Ireland Day 7-8: Dublin to Belfast to Ballycastle

This morning came in a bit of a haze from yesterdays events.  We grabbed breakfast with our crew and said our goodbyes… at least for a couple days.  We will see them again when we get to London.  Ray and I putted around Dublin at little bit more before making our way to the train station.  

Off to Belfast we go!  The train ride was very pretty! Passing numerous cute villages, super green pastures and pockets of water.  Interestingly enough, the 2 of us didn't even realize (or I was just too busy trying to update the blog since I am so very behind) when we had crossed into Northern Ireland until we saw a sign. 

Once in Belfast, we hopped in another rental car and made our way to Ballycastle.  We stopped at a restaurant along the way to grab dinner, thinking The Big House was going to be a tiny roadside shack.  Wrong! It was actually a somewhat big place and the food was big with flavor.  We made it to our B&B with just enough time to have a chat with the owner and get some sleep.  We left the next morning to check off the rope bridge "Carrick-a-Rede" and the Giant's Causeway off our list.  The rope bridge was definitely a sight to see.  First, we had to hike up a bit to get to the bridge, cross over the little rickety walkway to a really cool island that used to be a big place for salmon fishermen to get their catch of the day.  
Apparently, that is the reason the bridge is there in the first place to allow them access to the island.  Also, apparently there used to only be one "railing" to hold onto in order to cross.  These days it is relatively sturdy with ropes on either side.  I found the bridge to be quite captivating and exhilarating to cross.  It somewhat blew side to side in the wind and was slightly bouncy, all the more making it fun to cross.  Other people, had a hard time getting across and became quite scared, requiring encouragement in order to finish the cross.  Come to find out that no one has ever fallen off the bridge, but they have had people need to be brought back by a boat since they could fair the bridge again in order to get back.

 

I could have spent more time on the bridge, but there seemed to be more pressing things going on around us... Unbeknownst to us, there was a tv show being filmed right before our eyes, starring a very famous cricketeer, Freddie Flintoff.  In order to get to the bridge, I passed right by this guy, essentially cutting him off so I could have my turn to cross.  I then realize the film crew on the other side and watch as they film a short segment with Freddie and his tree hugger buddy Robert cross over the bridge behind me.  Freddie was one of the guys who didn't seem so keen on crossing the bridge or at least that's what his character portrayed.  Upon reaching the island, I walk towards the edge of the cliff to snap a good ol' selfie... Look behind me... That is Ray chatting it up with Robert, Freddie's buddy.  Talk about perfect timing!

  
I climb myself up to where they are standing, just in time to meet the star.  Which at this point, still no idea who he is. The guys are super cool and are more than happy to pose for a picture with Pepe.  Hopefully Pepe will make a guest appearance on their show.

 

  

Here's there traveling fish n chips van...

  And of course Pepe found a friend along the road.
Back in the car to the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim.  We initially walk in to a huge visitor centre with a gift shop and loads of information about the causeway.  From the story behind Finn MacCool the giant, which I think Ray talks about to (if one believes) how it was formed by ancient volcanic eruption patterning.  We grab our audio guides and hit the trail.  Walking down the hill, we come to Cow's Bay known to be home of Humphrey, Finn's camel that he used as his mode of transportation (being that he was too big for a horse right?).  Pepe reached his neck out as far as he could, but being that he is just a little guy, he couldn't quite reach Humphrey.  If you look closely at the rock formation above his head, you'll see Mr. H laying down with his head stretched out.

We continued down the path and saw Finn's
Chimney Stacks. His place must have been way
off in the distance...

And then we make it to the famous Giant's Causeway... What a sight!! Thousands of hexagonal basalt pillars and rocks jutting out of the ground before our eyes.  We spent quite some time wandering around, climbing up and down the rocks, steps, and hill-like formations.  I must admit it was a wee bit windy out there, not to mention the huge waves crashing nearby. 

We even found a heart fit for a giant...

For anyone who is a Game of Thrones fan, we tried to adventure to the Dark Hedges.  Using our trusty travel book, map and GPS, we drove down somewhere around Ballymoney right to where it was pinpointed on the map... Unfortunately, we did not see it.  You'll have google it in order to see what we missed out on.  We didn't have much time to dedicate to finding it since we had to make it back to the airport to catch our flight.  Off to Edinburgh and a chance to catch up with friends.