Belated post. Some pictures from summer visit to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium (with museum and stadium tour) and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (no tour).

Chelsea.

Information on the stadium tour can be obtained from here: http://www.chelseafc.com/stadium-tours. Stamford Bridge Stadium is easily accessible by tube. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway station, 200m from the stadium. The museum and stadium tour costs GBP18 and lasts for one hour plus museum visit. Tour is held every half an hour starting from 10am to 3pm. Time saving tips is that you should visit  museum first then follow guided-tour otherwise you need to go back to museum from the megastore as far as half-stadium distance. Allow 15-20 minutes for the museum unless you are a big fan of Chelsea.

As usual, the tour takes visitors to the external of stadium, the pitch, home dressing room, visiting team dressing room, press conference room, fans zone beneath the stadium and the tunnel leading to the pitch. And expectedly ended at the club megastore. It was a good tour except that Chelsea run the tour directly to the pitch, not saving the most dramatic moment of seeing the pitch at the end.

 

ARSENAL

Due to limited time, a visit to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium was without a guided stadium tour. I visited the stadium external only. Emirates Stadium is easily accessible from Arsenal station (Piccadilly line), a three minute walk. Other stations like  Finsbury Park (Victoria, Piccadilly Lines and Great Northern rail) and Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line, North London Line and Great Northern rail) stations are around a 10-minute walk. Emirates Stadium is a modern stadium with modern architecture. Arsenal legends such as Henry, Tony Adams are honored with statues and big posters across stadium whereas fans from all part of the world honored on fans wall. As it is famously known as The Gunner, Arsenal marks its significance with two big guns placed near ticketing counters and megastore, not-to-be-missed photo opportunity.

London in black and white pictures. Taken on 30 June and 1 July 2012, last transit before flying back to Doha.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See also Chelsea stadium tour and Emirates Stadium [still in the oven ]

When I knew that I would fly to UK for my course, I couldn’t resist temptation to fly to Manchester (instead of London) first. I kept aside London for the inbound flight for reading newspaper its long queue of immigration process owing to Heathrow shortage of staff. Furthermore, the course location, Warwickshire, Coventry is located between Manchester and London.

The decision was perfect as the arrival process in Manchester International Airport (MAN) nothing but very smoothly. Qatar Airways landed at Terminal 1. From here, manchester Piccadilly station is 15minutes away. The train departs from The stationn, located between Terminal 1 and 2, linked to the terminals by a Skylink moving walkway.

One of the reasons to pick Manchester is to visit two big football clubs home: Manchester City (City) and Machester United’s (MU) stadiums. The rivalry of these two clubs was apparent and at high this year when City has won Premier League title since forty-four years, only with goal difference to its neighbor. Is Manchester Red or Blue?

Manchester is Blue

Manchester City’s stadium is the City of Manchester Stadium, also known as Eastlands and the Etihad Stadium since July 2011 because of sponsorship commitments. The stadium is situated in East Manchester; 20-30minutes walk from Piccadilly Station.

At the time of my visit the stadium  including its store closed for a concert. So a stadium tour was not possible at all. However, I managed to get one or two shots amidst light cold rain.

Later during city center walk I visited City store at Arndale Mall/Shopping Center.

Manchester is Red

First note, I am not an MU fan

Second, visit to The Red Devil’s stadium was one of the best stadium tour I ever had. Let me tell you why.

Old Trafford Stadium is the home of Manchester United. The stadium can be easily reached by both the Altrincham and Eccles lines of the Manchester Metrolink network, with the nearest stops being Exchange Quay at nearby Salford Quays, and Old Trafford, which it shares with the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Both stops are a five-minute walk from the football ground. During matchday, the stadium can also be reached by MU Football ground station adjacent to the south stand of the stadium.

I booked a slot at 10am through internet couple days before my departure. Arriving at the stadium, I was welcomed by the united trinity statue depicting three great MU players: George Best, Denis Law, Bobby Charlton. It is located at the east stand of the stadium. The stadium appearance is modern, unlike Anfield, but similar to Emirates Stadium.

