Northern Ireland
Trip Start
Dec 08, 2006
1
6
31
Trip End
Mar 25, 2007
Belfast,
Ireland
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
the history and was intrigued to see this little section of 6 counties
that sit within the Republic of Ireland but have their own government,
use the pound sterling and really have a different world all on the
same island. So, I showed up at the bus station and knowing it left on
the hour, hopped on the 11am bus .The bus rid was about 3 hours,
arrived, found out expensive accommodation noting that 1 pound = $2 US
dollars. So, double everything. i actually should be converting to kiwi
dollars seeing that is what i earned, but that is too depressing.
Fortunately found a cool hostel, the International Youth Hostel,
super clean and great location. it was unfortunately raining but I
managed to explore the local Queens University and Botanic street with
all of its hip coffee and music spots. Traveling solo is always
interesting as one has to decide, do i face a see of nameless faces as
the one sitting alone at a bar or restaurant or do i sit here bored to
bits. Well, i met a few girls but they wanted to go to the cinema, so i
said no and headed out for a beer at the famous, oldest bar in Ireland
called the Crown Bar. Now, this is where I wish a camera was
running.... just imagine, a beautiful grand old bar, I walk in to have
a pint at the bar and I see about 20 older men stare at me. I think
okay, I can deal with this, I just want my first real Guiness, so I sit
at the bar, the short blondish tourist and feel eyes on me. Fortunately
the bartender was friendly and after quizzing him, I was directed next
door to the bar behind Robinsons bar. It was great with live traditions
music, people dancing by the late hour and just a great experience. I
chatted to a lot of people, avoided a lot of others, including some
forward Finnish men, ended up meeting a nice guy from Donegal and had a
great night ending with a picture with the band. Excellent.
Next day, I took my first "tour" up to the Giantīs Causeway, Duluce Castle,
Bushmills Distillery. The Tour guide had been in the police, UVF (Ulster
Volunteer Force I think) which, I think is the group that supported
Britain and has been the target of the IRA in the past. All the
nomenclature is very confusing because there are three names for each
side. (Note Sienn Fienn (Catholic, republicans, support independent
Ireland from British) voted today to support the Northern Ireland police
force which I gather is a massive historical event supporting peace and
stability here forward. Anyways, was a great tour. We saw beautiful waterfalls,
beautiful ocean stops with Scotland only 30 minute ferry ride away and
I learned a lot about the history of Norther Ireland as well. The
Giant's Causeway was really cool as it is is a huge pile of octagonal
rocks created from volcanic activity (okay, don't quote me on any of
this as I am doing this from recollection, not a history book).
However, it was freezing in the wind on the half mile walk out.
The Bushmills tour was great and I hesitatingly agreed to be a sampler of
the whiskey, so I learned quickly through very, very small sips that
distilling whiskey 3 times makes a HUGE difference from scotch, bourbon
and other whiskey's that are only distilled once or twice. Basically,
the Bushmills, didn't make me gag and I could envision one, not me,
acquiring a taste for it. Back to Belfast and out with some girls again
to the fun bar I was at the night before. Then, back on the bus to
Dublin.
I absolutely loved Belfast and can see why the Aussies I met there were looking for work and wanting to stay a few months. People were so friendly and it has a great vibe of art and music, and the history is intriguing.
