With time ticking til travel
by Got my trip coming up in just a short bit (so excited & anxious) - Going it alone & I want to plan some things to do in the different spots to get the best out of it.
I'll be spending most of my time in London, but will also be going up to Liverpool & Manchester. Possibly Brussels, Belgium. But definately the first 3.
London can be planned more on a whim & I know it very well, so more concerned with what there's to do in Liverpool and Madchester. Got the concert in Manchester, but time to do other things as well, while I'm there.
So, I've starting skimming the web & if anyone can provide suggestions of what to do please do post.
I've just started so not much to work with.
In Liverpool:
I could see the Williamson's Tunnels
http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson's_tunnels
do The Beatles Tour http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/beatles-magical-mystery-tour-p172251
go to The Beatles Story
http://www.beatlesstory.com/
& there's things listed here that I'll have to find time to browse through
http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/what-to-do
http://www.liverpool.com/things-to-do.html
Manchester:
River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal Cruise
http://manchesterrivercruises.com/
Greater Manchester Police Museum
http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/history.htm
That's what caught my eyes so far
By trip time, I'll hopefully have everything sorted and shortlisted.
Again, if you happen to have suggestions, they're welcome. Maybe you haven't visited personally but know from the Web.
Coo.
AI Summary
87 Comments
go to an IDM club.
score some Absinthe.
get into a fight with soccer hooligans and WIN.
make out with an older, italian woman.
go to a pub and pass out in your fish and chips.
come home.
All good, 'cept This might involve adding in stops at Ibiza, Prague, York & Dublin to get full affect I'm afraid.
go to picadilly circus
go to Madame JoJo's
Ask for the Absinthe from the back
Say NO to the guy who tries to sell you " Charlie "
make out with older, brazilian tourist
End up on a plane going to brazil
Have your kidney stolen
This Itinerary might be a bit easier. I know Piccadilly Circus like I know my own street & I know a Brasilian in London that could introduce me to the entire Brasilian femme population in London even if she's a stranger. He could point out every Brasilian in Leicester Square at nightfall like the TFL can point out an unattended bag. We have our picture with two Brasilian ladies from 3 years ago at Twickenham Rugby Stadium. Nnice indeed.
Bring me back some Guiness from one of the pubs.
Would be nnice but better if it's straight from the tap at St. James's Gate, Dublin. :) And, the English pubs don't sell Guinness in the bottle. Could get from the off-licenses (liquor shop) but then it's pointless. If go to Belgium, and I can somehow get it back Stateside, maybe I'll bring back some Belgium brews... but no promises. Give me travel activity ideas & I'll be more inclined to try tho. :)
Haha... Sorry I know nothing about European activities other than the french ladies don't shave.
That's why we have the Web. No help, no brew. hahaha
Look at Ian's pics of Paris, maybe that'll give you ideas. haha
I was a tiny bit thinking about going to Paris... but I'd rather hold off til I have a girlfriend to enjoy it with. That's why I'm opting for Brussels instead... Great Beer, waffles, & chips that can still be enjoyed by the loneliest people. Since I found out there's a Brewery in Liverpool. I'll see what I can do about grabbing that beer to bring back. Cains.
You should get in touch with Nine9Star while your out there... She lived close to Manchester...
Yeh, that's true. I remember her. I'd feel funny tho, 'cause I didn't know her well at all & I think she's married now. Altho, there was also Laura, but I don't know how to contact her. It was so weird.... when I was in the UK 3 years ago, I took a train from London to North Wales and the train went through Chester, which I think is Laura's town. Wonder if anyone knows how to reach her... maybe I'll see if she wants to meet in Liverpool. To this day I haven't met her in person.
Well, I dont know if Nine9Star is married, but I believe I still have her mobile number if you want it... maybe she knows Laura and you guys can all meet up or something??
Ok sure. thanks
i saw laura a few months back, when Lauren and I went to visit. She lives in Chester (with her parents) and NineStar (Sam) lives a little north of Manchester.
