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. |