Posts tagged Manchester Travel Log 13-16 March 2009
Manchester United, Old Trafford Stadium Tour
Jun 10th
How ya folks? Hope ya fine!! xD Anyways, Welcome to Old Trafford, The Theatre of Dreams!! At least it’s like a dream i never dare to dream of where i’ll be at the stadium itself going around the place.
MY EYES ARE OPEN OKAY!!! =X
So before i bring you around the stadium and show you more pictures on the stadium tour, allow me to show you some pictures taken that morning before i head to the stadium okay?
Be patience and don’t run around here and there if not they’ll lock you up in this room shown above hehe so do read finish this whole post yea!
It was the last morning being Manchester, i wished i had money that time to continue going around on my own exploring more places, maybe heading to London or somewhere else in UK but nah, can’t do so. Another time bah. Perhaps. =(
and so i took a morning walk with a 2 days old friend(one of the winning contestant of the contest) walking around in Manchester City. The date was 16 March 2009, a beautiful Sunday with a wonderful cold weather. How nice if its like that in Kuala Lumpur, the breeze and wind of Genting in KL. Oh maybe a bit more colder than Genting. xD
If you’ve notice, there isn’t any people driving cars around the roads, not even a single sign of people walking around in the pictures above. Reminds me of the Dead City in I am Legend if you ask me. xD
Yea, I am Legend FTW!!! The only human alive on earth Yawn.
I guess that the city is moving slowly that day as its a Sunday, everyone must still be sad because of the previous match losing to Liverpool 1-4.
This must be a spot where couples would have intimate time there HAHA!
Soon enough, it was time to head back to the accommodation place.
The next thing i know, all of us were already there at the stadium, taking lots of pictures even before they got the tickets for the tour. There were other people there for the tour, in different groups.
Soon we have this man acting as our tour guide of the stadium bringing us around telling us the tales and legends of the place, the club.
One by one, we go through the passage where the players access into the stadium on normal match days, the players must have got bored of it walking in and out of this passage various times throughout the season.
It was all quiet, and i was smiling all the way looking at surroundings of the stadium from inside. Didn’t really pay attention on what the man said, only remembered he mentioned that there’re many high tech cameras around the stadium. I was cam-whoring all the way xD.
epic moments.
We were brought out of the stadium where we were at the entrance of the Munich tunnel.
It was a place named after the place in Germany, Munich where there’s this air disaster which happen back in 1958 where more than half the team of Manchester United pass away. They were there for a soccer game and that was what happen. They will be remembered.
The time and date of the incident is stated in the picture above.
there were lots of pictures and text illustration along the tunnel and i didn’t manage to read them cause the schedule was tight and we moved really fast from one place to another. =(
We headed back into the stadium and reach this very room where they have the National Honours Board. I wonder that will there be a Malaysian name be up there on the board under Other Nations. xD
Soon enough, we were led into the players changing room where i took picture with Ronaldo & Park Ji Sung’s jersey LOLx. It was the closest i get to the player i guess as i heard that its the jerseys that the players wore before. Wonder if its true.
Had a kiss on the trophy and saw Rooney lifting up the trophy and headed to the tunnel where the players will go out to the field during an actual match. They even played the sound clip in the tunnel announcing that the players of the winning team Manchester will be heading out to the field followed by a chant and cheers of the supporters and everyone went running out to the field cheering leaving me behind taking picture of them with 3 lines of swt on my head.
We walked around the pitch taking lots of pictures and some people even recorded a video. Awesome stuffs.
Took a group picture with Boss Ming’s DSLR where up till now i still haven get the picture lolx and headed out of the place soon.
The schedule was freaking tight and we moved extremely fast where i couldn’t really enjoy every single thing during the stadium tour. This is because there were lots of other people in groups behind us, going on the same stadium tour as well.
The man led us back into Megastore to dig more money out of us for the club. Gah. and that was the time i spent buying souvenirs and some stuffs for myself. =D
Not much complaints though, it was a nice tour on a nice day and i had a nice mood. Everything’s nice. Okay i’m running out of words.
Anyways we still have a few hours and so we stopped by somewhere in the city where everyone could go shopping. Did not really buy anything as i was dead broke already. Accompanied some other people getting their stuffs. One man got himself like 3 pair of shoes swt, for his children that was.