The stadium tour started at Museum & Tour Centre when I registered and confirmed my booking. I was given one hanging badge/lanyard and ticket that I could take home. As I still have  30 minutes before tour is started, I spend the wait by visiting its museum. Otherwise visitor can also visit the museum after the tour. Ticket for museum visit is valid for one day.

The museum houses arrays of collections representing history of MU since it was established more than a century ago. Display of MU jerseys, memorabilia, trophies, MU fans documentaries, and timelines were also interesting. Sir Alex Ferguson (current manager and the longest serving manager) deserves one special room for himself.

The stadium tour starts at stadium tour meeting point. Along with me are another ten people. Guided by a stadium tour leader, we start the tour with visiting external of the stadium, pointing out several landmarks such as Munich Tunnel. The tunnel is to commemorate Munich air disaster in 1958 when 8 MU players died. A plague and still clock showing the exact time when the airplane crashed are installed.

We enter the tunnel and start exploring internal of the stadium. Dave, our guide, takes us to player lounge, executive lounge, and dressing room both for home team and visiting team. At the dressing room Dave gives us an account on how manager use the dressing room. We were also given a photo opportunity. Exiting the room to the tunnel to the pitch, Dave split the group into two lines turn on the music and crowd noise and we walked out to the pitch as if we were the special players.

Now we are in the pitch. The rule is we shall never touch the pitch. Dave shows us all different stands, special seatings, TV and commentators booths as well as the disable areas and its entry to the stadium. I can only imagine how it will be watching a match and feel the atmosphere inside this also-known-as-the theatre-of-dreams stadium.

One of the special moment is when we are given the opportunity to sit on the dug-out (the sitting where the subs sit during the match), or to Sir Alex’s sitting. Oh, this is how it feels being subs or manager.

The tour is anti-climax with exiting through megastore. Expected but slightly impelling.

I can only recommend that either you are a fan to MU or not, a stadium tour to Old Trafford is well worth it.

“Don’t miss The Beatles museum“, my friend commented when I checked in on Facebook to Liverpool Limestreet Station. Ah…too bad I am not The Beatles’s fan. Though, I eventually visited The Beatles story shop – for the shake of “been there”.

Arriving from Birmingham at Liverpool Lime Street Station, after finishing my course, I hurriedly walked to Lord Nelson Hotel, on Lord Nelson St, a small street on the right side of the station. A non-refundable rate for a single room costs me 33 GBP (including breakfast!). I only have 22 hours in Liverpool so I better start hitting Liverpool.

First stop is Albert Dock. This is where old warehouses converted into shops, apartments, restaurants, museums, pubs and galleries. Good thing is it’s less than a km away from the station. Walking is the most preferred option. From the hotel, I am back to Lime Street, take a short stop at St. George’s Hall in front of the station and walk down to Ranelagh St continuing to Hanover St, passing through Clayton Shopping Center and Liverpool Central Station.

At the end of Hanover St is Liverpool One bus station and a major highway that separates Liverpool One from Albert Dock. Liverpool One is a landmark development opened in 2008 (celebrating European Capital of Culture 2008), comprised of three levels of pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment complex.

Major attractions in Albert Dock are Maritime Museum, Slavery Museum, The Beatles Story, Echo Wheel of Liverpool and a range of coffee shops, gallery and restaurant. Museum of Liverpool is also a walking distance from Albert Dock. You can also find souvenir shops at the inner circle of Albert Dock, about behind The Beatles Story.

It’s almost 6pm when I reached Albert Dock and it’s raining. Museum were closed already, so I continued walking down to Museum of Liverpool and Dock Office. Later tomorrow I am back to this excellent museum.

Passing through tidy, modern Liverpool One, I head to Cavern Walk/Quarter where nightlife seeker will find heaven. I continue my walk to go back to my hotel through Municipal Office, St. John’s Garden, World Museum, Liverpool Library and Walker Art Gallery.

