Belfast Aug. 27

We arrived in the port of Belfast to an absolutely beautiful sunny day. This is a first for me to be in No. Ireland. So much history and some of it very sad and troubled. More on that later. We were on another Cruise Critic tour. This one was out of the ordinary for me since it was on a bus with 50 others. A little too large for my liking. OUr primary tourist attraction for today was the Giant's Causeway on the north Antrim coast - approximately a 90 min. ride. I booked this tour because I thought it would cut the cost. We paid approximately 60 GBP for both of us. (footnote: met a couple who booked a private taxi for 4 for 50 GBP each!!! oops, goof on my part,)








Our goal for the day was a trip to the Giant's Causeway with intermittent stops along the way. The giant's causeway was probably formed millions of years ago when lava erupted and was cooled by the ocean. But local myth has it that two giants, Finn MacCool and another from a neighnboring land. The other giant arrived via the causeway to do battle with MacCool. MacCool sees him approaching and flees home to his wife, Oonagh. Oonah has the idea of dressing MacCool as a baby and putting him in the cradle. When the giant arrives at his house and asks for MacCool, Oonah says to please be quiet and not wake their sleeping son. The giant takes one look at the size of the "son" and fleas the country in fear of the size the father will be if the son is that big!!! The giant destroyed his causeway on his way home in fear Finn would follow.
The causeway is so breathtaking - words and photos just cannot describe its beauty and magnitude.

The day didn't end with the causeway. We did have lunch at the delightful Smugglers Cave, then a stop at Bushmill's Distillery (had a taste and bought a bottle - um, good), on to a rope bridge (yours truly did not hike up there for that).

 The way back to the city found us in divided Belfast. This was a very sad and sobering experience. So many reminders of the fighting between the Catholics and Protestants.

Check out this clock tower in Belfast - their version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!!

We arrived back at the ship very late - 15 mins. before we sailed!! Way too long and ambitious of a day. Very nerve wracking on the drive back, hoping we did not miss the ship.