously planned to visit the Royal Hospital Chelsea (RHC) to see the Chelsea Pensioners and Buckingham Palace. However, as the day approached, we encountered a minor setback: RHC informed us that they do not entertain visitors on Sundays. Swiftly adapting, we arranged a visit to the National Army Museum instead.

Our journey began early, with two coaches, one 53-seater and one 34-seater, booked to accommodate our group. The turnout was overwhelming, and seats were allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Thanks to Golden Tour's generous 12% discount, we paid £28 per adult (children £14) for the trip.

The coaches arrived punctually at 06:50, and we departed from Colchester at around 07:20 via Musket Club. Our journey with Kings Coaches of Colchester was smooth and free from traffic, allowing us to reach our first destination, the National Army Museum, just before 10:00.

The National Army Museum offered a fascinating glimpse into 600 years of military history, featuring exhibits from the First and Second World Wars, the Malayan Emergency, the Borneo Confrontation, and more recent conflicts like the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. Although the museum was impressive, the language barrier led some members to leave early.

Next, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch break at St James's Park. After half an hour, we proceeded to Buckingham Palace, entering through B Gate with the help of the Golden Tour guides. The security check was smooth, and we commenced our tour of the palace's opulent halls and rooms. The marble decorations, crowns, and other priceless items left us in awe. Each visitor was provided with an earphone visitor's guide to enhance the experience.

Our visit to the palace, including its beautiful garden, lasted just over an hour. We took group and individual photographs, strolled through the garden, and bought souvenirs. Some of us even took pictures with photographs of the King and Queen.

We then walked to the Horse Guards barracks, where our coaches picked us up at 16:30 for our return trip to Colchester. We arrived back at Musket Club and Gurkha Britannia just before 18:30.

Overall, the trip was a resounding success, providing an excellent outing for many who needed transportation. The experience of visiting such iconic locations in London left a lasting impression on all participants.

Udai B Gurung MBE

Chair/Trustee

CNS