Old Trafford
Me and the Guys
Inside the stadium
Warming up
Wayne Rooney
Ryan Giggs and Christiano Ronaldo
Heading toward ManUtd's net
The crowd
A free kick
The crowd leaving the stadium
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Manchester United vs Inter Milan pics
Old Trafford
Me and the Guys
Inside the stadium
Warming up
Wayne Rooney
Ryan Giggs and Christiano Ronaldo
Heading toward ManUtd's net
The crowd
A free kick
The crowd leaving the stadium
Glory! Glory! Man United!
After London I got to fulfill my dream of going to a Manchester United football game. We arrived in Manchester with lots of time checked in to our hostel, met up with another guy going to the game and we all headed over to Old Trafford (the stadium). We got to the stadium around 4:30 in the afternoon for the 8:00 kick-off against Inter Milan. We wanted to arrive early as I had to pick up the tickets from the box office, go to the megastore, and look at and soak in as much of the stadium as possible. Even at that early of time there were plenty of people around.
The line for tickets wasn't very long, so we had lots of time. The store was packed, but there was absolutely everything you could think of to buy with Manchester United logo's put on it. There was wallpaper, car floor mats, mouse pads, bobble heads, and even underwear. I chose to buy a match-day scarf as it was something unique to the match I attended. It had both team names on it and their titles as respective league champions (England and Italy).
It was great walking into the stadium and seeing all of the banners, stands, and playing field, that I had seen so many times on TV. The stadium was nearly empty when we first went in, but it slowly filled up and reached by the time the game started there was nearly 74,000 people in attendance. The energy of the crowd during the game was awesome. Whenever Manchester got the ball everybody cheered or would start singing one of the teams anthems. Whenever Inter Milan got the ball there would be jeers from the crowd. It was an experience to remember, and something I will definitely make a point of doing again.
Unfortunately, Manchester lost the game. Manchester scored first (Rooney), than Inter Milan came back and got up 3-1. Manchester forced an own goal, but it was not enough. The game was still a good time though as it was very evenly matched and Manchester was pressing hard in the second-half to tie it, but were unsuccessful.
The crowd leaving the stadium after the game was incredible, there were so many people pouring out on to the streets. We caught a bus back to the city centre, and even on the bus ride home, people were chanting Manchester anthems. The game was definitely a highlight of the trip, and something I don't think could be experienced anywhere else.
"Glory, Glory, Man United! Glory, Glory, Man United! Glory, Glory, Man United! And the reds go marching on, on, on!"
The line for tickets wasn't very long, so we had lots of time. The store was packed, but there was absolutely everything you could think of to buy with Manchester United logo's put on it. There was wallpaper, car floor mats, mouse pads, bobble heads, and even underwear. I chose to buy a match-day scarf as it was something unique to the match I attended. It had both team names on it and their titles as respective league champions (England and Italy).
It was great walking into the stadium and seeing all of the banners, stands, and playing field, that I had seen so many times on TV. The stadium was nearly empty when we first went in, but it slowly filled up and reached by the time the game started there was nearly 74,000 people in attendance. The energy of the crowd during the game was awesome. Whenever Manchester got the ball everybody cheered or would start singing one of the teams anthems. Whenever Inter Milan got the ball there would be jeers from the crowd. It was an experience to remember, and something I will definitely make a point of doing again.
Unfortunately, Manchester lost the game. Manchester scored first (Rooney), than Inter Milan came back and got up 3-1. Manchester forced an own goal, but it was not enough. The game was still a good time though as it was very evenly matched and Manchester was pressing hard in the second-half to tie it, but were unsuccessful.
The crowd leaving the stadium after the game was incredible, there were so many people pouring out on to the streets. We caught a bus back to the city centre, and even on the bus ride home, people were chanting Manchester anthems. The game was definitely a highlight of the trip, and something I don't think could be experienced anywhere else.
"Glory, Glory, Man United! Glory, Glory, Man United! Glory, Glory, Man United! And the reds go marching on, on, on!"
Amsterdam Pics
The Infamous Red-Light District
Nice night shot
Bicycles - they were piled everywhere
Canal
Canal
Statues of characters from Rembrant's painting "The Nightwatch"
Nice canal picture
A windmill used to power a brewery
Our hosts Daniella and Martijn
Sorry I took so long to post these Martijn.
London Pictures
Melanie with some of the Royals at Madame Tussaud's
Melanie with a giant teddy bear dressed like a Beefeater
Read Photo
The London Eye
Lord Nelson's column in Trafalger Square
Buckingham Palace
Traitors Gate - nobody left if they came in through here
The Tower of London
Tower Bridge
London
We flew to London with Ryan Air, but had a much better landing. While in London we stayed out in the country with a friend, Roshni, that we met while Melanie was in Culinary school. It was nice to once again see a friendly face, and someone we knew.
We had three full days in the London area. Our first day was spent in Winchester a small city close to where we were staying. The main attraction is what is left of its castle and King Arthur's round table which is housed inside it. The table was huge and was hanging on a wall. It apparently weighs about a ton and isn't really King Arthur's table, but is supposed to be by legend.
The second day we went to Madame Tussuad's, which was cool but had a long line up. I got my picture taken with a life size Incredible Hulk and Melanie got her picture with a wax Jessica Simpson. It was a cool place to go, but expensive and the line-up took as long as the attraction did. After the wax museum we went to Abbey Road, to have a look at the intersection where the Beatles took the picture for their Abbey Road album. It was something we did to show Melanie's mom, but am glad we did it.