There was this Manchester Irish Festival going on at the same time and it was pretty happening. Took a look inside peeking here and there.
The rest of the story. Just view the pictures bah. Its the end of my trip at Manchester, UK thanks to MAMEE which organized the contest where i was one of the winner. Despite the losing match to Liverpool, it was an awesome trip.
Oh and i kept ordering whisky and vodka during the flight. Haha. Fly Emirates FTW!!
Hope to visit the place again sometime in the future, with someone special of course. =)
i wonder who’s the one who’s bringing this DB9 out of Dubai. Hmmm.
The Big Match – Manchester United VS Liverpool
May 27th
In like 6 hours time, Manchester United will face Barcelona in Rome. Said to be one of the biggest finals in the past 10 years, perhaps in history as well. Lets see how will it turn out to be!
and i just remembered i haven finish posting about the UK trip to Old Trafford witnessing the match ManUtd losing to Liverpool. Gosh it was saddening. =(
Oh and before i start, if you happen to be a fan of Manchester United and you would like to find accommodation there to watch a match, HotelsCombined could be useful for you to search the right place with the right price as they have details on the places to stay in Manchester. =D
Alright lets start. After the adventurous morning exploring just the surroundings of Premier Inn.
after the excellent english breakfast, we got our stuffs and waited at the lobby for the bus to come fetching us to Old Trafford. Soon enough, the bus came and the first thing we got in the bus was this!!
The ticket to the match!! Wheeeeeeee i was extremely excited that i took a picture with it straight away. My first time holding a match ticket of a ManUtd game!! An historical moment for me. haha.
It takes us around 20 minutes before we reach the legendary venue. The street where many of the Manchester United legends step their foot on before. The Theatre of Hopes, Old Trafford!!
SIR MATT BUSBY WAY!!
It was like 2 hours before the match and there’re people all over the place already. Grabbing their lunch i think.
LEGENDS FAST FOOD TAKE AWAY!
Why i think they were there to have lunch, refer at the picture above, there’re a whole stretch of shops selling fish and chips and such. Crazy scene i tell you, then there were people around selling scarf, badges, and other unofficial merchandises of Manchester United Football Club. I was all excited. Just like a small kid going to a playground and all. Very Very Excited. =D
As you can see, it was a sunny day, a good day i assume that time and i can’t wait for Manchester to trash Liverpool that time which turned out totally different. Ha. =X
and so, immediately after coming out from the bus, the 30++ of us disappeared and walk around everwhere here and there. I was with a few of them walking all the way to the stadium. Having our own sweet time walking around looking left and right. You know, you don’t really see Malaysians police/guards sitting on a horse patrolling around. Haha.
Soon we reached the stadium, standing out of the place makes me feel very very…. I don’t know how to describe it. I was touched. I mean like i never really imagine myself, i DON’T EVEN DARE to imagine myself going all the way to UK, to Old Trafford to watch a live match. =’)
and ah, i managed to take a picture with THE UNITED TRINITY! Hohoho. xD
Then, a few of us managed to take a picture. One of us was semangat to bring that mini banner there Haha.
Everyone of us entered the Megastores and there was LOTS of people there, i guessed they made the most during the match day itself where lots of people buying mainly the jerseys and other related items. Liang, Kenny and Ming all bought stuffs that time and i was just walking around with both my hands empty coming out from the store. xD
That 2 hours past very fast and soon it was match time already. I walked in with a few friends, the few winners of Mister Potato contest.
We took a lift and walk up the stairs and made our way up to the place we were suppose to sit. As i was entering the area to my seats, i could hear cheerings and shoutings, the chants and cheers made my heart jump 100 times faster and i could feel my steps becoming heavier for that few seconds when i step into the place. It was amazing!!
Not exagerrating, That was my most breathtaking moment in my life thus far i would say. Totally speechless!! Eyes big big getting amazed by what i see.
A stadium full filled with football fans cheering and chanting for their team. SYIOK!
Soon, the match started and i was all excited, Manchester played pretty good with a challenging side from Liverpool and everyone was standing up when this happen…
Ronaldo scoring the penalty!
and sad to say, that was the only goal from Manchester United where Liverpool scored twice before half time ended.
and the numbers of security guards around the away team supporters area doubled straight away during half time. No kidding. Please refer to 2 pictures before the one above and refer back to the picture above and you’ll know!! Crazy. o.O
Don’t mess with the fans, the hard core ones. I remembered witnessing 2 times during the match that a few people got escorted out of their seats.
