Today we left Belfast, driving past the shipyards where the Titanic was built on our way farther north in Northern Ireland. 'Titanic 2', an exact replica of the original, has been commissioned and is to set sail on April 12, 2012, 100 years after the maiden voyage. Our first stop after leaving Belfast was the rope bridge in Carrick-a-Rede. We walked across the rope bridge, which was a little frightening as huge and sudden gusts of wind caused it to swing a bit.
We then went to The Giant's Causeway, a collection of interesting rock formations that look like staggered hexagonal stepping
stones. It was incredible. The Irish story behind this causeway involves Finn MacCool, the wisest man in all of Hibernia (Ireland). Chicago-ans, sound familiar? I'm hearing all sorts of Chicago Irish pub names while I'm out here...We arrived in Derry and had a walking tour of the city. It's primarily Catholic, so it's not as divided as Belfast is between the opposing groups. We saw the site of Bloody Sunday where 13 civil liberty protesters were killed by the British Army in October of 1972.
Back at the hostel (another Paddy's Palace), we had a cookout where we each put in 2 Euro and cooked a big pasta dinner with salad. Afterwards, we were serenaded by our walking tour guide, Rory, and tour bus driver Joe. Then out to the pub for some authentic live Irish music. Matt (Chef) and I did some very unauthentic Irish jigging. :)
1 comment:
Sorry about the weather. Its not normally as cold as this! Woking will be nicer.. honest
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