My cousin came to visit London last week, so I got to show him around. It was his first time in Europe and our first time travelling together. His virgin Eurotrip reminded me of my first solo overseas trip, all week. Everything had seemed exciting and everything had tasted so good, then. It helped that my first trip had been to France, staying with some exceptional people who are like family now.

NB and I visited all the big tourist spots and even stopped by platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross for some Harry Potter moments. We ate all the classic British foods I like - scones with jam, fish and chips, and lots of beer. We definitely got to know our 24-hour bus very well by the end of the week. On our last night together, we went up the London Eye - something I had resisted for a long time, but I thought it was time I gave in. As we cast our eyes over the Thames river, Big Ben and the rest of London bathed in dusk and the last rainbow colours of gay pride day, I came to a surprising realisation that my London stay is finally coming to an end soon. I'm glad but unexpectedly a little sad, too.

It is, as always, the people you meet along the way that makes the farewells and the long trip home bittersweet. Before I leave there is one big to-do item that needs to be crossed off on West End. It will definitely be a highlight finish to the OE year experience.