The first time is because there’s this guy who stand up raising his hands shouting when Liverpool scored and everyone around started cursing and shouting at him. It was pretty stupid i think because the place we’re all sitting is full of ManUtd supporter.
The second time, there was this guy who kept on talking about Liverpool to his friend and someone in front got annoyed and start shouting and scolding the person followed by everyone around joined in shouting and scolding at the person.
Soccer fans in United Kingdom, GANAS!!
Ming & me.
The match resumed soon and for all i know, the match go on with 2 more goals scored by Liverpool with an ending result of 4-1.
Pretty disappointing for me who’s there watching a live EPL match but well since now that they’ve won the EPL title, AGAIN, i’m all fine MUAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA. Like what i’ve said before, I WOULD RATHER WALK ALONE! xD
Paul Scholes was unhappy that time ha.
The stadium got empty pretty fast, so as the streets. Fans were disappointed and the guards were telling everyone off to avoid commotion between the Liverpool supporters which was released out from the stadium a bit later.
On the other hand, we headed back to the place we got down to get back to Premier Inn. On the way back i got an SMS from Jason.
Bugger. !&^$*&@#%^&@!$#*&@!#!@# lol
Got back and had a wash up and headed out straight away.
The rest of the day was spent walking around at Arndale shopping mall. Managed to record a video of a street performance by 2 kids. Not totally amazing but its entertaining.
View the video below.
2 Boys Performing Street Dance in Manchester.
So what did i did next? I guessed the picture tells what i did already la lolx. I was dead broke after buying those because i don’t have real much money there in UK. Need to keep some to buy souvenirs for the friends back in Malaysia so i can’t shop more.
The rest of the night was spent with me myself and i with some instant noodle. Sad Case. Ha.
and so, that was the big day, the big match between Manchester United & Liverpool which ended in 1-4.
I even heard one of the Mamee staff saying that she saw people crying out at the streets during midnight after she finished clubbing, crying because ManUtd lost to Liverpool. Fuh. O.O
Will you cry if Malaysia Lose to Manchester United in July 2009? Lolx
*up next on this trip will be the stadium tour.
*up next on this trip will be the stadium tour.
First Morning in Manchester
Apr 24th
14 March 2009
It was a fine day. I just spent my night in Manchester and i was all excited waking up the next morning. It was the morning, the morning of the day where one of the biggest game in English Premier League season 2008/2009. The game which have lots of people in shock, especially those who bet lots of money in it.
I washed up and headed to the lobby only to found out that the breakfast time was delayed one hour. Of course, i wasn’t the only one who found that out, a few of them were chit chatting at the entrance.
A few pictures were taken and i went out to the streets where i woke up totally thanks to the windy weather that morning. I was still quite sleepy a second before stepping out.
the roads were totally empty at that time, nobody, no vehicles. It was like the scenes in I am Legend. and so, a few of us headed out to the streets to enjoy the breeze out there, walking around snapping pictures here and there.
It was so windy that a moment you could see the clouds and after a while, the clouds were no where to be seen. I was all happy then, with the nice weather and such, i was expecting a good match later in the afternoon.
I love these 2 shots particularly which i took above. A quiet street.
The few of us didn’t walk quite far away from the inn we’re staying at. We were just at some empty space one street across.
as you can see in the picture above, Andrew who’s the guy in the left hand side taking pictures have most of his body covered up and he look like a terrorist there and then. That was how windy/cold!
With Andrew and Abu, we snap loads of pictures with Abu taking recording down some clips.
Loads of photos that is. Enjoy!
While we’re there, a few “green head ducks” caught our attention. Yeh green head ducks. A few of them mentioned about the ducks before we headed out for a walk and we were delighted to see them ourselves. As if we’ve not seen ducks before lolx.
and if you pay attention in this very picture above, you can see that among the ducks, there’s one unique one far end in the pic which is different than the others. Immediately, it reminds me of Ugly Duckling if you’ve watch the cartoon before.
the ducks were swimming further away from us and of course, we tried going nearer crossing the bridge and after a while taking a few pictures, they..
flew off just like that, into the sky…. Ducks flying away…. that’s not what you’ll normally see in the city of KL. I couldn’t even imagine seeing ducks in Sungai Gombak Lolx. Stupid people who polluted the river.
the later minutes were spent with me doing some stupid things
and taking much more pictures…
After staying there for one day, i actually liked the place quite a lot and i wish i have the money to study overseas and stay in such a city, such a place where it’s totally different than KL. Much quieter and much simpler. HweiMing must be enjoying himself in Manchester.
these 2 pictures above is nice right? =D
Poser xD
The hour was pretty short for us and soon, it was breakfast time.
and so, i had an English breakfast, something i don’t normally do back in Malaysia. Bacons, steam mushrooms, baked beans, eggs, some juice and such, it was all good.
