There's always room for a story …
It’s another installment of my throwback travel series! Today, I’m continuing my United Kingdom journey, but this time I am focusing on Northern Ireland — more specifically Belfast.
Last week, I re-shared my England posts, and this week, get ready as I take you back to April 2008, Easter weekend, when I walked the streets of Belfast and went as far north as Giant’s Causeway.
I’d like to go back to Ireland one day and visit Dublin.
This week, as I continue my travel photo throwbacks, I’m going to take you back to 2012 when I visited London England on my United Kingdom adventure. I stayed in the UK for about two weeks, and while I was there, I visited Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This trip was the first time I traveled alone (on a plane). I stayed with my good friend, Lisa, in Luton for the majority of it. I also ventured out on my own on a few excursions, including Abbey Road, and Windsor Castle.
I shared the original posts many years ago, but I will be re-sharing in the coming days with freshly edited material. Until then, here is a refresher – some images from London, England.
On the northeast coast of Northern Ireland lives The Giant’s Causeway, an area of about 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns; a site often described as The Eighth Wonder Of The World.
It is no surprise that The Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. Legend has it that the mythical giant Irish warrior Finn McCool built the causeway to battle his Scottish counterpart Benandonner.
Among the many locations I visited while in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway was perhaps one of the most lively, charming and exciting areas. As the waves crashed, the tall rock formations called my name for an exhilarating and tiring climb.
Carrick-de-rede was another exciting opportunity I had – the bridge was crafted in 1755 by a salmon fisherman. It was nerve-wracking to cross the shaking roped bridge, but I did! With a selfie to spare.
I spent four days in Belfast. To kick off my tour of Northern Ireland, I first visited Stormont, the home to the city’s Parliament buildings.
Surrounding the buildings, which were built in the early 1920’s, are beautiful greenery, an array of colourful flowers and the sounds of dogs running and people jogging.
Despite the grandness, historic nature, and chaotic complexities Stormont has represented through time, it is still a magnificent place to find solace – especially on a quiet weekend.
We also had a chance to walk the downtown streets (The Falls Road), and view the murals of peace. Painting depicted political unrest, sports and memorials.
Belfast
Two very famous sites I visited while in London included Diagon Alley and the Ten Bells pub, both located in the East End of London, England.
Harry Potter fanatics will recognize Diagon Alley as the famous cobbled wizarding alley and shopping area featured in the novels. One must enter Diagon Alley through The Leaky Cauldron to a rear courtyard and tap a brick in the wall. Given the busy nature of the area, travelling to and from Diagon Alley is likely typically done by more magical means.
The Ten Bells pub is located on the corner of Commercial and Fournier streets in Spitalfields. The now lively, booming and trendy pub was once known for its association with two of Jack the Ripper’s victims: Annie Chapman and Mary Kelly. The Ten Bells pub has existed since the 18th century. It was recreated in Prague for the feature film, “From Hell” with Johnny Depp and has been reputed to be haunted, with reports of paranormal activity continuing to this day.
