I have had the most incredible day (have I said this before??)
It started off at 7.45pm when I was collected by Bill in his Black Cab. Bill is a Belfaster, born and bred, who has driven a cab for 25 years and is an atheist (more likely to believe his claim that he gives an unbiased view of the Northern Ireland issues). He drove me around both the Protestant and and Catholic version of events, history of the conflict, indication of where they are now (don't hear that much in Australia but still continual issues but no where near where they have been in the past), and prospects for the future (Ireland and the UK are voting for government at the moment). I still don't understand it all, but now understand what Ulster means, and the red hand on flags (if you are interested, do some research). He took me around for about 1.15 min, and it really was fascinating. I didn't realise the scale of the wall that separates the two into distinct areas, and that a lock out still exists. There are still tensions, but there are distinct advantages to both sides for keeping the relationship more peaceful (sorry for the bad english, don't quite know how to put into words).
After my tour Bill dropped me off in the city centre so I could explore the City Hall (amazing building!) Even if I wanted to do a tour, I couldn't due to the elections at this time...most of the place is in lock down it seems. After buying a new power adaptor, I grabbed a coffee then walked back to the B&B (half an hour walk).
Midday I took off on a road trip to the north coast of Ireland for 1.5 hours to see the site I have heard so much about over the years. I did pretty well (if I do say so myself), navigating and driving (no mean feat when I don't have miles indicated on the speedo!) I got to Ballycastle (on the famous Altrium Coast drive, bit like the Great Ocean Road only not just glimpses of sea, cliffs and sand, but also in Ireland's case, farms, cows, sheep, green green grass and gorse bushes), then headed west along the windy coast. Just as well I am curious and had time (and the weather was really good...windy but sunny), as I found a site of a castle down one lane, and some quaint seaside towns along the way.
First major stop was Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a 20m long, 1 meter wide bridge of wire rope that spans the chasm between the sea cliffs and the little island of Carrick-A-Rede, swaying gently 30m above the rock-strewn water. I was not intending on crossing..fear of heights! Half way though into the walk from the car park to the site (walk of 1km), I laughed and decided why not. Anyway, I did cross the bridge, holding tightly because of the strong wind, and in my mind I was doing an irish jig that I accomplished it! Wish I had a friend to witness it...take my word for it folks.
Next stop was Giant's Causeway. I know some people find it disappointing, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't get there til after 4pm so the tourist buses had gone. I spent 1.5 hours wandering around the organ pipes, giant boot then the causeway. There were other people there but not as many as I thought and I loved the sea air and sunshine. The hike around the area is strenuous, so after the previous hikes to the castle and Carrick-a-Rede, I was really tired.
Drive back to Belfast took over 2 hours as I missed the turnoff. It was a good drive though, and I am so pleased that I made the journey north (knees are complaining though with use of a manual car on road that is predominantly like the Great Ocean Road!!)
In Belfast I thought of grabbing take-away and a Bulmers or two to have at the B&B. As luck would have it though I found this Indian restaurant (please excuse me but I did judge it by the quality of the people walking in and out the door...some of the other shops in the area looked a little dubious). I ended up eating there as didn't know where the off-licence was, and had the most beautiful chicken curry dish with rice. I had a couple of mini bottles of sauv blanc (to celebrate Carrick-a-Rede and being in Northern Ireland!!), then they gave me a complimentary baileys...pure heaven. During dinner they had a great Bollywood film showing that I really got into..cross between India Has Talent, Xanadu, and The Piano.
It is 10pm and once again I am exhausted...who said travelling was easy???
It started off at 7.45pm when I was collected by Bill in his Black Cab. Bill is a Belfaster, born and bred, who has driven a cab for 25 years and is an atheist (more likely to believe his claim that he gives an unbiased view of the Northern Ireland issues). He drove me around both the Protestant and and Catholic version of events, history of the conflict, indication of where they are now (don't hear that much in Australia but still continual issues but no where near where they have been in the past), and prospects for the future (Ireland and the UK are voting for government at the moment). I still don't understand it all, but now understand what Ulster means, and the red hand on flags (if you are interested, do some research). He took me around for about 1.15 min, and it really was fascinating. I didn't realise the scale of the wall that separates the two into distinct areas, and that a lock out still exists. There are still tensions, but there are distinct advantages to both sides for keeping the relationship more peaceful (sorry for the bad english, don't quite know how to put into words).
After my tour Bill dropped me off in the city centre so I could explore the City Hall (amazing building!) Even if I wanted to do a tour, I couldn't due to the elections at this time...most of the place is in lock down it seems. After buying a new power adaptor, I grabbed a coffee then walked back to the B&B (half an hour walk).
Midday I took off on a road trip to the north coast of Ireland for 1.5 hours to see the site I have heard so much about over the years. I did pretty well (if I do say so myself), navigating and driving (no mean feat when I don't have miles indicated on the speedo!) I got to Ballycastle (on the famous Altrium Coast drive, bit like the Great Ocean Road only not just glimpses of sea, cliffs and sand, but also in Ireland's case, farms, cows, sheep, green green grass and gorse bushes), then headed west along the windy coast. Just as well I am curious and had time (and the weather was really good...windy but sunny), as I found a site of a castle down one lane, and some quaint seaside towns along the way.
First major stop was Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a 20m long, 1 meter wide bridge of wire rope that spans the chasm between the sea cliffs and the little island of Carrick-A-Rede, swaying gently 30m above the rock-strewn water. I was not intending on crossing..fear of heights! Half way though into the walk from the car park to the site (walk of 1km), I laughed and decided why not. Anyway, I did cross the bridge, holding tightly because of the strong wind, and in my mind I was doing an irish jig that I accomplished it! Wish I had a friend to witness it...take my word for it folks.
Next stop was Giant's Causeway. I know some people find it disappointing, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't get there til after 4pm so the tourist buses had gone. I spent 1.5 hours wandering around the organ pipes, giant boot then the causeway. There were other people there but not as many as I thought and I loved the sea air and sunshine. The hike around the area is strenuous, so after the previous hikes to the castle and Carrick-a-Rede, I was really tired.
Drive back to Belfast took over 2 hours as I missed the turnoff. It was a good drive though, and I am so pleased that I made the journey north (knees are complaining though with use of a manual car on road that is predominantly like the Great Ocean Road!!)
In Belfast I thought of grabbing take-away and a Bulmers or two to have at the B&B. As luck would have it though I found this Indian restaurant (please excuse me but I did judge it by the quality of the people walking in and out the door...some of the other shops in the area looked a little dubious). I ended up eating there as didn't know where the off-licence was, and had the most beautiful chicken curry dish with rice. I had a couple of mini bottles of sauv blanc (to celebrate Carrick-a-Rede and being in Northern Ireland!!), then they gave me a complimentary baileys...pure heaven. During dinner they had a great Bollywood film showing that I really got into..cross between India Has Talent, Xanadu, and The Piano.
It is 10pm and once again I am exhausted...who said travelling was easy???
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