Gabi On The Go: Two of the world's best open markets: Notting Hill and Candem Town

Our travelling buddies ready to rock, waiting for the double decker bus, which they insist on calling "the hammerhead bus," I have no idea why.

The stunningly beautiful King's Cross St. Pancras International Station.

London has an amazing public transportation system, but we recommend the double decker buses for tourists, instead of subway. Although they take much longer to get to places, they are so much fun and offer you an incredible view of the city.

We have been using Apple Maps to find about buses routes and schedules and it's working great.

Our first destination was the famous neighbourhood of Notting Hill.

The 1999 movie made it even cooler, but this was already one of my favourite areas in London before that. Worth a visit.

The famous Portobello Road has an amazing antique market.

http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk

"Welcome to Portobello Road, the world’s largest antiques market with over 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectible. Visitors flock from all over the world to discover one of London’s best loved landmarks which contains the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain"

Fan moment: "Oh, Bieber..."

CAMDEN TOWN

On to the next bus to my next favourite neighbourhood in London.

This place was almost a summer house for me. I was here every other weekend.

It meant fun, audacity, liberation.

Many tribes can be found here.

Camden, for me, is the real face of London.

This picture could've been taken 20 years ago.

I was one of those young people hanging out in front of the Camden Station, waiting for a friend, or just adding to the amusing scene.

Our lunch was at the Made in Brazil Boteco because I was curious and I thought that rice and beans would be better than pub food for the girls.

Good choice, on 48 Chalk Farm Road.

http://madeinbrasilboteco.co.uk

Back in the market.

Stables is one of the cool markets.

The lights inside this rave store were so bright that the pictures turned out all blurry.

Camden used to have a huge electronic vibe as well, 20 years ago.

My girls loved to visit the crazy loud music and lights place.

The punk rock feeling is still the most felt here.

Just hanging out.

At some point in the afternoon the deal was that we were allowed to have a pint of beer if we got ice cream for the girls. With sugar cones in the girls hands, Mike and I entered as fast as we could into the first pub we saw. Without knowing we entered in Amy Winehouse's favourite pub, The Hawley Arms.

http://www.thehawleyarms.co.uk

We realized pretty quickly that that's the one that Amy loved to hang out and have her drinks.

On the wall, a message left by the big star.

Ice cream and beer: cheers.

I love this picture taken by Sofia (4 years old).

This is what super-tired-parents-dying-for-a-beer look like.

Not the best, but the happiest.

FROM: https://www.camdenmarket.com/journal/camden-lock-take-a-canal-tour

"The jewel in Camden Lock’s crown has got to be the Regent’s Canal. Named after the Prince (who else?), this royal waterway is over 200 years old – and after a morning spent in the Market, a lazy cruise down it is just the ticket. The London Waterbus, moored in our West Yard, runs regular trips up and down the canal on romantic narrowboats."

A family selfie. Enjoy because they are like eclipses and don't happen often.

A street performer taking people's breath away.

Great Limbo dancer.

WE ALL LOVE AMY

We can't deny that the big hit in London is the Queen. She is everywhere, from souvenirs in every store for tourists to outdoors and names of places.

Camden Town, though, has a different queen.

Amy Winehouse is everywhere.

Camden's most famous resident will always have a special place here as well as in her fans hearts.

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Amy_Winehouse

"Winehouse (1983–2011) was a British singer and songwriter who had become strongly associated with Camden Town until her death in 2011. Winehouse died at her nearby Camden Square home of alcohol poisoning on 23 July 2011. The 1.59-metre (5 ft 3 in) tall statue depicts Winehouse with her hand on her hip, wearing high heels, and with her signature beehive hairstyle. The singer's statue also wears a Star of David necklace and on the day of the unveiling had a real red rose in her hair. The charcoal grey work was created by the British sculptor Scott Eaton, who said that it had been designed to convey Winehouse's "attitude and strength, but also give subtle hints of insecurity"