Travelogue - London - Liverpool

I have not been posting my travelogue for quite some time or I’m not been traveling that often. Early this year, I was in London – Manchester – Liverpool for about 2 weeks. It was icy, freeze England and yet I enjoyed my holiday. Arrived London on the 7th of January, stayed two nights, in the Chester Hotel near Victoria Station, a very small and lousy hotel, but I'm not supposed to comment alot coz I chose that hotel. I hop on and hop off around London, sightseeing and freezing. Nice weather indeed.

I took a coach (National Express) from Victoria Bus Station to Manchester on the 9th of January, 09:30am and arrived Manchester about 2:00 pm. Stayed at Midland Hotel for one night. Visited few places including Old Traffort, but didn't manage to join the stadium tour. Depart to Liverpool until 14th January and in Liverpool, I stayed in Adelphi Hotel.
Liverpool is a city of Merseyside, England, famed for its music, sports and nightlife and also the birthplace of a wide range of popular musicians including The Beatles, Gerry & the Pacemakers.
The best thing about Liverpool is the architecture; here are some of the beautiful buildings and places that I visited.

Royal Liver Building, (on the riverside). Iconic symbol of Liverpool waterfront - this 1911 skyscraper still dominates the distinctive Liverpool skyline. This is the home of the legendary Liver Birds that sit atop the building looking out across to the wirral. The river-facing face of the clock is six feet larger in diameter than that of the clock tower at Westminster.

St. George's Hall, Lime Street (near railway station). A mammoth of a Greco-Roman-style building which was built by wealthy merchants for the people of the city. It is arguably the finest neo-classical building in Western Europe, and has recently been thoroughly restored for Capital of Culture Year. Inside it has one of the best church organs in Europe. On the outside it has a selection of classical murals which were thought quite shocking in their day (due to the shameful female nudity).

World Museum Liverpool, (near St. George's Hall), this is a fine building and well worth a visit. It contains an excellent collection of British rocketry exhibits, as well as the best Egyptological collection outside London.

Albert Dock, (on the riverside), This is one of the more sophisticated places in Liverpool and is situated in the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK. Old warehouses have been converted into shops, apartments, restaurants, pubs, hotels, galleries and museums. For fan of the old This Morning show with Richard and Judy, this is also where the 3D island weather map was situated in the centre of the dock on the water.

Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Dedicated to the maritime history of the city, complete with galleries on customs and excise and emigration to the New World. There are also a number of vessels to see, such as the Mersey river tug Brocklebank and the river cargo carrier Wyncham.

International Slavery Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool (Within the Merseyside Maritime Museum), ☎ 0151 478 4499, 10AM-5PM. "Our aim is to address ignorance and misunderstanding by looking at the deep and permanent impact of slavery and the slave trade on Africa, South America, the USA, the Caribbean and Western Europe. Thus we will increase our understanding of the world around us." ~Dr David Fleming OBE, director, National Museums Liverpool.
Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock,. A fine modern art gallery. A definite visit for arty folk. The Turner Art Prize was hosted here from Oct. 19, 2007 to Jan. 13, 2008. This was the first time the award was held outside of London. Free (charge for some exhibitions)

The Beatles Story, Albert Dock, The Beatles originated in Liverpool. The Beatles Story is the only museum in the world that is entirely Beatles-themed, with exhibitions such as their instruments and other artifacts. Other attractions based on The Beatles include their homes, Penny Lane, commemorative statues, Strawberry Fields, and more. £12.25 (adult).

Victoria Gallery & Museum, (near the Catholic Cathedral), Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM. The University of Liverpool's museum comprising their art collection and artifacts housed in an amazing Gothic building which coined the term 'red brick university'.

Pier Head, Harbour of Liverpool has played a very important role in modern history of the city. The wharf area drained by the Mersey River gives to the city an air of antiquity, which is quite strange and interesting because of the contrast between modern buildings and conventional buildings. The Pier Head has been considered as world heritage by UNESCO.

The Yellow Duck Marine (duck), this is a guided tour that offers a different view of Liverpool. You are driven around the city in a bright yellow World War Two landing craft. This has become a bit of a sight in itself as it splashes into the water at the world famous Albert Dock
The number 1 in the itinerary is to visit Anfield. At first the ticket purchased for the match against Spurs but it was postponed and I managed to watch the FA Cup games against Reading. Even though Reading beat the Reds 2-1 in the FA Cup 3rd round replay at Anfield, I still feels good watching them playing (badly) on the pitch and seating there in the stadium, to feels the aura.

Getting to Anfield, take a bus no 17 or 217 from Queen Square bus station directly to the ground. I made 4-5 times trip to Anfield during my visit including the Stadium Tour and shopping at Anfields' outlet.

I felt very sad leaving Liverpool in the morning of 14th January 2010. I had to change my coach tickets from Liverpool - London to Liverpool – Heathrow coz it’s already too late. I had a very beautiful ride from Liverpool – Cheshire – Stoke - Birmingham – Coventry – Heathrow.

Indeed Liverpool is a small city compare to Manchester but between this two cities, I love staying in Liverpool. The atmosphere is good. It’s calling me again to come and have another visit. OMG!