Travel Wires
Strawberry Fields, in Liverpool, has opened to the public for the first time. Form an orderly queue, Beatles fans.
Let me take you down
Strawberry Fields, the Liverpool gardens immortalised in song by John Lennon, has opened to the public for the first time. The Salvation Army propertynow has a new visitor centre, cafe and shop. The modern, airy building is a stark contrast to the Gothic mansion where young Lennon would scale the wall to climb trees and play in the garden. The Sallies bought the property — built in 1878 for a Liverpool shipping magnate — in 1934, and turned it into a children’s home. The mansion was demolished in 1973 and replaced with a smaller children’s home, which closed in 2005. Red wrought-iron gates, stolen in 2000 and returned a day later, sit in a quiet corner.
NSW pushes boat out to get ships in
New South Wales’ state government is pushing ahead with plans for a third cruise ship terminal in Sydney despite strong opposition from residents and local councils. State ministers want a terminal on the northern side of Botany Bay. They say 317 liners will dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay this season and that cruising supports around 10,000 jobs and $850 million in wages. The proposal has drawn criticism over environmental concerns and from airline pilots worried about safety. Indigenous cultural practices may be affected, but this is not traditionally a high priority in Australia.
He shall not pass, you shall not go
A Vietnam-South Korea flight was delayed 11 hours last week after the pilot lost his passport. The T’way Air flight was to depart Ho Chi Minh City on Friday night but the pilot wasn’t allowed into the airport. The 160 passengers had to wait overnight for a replacement pilot and the flight left next day. “We are currently reviewing disciplinary action for the pilot,” T’way said.
High-speed living rooms
Japan is light years ahead when it comes to highspeed rail, and its newest commuter trains are no exception. Designed by prize-winning architect Kazuyo Sejima, the Laview series has a reflective silver exterior designed to blend into the landscape. Huge curved windows provide panoramic views and carriages are fitted with soft yellow seats with an adjustable headrest and armrest table to “provide a relaxing living roomlike feel”. Soft lighting generates a calming atmosphere. Laview, which has eight cars and 422 seats, is designed to make commuters to feel at ease as the train hits 120km/h. The average speed on Auckland’s Western Line is 35km/h; few commuters report a calming atmosphere.