Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, & Belfast

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Today was absolutely amazing. I started the morning off waking up early again so I could get to my tour to the Giant’s Causeway with Paddy Wagon. The tour guide today was named John and he was extremely funny. The Giants Causeway is in Northern Ireland which is a completely different country than the Republic of Ireland. So when we were crossing the border, John told us we would need our passports, a customs form, and five euros to enter. Of course he was just kidding but many people took it seriously and came to ask him about a form. He told them to see his secretary and then announced that we had all just crossed the border. Got to love Irishmen. Our first stop to the Causeway was at the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. It cost 5 pounds or 7 euros to cross but was well worth it. In order to get to the bridge you have to hike about half a mile. I thought that was pretty easy because it was only half a mile. What I didn’t count on was that it was half a mile in rocky terrain, uphill, and on the side of the cliff. Even though everywhere stares at my shoes, I am really glad I wore my Vibram five fingers. The walk was stunning as I saw cliffs with green grass rippling in the wind that jutted out into the sea. After the climb down I came to the bridge. It was pretty busy because their was a huge cruise ship full of people ready to see the bridge. Since it is the only to go across and come back, each side had to take turns crossing. Crossing the bridge was actually really scary but amazing. It is two planks put together with ropes on either side with the water breaking against the rocks beneath. It was really windy today which made the bridge sway and bounce. I’ve been skydiving before and this bridge was actually more scary than skydiving. I loved every minute of it. Once across the bridge there is a little island that you can look out across and see Scotland. It made me really excited because I will be on the other side in Scotland in a couple of weeks. After taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, I made my way back across the bridge. It was just an absolutely beautiful experience that I recommend everyone do. I was going to go on a tour to the Ring of Kerry instead, but thankfully it was all full on the days I would be in Dublin. I have been wanting to cross this bridge for the past three years and I am so glad that I was able to do it especially since I booked it a week ago! After the bridge we went to the Causeway. We had about two hours to eat lunch and visit the causeway. We got special audio guides and could walk wherever we wanted to. I decided to see the Causeway first then eat because I didn’t want to miss anything. Like most of Ireland, the Causeway was beautiful. The story goes that an Irish giant named Finn McCool was embarrassed by a Scottish giant. He wanted to go fight the giant, but no boat was big enough to get him across the water to Scotland. So he built the Causeway and wandered over. When he saw how huge the Scottish giant was, he ran back to his wife asking for help. Mrs. McCool told him to get into some baby clothes and lay down in the bed. Like all men should do, he listened to his wife and did what she said. A knock came from the door and Mrs. McCool answered it. She found the Scottish giant at the door asking for her husband. She told him that he was out and asked him in for some tea. Of course he couldn’t refuse tea, so he came in and sat down. When he saw the baby in the bed, he asked who’s baby that was. Mrs. McCool replied saying her husband Finn McCool was the father. When the Scottish giant realized that if the baby was that big then the father must be a whole lot bigger, he ran back across the Causeway tearing it up so that Finn McCool couldn’t follow him. That is the legend of the Causeway. According to geologists, a volcano erupted 65 million years ago forming the perfect interlocking bricks. We know that is just a bunch of rubbish because there isn’t a volcano anywhere in Ireland, the earth isn’t 65 million years old, and the giant Finn McCool made it. The stones are like actual steps. Although the past two days were sunny, today was a bit cloudy and even started to drizzle while I was out at the causeway. It stopped after a couple of seconds and didn’t rain again. When I was done, I headed back to the vistors center to get some food. I ate a little pub called the Nook. I ordered a burger and some French fries. It was the best burger I have ever had in my life. Irish cattle are only grass fed, no grains, and have no hormone injections or anything else like that. If a cow even has to have something medically done like a shot or something, then he will never be used for eating. If only the States could have those kind of regulations. It was the best burger ever. Like ever. After I ate, I headed to look for the bus. It was 3:20 and I thought, but wasn’t sure, that we were supposed to meet at 3:40. Apparently it was 3:15 because I was late. Normally John got on to people for being late, but he didn’t with me because he said I gave him the puppy eye look. Not really sure about that, I think it was because I was always early all the previous times, but I was glad not to be yelled at. We made our way to Belfast and got to spend an hour looking around the city. After hearing about how much riots and crime they have, I didn’t venture too far. Especially when the next rioting time is in a few days. After we arrived back to Dublin and I left the tour, after John told me to buy a better watch, I went back to my hostel. Today was my last day in Ireland. Tomorrow I am off to London to go stay with my friend for a week. I am really excited, but I have to be up at 5. Until then.

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Comments

[Deana]

Hey!
Hey Alexis! I love following your trips!!! Ireland is beautiful, isn't it! You're going to several of my favorite places this summer! London is the best (in my opinion) because of its rich history. However, I've always wanted to visit Wales, too. And for years, my students and I have watched several webcams in Ireland and even know the names of some of the farmers' sheep that often appear on one of them. Did you know that Kandice Crawley is spending a month in London and Paris, too? Her mom (who is my principal) posted a pic of Kandice in Paris last weekend while she (her mom) was in New Orleans at the Cafe Du Monde with the caption "same difference, right." Anyway, that would be neat if you two ended up running into one another in Europe. Anyway, I would imagine you're sleeping very well after eating the best burger ever! It made my stomach growl to read your description! In London, I really enjoyed Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, and of course seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. If you get the chance, visit Althorp House to see Princess Diana's exhibit. I think this is the last year it's going to be open. Last year, her brother announced he would close it this year. I saw the traveling exhibit a few years ago, and it was fascinating to see! Have a beautiful day! And "mind the gap" (you're about to hear that a bazillion times if you take the underground in London). :-) Deana

[Writefully Yours]

I've seen all of her posts about being in Paris! I am so excited and I will definitly have to check out those places! I'm glad you are enjoying the posts!