We got a ferry from Cairnryan, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland. We were met by Fionntan and Keyleigh, fellow teachers from Huai'an, China. We of course ended up having drinks in a couple
of pubs and had dinner in a restaurant called 'Made in Belfast'. Fionntan and his folks then put us up for our stay. Next morning a visit to Carrickfergus Castle was first on our list, then a wander round the streets, there is great artwork on some of the buildings.
After heading into town we went to The Titanic Centre - photo 2 - and spent a few hours absorbing the history of Belfast and the tragic Titanic story. It was definitely worth the visit. The following day Fionntan and Keyleigh took us up the Causeway Coast. Our first stop was castle ruins at Kinbane on a headland, the castle was built around 1544 there was also an old cottage on the headland that was used until 1980.
Photo 1 - Fionntan, Keyleigh and Jonathan in the old cottage. Next stop was Carrick-a-Rede, a rope bridge that crosses from the mainland to an Island where locals used to go for salmon fishing. We then went on to Ballintoy Harbour for lunch, some of 'Game of Thrones' was filmed here.
Photo 1 - Across Ballintoy Harbour, photo 2 - We had a quick look at Dunseverick Castle then on to
'Giants Causeway'. We had a good wander around the causeway, we were warned about not getting to close to the ocean as it obviously unpredictable, the guy in photo 6 did not listen, and yes he was okay.
Giants Causeway.
Photos 1 to 3 are still Giants Causeway. Photos 4 and 5 are Dunluce Castle. We then headed back to
Belfast, it was a really good day trip. The next morning we had breakfast at St George's Market with
Fionntan's parents Geraldine and Martin and of course Fionntan and Keyleigh. A great selection of food and crafts were available and worth a visit, not sure if it is open every day or just a weekend thing.
The Belfast Hop on hop off bus tour is certainly a must here. The commentary certainly gave a lot of
history about the city and 'The Troubles'. Photo 4 - shows 2 Harland and Wolff cranes called Samson and Goliath that stand out over the city, they were used for ship building. When we arrived in Belfast on the ferry we could see them from a long way off shore. Photo 5 - Crumlin Jail.
These photos are from the Shankill Road and surrounding streets, there is still a lot of visible signs like these of 'The Troubles' in this neighbourhood. Other areas in Belfast did not have the same feel about them.
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