That was it for today. I conclude my first night and only in Liverpool with having dinner in a halal restaurant, one block away from Lord Nelson Hotel.

****

It’s Saturday and I have a busy plan this morning and afternoon before heading to London. I wake up early and start my walking tour around Liverpool. Traffic has not woke up yet while sun rays is not hot enough to warm this cold June morning. From the hotel I take an opposite direction to circle Lime Street Station from the backside. A striking architecture invite me to take a closer look. Known by locals as Paddy’s Wigwam, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is a unique architecture. I continue my walk to enjoy nice stretch of street (Hope Street) packed with restaurant, bars, hotel and notable buildings like Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

My walk end up at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, one of the finest examples in the world of Gothic revival architecture. Continued down Duke Street, I pass this global cultural phenomenon: Chinatown, with its trademark of gigantic Chinese gate.

From here, I walk few minutes further to Lime Street Station then to my hotel. Fiuuhh what a morning walk.

***

Grabbing cereal, banana, croissant, orange juice and hot tea from complimentary breakfast from hotel, I am so impatient with my next plan: Anfied! Home to one of the most successful British football club: Liverpool FC.

Hotel has posted on its lobby clear information poster on how to using public transport (bus or tram)  to go to Anfield but I choose to go by taxi to save time. Taxi is readily available 2-3 minutes walking  from hotel back to station. There is one exit from station to Lord Nelson Street where this hotel is located at. Taxi to Anfield costs 8 pounds and takes no more than 10 minutes for less than 5km trip.

This is Anfield.

Instead of saying a standard “Welcome to Anfield” that sounds friendly & welcoming, former manager Bill Shankly installed this red sign posted on a wall on the tunnel to the pitch: “This is Anfield”. This was only to instill fear to the opposition hence giving more chance of winning a game.

I take a 15 GBP Stadium Tour and Museum package by purchasing the ticket directly at the stadium. Package can also be bought online though. This 45-50 min tour gives a glimpse of this sacred Anfield stadium and get insight behind the scenes. Guided by a lady staff, I tour to dressing room, board room, visitor dressing room, and press conference room. I also go down the tunnel to the sound of the crowd and touch the famous This is Anfield sign before taking a seat in the dug-out. It is so apparent that this old stadium (established in 1884) has its charm, preserved heritage, and speechless atmosphere. What an experience for me.

****

Finished with Anfield Stadium, I head to Goodison Park, home to Everton FC. Goodison Park is around a km from Anfield. I decide to walk this distance although drizzle is happy enough to wet me. The walk to Goodison Park is passing Stanley Park, a proposed site for, if built, future home for Liverpool FC.

Though Everton FC offers a stadium tour, I did not take the chance. Just couple of photo shots and walk around the stadium is satisfying enough.

****

Back to Liverpool city center using a taxi, I ask taxi driver to drop me to Museum of Liverpool located adjacent to Albert Dock. The museum, opened in 2011, tell the story of Liverpool and its people, and reflect the city’s global significance.

The Museum displays are divided into four main themes: The Great Port, Global City, People’s Republic, and Wondrous Place, located in four large gallery spaces. On the ground floor, displays look at the city’s urban and technological evolution, both local and national, including the Industrial Revolution and the changes in the British Empire, and how these changes have impacted the city’s economic development. The upper floor looks at Liverpool’s particular and strong identity through examining the social history of the city, from settlement in the area from Neolithic times to the present day, migration, and the various communities and cultures which contribute to the city’s diversity.

The Museum also features: Little Liverpool, a gallery for children under six; History Detectives, an interactive archaeology and history resource centre; a 180-seat theatre for community and audio-visual performances; meeting facilities; and a brasserie. [Wikipedia].

One of my favorite spots in the museum is viewing gallery facing Mann Island area and River Mersey.