It's so weird that you guys talk about them ... i remember i met them at a party at Sam's house the first week I moved there in 1999. Sam had a giant bouncy castle and it was good times.
i think i have an email address for Laura, I have to look ...
An email address would be great if you find it.. thanks. In case I mugged on the Docks & need an emergency contact or fall into the River Mersey and what have you. I'm staying on Queen's Dock, next to Albert Dock. Gonna be swwwwweeeet! Haven't said that in awhile. Yeh, once in awhile I've chatted with Laura, but she hasn't been on AIM in ages or changed her SN or whatever I bet I've seen the rooftop of her house when I was enroute to Wales on train.
i have her phone number at home if you want it
Okay, thanks. As long as you don't mind. I'm booking and arranging so many touristy things already, but I'll take it anyway.
Well I sent her a text yesterday but no reply
yeah, sorry that was her home phone number. that could be why
hahaha oops. I'll send you my UK mobile number tho. I fly tomorrow! Can't believe it.
i leave wed. Have a safe flight!
Thanks very much. (Just starting to pack & rushing around tying loose ends. It's madness. Don't know where the time goes.) You have a safe journey as well!
Have a good time! Take lots of pics!!
have a great time guys!!! *jealous* :)
thanks!
Found the KH. http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/worship/worship6.html#Jehovahs Maybe I'll pop by to see if any of em want a pint hahaha
List of Liverpool Museums. Maybe I'll do one of 2 of these. Only have a day in the city.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/
oooo. Have to pre-book this one.
Liverpool -
Robert Cain Brewery Tour
http://www.cains.co.uk/index/articles_view.php?article_id=46&main_cat=1&cat_id=89&first_art=true&logger_name=Brewery%20Tour
Yea man.. female brazilians in london Win at life.
I enjoy going to Madame JoJo's ... funtimes.
For good times
make it Suntori Time
Yea Laura lives in liverpool
Madame JoJo's... I'm afraid I don't know it. What's JoJo all about? Is that in Piccadilly Circus or where?
Technically Laura's in Chester right? But very close to Liverpool I reckon. Know how to contact her? We haven't chatted in ages.
Laura is in Chester. Also, I would LOVE to do the London Eye
well, just let me know what dates you'll be in London. Hopefully I'll be in town at the same time. Dates I'll be in London are Tue 11 Dec - Sun 16 Dec, Tue 18 Dec & Wed 19 Dec, Sat 22 Dec (but coming back from Manchester & will get into London at 8:16pm), and Sun 23 Dec (but leaving for Heathrow in late afternoon). Hopefully you'll be in London during one of these times so I can see what I do about getting you on for free - 'cause the Wheel is totally worth going on but pricey... can't promise but I do know that at least some people I worked with are still there and like me. :)
hahaha. are you sending me to dodgy Caberets? hahaha I found it.
I went to look at my friend's photo album for the first time in ages. He's from Sao Paolo - we met 3 years ago at The Brasilian Convention in North London. He went back to Brasil a couple months before I went back to NJ. But, in August of this year he went back to London.
Ahh man kills me not to be in London this whole time... he captures England so well haha
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/2045371734/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/2044573131/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1982208324/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1760336624/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1760336598/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1688778572/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1981328117/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1812598307/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1797637539/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1688681172/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1433136067/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1433128083/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1433076313/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1433939018/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1433939010/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1395667838/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mateussantiago/1433902098/
Yes, I picked out the most abstract yet funny ones (to me anyway)
He doesn't know I'm coming
Can't wait to see his reaction
Plus, the chance of meeting more of his Brasilian female friends (so more about the latter than the former I should concern myself with hahaha)
Oh! Man! The Tunnels looked so awesome & I'm gonna miss it by a few days -- I'm in Liverpool on 20th December & they're closed from 16th December - 3rd January! Hafta get this on the next time around. I'm so bummed now.
haha GOTCHA!
i've done the Beatles Story museum on the Albert Dock. It's acutually a lot of fun, but a little expensive. I remember it being like 15 pounds/person but I could be wrong.
