Leaving the Republic

On Tuesday I hopped on the train and left the Republic of Ireland for greener pastures. I headed north to the UK's Northern Ireland. Due in large part to a newly hired travel agent I had much to do when I first arrived in Belfast. The cities get more and more beautiful as I go. Belfast is the birthplace of the Titanic and there is a district dedicated to the ship. I immediately went downtown after arriving at my hostel. I accidentally ran into City Hall, which was quite nice. From there I went to the river running through the city. Surprisingly, I then went willingly into an enormous shopping mall called Victoria Square. I did no shopping, but instead headed to the 360 degree view from a lookout high above. It was quite a view and a good shelter from the rain. The man at my hostel told me I must go to a place called Boojum and have a burrito. I obliged and was pleased to find that it was the Irish replica of Chipotle. Back in the room I met an American from Alaska who has been living in Ireland 12 years. We shared a pint and he suggested I see a documentary. The film was called The Imposter and was about a man who pretended to be a family's missing son. Very, very interesting and well made, I would recommend it to all.

The following day in Belfast I was compelled to take a tour of the Giant's Causeway. A nice Irish man led the tour and he was very funny, mostly at the expense of the Canadians. We stopped first at a Castle not far from Belfast. After our castle visit we embarked on the most beautiful drive I have ever been on. Through the Irish countryside with the water always on our right. We eventually came to Carrick-A-Rede with the sun shining bright and it was extraordinary. The ocean down below was gorgeous and the cliffs that we walked along could not have made it more picturesque. After a 15 minute path over the cliffs there lies a rope bridge about 100 meters over the ocean. It is very much secure and does not seem frightening at all until you are midway through and the wind picks up. But making it to the island on the other side is well worth it. The view is simply incredible. The atlantic ocean with islands all around and the Irish countryside stretching out behind. But that was not even the main event. We stopped for lunch at Bushmill's distillery, an Irish whiskey distillery licensed since 1608. The cheesecake was excellent. Anyway, we went to the Giant's causeway to examine the wonders of nature. The stones were amazing and the surrounding area did not disappoint either. I walked around with a couple of Australians and we enjoyed a pint at the top of the mountain after.

Now I am currently on a ferry that is expected to dock in Scotland. From there I will be taken to Edinburgh. So I bid adieu to Ireland for now as I start a new adventure.