"The port to the world" a Liverpool Travel Page by sourbugger

Most of the passengers who have passed through Liverpool docks have probably been departing - some to new lives in North America.

The approach from the sea however allows the full glory of the Liverpool seafront to be seen, and it will soon become a UNESCO world heritage site.

As I transferred from the Quay in Birkenhead onto the Mersey ferry to land in Liverpool proper the bulk of the cruise ship 'The World' came into view.

This ship slowly moves around the world, and is in affect a floating apartment building for the very rich. He played at exchanging blasts on its horn with the ferry before passing by the length of Liverpoold Quayside whilst several hundred spectators looked on.

The attendant on the ferry pronounced that the ship, with a typical scouse laconic humour, that the cruise ship was "Showboating".

I don't think he appreciated the ostenatious display of wealth that the "The world" represents.

The city itself was a revelation, bright and vibrant it certainly had a 'buzz' to it. After the long years of decline and depression in the 70's and 80's when the dock lost much of their business to the container ports on the other side of the UK, the city had a sense of regaining it's pride.

When you looked closer however tehre were still may building around the city in a poor state or repair, or even boarded up and derelict.

It was almost as if, like some of the womenfolk of the city (I'm going to get some abuse here) the City thought that the architectural equilvalent of a short skirt, stappy top, make up and lip gloss would hide what lay underneath.