Just checked on the pricing - it's £8.99 - so probably around $19. Think I should book ahead? Yesterday, I booked the Robert Cains Brewery Tour & Magical Mystery Tour - because it seems as though they both likely sell-out and both are held just once a day. The Beatles Tour was the pricey one at £12.95. There's apparently a Casbah Coffee Club http://www.casbahcoffeeclub.com/ Tour, but that one's like 15 quid & I don't know if I can fit it in. I'll see.
I am leaving for Manchester in two weeks from this past Wednesday and I'll be there through January 4th. When do you leave? I can get you some inforamtion about the Kingdom Hall. I probably have Laura's number and probably Sam's too. I thought Sam was in Liverpool (at least she was when I knew her)
i was thinking she had moved for college, for some reason
hey what happened to sarah pearson?
she got married
i think she was in a REALLY bad accident and i JUST heard from her a week or so ago.. shes doing alot better, muffy if you want i can give her ur number.
whose laura's or sam's? i actually don't want either, but thanks.
wow muffy, you are so mean.
no, im not... we used to be really really good friends and now we arent
Uh oh...cat fight...
no, its all old stuff happened years ago, but I have no desire to see them
I arrive in London on 11 December
but go up to Manchester Piccadilly Station on 20 December just to get back on a train to go over to Liverpool
Stay over night in Liverpool - Leave the next day (21 December) for Manchester, which is a Friday & I go to see The Verve in Concert at Manchester Central that evening.
go back to London on Saturday, 22 December (I think about 5:00pm or something like that)
and come back Stateside on 23 December
So on Thursday, 21 December I'll be in Liverpool and Friday, 22 December until late afternoon Saturday 23 December I'm in Manchester.
So I won't be going to a meeting in Manchester but thanks.
But, maybe we can meet up in Manchester before I go to the concert on Friday or before I go back to London on Saturday. You'll be in town 22nd - 23rd?
i should be.... we are going to london for a bit, but i dont know when or for how long. we are also talking about going to edinburgh.
Well, then, maybe meet in London or Manchester, depending on what date. Let me know. Maybe I can even con a group of us onto the London Eye for free... that's where I worked. I'd love to go to Scotland, but maybe that's something I can do next year. Almost bought tickets for a concert in Glasgow next summer actually but then I realised I better pay for this trip first.
Here's my Liverpool so far... go to The Beatles Story, do the Mystery Bus Tour, & Robert Cain Brewery Tour
Here's what my Manchester looks like so far... take the Urbis Factory Records Tour which will include seeing the site of The Hacienda, Factory HQ & that whole Madchester theme thing. Go to Cornerhouse where the company I work at is sponsoring a contemporary art exhibition & where the Factory Records tour starts and ends. See the Madchester Hacienda Exhibition at the Urbis building in Cathedral Gardens. See the site of the old Roman fort circa AD 79 at Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. Go to the People's History Museum. Maybe do a brewery tour at Three Rivers Brewery.
dude, listen. forget all that crap tourist stuff. get out there and take some small european towns by storm. make a mark. get to know the people! not what they charge for tours of their boring pop culture and crusty historic landmarks.
The attractions and landmark's are necessary to take in. There's time for both. Trust me, even the locals love the "touristy" stuff. The Londoner's I worked with were surprised that I knew more about London than they did & were envious that I did so much. They even wanted to do touristy things with me like go on a Jack the Ripper walk. There's plenty of time were I'm gonna just be putting up my feet in a pub next to the fire with quiet pint. But trust me.. even locals do things like go on a pub crawl tho. I think the things I picked out to do are necessary in getting to know the cities anyway.
My Video Cam came yesterday. I hafta try and learn this within a couple days. Not too difficult I hope.
DO THE BEATLES TOUR and then go look for David Gilmours housebost! its on some river in England. Thats where he records...
