Belfast

On the road again....

New bus, different tour director, different driver, different group. There was almost a grieving in me this morning as I started all over again. I really enjoyed our first tour, and the people on board were just lovely. I'm sure this group will be too, but it's a bit of an effort to start all over again. And each time there are different things to adjust to. Last time the bus was full and I had to share my seat with Larry from New York. That was an interesting experience in its own right. Most of the time he was quiet, but sometimes he was a very loud New Yorker who had long legs and used to spread over to my side every now and then! This time there are quite a few single people, and there is plenty of room on the bus, so I have a seat to myself. There are always little mini-adjustments to do...

Our tour director, Bernard, is definitely related to the Leprechauns... he's also kissed the Blarney stone several times over! He talked almost non stop from Dublin to Belfast - a journey of about 2 hours!!! But he's entertaining and interesting, and he tells good jokes! The driver is not quite as smooth as Alex was in Europe, so it's all a matter of adapting.

Today we started with a tour of Dublin and then yet another drinking session. I think I'll roll out of Ireland!!! This time we went to Jameson's whisky distillery. It was an interesting tour, and of course we ended up with the free whisky at the end! Bit early in the morning though to be hitting the bottle (it was about 10am!)



Thye tour of Dublin was very similar to the one I did on the Hop on and Hop off bus. But it helps get the city in context. We were taken up to Phoenix Park, a massive open space in the middle of Dublin, and were shown the spot where the Pope said Mass and had a crowd of over 1 million people. Il Papa seems quite big over here and on the continent. They come in their millions to see him.

Phoenix Park

Papal Cross at Phoenix Park

Next was the Jameson tour and that was interesting. And always the exit is through the souvenir shop! I've resisted quite well so far. I will wait until later in the tour. My case is getting heavy enough already!


Then we went back into the heart of Dublin to Trinity College - Dublin's University - to see the Book of Kells, which is one of the earliest versions of the gospels written down, inspired by St Columb Cille. Complete with the calligraphy and illustrations. Again, it was very interesting, and again we went out through the souvenir shop. This time I succumbed and bought a book about Irish B&Bs to prepare me for when I go on my hire-car section of the tour.

Trinity College - no photos allowed inside

After a break for lunch, we hopped on the bus for the drive to Belfast. There is now a motorway nearly complete which connects the two cities. We went across the border and didn't even notice we had done so. Apparently in previous years we would all have had to get off the bus and take all the luggage out and have the sniffer dogs etc... Times have certainly changed here in the North!

A Belfast Police Station. Notice the big fence for security!

We arrived in Belfast about 4.15pm, but it was a bit stange then, because we were dropped in the city of Belfast and given one and a half hours to cruise around, but none of us knew where to go much. Bernard more or less just pointed down the street and said "The shops are that way"!!! It was getting a bit cold by then, and threatening rain so we were all a bit bemused by this delay. There were a few theories that maybe the hotel wasn't ready for us..???

Belfast City Hall

Belfast Street

We all agreed though that Belfast lacked the atmosphere of Dublin. Maybe it was arriving late afternoon, or maybe we didn't know where to look but we all preferred Dublin by a mile. Dublin was alive and rocking. To us, Belfast seemed like a dead city. Maybe my opinion will change after a tour tomorrow. But that was first impressions.

Belfast City Hall and Ferris Wheel

Our hotel is very nice, but it's about 15 mins out of town. It's called the Stormont which is named after the Northern Ireland Parliament. We're right in the heart of the Protestant area. Bernard was saying that even just 5 years ago there was no way you would bring a vehicle with Republic of Ireland number plates into this area - let alone a tourist bus!

Now down for dinner, and purchase an Internet card. No freebies here unfortunately!