Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)

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I always wanted to go to Belfast and to see what this place is all about, well I always wanted to go to Europe and see a castle, and chase some sheep. They say it's always green year round here, which I had a hard time imagining this to be, but it is! It rains like every flippin day for this to be so! Anytime I travel to a new destination I get that -travelbuzz- feeling for the unexpected that awaits me, however I was a bit disappointed for the scenery was reminding. Being spoiled in Morocco, for every turn was an exotic adventure, made Northern Ireland look like just another city to be saw like home. None-the-less it was fun, I stayed with friends in the country side called county down. Sheep roamed their back yard and I was tempted daily to chase them, weird fetish I know, but I just wanted to test their little stubby legs. Eventually, I did just that. In the middle of the night I hopped the barbwire fence and sprinted for them but they know their land better than I and out witted me. True story, as soon as I jumped back over the fence the farmers, proud owners of those sheep, saw that something was up and came looking for me on foot and by vehicle(s)! My friend Lou and I laughed, as we watch them from inside search this enormous land mass with their flashlights and headlights for the midnight sheep stalker. The scary thing is that they probably had guns and stealing sheep is illegal, so they had every right to protect their property :/ I lucked out, but had my fun.

Belfast had a lot of history to it. I saw the peace wall and all the homes and buildings that were and are still tagged to this day with war like slogans that brings memories of a time of hate and despair. Why haven't they covered this up with new siding or a paint job for these living structures... and why haven't they brought down the peace wall that still separates the two communities? I heard of many stories of what went on here as I took my photos and passed by, you could even feel the tension, the silence that lingers as it tells its own story. Black taxis can give you an historical tour of the area which I was going to do, but doing the area with friends allowed for more extensive viewing. FYI, black taxi's back during that time of chaos were ran by the mafia and served as a service placing hits on people, yes, I had to ride in one.

Eventually, I arrived to the Giants Causeway on the coastline, and I must say, I now understand why people preach about the Northern Ireland coastline being the best of the island for it's truly breath taking. Pillars of basalt columns rise and fall, creating giant mounds of natural creations that is so unique that it can only be found here. Legend has it that two giants, Finn McCool and Benandonner, violently tossed the land around at each other that created this wonder. However it was formed it has my vote.

The best drink in the house and the last for me until I return again goes to a proper Guinness. There is no other way to have a proper Guinness, but in Northern Ireland. The Crown Bar in Belfast is very old and unlike any pub I've seen. Hand carved wood work, personal enclosed booths with a bell for service, a red granite top bar, stained glass windows and unique mosaics of tile that decorated the interior of the Victorian pub. I felt like that I stepped back in time while drinking my proper Guinness.

The Titanic was built in Belfast, therefore I also saw the history and grounds of the departure spot of the unsinkable ship. It was one of those things that you just kinda run into, I didn't know it was built here in Belfast, a great tour and a great way to end my stay in Northern Ireland.

Cheers

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Photos

County Down
Sheep!

Dunluce Castle
Many shows and movies are filmed here