It's Liverpool . . .

Have you ever been to the right side Mersey River? I suggest Liverpool for a city break that's simply a dream! Let's leave the Port of Liverpool and the Albert Docks for afters because this Scouse city has some hidden treasures that do more than impress. Get to grips with Liverpool's Chinese secret and its RopeWalks, I think this city is Boss! This is Liverpool! 

Liverpool called me back for a second time, alluring me to recapture the true maritime city of England. I had seen the Port of Liverpool and Albert Docks during my first visit so I wanted to experience a part of the city I never knew existed. Choosing the RopeWalks as my new discovery, I was transported back to maritime Liverpool dating back to the days of Thomas Seel. Choose Duke Street for a slice of true Liverpool because this side of the city center served true Liverpudlian grit! I can identify with the working-class because that's my background, so this corner of Liverpool satisfied me. I love this aspect of Liverpool for its a city that has maintained its historical features from its booming port years to showcase today as a vision of strength. 

Liverpool's RopeWalks has an abundance of restaurants, bars and shops that are right up your street! Well, they were just right for me. Choose Bold Street for the best buy for the independent boutiques are kitsch and cool, also try one of the many eateries for a bite to eat for we all like to be different, do you? RopeWalks derives from the use of the narrow streets to make the rope for the ships that docked in Liverpool's bustling port, sailing to the four corners of the globe there was plenty of rope to walk! But skip forward to modern day Liverpool put your mind back in the 1800's and its easy to see why this area of town worked that rope! Where else in the country can you see this? I love Liverpool for this quirky quarter and I think you should as well!

Cathedrals are the best in Liverpool for their's two, doesn't every city require a strong pillar of hope? Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral gives a sense of warmth with its deep crimson stone structure and even though I'm not a religious soul I loved this place of worship. I took a stroll down to the cemetery to get a different view of the cathedral to find a place that exuded a quiet and calm aura that surrounded the gardens of remembrance But one thing that made sense was that I felt a connection to this grand cathedral for it sits on a slope, looking over the city of Liverpool protecting the city of the Liver Birds! 

Keeping close to the Anglican Cathedral stands Liverpool's Chinatown, I learnt that the first vessel sailed form Shanghai to Liverpool in 1834 that carried silk and cotton wool. Unlike many Chinatown's Liverpool grew in popularity with the Chinese sailors so they chose to settle in Liverpool, a demand for the comforts of home, which signified the beginning of the Chinatown in 1866. Come to think of it Liverpool must have set the trend in the terms of multiculturalism because it wasn't just the Oriental folk that decided to call Liverpool home. Enough of that chat, I didn't eat at one of the restaurants in Chinatown for it was too early in the day for them to be open but when I return again I will make Liverpool's Chinatown my first port of call! 

L1 is a postcode to be remembered for one simple reason! Shop like a Material Girl during any visit at Liverpool One, the city's premier shopping and lifestyle complex that is only a heartbeat away from the waters of the Mersey River. I took a look in Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and River Island to find some fashion forward items that made my day! I would have indulged in a few too many purchases but being on the move means carrying to many things is a pain in the neck! Look out for the mascots of Liverpool One, the Liver Birds are most certainly the best dressed! I wanted to use this trip to take a closer look at Liverpool One for my last visit fared to be quite rushed. 

I chose to stay at the Days Inn  Liverpool on James Street, getting to and from Liverpool One and my hotel meant I could take advantage of this complex once the sun had set. Choose Days Inn Liverpool because its really easy to get around the top spots in L1! It's not just shopping that brings people to Liverpool One, there's some great restaurants to enjoy and enjoy is exactly what I most certainly did! I must admit that Liverpool One looks sensational during the twilight hour for everything is bright with the lights, especially now with the festive season fast approaching I loved the over-sized reindeer's that were standing outside the John Lewis department store. Go on, let Liverpool One dress you up with its many top retailers and satisfy with its delicious and flavoursome restaurants! I'll be back! 

Thanks to my friend from Southport winning free tickets to see a comedy show at the Crown Hotel, Lime Street. Hosted by the Hot Water Comedy Club I laughed a lot during the ninety minute comedy show slot, I was loving life! Is comedy your thing? The comedians brought their banter and jokes to the audience, most of it was very tongue and check but hilarious in the same breath. I became familiar with some Scouse words such as 'Boss' and the use of the word 'Lad' so I learnt some of the quirks from the Liverpudlian Scouse accent. This comedy lark might have to become a regular thing, I loved it! Hot Water Comedy Club your show was 100% Boss! 

Travelling independently works best for me but I have returned a second time to this city to see my friend Kat from Southport, but this opportunity to visit Liverpool has opened my eyes to a dynamic city that has kept hold to its rich history! I never knew I would be seeing a comedy show or learning about the date of the first Chinese settlers in Liverpool, it was a new discovery upon my second visit to this regal Liverpudlian city! So, whether maritime history is your thing or shopping till you drop suits you, I suggest you book that coach, train or plane to Liverpool! I loved the RopeWalks, Cathedral and the comedy served by Hot Water! Other cities are cool but Liverpool serves up the most realness and shows its Cheshire neighbours how to do things! 

Joseph Harrison