Belfast Ireland - August 27, 2010

We arrived into Belfast this morning around 10:00...docking at 11:00.  Most of the ports on this trip have us docking in small channels of some sort, this being no exception.  It's an amazing sight to see a ship this size turned around and backed into a slip.  We struggle parallel parking with a car!  The dock was just that, but take a look around and oh my!!!  The green is everywhere.

We disembarked and got on a bus with Belfast City Tours.  There were about 50 of us, this being our only large bus tour.  Nigel, the tour guide, came recommended from CC and Trip Advisor and he didn't disappoint. 

The drive to the North Antrium coast took a little over an hour and was beautiful.  Agriculture is the main industry in Belfast and we saw why.  The sheep, the cows, the farms.  Made me a little sad.  The sheep here are not used for the wool, but for dining.  :(  During this trip, Nigel began giving us the history of Belfast back into the 1200's. 

On the coast we went to the Giant's Causeway.  (Lauren, it was just amazing!).  It's hard to fathom how this was created, but I can only guess that God has his purpose.  The stones are almost all 6 sided and make an incredible site.  There is one that is the side of the mountain which is called the Organ as it resembles organ pipes.  Words just don't express the scenary and beauty here.  You have to close your eyes and smell the salt air with the green grass blowing in the wind.  And that's not even close. 

This is the area also where the Irish Sea meets the English Channel and the North Atlantic.  Lots of wave activity up here. 

We left here to have lunch at the Smuggler's Inn.  We had pre-ordered our lunch on the bus so it was there when we arrived.  Lunch was good and relaxing.  Quaint place by the Causeway.

Next stop was the Bushmill Distillery where we did a quick group tour and sampled the wares.  Never liked whiskey, but this is different.  It smells the same, but when you drink it (after the initial burn), it has a very smooth flavor.  Not harsh like what I anticipated. 

We next went to the Rope Bridge where a handful of us were brave/daring enough to make the climb and cross the rope bridge.  Keep in mind through all these activities what the landscape around us looked like.  Hopefully my pictures will give you a hint.  Trust me that I have tons more to show everyone.

It was then time to start the drive back to Belfast.  Nigel continued on with the history of Belfast up to current day.  Unbeknownst to me, Bill Clinton is well loved here as is was instrumental in getting the IRA to put down their weapons after the treaty was signed.  We continued back to Belfast for a quick tour through the city.  First through the Protestant area and then through a gate into the Catholic area.  We saw the Peace Wall in between.  On the Catholic side are still many wall paintings to remind them of what they are fighting for and yes, it seems that while there is no outward fighting right now, the war still silently continues.  The fact that there is still gates that are shut down at night between the two areas is somewhat disturbing.  Once fall comes even the gate that we went through will be closed early in the evening to try and prevent any issues. 

We learned alot about Belfast and the people there.  It makes you think about your home and how lucky we really are to live in the USA. 
Miss you all and can't wait to hear about kindergarten Adi!!!