Yeh, too late, I'm already done with this holiday... but yeh, I got to do The Beatles Bus Tour in Liverpool... saw all the childhood homes of them, see where they did their last show in Liverpool, as well as where they regularly played (The Cavern Club), saw Strawberry Field, and the spot where John & Paul first met, and went down Penny Lane (as well as go to "The Beatles Story" before it came time for tour)
And met some real funny & friendly Scouse characters after taking a Brewery tour of Cains in their adjoining pub Grapes Inn, where I kept getting offered free pint after free pint. They gave us free sandwiches and sausage rolls as well.
Some river in England? Do you mean the River Thames? haha One of most famous rivers in the World? I'd like to have my own. Altho, I'd probably opt for a houseboat studio on Regent's Canal between Little Italy and Camden Town instead. More serene.
ole blighty
yes. why do you keep saying that?
because it sounds stupid beyond compare and that makes me laugh
that's one of the saddest excuses for an explanation on one's own ignorance that I have ever heard, and my journal and trip will not be spoiled by it.
i'm one of the least ignorant people you'll ever meet, boy. i'm just breaking your huevos.
Really? Explain the etymology of it without looking it up... then we'll see about who deserves spoiled omelettes 'round here.
this is exactly my point. no one knows what you're talking about when you say old blighty. i think spouting all these english colloquialisms, rhymes and rub-a-dub is a rather naked way of setting yourself above or at least aside from everyone around you. you've been doing it for years. even BEFORE you actually went to England. you live in JERSEY, chap. you don't need to pan all these little nuggets of english slang to impress us. but, hey, if it's fun for you, do your thing! when it comes to stuff like this i'm epicurean... if you're not hurting anyone, rock on.
whoa, wow. well, no, not at all. pretty cold and low tho. ok, dude, this is my journal. I wrote it. why do you care so much about it? It wasn't a look at me and what I know and you don't thing. I found it strange you kept picking on one word in a matter of immaturity. Just wondered why. Looks like it was just to set me up for a slice of humble pie as it turns out. For the record, it's actually Hindi. We don't even live in Spain, so guess you better stop saying things like "huevos" if I'm not allowed to say blighty 'cause I live NJ. You talk about comics and movies, I'll talk about travel, a'ight? Thanks again for the insult tho... hope it made you feel better. Next time I guess I better not ask what you're thinking behind your cryptic comments.
You are like the Blue Raja played by Hank Azaria in Mystery Men. LOL!
Uhm, yeh.. I don't understand one word in that sentence. I suspect it's probably an burn from the way it was posted as a reply to what I said, but I can't be burned by it, with not knowing what it means. Sorry kid.
In the movie he is a guy who lives with his mom and fights crime. He wears a Hinudish costume and uses a British accent. His power is to throw forks and other silverware with pinpoint accuracy. The point is, he is American and not British, but speaks British English with the accent.
Ben Stiller is also in the movie. They're a bunch of hack crime fighters.
that movie was hilarious!
"red eyes, red eyes, red eyes... didn't expect to see you again so.... SPOOOOON"
hahaha
Well, I saw on IMDB that Tom Waits is in it... & that Jeaneane chick. They're worth watching. Let me just make everyone happy.. from now on I'll only write & speak using words from New Jersey. Parkway, Jughandle, Pine Barrens, Bennie. So, you'll have to just guess on adj., verbs, pronouns, and such and such. I'll only be using words with NJ origin.
Hey, I could really care less what form of English you use. It's all cool with me. BV just needs to get tossed around a lil by me. Hehe...
trite threat #3465
"i will show you the meaning of pain."
No disintegrations...
"When I left you, I was but the learner; now *I* am the master."
Our minds are too similar. Scary...
Oh, and I was obsessed with all stuff Norway rub-a-dub, if you had any memory. And, actually like all Geography & Anthropology, Culture, Language, period from any land on Earth. Does it matter where I live? I'm an escapist, a surrealist, an expat at heart. Don't rain on my interests Bribo. Go read the latest Snoopy. And, can you really say what I'm like if you haven't hung out with me for upwards of 5 years. Okay, I think I've abused you enough today, and work was draining so I'm tired enough for sleep. Night bruv.
i'm sooo bored. I have done maybe one hour of work all day. thankfully I think i'm leaving in an hour
i have no idea how that got in this journal lol