‘Wow! So England!’
My predominant destination of this trip is the capital cities of two of the largest countries in the Iberia Peninsula, Madrid and Lisbon, so Manchester wasn’t on my list.
However, when I’d realized that the direct flight from Madrid to Lisbon costed more or less the same as that inclusive of a transfer at Manchester, I was psyched to have a 6-hour layover in the Warehouse City.
‘Wow! So England!’
It was what sprung to my mind immediately as I was looking outside the window on the train from the airport to the city.
Actually, there’s nothing dafter than saying ‘so England!’ when I was actually being in England. So what I should’ve said is, ‘what I saw outside the window coincided with the impression that I’d had of England for many years.
Then what I saw outside the train window?
– Grey sky with a light drizzle
– Rows of brick houses, most of which looked grim and dreary in the rain
– Signboards written in English
Arriving at Britain, I started reminiscing about the good old days under the British colonial rule.
It’s not very fair to make this comparison but I still couldn’t help but comparing the British Hong Kong and the Hong Kong under Chinese rule.
In the Hong Kong under the British rule, I lived for 23 years
In the Hong Kong ruled by the Chinese government, I’ve lived for 22 years.
So, which Hong Kong do I like? Which Hong Kong do I resent?
Before the year of 2019, I hadn’t had a definite answer.
However, today, I can’t be more definite about it.
Nuevos Ministerios Metro Station
I changed here from Line 6 to Line 8.
Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 Metro Station
Madrid-Barajas Airport
As one of the major link with between Europe and Latin America, I saw lots of Latin America airlines such as Aerolineas Argentinas in the Madrid Airport. When would I finally hit this continent?
Ryanair was the largest European budget airline in 2016. The airfare is extremely low compared with that of East Asia. It only costed me about £20 flying from Madrid to Manchester and another £20 from Manchester to Lisbon.
Despite the super low airfare, its check-in procedure was nothing if not bothersome compared to all the traditional and budget airlines I’ve ever traveled with.
First, I had to print my boarding pass cause only paper boarding pass was accepted. If I failed to do so, I’d be charged like £20.
Second, before check-in, I had to have my passport checked by the Ryanair staff.
Ryanair counter 
Manchester Airport
Both the border control officer and the Ryanair staff member who examined my travel document were polite, nice and of gentlemanly behavior though I must admit that I was very nervous when they initiated a conversation with me.
Manchester Airport Railway Station
It’s the train from the airport to Manchester city centre. The terminal station of the train was Liverpool. I’d never expected that Manchester and Liverpool were so close. I really wished I had more time to visit Liverpool.
Manchester Piccadilly Station
It was not until that day that I was aware of the presence of a Piccadilly in Manchester. Please forgive my ignorance!
For the people who aren’t trypophobic like me, the roof of Manchester Piccadilly Station looked so cool and modern to me.
B6469
As soon as I’d left the Piccadilly station, I was completely surrounded by a vast array of brick buildings as I strolled along B6469. Being a lover of brick structures, I was absolutely overwhelmed.
Why do I like brick buildings? Because I have always associated brick buildings with a lot of positives such as stability, sense of security, warmth, cleanliness, a long history, its own story and knowledge. Brick houses are simple but shabby chic. Plus, many of the brick buildings and warehouses looked way more chic, modern and lively after being repurposed.
Manchester Gay Village
It was Sunday afternoon when I reached there, so it’s very quiet as though I was walking in a library.
St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter’s Square was characterized by the imposing City Council Building, the Cenotaph, the Central Library and the Midland Hotel which were all historical buildings and monuments. And they looked grim and dull on that overcast day.
At the centre of St. Peter’s Square was the St. Peter’s Square light rail station which was modern and state of the art. It’s still bright and shining despite the grey sky.
They made such an interesting contrast.
Cenotaph 
The Midland
The Edwardian Manchester, Peter Street and Deansgate
- The Edwardian Manchester Hotel is a real imposing edifice. It is phenomenal.
- So grateful to three senior citizens standing right in front of me while we were waiting to cross the road at the junction of Peter Road and Deansgate for giving me a chance to overhear their unique and sexy accent.
- Before that day, I had never known the existence of Veggie Pret.
- Is the Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel is a kind of Brutalism? It looked good to me despite being kinda grim in the grey sky.
Peter Sure 
Exchange Square and nearby
It is a civic square in Manchester and is served by the Exchange Square Light Rail Station. Here I could fully experience the hustle and bustle of Manchester because it is the major shopping district of the city. And I also came across two major tourist attractions, the Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.
While I was taking some shots of the Manchester Cathedral, a young lady thought she was in my way, so she tried to dodge me for my good. I then lipsynced thank you to you without looking at her because I had to focus on my shots. She then smiled at me. Both of us are kind, nice, polite and considerate.
Manchester Cathedral 
National Football Museum 
Shudehill Light Rail Station
It’s time going back to the airport. Instead of taking the train again, I opted for the Light Rail out of curiosity and novelty though it took more time and stops.
Airport Station
Manchester Airport
Before going through the security check at Manchester Airport, I’d always doubted the usefulness of ‘Fast Track’ service provided by the airlines. Finally I fully realised how important Fast Track could be after I had to queue for ONE HOUR for the security check at the Manchester Airport.
Compared to every single airport I’ve ever been to, queuing for ONE HOUR for security check is outrageous and literally unacceptable. However, it took me by suprises that there’s hardly anyone losing their temper or whining but waiting patiently, quietly and in a very civilized manner.
The patience and calmness of the British people is really mind blowing. I really appreciate it very much.
My Travel Journal ONE 