Belfast & Dublin

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After a full day at sea coming back from Norway, I woke up to this colorful town a few hours out of Belfast	Oceania held a special brunch, as we didn't get into Belfast until noon. (Finally I get to eat in the Main Dining Room!)	Chocolate Eiffel Tower!	I photographed the Marina staircase just for fun
"Art" in the Port of Belfast, Northern Ireland (part of the UK - as opposed to the Republic of Ireland).	Countryside as we came in	More art	The HMS Caroline (1914 ship) shared the Alexandra dock area with us
With a telephoto lens, we could see the Titanic Museum and its long lines.	The old Titanic dry dock (also scene from an Amazing Race episode we saw)	Titanic area, seen from the ship	We & 4 others took a City & Causeway Tour to the Giant's Causeway, via the beautiful Antrim Coast.
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge from overview	Mr. Whippy told Howard that was his real name, but I was skeptical! He certainly had his truck at the right spot, though!	So green around there!	Dunluce Castle near Portrush
Dunluce Castle (rest)	Dunluce from the side stairs down to the water	Ruth & Howard at Dunluce by Mya, who was also on a City & Causeway tour	Howard and others had a wee snack at the Wee Cottage across from Dunluce.
The Giant's Causeway: There had just been an injury on the rocks & the bus wasn't running, so we walked down.	First there there were a few weird basalt columns.	There is a legend associated with the Causeway, but too long to relate here.	Green hills!
Lichen on boulders	Lots & lots of cigarettes!	Kids on rocks	Big kid on drier & less steep rocks!
Stacks!	Then Michael drove us to the HBO "Game of Thrones" trees. (Ott, Andi, Cheryl, Jordon, Howard & Ruth)	Spooky & beautiful! Much of Game of Thrones was filmed in a Belfast studio & around No. Ireland	A black cab travels the spooky path.
Another shot	Then it was back to Belfast, where we visited the site of "The Troubles." In Shankhill section, Scottish & UK flags rule.	One of the Shankhill murals: The red hand of Ulster	Shankhill mural: "Here we stand, here we remain."
On to the more pro-Republic of Ireland section: Falls Road	Every evening, a gate is closed between the 2 areas, requiring some residents to drive farther to get into their neighborhood	After we left, the gate was closed behind us. While there isn't much violence anymore, I still found this chilling.	The Peace Wall exists between the Falls (more Catholic, more pro Republic of Ireland) & Shankhill (more Protestant, pro UK) area
Mostly, all residents co-exist peacefully. There are still "troubles," however, especially in the Marching Season (summer).	We were there a week before violence erupted. Here, kids with cell phones pile up wood for a bonfire.	After dinner & sailaway, we went to see Mio do his magic. I saw few shows, but enjoyed this one a lot.	The big "O" on the smokestack, evening, as we sailed south to the Republic of Ireland. (Get out the euros!)
Baily lighthouse in Howth (pronounced like "both") during sail in	The next morning, we pulled into Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Here's Aviva stadium (rugby/football) from the ship	Poolbeg light. There were a LOT of lighthouses on approach to Dublin port (see "More" gallery).	The beautiful harp-like Samuel Beckett Bridge from the ship
Signs are in Celtic, too!	We took the city shuttle to Kildare Street. Beth, this street was near by!!	Beer & Optic Monitoring - a strange combination!	I headed first to famous Trinity College, which is much more than just a college.
Building covered with ivy	Trinity College	The Geology Dept was located in a beautiful building!	Good thing I wasn't interested in seeing the famous Book of Kells, as the line was atrocious!
Globe thing near library & geology department	The Daniel O'Connell statue with the "Stiffey of the Liffy" (official name Millenium Spire)	Detail - later when I passed by, it was turning	Ha Penny Bridge (pedestrian)
Ha Penny Bridge and Merchants Arch	Ha Penny Bridge from Bachelors Walkpg	Locks on the bridge - lots of lovers have been here!	Irish music store I photographed for Howard
Lamp in front of hotel near posh Merrion Square	Classy shopping mall	Dublin near the Temple Bar area - lots of traffic, tourists, flowers & pubs	Molly Malone statue amidst the hustle & bustle of Dublin
More busy, colorful streets	Plaque on O'Connell St. with quote about street from Ulysses	Plenty of public transportation in Dublin: Howard took a bus to the zoo; I took the LUAS light rail back toward the port.	It was a gorgeous sunny day and St. Stephen's Green was being put to good use!
Street lamp.	Turquoise door	Howard found this new way of storing lifeboats - apparently they are in the water & ready to save lives in no time!	Howard took a bus to the zoo, which turned out to be fabulous!
This is one of only a few places where you can see the endangered snow leopard. (TA friend John O'Regan clued us in!)	Aww!! He (she?) reminds me so much of Allie. (White wolf)	Howard convinced a kid that this was a unicorn! (Oryx)	Pretty penguin.
Thoughtful orangutan. It's all happening at the zoo, you know!	Huge rhino.	Back on the ship, Ruth took another stab at a "window" picture! For more pics of Belfast & Dublin, see the "More" gallery.

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