Hi Everyone.

We had the BEST day in Liverpool

The Voyager was the very first ship to dock at a brand new pier. Liverpool is undergoing a resurgence with many new tourist attractions currently being built.

One of the newest attractions is the Albert Docks. There is a docking area in the middle of the complex for sailboats and Liverpool is a stop on some major sailing races. Around the docks are all types of tourist attractions. Shops, restaurants and museums. These include the Beatles Museum, the Maritime and Slavery Museum and the Tate Museum.

ALL ABOUT THE BEATLES
We purchased Beatles mop top wigs and round glasses in Dallas and packed them for the trip. Linda, Debbie, Ken and Ngaire – being the fab four (or more the “fake” four). Ken made the best Beatle he looked hilarious with his wig and glasses. We planned a B&K Beatles picture shoot.

We started off with a visit to the Beatles Museum at Albert Docks. This was well done and we enjoyed it immensely. Entrance fee was about $20 a person. The only problem was they would not allow pictures inside and we saw so many great backdrops for our Beatles shot. Outside there was a “yellow submarine” painting which made a good backdrop. So we donned our wigs and glasses and took pictures. A group of young Italians guys asked to be in a shot we had a lot of fun with them.

We went back to the ship for a quick lunch and then off to the Cavern club area and more Beatles mania. Every time we turned around there was another picture opportunity. We just kept our wigs on and took many pictures. They are building “The Hard Days Night Hotel” and outside were huge black and white pictures of each of the four Beatles. We decided to go into the Beatles store to buy black Beatles tee shirts to wear with our Beatle wigs and glasses to the Voyager’s Beatles party tonight.

Lo and behold who walked in but THE BEATLES.

At first it was a shock as first came Paul, then George, then John. They were actually a group that impersonates the Beatles but the resemblances were amazing. Particularly Paul and George. They were a great group of guys and we took shots with them and they were so obliging. Ringo was missing so we got a great shot of Ken as the missing Ringo. Then finally Ringo turned up. Wait until you see pictures of this group it is quite remarkable. Just a lucky break we were in the right place at the right time. Ken will try to post some shots soon if we get a little bit of time.

Liverpool itself is really a neat port stop. The Cathedrals here are amazing. The Anglican Church was having a service as we walked in and the choir was incredible. The church was one of the most impressive Cathedrals I have seen.

Outside Liverpool is the town of Chester, a walled city where the Romans built Fortress Deva and the town is full of Tudor buildings. I wished we had time to visit here as well but there was not time to do everything.

The new Albert Docks houses a museum that is free of charge. I am NOT a museum person but this was truly an incredible museum. Beautifully done and covered the history of Liverpool, slavery, the White Star Line with the Titantic, the second world war, and also a maritime exhibit about ship building. It was done in a way that made it interesting with all types of exhibits including wax models and re-creations. Not just lots of glass cases with exhibits.

There are many buildings with great architecture. I wished we had another day here.

So tonight we embarrass ourselves with our Beatles tee shirts and wigs. Hope they let me back on the ship after this performance!!!

Pictures will follow.