On our third day in London, we went to the Tower of London. The Tower of London was awesome, with your admission you can join in on free tours of the complex and hear all the gory details of executions and other historically significant things that went on there. The crown jewels are housed there, they were incredible the size and clarity of the diamonds make them look fake, just because you can't believe a diamond could be so perfect. The like all things in London was expensive, but was definitely worth it. After the tower, we went and had a look at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the parliament buildings which were all nice to see. Melanie wanted to try and find one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants but didn't know exactly where they were so we couldn't find any of them.
I wish we had more time in London as there is so much to see and we saw a minuscule part of what the city has to offer, but as I know I will be going back someday it isn't to great of a loss. We had to cut our time short in London as I was able to get a hold of tickets to a Manchester United friendly game, which I wasn't going to miss out on.
We had three full days in the London area. Our first day was spent in Winchester a small city close to where we were staying. The main attraction is what is left of its castle and King Arthur's round table which is housed inside it. The table was huge and was hanging on a wall. It apparently weighs about a ton and isn't really King Arthur's table, but is supposed to be by legend.
The second day we went to Madame Tussuad's, which was cool but had a long line up. I got my picture taken with a life size Incredible Hulk and Melanie got her picture with a wax Jessica Simpson. It was a cool place to go, but expensive and the line-up took as long as the attraction did. After the wax museum we went to Abbey Road, to have a look at the intersection where the Beatles took the picture for their Abbey Road album. It was something we did to show Melanie's mom, but am glad we did it.
On our third day in London, we went to the Tower of London. The Tower of London was awesome, with your admission you can join in on free tours of the complex and hear all the gory details of executions and other historically significant things that went on there. The crown jewels are housed there, they were incredible the size and clarity of the diamonds make them look fake, just because you can't believe a diamond could be so perfect. The like all things in London was expensive, but was definitely worth it. After the tower, we went and had a look at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the parliament buildings which were all nice to see. Melanie wanted to try and find one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants but didn't know exactly where they were so we couldn't find any of them.
I wish we had more time in London as there is so much to see and we saw a minuscule part of what the city has to offer, but as I know I will be going back someday it isn't to great of a loss. We had to cut our time short in London as I was able to get a hold of tickets to a Manchester United friendly game, which I wasn't going to miss out on.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
A few Ireland pics
St.Patricks Cathedral
In front of the Guiness Storehouse
Castle Ross in Kilarney National Park
A cool tree I saw in the park
Some nice Irish countryside
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Ireland
After visiting my great grandfathers burial place it was off to Ireland. TO get there we did what all good Europeans do and flew with Ryan Air. It was cheaper and quicker to fly than to go any other way. It was nice to get there so quick, but the landing was quite rough and gave us a bit of scare. We landed safely though so I can't complain to much.
Ireland was great, and we both loved it. Our first day we spent going around Dublin seeing the sights and when you think sights in Dublin the number one sight to see is the Guinness Storehouse. It was a really great time, a bit pricey, but well worth the money as they take you through the entire brewing process and history of Guinness. The best part though is that you get a pint at the end, Melanie even drank hers (much to my disappointment). Dublin is a really nice city, friendly people and easy to get around. We saw St.Patrick's Cathedral, but they wanted five Euros to get in so we admired from the outside.
On our second day in Ireland, we took a day trip down to the south. We still had a day on our rail pass so it was a cheap way to see some of the countryside. We couldn't decide where to go, to Blarney Castle or Kilarney. We asked a couple of locals on the train and they gave a resounding answer of Kilarney. They said, "What are you going to do in Blarney kiss the stone than what?". Well we followed their advice and am glad we did. While there we stopped at a local pub I has some Irish Stew and a Murphy's (you are right dad Murphy's is good). Kilarney was absolutely beautiful, we went for a walk in the national park and it was great. There was the typical Irish countryside, mountains, and even a castle on a lake. I only wish we had more time to spend in Ireland.
I can see why people love Ireland so much. Maybe its just because it was the closest thing to home so far, but we had a great time and felt really comfortable while we were there. Definitely have to go back someday.
Ireland was great, and we both loved it. Our first day we spent going around Dublin seeing the sights and when you think sights in Dublin the number one sight to see is the Guinness Storehouse. It was a really great time, a bit pricey, but well worth the money as they take you through the entire brewing process and history of Guinness. The best part though is that you get a pint at the end, Melanie even drank hers (much to my disappointment). Dublin is a really nice city, friendly people and easy to get around. We saw St.Patrick's Cathedral, but they wanted five Euros to get in so we admired from the outside.
On our second day in Ireland, we took a day trip down to the south. We still had a day on our rail pass so it was a cheap way to see some of the countryside. We couldn't decide where to go, to Blarney Castle or Kilarney. We asked a couple of locals on the train and they gave a resounding answer of Kilarney. They said, "What are you going to do in Blarney kiss the stone than what?". Well we followed their advice and am glad we did. While there we stopped at a local pub I has some Irish Stew and a Murphy's (you are right dad Murphy's is good). Kilarney was absolutely beautiful, we went for a walk in the national park and it was great. There was the typical Irish countryside, mountains, and even a castle on a lake. I only wish we had more time to spend in Ireland.
I can see why people love Ireland so much. Maybe its just because it was the closest thing to home so far, but we had a great time and felt really comfortable while we were there. Definitely have to go back someday.
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