At around 10.30am, the bus came and we were all set to go to Old Trafford.
The Theatre of Dreams that is where we totally didn’t imagine of witnessing one of Manchester United biggest lost to Liverpool at home ground in recent years.
to be continue
Walking in Manchester : Night
Apr 13th
13 March 2009
After bidding good bye with HweiMing, i started walking back to the Premier Inn all by myself. Took loads of pictures on the way and paying attention on the surroundings, the people, the buildings, the happenings. View the pictures yea.
Bicycle lane.
The roads there were pretty well structured and is pretty wide compared to the ones in KL.
On the way back to my accommodation place, i passed by lots of buildings where most of it are buildings of different field of studies, all under the University of Manchester.
Yes, the buildings were located on the whole stretch of the road there.
and there were lots of gardens spotted in between every few buildings, places to hang out or study i guess.
thanks to my shaky hands, i took some of these slow shutter pictures which i’m pretty in to recently and the results are pretty blur xD. There are more of such shots below. =)
i don’t know why but i like this picture above.
this is the Manchester Aquatics Center where they have swimming pools inside plus some aquatics facilities.
Oh and yes, there’s this Manchester Metropolitan University situated along the road as well, just after the University of Manchester. A whole street of university buildings that is.
still taking slow shutter pictures =P
i like the feeling of this building taken above, some restaurant if i’m not mistaken
and that night, there was some ongoing Spanish & Latin American Film Festival thingy.
Leaving the roads filled with University buildings, i came across a street filled of restaurants and entertainment venues.
some theater center.
reminds me of a street/lorong @ Jalan Ipoh where there’s a river there.
building under construction/renovation.
The Temple, an eating place i assume which is located underground and is in between 2 roads. Gah.
Finally i reached this very junction where its pretty near to my staying place and i stayed there for quite some time taking lots of slow shutter pictures as there are many vehicles passing by the junction.
My favourite picture of the night. =)
There are many more pictures but it all sucks. Anyway, i never have this feeling before, walking in a totally unfamiliar street paying attention at the things around, a whole different culture in front of me, having my eyes moving all around and my hands snapping pictures here and there. Doing this all alone by myself, i’m pretty sure i can do backpacking all by myself one day in the future in more countries. I actually enjoyed doing all these all by myself, slowly spending my time and enjoying the windy weather there. Good thing it was not raining!
The later night was spend eating instant noodles xD and watching some shows on the TV and though i was pretty excited on the next day which is the MATCH DAY, i fall asleep pretty fast.
I was tired.
to be continue….
Full Entries on Manchester Trip:
On the Way To Manchester
The very First Day in Manchester
Walking in Manchester : Evening
Walking in Manchester : Night
First Morning in Manchester
The Big Match – Manchester United VS Liverpool
Manchester United, Old Trafford Stadium Tour
The very FIRST day in Manchester
Apr 8th
13 March 2009
Stepping out from the plane, I was still pretty blur and i still can’t believe that i’m already in UK, on the grounds of Manchester far away from Malaysia, it was a safe trip with Emirates.
The whole bunch of us went up for the shuttle bus service to the departure halls @ the airport.
It was pretty windy when we came out and there’s a bit of rain then.
acting like a “jakun” in front of this vendor machine and i saw this condom machine in the toilet as well. I went “Uh.. Oh….”
Getting our luggage and boarding the bus and off we go, heading to our very accommodation place, Premier Inn.
camwhore moments in the bus with abu and liang…
houses i wish i can stay in…
don’t ask me why i took this…
under the flyover…
the one and only high rise building i saw there, Hilton Hotel. Gasp.
and so, it took us like 20 minutes from the airport to the destination, passing by lots of junctions where the roads are so much wider than the ones in KL, some pretty kick ass place, a graveyard, a few schools with nice soccer fields unlike the ones in KL and many awesome housing areas i thought.
da building across the Premier Inn that we’re staying at. FYI, there’re like 4 Premier Inns in Manchester.
