Returned the Ka, got back home and time to get ready for our big Ireland Adventure.
Our Sunday flight (which we orginally missed) was otherwise uneventful. Arriving in Belfast we we got a taste of sweet-home-Chicago by watching Dark Knight at the theatre. Good movie, I bet someone is building a bike like Batman's right now to ride around with a cape on.
We were anxious to see the Giant's Causeway and other natural sights in Northern Ireland so we rented a Renault Clio and took the wonderful and somewhat treacherous coastal route. The Causeway was just as impressive as we were led to believe. We also visited a small rope bridge which offered geat views and even a quick thrill. Another fun drive on back roads back to Belfast and we hopped right into a taxi for one of Belfast's famous taxi tours. Although Belfast has been much more peaceful lately, the Troubles (as the North/South, Protestant/Catholic, Separatist/Unionist violence was referred to) were explained to us by our driver. I didn't know that there remain skirmishes but even today the division walls and automatically closing gates are still in use. Coincidently and unfortunately while we were there we heard reports of North police officers a few towns away being attached with rockets and grenades while we were in town. While this city reminds me of the divided Berlin, Berlin has since removed outward violence between the two sides. I am sure it is easy for me to say, but it seems like a successful, wealthy and healthy area of the world could/should find something better to do besides fight. Our taxi had many British Leyland parts like my Range Rover, many of which had broken in the same way!
We took a bus to Dublin then hopped into our fourth rental car of the journey to drive to Sligo and Galway. Both towns were great coastal communities but for whatever reason failed to ignite much passion in me. I did enjoy the (free) Galway Museum, however and the city had a great, flooding river running through it for scenic views. Next to the rental car facility there was a fantastic JDM import car centre which was like a candy shop to me!
Back in Dublin, in an effort to save money, we bravely opted for a 10-bed dorm for two nights. The hostel itself was fine but our guests were late arriving party animal snorers, unfortunately. We got through it knowing that we would be enjoying our time around the great city and our next stops would be nicer. While in Dublin we enjoyed the Temple Bar restaurant and pub district, an historic walking tour and the Guiness brewery. Since I am kind of an old fart, this was a busy and partying time of year to visit so not my cup of tea but luckily the city had better things to do like photography exhibits, film viewings and plenty of cultural history.
One more stop on this trip to share, but for now I need a break.
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