IRELAND
BELFAST
So here it is, Wednesday 16 January 2008. While pouring over the map the other night saw how easy it would be to go to Ireland. And I could do this in lieu of the eastern coast of Scotland – not expecting to have time to sightsee later in April – just a quick visit to Carnarvon Wales in April before I leave the UK. Every place is just so close to everywhere else and so accessible over here in the UK and of course Europe. So when I left Lockerbie took the bus west from Dumfries to Stranraer, right on the coast and from there caught a whizz bang ferry to Belfast. All of this took a whole less than 4 hours of travel with waiting in between. I had read nothing about the country and what there is to see and had no literature on Ireland, just knew that it was divided into a part that is still within the UK, and the other bit, the Republic the south of the country. And I have been using the libraries of the various towns I\’ve passed through for internet access. Maybe the same system applies in Belfast but the aussie said she hasn\’t been able to find the library yet.
And I booked into the YHA which was pretty easy to get to from the ferry – even caught a free bus from the terminal to the city and then walked about 10 mins and was there. And they put me in a 4bed dorm room sharing with an aussie from Cessnock working in the Lakes District of England. Around the corner of the hostel is an internet cafe, very well run and managed and giving a better costing deal to long term computer use. Even turns out great coffees. I will get a little more on my blog in the next day or two, how long I think I will stay in Belfast, and tell you about Ireland and my travel plans. Dublin is recommended to be a wonderful place, so probably a visit there. There\’s about a week to enjoy this island so why not a clockwise tour and maybe will get to pop into Lismore AND Ballina which are both in the Republic.
Haven\’t seen anything yet of this city except the arrival into port which is a busy and dirty looking place but it was a dark dusk when we arrived. Will keep you posted so check in again soon.
A day later today I spent checking out hostels open on the northern coast. A lot are closed for the winter except for group bookings. So a decision will have to be made tonight as to where to go tomorrow and then onwards. Have decided to catch a ferry from Larne rather than Belfast back to mainland Scotland when I return which will allow me to see a little more of Ireland but in Scotland it still travels the same road to Glasgow.
Went and saw \’The Kite Runner\’ today – it has been a long while since I\’ve read the book and since I\’ve been to any cinema, can\’t remember the last time. Movie well worth seeing and very true to the book. I got all h\’xcited as it looked like the scenery of Afghanistan particularly showing market places, streets, mountains topped with snow and village buildings, (no, not that I have been there) and from the credits I think I read it was set in Xianjing, China and San Francisco. It is well worth time to see.
Belfast – walked about a bit today and can\’t say much, a few lovely large old buildings always a delight to the eyes and that\’s about it. The hostel good and am finding a lot of the newer or renovated YHAs are all set with the same features – a lift, restaurant, a kitchen for guest use, laundry, tv room etc etc. Quite pleasant. So many hostels have no lift and are old buildings needing a lot of repairs and cleaning.
All for the moment.