***

Time is about past noon when I finished my visit to the museum. I continue to Maritime Museum and Slavery Museum, both located on the same old warehouse building. The museum, easily marked by huge anchor on its foreyard, displays collections that reflect the international importance of Liverpool as a gateway to the world, including its role in Transatlantic slavery, emigration, merchant navy and RMS Titanic. At the time of my visit, there is an exhibition of RMS Titanic (commemorating its century), with large-size replica of her on display.

One of the most unique exhibitions is probably displays on the life as g*y of the sailors. Others include Battle of the Atlantic (vital role that Liverpool played during Second World War), and Lfie at Sea ( the role of merchant ships and seafarers in providing a vital lifeline for the country by carrying goods and passengers in both peace and warover the last three centuries).

On the third floor is International Slavery Museum that is concerned specifically on Atlantic Slave Trade (and Africa) rather than the history of slavery in other regions or eras.

****

The visit to last two museums conclude my day in Liverpool. I go back to hotel to pick up  my stored luggage and head to Lime Street Station to catch up my Virgin train to London.

A less-than-a-day visit to Liverpool gives me a glance of the life of Liverpudlians or Scousers. If I can summarize, You’ll never walk alone in Liverpool. The city is surrounded and immersed with maritime heritage, football madness, cultural heritage, and modern transformation. Oh…and that Liverpudlians accent of British English

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had only one hour in Sheffield before Transpennine train took me back to Manchester. Fortunately, many major point of interests are scattered around north-northwest Sheffield train station, most things can be reached on foot.

Once an important steel city during Industrial revolution, Sheffield is now one of the UK’s biggest cities, a major industrial and cosmopolitan city. Those in process safety occupation know Sheffield for its well-known University of Sheffield’s MSc in Process Safety and Loss Prevention.

Some of the point of interests visited were: Town Hall, City Hall, Peace Garden, Winter Garden, Millenium Galleries, and Sheffield Hallam University.

Edensor (pronounced: “Ensor”) is a village, a small village in Derbyshire, England. If not because of Andrea Hirata‘s novel bearing the same name, it will almost certainly be unheard in Indonesians ears. Edensor is not a tourist puller, the nearby Chatsworth House is.

In his novel, Andrea, with his strong fluidic narrative, and vivid details of his story, tells a tale about his struggling time in the Universite de Paris of Sorbonne, and his summer traveling across Europe and Africa partly to find his childhood ‘girlfriend’. It was she who gave him a book inwhich naturalist description of a village captivating him. That village is Edensor.

Story has it that originally the village, much of it belongs to the Dukes of Devonshire, was close to the River Derwent immediately below Chatsworth, but the Dukes had it moved out of sight over a hill, apart from one cottage whose tenant didn’t want to move, which still stands in Chatsworth Park.

When I’ve got a chance to visit Manchester last June, I didn’t miss it without visiting Edensor.Will it be as breathtaking as its novel?

The village is easily accessible from Manchester by taking 48-min to 1hr 18min train ride to Sheffield (price varies) and continuing with a 50-min bus ride (5.50 GBP return trip) from Sheffield Interchange (Bus Number 214/215 Sheffield – Matlock).

….I am stunned. Overwhelmed with dejavu from seeing this charming village. I feel like I am already  familiar with rooster-carved village gate, with stone benches, with arrays of daffodil and astuaria flowers. I am as though passing through a time tunnel and thrown away to imaginary land that has been long settled inside my heart.

I  asked the driver to stop and bursted out of the bus. Thousands of memory fragments on this beautiful place for tens of years suddenly synthesized before my eyes, so lovely.

To a passerby woman I asked,”Madam, can you please tell me the name of this place?”

She looked at me calmly then answered.

“Sure lof, it’s Edensor….”

(free translation from Edensor, Andrea Hirata, 2008)

 

 

 

As I wrote in the previous post, my third visit to Paris last October was so occupied with business-related duties that I couldn’t grasp the chance to have personal leisure activities (that’s why it’s called a business trip, Wahyu!). Nevertheless, I managed to utilize some limited times to some areas within Paris. Here are few photos!