Day 20: Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle

Today, was a fun all day adventure back up into Northern Ireland. I got to see the Giants Causeway, which is an amazing site. But even more impressive is the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you are on an island, that the locals had used for fishing, it has truely amazing views.

Giants Causeway

More of the Giants Causeway

View after crossing the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge

The Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge

 

 

Dunluce Castle Ruins

Day 19: Dublin

After arriving in Dublin, I spent a fair bit of time exploring Trinity College and the surronding area. Dublin, seems to be a very intresting city. I am very lucky because the hotel is right in the center of things, making getting around a breeze.

An Intresting Building at Trinity College

Dublin's Customs House

Irish War Memorial

Dublin and the River Liffey as the rain moves in

Trinity College

After arriving in Dublin, I spent a fair bit of my afternoon exploring Trinity College. It is a very intresting University, with twists and turns everywhere. I spent awhile watching a cricket game.

On Trinity College Green

The West Entrance to Trinity College

Arnaldo Pomodoro's Sphere Within Sphere Sculpture

The Irish Countryside

The Irish countryside from the train to Dublin.

The Irish Countryside

The Irish Countryside

Day 18: Belfast, the Final Day

My final day in Belfast, ended up being the best so far. It was sunny and pleasant being outside. I revisited quite a few of the locations and sights I saw before. I then did the fun part of traveling for more than a couple of weeks, laundry.

City Hall in the Sun

 A Neat Fish on the Waterfront

A Local Pub

Comfert Food

You never relize how much you miss Americanized food untill you walk past a McD's and the cravings hit.

Day 17: Belfast

Today, turned out to be an extremely rainy day, although better rain than more bomb threats. I ended up taking a hop-on hop-off tour bus around the city. Seeing the Harland and Wolff ship building yard, North Belfast and its security walls and gates, and the peace wall. Belfast is an extemily intresting city.

A Mural in North Belfast

One of the securirty walls

The Grounds of Belfast Castle

Belfast Cathedral

Day 16: The Botanic Gardens and The Ulster Museum

Today, I explored the Botanic Gardens, it was a neat little part of Belfast. The best part of the day, would have to be going into and exploring the Ulster Museum. It explains the whole history of Northern Ireland and Ireland, from how they came to be, to the seperation of the two parts of Ireland, to the troubles in Northern Ireland. It was very intresting. In addition, it has Irish art, and other exhibits.

Flowers in the Gardens

More of the Gardens

Coins from the Spanish Armada

Stained Glass Window Commemorating the Good Friday Agreement

Chinese Dinner

Tonight, I found a great little Chinese resturant, by the water front. The food, was great :-D

The Start of a Good Meal

Day 15: Belfast

Today, I spent starting to explore Belfast, its a neat little city, alot smaller than I expected. I visted the downtown shopping area and City Hall, but kind of gave up on exploring when it started down pouring. So instead, I went back to the hotel and took a much deserved nap.

City Hall

Belfast City Hall

A Neat Presbyterian Church

Arrival into Belfast

The trip into Belfast was extremely smooth and beautiful. The exact opposite of my prior ferry trip. We skirted the northern half of the Isle of Man, for a good hour of the trip, it was beautiful.

A Final Look at Douglas

Views of the Coast Line

Shoreline Lighthouse

Day 14: The Rest of The Isle of Man

Today, we went down to Castletown via steam train and up to Ramsey via an electric tram, it was quite the adventure. The country side, is amazing, it feels like you are living all the amazing postcards and computer background pictures.

Part of Castletown

View of the Irish Sea Coast

View of the Irish Sea Coast

View of the Irish Sea Coast, with a Lighthouse in the distance

Day 13: Douglas

This afternoon, we explored Douglas. Seems very simular to Mackinac Island, except that in addition to the horses, there are cars. It is a very nice and relaxing town.

Douglas from the Loch Promenade

Douglas from the North Shore

Ferry Ride to the Isle of Man

I have come to the conculson, that we should have flyed here. It was the longest two and half hour ride over to the island, everyone was getting sea sick.

Leaving Liverpool

The owe so fun sea's

Arriving in Douglas

Day 12: Mamma Mia

We went and saw Mamma Mia tonight. Nothing amazing, but it got us out of the rain and hotel for awhile.

Manchester United

Before it started pouring again, we went and saw the Manchester United soccer field.

Day 11: Manchester

Its been pouring down rain since we got, here. We looked around a little bit, but spent most of our time in a shopping mall, staying dry. The hotel is really nice though.

Virgin Train

On my way north, to Manchester

Day 10: Windsor and Stonehenge

Today we went to Windsor Castle, the Roman baths, in Bath and finally Stonehenge. It was an extremly full and fun day. Windsor Castle, was amazing you litterally could spend weeks there and not see everything.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle - Changing of the Guard

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Roman Bath's