Gosh it’s like 30 minutes of time being in Manchester and i’m complaining about Kuala Lumpur already. Ish.
da building across the Premier Inn that we’re staying at. FYI, there’re like 4 Premier Inns in Manchester.
and uh, i was wondering, do they have these quick check in machines in the inns in Malaysia? Don’t say inns, i think the hotels here don’t have it too. Gahhh. Well, correct me if i’m wrong.
This is the room i got and it looks much more decent and nice than some place called hotel in Kuala Lumpur. THIS IS ONLY A ROOM IN AN INN. NOT HOTEL. *shakes head* Of course, it’s not very spacious but it’s more than enough for one person alone and as you can see, the bed we got is NOT A SINGLE BED. Awesom right?
Contacted my girl and family and settled down for quite a while after contacting Hwei Ming who was suppose to meet me there.
Soon, enough, Hweiming made his way to the place i was at and he brought me out walking around in Manchester and the first place he brought me to was the China Town in Manchester which is the picture shown above.
We went to Arndale, the most happening shopping place @ Manchester lolx
and passed by the Eye On Manchester
saw some local people performing
and according to Hwei Ming, Starbucks is just normal in UK and Caffe Nero is a more high rated chain of coffee drinking cafe. Well. I have not try that and i will do so in the future.
uh and PURE is one of the happening Clubbing spots in Manchester. O.O No money for that.
and so, we continue walking, chatting with me taking pictures from time to time.
went to lots of places and walked for quite long which i actually enjoy doing so as it’s windy and i did not sweat at all lolx. You can view more pictures taking during the walk here.
oh and this guy is the guy who does not move and can stand there for one whole day.
and so, we passed by Piccadilly Garden bus station as well which reminds me of Pekeliling in Kuala Lumpur. Of course, pekeliling sucks more than Piccadilly, hands & legs down.
Soon it’s going to be night and HweiMing asked me what do i want to eat and i was totally undecided and we ended up going to some place near the University that HweiMing’s studying at.
A place that most UK people would know and because this place was situated in a place that’s near the University, the price there is abit lower.
So, this was what we have, Lasagne and Tortilla Chips which i thought that it’s pretty good and i was quite satisfied after the meal. I guessed i owe HweiMing a BIG thanks for bringing me around and of course introducing the place to dine at.
How much was the meal after the conversion of Pound to Ringgit? It’s not important la…
A short talk after the meal marks the end of our meeting and i walked all the way back to Premier Inn all by myself….
to be continue…
Full Entries on Manchester Trip:
On the Way To Manchester
The very First Day in Manchester
Walking in Manchester : Evening
Walking in Manchester : Night
First Morning in Manchester
The Big Match – Manchester United VS Liverpool
Manchester United, Old Trafford Stadium Tour
Walking in Manchester : Evening
Mar 24th
For the past few days, I was pretty lazy on posting stuffs that are related to the Manchester Trip and AT LAST, i’ve gone through some of the pictures and decided to put up these pictures. I shall talk less in this very post.
and erm, I’ve forgot most of the names of the streets/buildings so just view the pictures yea,
Enjoy Viewing!
Chinatown of Manchester.
I forgot that this is the statue of Queen what already. =X
Eye on Manchester
The Junction
the park beside…
channel M TV Manchester
the buildings are just beautiful…
One of the streets i love @ Manchester
Piccadilly Gardens
the Contact building
Central Manchester University Hospital
it would be nicer if the flowers…
All these pictures were taken on the first day i set my foot on Manchester, thanks to Hweiming who brought me around here and there aimlessly, i enjoyed the whole “walking session”. Seriously, compared to KL, if you ask me to walk from one place to another i would hesitate a while but if it’s in Manchester, i would love to do so!!
till the next post on Manchester, i hope you enjoyed viewing the pictures as much as i enjoyed the walk in Manchester!!!
Full Entries on Manchester Trip:
On the Way To Manchester
The very First Day in Manchester
Walking in Manchester : Evening
Walking in Manchester : Night
First Morning in Manchester
The Big Match – Manchester United VS Liverpool
Manchester United, Old Trafford Stadium Tour
