Blogs from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 12

Vliegen schijnt al eeuwen de droom van de mensheid te zijn, maar ik vind er weinig aan. Het liefst was ik met de boot naar Belfast gegaan; geen wekkers die om zes uur beginnen te janken, geen eindeloze rijen op sfeerloze vliegvelden, maar dagenlang heerlijke rust op het dek van een containervrachtschip, lekker met een boekje in de bries. Maar ja, de Plicht riep zich schor, mijn aanstelling was eigenlijk al drie weken geleden begonnen en er moesten hoognodig dingen worden gedaan waar je op zo’n containervrachtschip niet aan toe komt. En dus jankte om zes uur toch de wekker. Tijd om weer te emigreren. Het was mistig onderweg. Nadat we op Eindhoven Airport een beker tamelijk ranzige koffie hadden gedronken, nam ik afscheid van mijn ouders en begaf me richting security check. Daar onderwierp ik ... read more

Yesterday morning, we said goodbye to Dublin and journeyed to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Quick history fact: Ireland is its own republic, but 6 counties are still under United Kingdom's rule. They are called Northern Ireland. The UK is still quite persistent in making sure everyone knows that they have left the Republic of Ireland (UK flags everywhere, street curbs painted red, blue, and white). Just like England and Scotland, Northern Ireland uses Pounds for currency. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollars and Pounds is almost double...meaning when I spend 1 pound, I'm spending $1.77. This difference has been adding up quite a bit and makes me want to cry (sorry, mom, it's not my fault) :( Anyway, buyer's remorse aside, it's been a great time. First, we went to the Titanic museum, which was probably one ... read more

It was time to flee the larger city of Belfast and begin in earnest to immerse ourselves in what we picture (and perhaps most people as well) as one of the true experience of these two nations, coastal driving. It is after all an island, the third largest in Europe, and 20th largest in the world. Okay, enough geography. We jumped in the “Jukemobile” (we rented a gray Nissan Juke) and navigated our way out of Belfast in search of the coast. We are always drawn to the coast. It is almost as if we don’t get near water, we are just not as happy as we can be. And we want to be happy! Mr. Weather (Dave) has been providing updates on the likelihood of our changing weather twice a day for the past few ... read more

Geo: 54.5973, -5.93019The report from the Captain was that despite an overnight stay in Belfast, we would still run into the gale winds which have not passed southwards as fast as he had hoped. In order to reach Iceland in time we had to leave Belfast at 2pm and go as fast as possible. When the storm hits it is going to slow us down so do not know when we will reach Iceland. Having missed out on a stop at Stornoway we do not want to miss out on Iceland too.As the ship was in port, the singers and dancers who put on a wonderful Abba show did not have a problem with a rocking ship. Brilliant songs which always bring back happy memories.We took the shuttle bus into Belfast city centre as our original ... read more